what's the deal with chiros?
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Well, they DO put the vertebra back into line.
Chiros don't cure anything though--they simply put your body in the best position to heal itself.
When there's a subluxation, the nerves travelling through the spinal column are interfered with. Adjustments allow the nerves to function as they should.
Chiropractic is effective for so many different things because the nerves to ALL parts of your body travel through your spine, then branch out to the rest of your body through the vertebre--there is a general "map" of the nerves that a chiropractor could explain in much more detail, but for example, nerves controlling breathing/lung function/diaphragm might come from T3 or 4 (the 3rd or 4th thorasic vertebre) so if there was a subluxation in that area, that part of your body may not be functioning at its best.
So---maybe they ARE "super-everything natural healing guys" in that they believe the body is capable of healing itself-- when alligned correctly.
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Chiros don't cure anything though--they simply put your body in the best position to heal itself.
When there's a subluxation, the nerves travelling through the spinal column are interfered with. Adjustments allow the nerves to function as they should.
Chiropractic is effective for so many different things because the nerves to ALL parts of your body travel through your spine, then branch out to the rest of your body through the vertebre--there is a general "map" of the nerves that a chiropractor could explain in much more detail, but for example, nerves controlling breathing/lung function/diaphragm might come from T3 or 4 (the 3rd or 4th thorasic vertebre) so if there was a subluxation in that area, that part of your body may not be functioning at its best.
So---maybe they ARE "super-everything natural healing guys" in that they believe the body is capable of healing itself-- when alligned correctly.
The best way I can explain it...
Your back/neverous system links everything and if that isn't in line and doing well itself, you can't get better. So, going to a chioro will help align your neverous system and then your body can begin to heal itself better b/c the communication b/w the hurt/injured part and better respond to the brain which inturn sends out messages through your now healthy neverous system on how to heal.
Does that make sense?
Your back/neverous system links everything and if that isn't in line and doing well itself, you can't get better. So, going to a chioro will help align your neverous system and then your body can begin to heal itself better b/c the communication b/w the hurt/injured part and better respond to the brain which inturn sends out messages through your now healthy neverous system on how to heal.
Does that make sense?
I've been going off and on for past several years. But I get turned off because I believe we can be self healers if we take care of ourselves. And the Chiropractor saying I need to come every week (or more) seems like a big $$ pit...
I know it is really helpful, esp since I am pregnant. But can we align ourselves through stretching, massage, and yoga?
I just wonder how much is really necessary? Since truthfully I can't afford it as often as prescribed.
And if you bring your kids does it cost the same?
I know it is really helpful, esp since I am pregnant. But can we align ourselves through stretching, massage, and yoga?
I just wonder how much is really necessary? Since truthfully I can't afford it as often as prescribed.
And if you bring your kids does it cost the same?
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Quote:
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Yeah, I'd be leary of going too.
Here's my experience:
A chiropractor was critical in getting my child to BF. A very gentle alignment of his jaw led him to latch for the first time at 4 weeks old. The chiropractor is the busiest in our part of California, yet he makes time for babies and does not charge for children 0-5. I have tried to pay him and he wouldn't take any money. This chiropractor does adjustments but he is also a genius diagnostician. At 7 months post partum when I took my son in for a visit, I asked him his opinion about meds for PPD. Apparently he was waiting for his opportunity to talk to me about my health -- he nearly leaped across the room, showed me what needed adjusting, what I was deficient in, what I needed to be eating, etc. He referred me to a colleague who had time for me and my life has never been the same.
My depression got very bad again in January-February and I was vey close to taking medication -- I've even got a Zoloft starter kit in my kitchen cabinet. But the support of the chiropractor and another wise alternative doctor sent me in search of the underlying causes of the depression. (Our primary care doc, a homeopath and MD, had said "all women have hormonal changes, but not all get PPD, why do you have it? That's the question.") Anyway, I have since been working on a yeast problem, a gradual heavy metal detox, and right now I am anticipating peeing in a cup for the rest of the day for an amino acid test. Every change I have made has improved the depression and has improved my health in general. Thank goodness for the support I have received.
All that is to say, I love my chiropractors.
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(but not all chiropractors are realy into nutrition and alternative treatments, nor are all good with children.)
| That yearly spinal X-rays are not only totally unnecessary, but are incredibly dangerous. |
Yeah, I'd be leary of going too.
Here's my experience:
A chiropractor was critical in getting my child to BF. A very gentle alignment of his jaw led him to latch for the first time at 4 weeks old. The chiropractor is the busiest in our part of California, yet he makes time for babies and does not charge for children 0-5. I have tried to pay him and he wouldn't take any money. This chiropractor does adjustments but he is also a genius diagnostician. At 7 months post partum when I took my son in for a visit, I asked him his opinion about meds for PPD. Apparently he was waiting for his opportunity to talk to me about my health -- he nearly leaped across the room, showed me what needed adjusting, what I was deficient in, what I needed to be eating, etc. He referred me to a colleague who had time for me and my life has never been the same.
My depression got very bad again in January-February and I was vey close to taking medication -- I've even got a Zoloft starter kit in my kitchen cabinet. But the support of the chiropractor and another wise alternative doctor sent me in search of the underlying causes of the depression. (Our primary care doc, a homeopath and MD, had said "all women have hormonal changes, but not all get PPD, why do you have it? That's the question.") Anyway, I have since been working on a yeast problem, a gradual heavy metal detox, and right now I am anticipating peeing in a cup for the rest of the day for an amino acid test. Every change I have made has improved the depression and has improved my health in general. Thank goodness for the support I have received.
All that is to say, I love my chiropractors.
(but not all chiropractors are realy into nutrition and alternative treatments, nor are all good with children.)
Quote:
This is what I think! I do not like to go to chiro too often. I noticed that the more often I go there the more often I need him!! I like to go couple of times until I feel fine and then maintain it through yoga and streching!! I don't feel it's safe to have that kind of drastic aligments done twice a week. It comes right back where it was before if it's done too often - at least in my case. I'd rather have a massage and keep the muscles relaxed so it does not get bad.
| Originally posted by namama I've been going off and on for past several years. But I get turned off because I believe we can be self healers if we take care of ourselves. And the Chiropractor saying I need to come every week (or more) seems like a big $$ pit... I know it is really helpful, esp since I am pregnant. But can we align ourselves through stretching, massage, and yoga? I just wonder how much is really necessary? Since truthfully I can't afford it as often as prescribed. And if you bring your kids does it cost the same? |
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Okay, I know I am a bit biased because this is what I do, but here goes. There are many different types of chiropractors and many ways to adjust the spine. The reason you need to be CHECKED (not neccesarily adjusted) on a regular basis is there are limitations of matter. We self correct many times throughout the day, but there are times when our body gets "stuck" in a pattern that is difficult to break. It has physical, mental, and emotional components. That is the subluxation. Subluxations interfere with the ability of our body to heal (on many levels) so in my opinion I want to know when there is any interference as soon as it is there! I don't adjust people every time they come in, only when they need it. Some people need to be checked for subluxations more often than others - it is often determined by their body and their lifestyle.
The reason you feel like you need to be adjusted more the more you go is the endorphin response and the stretching of ligaments and muscles with certain adjusting techniques. Not all adjusting is "rough." Lighter force techniques are very honoring to the body and help get to the root of why you are stuck in this pattern. They don't always involve getting "popped" or "twisted!" There is a time and place for everything and if we give the body credit it can do amazing things with very little input.
I hope that helps clear up any further questions.
The reason you feel like you need to be adjusted more the more you go is the endorphin response and the stretching of ligaments and muscles with certain adjusting techniques. Not all adjusting is "rough." Lighter force techniques are very honoring to the body and help get to the root of why you are stuck in this pattern. They don't always involve getting "popped" or "twisted!" There is a time and place for everything and if we give the body credit it can do amazing things with very little input.
I hope that helps clear up any further questions.
Chiromomy ~ I did not mean to offend any chiro here!! If I would not trust them I would not be going there in the first place.
What does it mean that endorphin response?
When I lived in England I used to go to Osteopath and I REALLY liked that!! They take their time and they do a gentle massage as well or the parts that need to be align. It was very pleasent and gentel and I felt always very good afterwards. One time I went to chiro here in US and told him about it and he talked about them in REALLY bad way and that really made me mad b/c they certainly helped me more then he did! Now I have a good chiro I just wished he'd talk to me more - like let's say about what should I do to maintain it, what kind of excercise I should do, how should I hold my baby in order not to strain my neck etc.
This way I feel like I pay for nothing. He really is very nice but he does not explain anything.
What does it mean that endorphin response?
When I lived in England I used to go to Osteopath and I REALLY liked that!! They take their time and they do a gentle massage as well or the parts that need to be align. It was very pleasent and gentel and I felt always very good afterwards. One time I went to chiro here in US and told him about it and he talked about them in REALLY bad way and that really made me mad b/c they certainly helped me more then he did! Now I have a good chiro I just wished he'd talk to me more - like let's say about what should I do to maintain it, what kind of excercise I should do, how should I hold my baby in order not to strain my neck etc.
This way I feel like I pay for nothing. He really is very nice but he does not explain anything.
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Pavlina - I wasn't offended! I just try to tell people about chiropractic whenever I can! It is really important to me.
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The reason osteopaths have gotten a bad name (and its the same thing happening to chiros) is that they have gotten away from the original practices and many have become watered down MD's. But there are a lot of great DO's out there. I am glad you found one you liked!
I am so sorry your chiropractor doesn't keep you informed. Have you talkd to him about it? If there is anything I can help with , please email me!
[email protected]
The reason osteopaths have gotten a bad name (and its the same thing happening to chiros) is that they have gotten away from the original practices and many have become watered down MD's. But there are a lot of great DO's out there. I am glad you found one you liked!
I am so sorry your chiropractor doesn't keep you informed. Have you talkd to him about it? If there is anything I can help with , please email me!
[email protected]
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Sorry Pavlina - I forgot to respond to the endorphin part -
Endorphins are our natural painkillers - the same things released when we are in labor to help us manage the contractions. Most input into body will release some endorphins, just depends how much. Chiropractic adjustments (especially the rougher kind) release endorphins as well. This is why it feels REALLY good for a little while afterwards. With lighter force adjustments this is not so dramatic because it is not as stressful to the body. This is not a BAD response - it is completely natural. I am also not against manual adjusting. I just don't believe the body needs it every time to move the bones. The art of chiropractic comes in being able to match the force of what the body needs.
Endorphins are our natural painkillers - the same things released when we are in labor to help us manage the contractions. Most input into body will release some endorphins, just depends how much. Chiropractic adjustments (especially the rougher kind) release endorphins as well. This is why it feels REALLY good for a little while afterwards. With lighter force adjustments this is not so dramatic because it is not as stressful to the body. This is not a BAD response - it is completely natural. I am also not against manual adjusting. I just don't believe the body needs it every time to move the bones. The art of chiropractic comes in being able to match the force of what the body needs.
Thank you for your explaination chiromamy
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I still don't understand though the connection between endorphins and the need to be adjusted more the more I go there. KWIM?
This is what I did not understand: "The reason you feel like you need to be adjusted more the more you go is the endorphin response and the stretching of ligaments and muscles with certain adjusting techniques."
Thanks
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And the osteopath - unfortunately that was in UK, not in US.
This is what I did not understand: "The reason you feel like you need to be adjusted more the more you go is the endorphin response and the stretching of ligaments and muscles with certain adjusting techniques."
Thanks
And the osteopath - unfortunately that was in UK, not in US.
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I also did not like all the xrays. My dad siad chiropractors get the old high-radiation x-ray machines doctors get ridf of (someone correct me on this if its wrong) so you get xtra radiation.
This is what turned me off. Also- after some adjustments, my neck was worse and my chiropractor was completely unsympathetic to the emotional releas of old "stuff" that comes up during adjustments, especially for those of us who experienced trauma in the past.
This is what turned me off. Also- after some adjustments, my neck was worse and my chiropractor was completely unsympathetic to the emotional releas of old "stuff" that comes up during adjustments, especially for those of us who experienced trauma in the past.
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sorry for any typos - nak
Pavlina - the endorpins are our natural narcotics so with very frequent manual adjustments the body gets used to that feeling. Also when the muscles and ligs are overstretched - as can happen with forceful adjustments - the bones can misalign quickly. Adjusting the bones that are subluxated (actually causing nerve interference) rather than just compensated (the bones that stabilize for the subluxated area) cuts down on the number of adjustments in an area. Specificity is the key! Does that clarify it?
Nursing Mother- there are many chiropractors who do not xray frequently and not at all for mamas who are pregnant or nursing. Check out www.icpa4kids.com for child and mama-friendly doctors.
mamaMonica - I am so sorry you had a bad experience! You are very right about emotional buildup being released with adjustments. I have seen many people (myself included) have a strong emotional reaction to an adjustment and not necessarily on the first visit. There can also be retracing of old symptoms and emotions as you uncover layers of trauma. As for xrays - Most chiropractic xrays are actually very low exposure and use a lot of filtration within the unit to avoid excessive exposure.
Pavlina - the endorpins are our natural narcotics so with very frequent manual adjustments the body gets used to that feeling. Also when the muscles and ligs are overstretched - as can happen with forceful adjustments - the bones can misalign quickly. Adjusting the bones that are subluxated (actually causing nerve interference) rather than just compensated (the bones that stabilize for the subluxated area) cuts down on the number of adjustments in an area. Specificity is the key! Does that clarify it?
Nursing Mother- there are many chiropractors who do not xray frequently and not at all for mamas who are pregnant or nursing. Check out www.icpa4kids.com for child and mama-friendly doctors.
mamaMonica - I am so sorry you had a bad experience! You are very right about emotional buildup being released with adjustments. I have seen many people (myself included) have a strong emotional reaction to an adjustment and not necessarily on the first visit. There can also be retracing of old symptoms and emotions as you uncover layers of trauma. As for xrays - Most chiropractic xrays are actually very low exposure and use a lot of filtration within the unit to avoid excessive exposure.
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I'm glad to hear the machines are low exposure. I would actually like to try chiropractic again with a different chiropractor.
two questions:
can we help ourselves in between appointments. for instance, I know yoga and stretching makes me feel better. how can I mix the two and let my Dr. know I value to adjustments but want to do some on my own too?
and can x-rays be avoided altogether and still get good treatment. i have a funny hip ever since my first pregnancy. its never really gotten better (even with adjustments.) what can a person expect without xrays? they're out of the question since I am currently pg!
thanks!
can we help ourselves in between appointments. for instance, I know yoga and stretching makes me feel better. how can I mix the two and let my Dr. know I value to adjustments but want to do some on my own too?
and can x-rays be avoided altogether and still get good treatment. i have a funny hip ever since my first pregnancy. its never really gotten better (even with adjustments.) what can a person expect without xrays? they're out of the question since I am currently pg!
thanks!
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Movement is great! It helps keep our bodies from getting "stuck" in patterns. Also relaxation and yoga help deal with the mental and emotional causes of subluxations. Just remember that you don't always know when you are subluxated because only a small percentage of our nerves carry pain messages so it is important to get checked regularly even if you are feeling fine.
As for xrays - it depends on your history and the type of adjustments you are receiving. Have you had any physical trauma? If your hip problems have not been getting better talk with your doctor and see if he/she can try a different approach. We all miss things occasionally! There are other ways to find out the type of misalignment in your body - muscle testing, leg checks, palpation, etc- but not all chiropractors use these. Also chiropractors experienced with pregnant women will know what problems are most likely with our everchanging bodies. Many chiropractors do not xray at all! Light force chiropractors are least likely to xray (techniques like Activator, Network, NET, BEST, etc.), but there are a lot of chiropractors practicing varied techniques who use other tools to find out what is happening in your body. HTH!
As for xrays - it depends on your history and the type of adjustments you are receiving. Have you had any physical trauma? If your hip problems have not been getting better talk with your doctor and see if he/she can try a different approach. We all miss things occasionally! There are other ways to find out the type of misalignment in your body - muscle testing, leg checks, palpation, etc- but not all chiropractors use these. Also chiropractors experienced with pregnant women will know what problems are most likely with our everchanging bodies. Many chiropractors do not xray at all! Light force chiropractors are least likely to xray (techniques like Activator, Network, NET, BEST, etc.), but there are a lot of chiropractors practicing varied techniques who use other tools to find out what is happening in your body. HTH!
Hilary,
You speak my feelings. I just don't understand any medical intervention that has to happen so often.
Don't get me wrong, I love and need the adjustments. But I hate the feelings I have when I decline x-rays and make excuses for only coming a couple of times a month. I live about 30 miles out of town and just can't justify all the trips, I have my 3 yo with me, I can't afford this month... when really its "I want to take care of MYSELF, with a little professional help and guidance..."
I looked at the website chiromommy mentioned, but I dodn't find info on the type of Chiropracter that uses gentler touch and no x-ray...
please continue to enlighten, please!
You speak my feelings. I just don't understand any medical intervention that has to happen so often.
Don't get me wrong, I love and need the adjustments. But I hate the feelings I have when I decline x-rays and make excuses for only coming a couple of times a month. I live about 30 miles out of town and just can't justify all the trips, I have my 3 yo with me, I can't afford this month... when really its "I want to take care of MYSELF, with a little professional help and guidance..."
I looked at the website chiromommy mentioned, but I dodn't find info on the type of Chiropracter that uses gentler touch and no x-ray...
please continue to enlighten, please!
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I definitely understand your sentiments. We have the same malpractice pressures as MDs so a lot of doctors practice out of fear. They feel that if they have the xrays they have covered their tush. Others xray for analysis purposes - but xrays are 1 moment in time and our bodies are ever-changing. I am sorry that the doctors that you have encountered have been persistent about xrays - especially for the nursing mamas!
The ICPA website is a pediatric organization and I have found many of the doctors understand a mother's health concerns for herself and her family better .
Here are 2 light force websites:
www.morter.com (BioEnergetic SynchronizationTechnique) - we use this technique
www.networkhealing.net (a good site for Network Spinal Analysis - not the main one but it has some good explanations)
I do believe in regular chiropractic care - but that is different for everyone! A lot of people can come every couple of weeks or even monthly but then more often when there is a crisis. But the crises can often be avoided when you get checked every couple of weeks. During the initial care (or longer for people with very stressful lives and poor stress management) more frequent visits may be necessary to help the body reach a maintenance plateau.
My reasons for regular spinal checks are not monetary - I truly belive there is value in this and that subluxations interefere with our inborn potential. I want to know as soon as there is interference not just when i have a symptom.
The ICPA website is a pediatric organization and I have found many of the doctors understand a mother's health concerns for herself and her family better .
Here are 2 light force websites:
www.morter.com (BioEnergetic SynchronizationTechnique) - we use this technique
www.networkhealing.net (a good site for Network Spinal Analysis - not the main one but it has some good explanations)
I do believe in regular chiropractic care - but that is different for everyone! A lot of people can come every couple of weeks or even monthly but then more often when there is a crisis. But the crises can often be avoided when you get checked every couple of weeks. During the initial care (or longer for people with very stressful lives and poor stress management) more frequent visits may be necessary to help the body reach a maintenance plateau.
My reasons for regular spinal checks are not monetary - I truly belive there is value in this and that subluxations interefere with our inborn potential. I want to know as soon as there is interference not just when i have a symptom.
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