Has anyone been to a Chiopractor?

[Narly R]

Well I went to a this guy about 4 times for a week and now i have to go about every two weeks cause i hurt my back and I guess my vertibrays are kinda changing shape, so the doctor said I need to get a better suspention for jumping, since I bottomed out EVRYTIME with stock, so I ordered Elka LT Elites and Lonestar
+3/+1 arms. But has anyone had to go to a Chiopractor because of ridding or anything? j/w:ermm:

[Martin Blair]

i landed in the middle of a table top (thought it was shorter i went all out first time) and my neck poped and it hurt when i woke up the next morning [retty bad and didnt stop even afte tri took some advil so my mom took me to one, he poped my neck bakc its felt good but was wired at the same time.

[FourFiftyFour]

when i was about 12 or 13 I had a horse rear up and fall on me while i was riding it in a horse show.. the horse almost crushed me but i fell at an awkward angle and ever since my back has hurt quite a bit.... and i dont as bad but i had really bad back problems... also b/c I have skinny narrow flat feet and that makes it harder on my back.... I have begged my parents to let me go and they never did so I had to go around with my back hurtin everyday :ermm: :mad:

[QuadJunkies]

Ive been so a Chiro sooooo many times I cant even count:( ... I have deteriating disc in my neck anlong wiht VERY bad migraines and upper back pinched nerves you name it..My Dr. has a cow when I tell him I ride,so I just dont rell him anymore.:o He wants me to retire., heck.Ive only just started!!!.....:p I just dont push things too far so I dont damage something permanantly.....Alot of people thinkn that a Chiro is a quack,but if I hadnt went to one on and off throuut the years. I would have been in really bad shape..... My first experince with a Chiro and riding....well, my fisrt time on a quad I killed it and lunged it forward ,jerked my neck so hard I couldnt move it for two weeks!:o :D ....Turned out I gave myself whiplash....LOL>...........but after taht it was smooth sailing.....

[Flip)(stick]

I havent been to one, but a couple years ago i went off a bmx type of jump and it pretty much went straight up, and i rocketed on my quad straight up literally almost at like a 85 dagree angle so i bailed off and fell on my back, ever since then it still bothers me, i havent been to one cause me mom says they just screw ya up even more and she dont want me going for some odd reason i dunno lol, ive had xrays done to but theres notin broken, so yea.. heh

a good chiropractor can be worth their weight in gold...

[MOFO]

Originally posted by "2-R's Rider"
a good chiropractor can be worth their weight in gold...


and they can screw you for life as well. I personally think Chiopractor's are WAY over used. When you go once, your there for life. Dont get me wrong, I'm sure there are cases were a chiopractor is needed.

I dont go all the time ...only when my back is out of alignment ...I am kinda of a maintenance patient ...BEATS the KNIFE!!

[QuadJunkies]

I would much rather go into the Chiro and go under the knife:eek2: ......Ive heard once youve been cut on, you end up with nothing but surgery,after sugery after that...Like all Dr.s they can be bad too. I had one once shortly after my Daughter was born that messed me up for about 6 months.I went in for some adj. cause I was all out of whack after having my Daughter,well he had me so out of place that I could harly walk!! My hips were both outof place..:eek2: ..Now if my insurance would just pay for a massage therapist...... Anyone ever been?OMG they are WONDERFUL!!!:)

[SGA]

Originally posted by "2-R's Rider"
a good chiropractor can be worth their weight in gold...
I agree 100%. A good chiropractor will thoroughly check to see what is wrong, then explain what is the best course to take for healing. They will also show you a model of a spine, and point out on the model what is wrong with your back/neck/hips. Also a good chiropractor will just not start cracking. They know it took some time to get your back out of whack, it will take some time to readjust, and will explain that to you. Ask friends and coworkers who they recommend.
I do not go very much anymore, only when I pop something out crooked. I really was in bad shape from irritated nerves in my right leg, so I put more weight on my left leg over 5 years or so. Over time, it twisted my pelvis and it put more pressure on one side of my back and neck than the otherside. I was skeptical about back doctors. He had me stand on two scales(one under each foot) with my eyes closed, then had me look down and open my eyes. I really was putting more weight on the good leg, about 15-20 pounds. I had no idea I was doing it. Also one leg was 1/2 inch shorter than the other from standing crooked for so long. It took about 6-9 months to get my pelvis back straight. He also gave me some stretching exercises to do.
Bottom line, the pain in my back/hips went away that had been there for 5 years. My right leg will start hurt sometimes if I over do it, so I have learned to back off if it starts aching. I would not hesitate one second to go to him if my back is hurting.

[310Rduner]

Yeah, I've deffinately been to a chiropractor...

For the past year and a half or more i have had more joint problems in my elbows, knees, shoulder, fingers, toes, and ankles.. and right now my wrist started popping and cracking. lol

So basically everytime i would move my elbos to 90 deg. and then back to arm all the way out my elbow would start grinding and then POP.

Well i finally went to my riding buddy ( Dr. Dave the canuck) and he took about 10 mins explaining everything to me. He starts feeling my elbows where I've been having the pain and right away he notices this popcorn kernal type crap in my elbow muscles and biceps... I could deffinately feel it was there too.. real big pieces of it..
He let me know that that was ALL scar tissue built from my 6 years of karate and riding.. About as much scar tissue as he normally finds in his older (40yr old) patients.alot from NOT stretching when i ride:ermm:

So about 3 weeks later doing 1 session a week and 1 session for free when we were out duning, of working out all of the scar tissue, consisting of him massaging it out as Hard as was necessary... didnt hurt too bad.

Now i have no scar tissue and my elbows dont pop, crack, or grind.

The bill was about 1,000 or so.. but after insurance it was 300 with my moms 150 deductable.

Now i feel :macho

[Narly R]

WOW some pretty interesting stories! The guy i went to was really good, he had me come 4 times and now he just wants to see me every other week, he explained to me what he was doing and what i hurt and what exercises to do for that.


CDaleChick, horses are the devil,:p my mom is way into hourses and well they make SOME money, but when she was younger she got bucked off a hourse and hurt her neck and then about 1-2 weeks later she went in cause the pain wasnt going away, and she broke it! She was lucky!


Do you ride horses much?

[QuadTrix6]

Chiropractors make me laugh, IMO i think there full of crap, i went one time and the guy made me watch this lame ***** video :huh i was like wtf ? then he cracked my back a bit and was like ok im gonna need to see you 4 times a week, so i said for holw long ?:scary: then hes like well for awhile :scary: i seen how much he costed and i waslike my back is gonna hurt worse if i keep seeing this guy cause im gonna have to get another job to pay for him :rolleyes: , i went for 2 weeks to give it a shot and it did nothing for me :confused: but that was just my experience, if you think they help then go for it but you won't catch me seeing one of those kooks :blah: :devil:

[250x#93]

My sister did, she rode two wit her bf and it screwed up her back so she went to the chiropractor:devil:

[rossano]

OK
I am a chiropractor.
I have been riding since I was 10. Dirtbikes, streetbikes, quads, you name it. I've even roadraced a CBR600F3 for 3 years in the Loudon/Bridgehampton roadrace series.
I've taken the spills, and I've paid my bills, just like most of y'all. It was conservative treatment such as chiropractic care that has helped me avoid unnecessary surgery. It also improved my performance. This is probably why elite athletes such as Mike Jordan, Arnold Schwartzenegger, Olympic Gold winner Derek Parra, Cyclist Lance Armstrong, Past AMA 750cc supersport champ Rich Alexander, Tiger Woods, and tons of others utilize chiropractic services. This is one of the reasons I ceased my prior career in Nuclear Medicine to become a chiropractor.

In response to QuadTrix6-
I'll tell it like it is: there are a small number of chiropractors that run questionable practices. Unfortunately, there are surgeons, body shops, plumbers, priests, janitors, deli owners, pizza makers, teachers, mechanics, athletes and engineers that run questionable practices as well. Don't blame a whole profession because of one jacckass. That's being ignorant.

Chiropractic education has changed drastically over the past decade. Make sure that you research any chiropractor you may choose to visit. Better yet, if your problem is caused by riding, see if the chiropractor rides so he/she will have a better understanding of your condition. Believe me, I know what happens to your back when you case a double. Or loop a wheelie. Or lowside a GSXR at 70 mph. Ever ride a hardtail custom over the bumps and potholes of the NYC area?
If you don't mind coming to Westchester, my office hours are M-F 10am-7pm. I accept most insurance plans. Lots of my patients ride.

REMEMBER: a good doctor (chiro, medical, whatever) will tell you if they can't help you, and will be eager to refer you to a specialist that can help you.

FOR MORE INFO AND QUESTIONS, VISIT THE AMERICAN CHIROPRACTIC ASSOCIATION'S WEBSITE AT WWW.AMERCHIRO.ORG
THEY HAVE TONS OF THE RIGHT INFORMATION ABOUT CHIROPRACTIC.
GOOD LUCK FELLAS
KEEP ON RIPPIN'
-ROSSANO

[310Rduner]

hey rossano, how many years are involved in education for becoming a chiropractor?

My buddy said he got into it because he was always pretty involved in mechanics when he was in high school in canada, then when he came down here he decided he'd rather work on people than being in a shop all day.

I know he's pretty happy with his job, and having his own practice he and his partner have plenty of freedom to take riding days off..

Seems like something i could be interested once im into college and a profession.. i know he makes Damned good money too.. :)

[BIGRED400]

I go 2 times a week until my bottom 2 disc get straightened out .I could'nt even hardly tie my shoes before.....I think the key is finding a good 1 to work on you ...alot of quacks out there....beats the hell out of pain pills that the regular doc put me on

[rossano]

I applied to chiropractic school with a bachelor's degree (4 years) then chiropractic school was just shy of another 4 years. It was a great deal of work. Nothing like the breeze that undergrad was.
Honestly, managed care has made being a private practicioner very hard, money-wise. The "mercedes 80's" are very over. All types of doctors are feeling the heat

Regardless, I couldn't imagine working in any other profession.


(Well, I wouldn't mind being a factory-sponsored racer!:devious: )

[yellowex01]

Originally posted by VWVR6
When you go once, your there for life.


You couldnt be more wrong. I lost the use of both hands pretty much for almost 3 years. fingers felt like hot dogs. I ripped a knuckle clean off and never felt it. My elbows started locking up. I went to EVERY doctor know to man. Orthopedic surgeons, nurologists, you name it I saw them. They even said I had bi-lateral carpeltunnel.. their last diagnosis.. Live with the pain. My last resort was a chiropractor.. Come to find out from all the years of heavy powerlifting, I had straightend my spine ( military neck) from the shoulders up.. With in 1 1/2 months the ole chiropractor had me good as new.. I just go in for a yearly adjustment..

[RiPPiNiTuP7]

I heard they do more bad than good. My dad had to see one for a little while...after his experience he told me don't ever think about going to one :ermm:

Originally posted by "2-R's Rider"
a good chiropractor can be worth their weight in gold...

And are just as hard to find, but your sooooo correct. :)

Its a shame how the whole medical field has become big business and so few dr's of any kind are both good at what they do and truely interested in your well being. I guess the attraction of the dollar outweighs the attraction of helping people.

Oh sure I wouldnt leave home without one. One of the former members here (got booted cause he wasnt popular with the mods) rides with a local chiro here and you cant beat that level of attention :)

[Narly R]

I think that they can do more on one person than another, i mean everybody is differnt, so ther treatments would probably work better on some that otheres!JMO.:ermm:



I have only been to this one and Im glad I did, but the first time I went about every bome in my body cracked, but as the days went on each time I back didnt crack as much, but like the first time I could feel a little differance.


Hey rossano, I dunno if you can help me or what, but heres the deal, about 1/2 a year ago i ripped a couple muscles on the right side of my spine and it hurt like a MOTHA! i mean i couldnt do anything, but it eventually went away (the continues pain that is), but it has always caused my left soulder to be a little higher. Then about a a month or so ago i kinda did the same thing, it wasnt as bad, but both times is what caused the injury is I would pretty much compress my back, he first time a weird thing happened I just came down rong and the seat hit my butt the rong way guess, and the second time I just over shot a double!:o But the doctor took ex-rays and my I think disks, wel you know how when you look at a spine and hit has a hole bunch of little square bones, well he said they all should be pretty much square and mine arnt, well a couple are pretty differnt in shape. But anyways after all the poping and cracking, i still get REALLY sore after the normal stuff, like bending over for a long period of time, like today i was working on a trailer and I had to bend down to weld, and now my back aches bad! And normal trail ridding makes it ache too! i mean im gettin tired of this! the doc said all i can really do is build up the mucles around that area, what do you think, i was just wounderin if I could get a second oppinion on this, and help would be GREATLY aptitiated!!!!!;)

Originally posted by Narly R
I think that they can do more on one person than another, i mean everybody is differnt, so ther treatments would probably work better on some that otheres!JMO.:ermm:



I have only been to this one and Im glad I did, but the first time I went about every bome in my body cracked, but as the days went on each time I back didnt crack as much, but like the first time I could feel a little differance.


Hey rossano, I dunno if you can help me or what, but heres the deal, about 1/2 a year ago i ripped a couple muscles on the right side of my spine and it hurt like a MOTHA! i mean i couldnt do anything, but it eventually went away (the continues pain that is), but it has always caused my left soulder to be a little higher. Then about a a month or so ago i kinda did the same thing, it wasnt as bad, but both times is what caused the injury is I would pretty much compress my back, he first time a weird thing happened I just came down rong and the seat hit my butt the rong way guess, and the second time I just over shot a double!:o But the doctor took ex-rays and my I think disks, wel you know how when you look at a spine and hit has a hole bunch of little square bones, well he said they all should be pretty much square and mine arnt, well a couple are pretty differnt in shape. But anyways after all the poping and cracking, i still get REALLY sore after the normal stuff, like bending over for a long period of time, like today i was working on a trailer and I had to bend down to weld, and now my back aches bad! And normal trail ridding makes it ache too! i mean im gettin tired of this! the doc said all i can really do is build up the mucles around that area, what do you think, i was just wounderin if I could get a second oppinion on this, and help would be GREATLY aptitiated!!!!!;)

Well I am deff not a chiro cracker but till you get your "prof post" I will offer what I do know.

Damaged discs and vertabrae arent something you just fix with a few adjustment, but some problems I have seen people recover from thru chiro adjustments and proper exercise and streching etc.

The one biggest thing you can do for yourself to help low back pain besides regular spinal adjustments is to build up the muscles in the back and stomach. I was absolutely amazed with the results I had recieved when I had doubled up chiro with phys therapy. Unless your one of those people who visit the gym often and exercise properly chances are the weakend muscles are allowing all kinds of things to happen and are not up to keeping your bones in the right places.

Come to think of it I never did hold my adjustments long till I started working on it from a musclular standpoint as well.

I think our new resident chiro cracker would agree that too many people are looking for instant results like so many keep thinking they will get from the billions of bs pills sold every year to fix this or that and dont give chiro the time needed to work properly. I have had actuall arguments with various friends and family members that were upset that they still had pain (even if it was extremely less than b4) after their treatments etc. You have to work with what you have and if your not lucky enough to get 100% relief immediately just be patient and remember your body has become used to the twisted position it is in and you may get some pain till it stops fighting the new proper positions of your spine.

Remember when your bending your putting a lot of stress on your lower back and if its not supported enough by the muscle (and sometimes even if it is) your going to have a better chance of putting enough pressure on your nerves that are being "pinched" by your problems with your spine and then comes the pain, and you can also see pain just from over working the muscles and its hard to decifer the two.

Hope that helped till you get better info.

[Chef]

My back hurts constantly from hangin off the sides of my bikes in weird shapes and stretches. I try to go once every couple weeks, but I go once a week when I start havin a string of crashes...:ermm:

[Narly R]

I CPMPLETLY understand what you mean 440ex4me!;) The doctor pretty much said what you said, i need to work out more than I do and REALLY need to change my diet! but its hard! Im 14 and already have back problems, i better do all i can now so I can still walk when Im 40!:ermm: I think Ill see alot of differnce with my new suspension!:)

[rossano]

It wouldn't make sense to try and diagnose you over a computer. But, from what you stated, it sounds like you have compression fractures of your vertebrae. This could be bad, but for some people, it won't matter much at all (pain-wise). Actually, I have a compression fracture of one of my thoracic vertebrae (looped a KDX200 in 4th gear on pavement).

The funniest thing about back pain, as someone previously stated, is that it varies a great deal from person to person. If you took a low-back MRI of 100 people walking down the street, roughly 50% will show disc bulges and herniations. Oddly, some people won't feel a thing. A few of them, though, will have the tiniest little bulge or herniation and be in excruciating pain. We all have different pain tolerance thresholds.

Any health care practicioner should seek to do the right thing for each individual. Usually, different treatments are tried until something that works well is found. This usually starts with conservative treatments such as chiropractic care, massage therapy, acupuncture, physical therapy etc.

If and when these options are exhausted, or if they fail, this is when surgery should be considered.

It must be understood that drugs help with pain control, but realize that they mask symptoms. They don't fix anything.

The bottom line is that if you have thinned, bulging and/or herniated discs (which will probably happen from years of bouncing around on a quad), there will eventually be lots of accompanying spinal muscle spasm and joint degeneration. It starts out minor, but can eventually get worse and worse. If you don't deal with the tissues involved: such as by decompressing those discs with traction, manipulating the hypomobile joints, stretching tight/spasmodic muscles, strengthening elongated/weak spinal stabilizing musculature, you probably will only get worse. This is the limitation of matter. Letting anything go for too long will eventually wreck the joints and surrounding tissue. At this stage, a chiropractor or other conservative therapist may help, but don't expect miracles. This is reality.

Our spines were designed to have a certain alignment, or posture. Mechanically, we can move in and out of the neutral position. It is when we continually go to the extremes of our ranges of motion that tissues rip, tear and break. Following this is guarded, unnatural movement. Then, add a couple of extra pounds to the equation. Did you know that smoking weakens collagen, the structural protien of these tissues? Eventually, the compensating musculature becomes tired and starts to give. And so on, and so on, and so forth. Then ..*POOF* ...you are now a "back patient". Just like the guy who smoked and drank and ate sshiitty his whole life, has a mild heart attack, and is now a "heart patient". Life has suddenly taken a new turn.

If you have bad posture... or if your spine- the frame and foundation of your body- is not aligned correctly or isn't working right due to muscles and joints that are "off", realize that NOTHING will correct this except getting to the cause and fixing it. (Preferably by conservative means, but with the ultimate option of surgery).
Again, just like the plumbers and pizza makers, you're on your own in terms of finding a competant doctor (chiro or otherwise). But good luck anyway!
Holy Crrap...sorry to ramble so much...:scary:

[QuadJunkies]

Originally posted by rossano
It wouldn't make sense to try and diagnose you over a computer. But, from what you stated, it sounds like you have compression fractures of your vertebrae. This could be bad, but for some people, it won't matter much at all (pain-wise). Actually, I have a compression fracture of one of my thoracic vertebrae (looped a KDX200 in 4th gear on pavement).

The funniest thing about back pain, as someone previously stated, is that it varies a great deal from person to person. If you took a low-back MRI of 100 people walking down the street, roughly 50% will show disc bulges and herniations. Oddly, some people won't feel a thing. A few of them, though, will have the tiniest little bulge or herniation and be in excruciating pain. We all have different pain tolerance thresholds.

Any health care practicioner should seek to do the right thing for each individual. Usually, different treatments are tried until something that works well is found. This usually starts with conservative treatments such as chiropractic care, massage therapy, acupuncture, physical therapy etc.

If and when these options are exhausted, or if they fail, this is when surgery should be considered.

It must be understood that drugs help with pain control, but realize that they mask symptoms. They don't fix anything.

The bottom line is that if you have thinned, bulging and/or herniated discs (which will probably happen from years of bouncing around on a quad), there will eventually be lots of accompanying spinal muscle spasm and joint degeneration. It starts out minor, but can eventually get worse and worse. If you don't deal with the tissues involved: such as by decompressing those discs with traction, manipulating the hypomobile joints, stretching tight/spasmodic muscles, strengthening elongated/weak spinal stabilizing musculature, you probably will only get worse. This is the limitation of matter. Letting anything go for too long will eventually wreck the joints and surrounding tissue. At this stage, a chiropractor or other conservative therapist may help, but don't expect miracles. This is reality.

Our spines were designed to have a certain alignment, or posture. Mechanically, we can move in and out of the neutral position. It is when we continually go to the extremes of our ranges of motion that tissues rip, tear and break. Following this is guarded, unnatural movement. Then, add a couple of extra pounds to the equation. Did you know that smoking weakens collagen, the structural protien of these tissues? Eventually, the compensating musculature becomes tired and starts to give. And so on, and so on, and so forth. Then ..*POOF* ...you are now a "back patient". Just like the guy who smoked and drank and ate sshiitty his whole life, has a mild heart attack, and is now a "heart patient". Life has suddenly taken a new turn.

If you have bad posture... or if your spine- the frame and foundation of your body- is not aligned correctly or isn't working right due to muscles and joints that are "off", realize that NOTHING will correct this except getting to the cause and fixing it. (Preferably by conservative means, but with the ultimate option of surgery).
Again, just like the plumbers and pizza makers, you're on your own in terms of finding a competant doctor (chiro or otherwise). But good luck anyway!
Holy Crrap...sorry to ramble so much...:scary: I think this is GOOD sound advise. EVERYONE should have treatments from time to time.I cant tell you how much difference it will make you feel. ;)

[QuadTrix6]

Originally posted by rossano
In response to QuadTrix6-



i gotcha :o

[Narly R]

Thanks A LOT rossano!!!!!! I understand, but i DONT want sergery so im going to start working out and still visit the Chiopractor. I dont think Im too bad yet, I mean having back sergery at the age of 14 is a little sevear!:confused2 But i mean if thats what it comes down to i dont have much choice. Is there any sertain like stretch I could do or ANYTHING that you know of that would help me before i ride or sumthing? I pulled my Ryomboid muscle, and like 2-3 more around that area., So ( I think u already know this, but Im going to try and ACT smart!:p ) when i pulled that it made my spine kinda go to the right a little, which is causing a couple of my vertebrays, to go from a square to a triangle, theres far from being a "triange" shap, but are defently less square.

You said I had compressed fractures of the vertebray, does this mean i acually have fractures? sorry for buggin you, I just was wounderin what you thing!:ermm:

[Jekyl_22]

Whenever I used to ride, sit in a car for a long time, sit at school for a long time, etc. my back would hurt for the rest of the day if not longer. That's when I decided I should try building up the muscles in my back and my abs (Dad's suggestion).

I did those reverse sit-up things while holding a 25lb weight and a bunch of other exercises. I would just do as many as I could until I couldn't do it anymore. After a few weeks, my back was better and hasn't hurt since.

Narly, I used that reverse sit-up thing in the weight room. It works wonders. No more hurting back for me :) Good luck :macho

[Narly R]

Originally posted by Jekyl_22
Narly, I used that reverse sit-up thing in the weight room. It works wonders. No more hurting back for me :) Good luck :macho

Thanks man ill try that!;)

Originally posted by "2-R's Rider"
a good chiropractor can be worth their weight in gold...

Jeremiah Jones thanks his back cracker all the time in mags...


I've been to them many many many times...but if ya go alot and get your spine used to it... You'll feel the pain quicker after you stop going on a regular basis..

Most Dr.'s hate chiropractors mainly because they didn't receive as much education as the back crackers did....:eek:

[Narly R]

Well iv went 4 times about 2 weeks ago and dont feel any better, but I have to build the muscle in my bake first so ill get back to yall on that....;)


YA when i turn pro Ill go to Chiropracters all the time too...:D

[310Rduner]

Originally posted by 440EX4me
And are just as hard to find, but your sooooo correct. :)

Its a shame how the whole medical field has become big business and so few dr's of any kind are both good at what they do and truely interested in your well being. I guess the attraction of the dollar outweighs the attraction of helping people.

Oh sure I wouldnt leave home without one. One of the former members here (got booted cause he wasnt popular with the mods) rides with a local chiro here and you cant beat that level of attention :)

i got ya beat tho;)

my riding group consists of my buddy who is a mechanic, hes always out there tearing sh*t up helping people. One time we timed how long it took him to be on the beach before he started helping someone with carb or other troubles lol.. 5 mins on the beach, 5 mins talking to the guy, and 2 mins later was into the carbs on the shee lmao.

My other riding buddy is my chiropractor Dr. Dave.. thats all we call him.. Dr. Dave, its like his first name now. He was a buddy first, then he became my chiro...

I'm set tho, i do something wrong, i can fix not only my bike, but me as well..:macho

[SGA]

Originally posted by 310Rduner
I'm set tho, i do something wrong, i can fix not only my bike, but me as well..:macho
He got it made, made in the shade:cool: