Erika Said:

Chiropractor vs Physical Therapy?

We Answered:

I would say choose someone who practices evidence based medicine and focuses on teaching you on what YOU need to do at home to help this get better rather than making you dependent on THEM. Most often, this is how a physical therapist practices; however, some chiropractors can fall into this category as well. In my opinion, no one does this better than those who are certified in mechanical diagnosis and therapy. The MDT focus is patient empowerment and education and avoiding all the "vodoo" that's out there such as e-stim, "myofacial release" and showing you some very simply solutions to do at home. Most people who have a "derangement syndrome" (the most common reason to walk into the clinic) in the MDT classification are significantly better in about two weeks or less. Treatment is usually brief and to the point without the extra "fluff" that does nothing but run up your bill. I'd recommend you use the therapist locator (most people are PTs, but there are a few DCs) at www.mckenziemdt.org

Casey Said:

would physical therapy or being a chiropractor be a good job for a good future?

We Answered:

Most Chiropractors are crooks. Here is the truth about what they do. A chiropractor can do spinal manipulations to relieve stress on spinal nerves caused by things like muscle tension or a slight misalignment of the discs. The manipulation is not a permanent change of anything though, and no - they can't permanently change the natural shape or curvature of a spine. An orthopedist can evaluate the situation and determine if a scoliosis is actually present, and if a brace would be of help. A brace has to be individually fitted though- it's not a one size fits all proposition. A chiropractor can be helpful in musculo-skeletal aches and pains, through manipulation and massage- but aside from that it's all smoke and mirrors. If you have back pain from the misalignment, they can help relieve that. But nothing they do is going to be a permanent fix. Spines don't work that way. To change a spine takes surgery and braces. Most chiropractors are quacks and want to take a full body X-ray then proceed and having you going to them for a long time. In my opinion they are just as good a back rub. So if you want to become a back rub specialist that gets paid decent money by deceiving people this job is for you.

Erica Said:

Chiropractor, Orthopedist or Physical Therapy?

We Answered:

"Chiropractors are licensed physicians." - No they aren't. Physicians are licensed doctors (MDs) who can legally prescribe pills and who went to medical school.

You might just be sore. I'm not sure how long the pain has been ongoing, but if it's relatively new, try waiting it out and making sure to stretch your back and leg regularly, and the pain might go away by itself. If not, I'd say that seeing a physical therapist is probably your best bet - they know some really good stretches for various types of pain all over the body.

To answer your question as to what a chiropractor does, he or she cracks your back, expecting you to come in two or three times a week to see you for 2 minutes and $30 a crack. The chiropractor then claims that the back-cracking, which generally isn't good or bad, is curing your pain. There is literally NO legitimate scientific proof that chiropractic work can do anything. Save your money and go to somebody who knows more about healing than marketing and scamming.

Kelly Said:

Whats better for me? - a chiropractor or a physical therapy.?

We Answered:

Well, it is a complete myth that chiropractors can "re-align" your back. Yes, I know they say that...but they are deluding themselves. When chiropractic works for low back pain...it is BECAUSE they are doing physical therapy, not chiropractic. Since physical therapists also give you exercises to do yourself, and are usually much much cheaper....go with physio.

Victoria Said:

Chiropractor or physical therapy?

We Answered:

Talk to your Dr, he can set you up with physical therapy. Good Luck & God Bless!