Chiro or PT? Why choose one over the other?

RE: Chiro or PT? Why choose one over the other?

Former Member — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 16:33:18 GMT

Ha! That very injury (from YEARS of *** and fly) was what got me into Chiropractic, and ultimately convinced me to BE one. Not funny ha ha- just a coincidence. Do you know what grade (how much anterior/forward motion) and at what level? Core muscle stability is VERY important in preventing further motion. Simple xrays can detect whether or not your vertebra are stable during motion - did you have any where you bent all the wy forward/backward? If they are suggesting surgery, I would assume you must be grade 3+. Anyway, hopefully someone, or YOU have put you on a routine of core stabilizing, I found yoga very helpful for me Katy

RE: Chiro or PT? Why choose one over the other?

Former Member — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:05:10 GMT

Ryan, I've had this condition since at least 1988 (along with stenosis in the same area). Although I had one doc that was ready to cut immediately, others were much more conservative and I've been able to get by with aggressive P-T (primarily core stabilization) which probably improved my swimming in the long run. I've learned to live with the sciatica and will only consider surgery if I start losing strength in my legs. However, my research re surgery shows improved surgical techniques and much shorter less restrictive recovery periods than you described. Best of luck, Rich

RE: Chiro or PT? Why choose one over the other?

Rykno — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 12:32:45 GMT

RYKNO_ Not exactly sure what your particular back issue is,Katy Sorry I didn't name it before, its hard for me to spell :-) spondylolisthesis: and since it was something that started in 1989 and no one dedectided it until 2005. I had been doing everything they say one should now do between '89-'96 by the time someone figured out what was wrong, the only treatment left was to surgically joint two vertabrae

RE: Chiro or PT? Why choose one over the other?

Donna — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:07:46 GMT

If the massages seem to help for a little while you might try an TENS unit. I have found this helpful in my own case. They are alittle bigger than a pager and can be worn like a pager. Ofcourse you would have to place the pads in the area you are having the problem and see if it helps. Your chiropractor should have access to one to see if it will help. In fact I ordered mine thru my chiropractor.

RE: Chiro or PT? Why choose one over the other?

Former Member — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 10:17:11 GMT

RYKNO_ Not exactly sure what your particular back issue is, but have you ever seen a chiro that offers a technique called "flexion/distraction"? For my patients with lumbar herniations and the like, it literally saves MANY of them from surgery (not all, mind you, but definately worth a short trial of therapy?) Feel free to message me if you have any questions about this technique. Katy

RE: Chiro or PT? Why choose one over the other?

Rykno — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 09:18:33 GMT

A couple of questions to think about: --The 9-12 months is "recovery" or "don't lift anything"? The former would seem very general. --Can you get some help during recovery period? Once infant becomes a toddler, the lifting doesn't stop, but the child is heavier and more active. A long time to be in pain and dysfunction. according to the Dr's here it would be 6 months laying down in bed, never being able to bend at the knees and hips at the same time, calling for a special "taxi" to pick me up if I need to go somewhere, while laying down. then after 6 months if the surgery was successful I can then start recovery. because of my athlete condiitoning they thought I could be back to working part time in 9 months and full time again in 12 months. so for me the laying in bed for 6 months is not very inviting. the major BUT was that the surgery might not take the first time and require a second try. that would be 9-12 months in bed and 15-18 months before I was "back to normal" as well as they said they can not say to what percentage the pain will go away. it could be anything frmo 5-80% less....for me its not worth it. I would rather take some kind of over the counter drug the rest of my life than lose 1 yr.... maybe later on in life. only 33 yr olds.

RE: Chiro or PT? Why choose one over the other?

ViveBene — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 08:56:48 GMT

Unfortunately the only chance to fix my back is surgury and 9-12 months recovery. Being the father of a new born, that was not an option. so now I just get massages once a month to ease the pain, but I have found that with both PT and Chiro it only helps while sitting there getting treatment. about 30-60 minutes later the pain is back. A couple of questions to think about: --The 9-12 months is "recovery" or "don't lift anything"? The former would seem very general. --Can you get some help during recovery period? Once infant becomes a toddler, the lifting doesn't stop, but the child is heavier and more active. A long time to be in pain and dysfunction. Hope things work out! Regards, VB

RE: Chiro or PT? Why choose one over the other?

The Fortress — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 08:48:07 GMT

Was seeing my God-like ART doc today for a nasty inflamed facet joint (ballistic movement in power yoga -- never again). He told me he had 65 appointments in 2 days before the Nations Marathon last weekend. I think those in serious training use chiro/ART docs. Deep tissue is obviously great as well. But ART is less time on the table.

RE: Chiro or PT? Why choose one over the other?

Rykno — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 08:19:43 GMT

I have been to both Chiro and PT for several years with back problems. it started in 1989. first PT thought it was a muscle spasm. 6 months later I went to a Chiro, thought it was a rotated vertabrae. second PT thought same thing as first chiro. second chiro just thought my L4 and L5 were out of line. This went on and on until I stopped swimming. I was taking motrin twice a day, from 1989 until 2005. In 2005 I finally convinced my Family Dr to get me in to see a orthopedic specialist. Took a new set of x-rays, still nothing. Sent the x-rays off to be looked at by back specialist, and he asked for a set of MRI's to be taken. He found the problem, after 14 yrs of back pain I finally found out what it was, and that it was something not just in my head. Unfortunately the only chance to fix my back is surgury and 9-12 months recovery. Being the father of a new born, that was not an option. so now I just get massages once a month to ease the pain, but I have found that with both PT and Chiro it only helps while sitting there getting treatment. about 30-60 minutes later the pain is back.

RE: Chiro or PT? Why choose one over the other?

Former Member — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:14:01 GMT

To all you believers go hug your Chiropractor!!!! I'd love to but she's so much younger than I ...............

RE: Chiro or PT? Why choose one over the other?

Former Member — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 11:19:08 GMT

As a practicing Chiropractor as well as a swimmer (butterfly got me to were I am by the way) I would encourage anyone to give it a try. I agree that you need to be cautious about the "wierd ones" but, with anything an open mind is important. I myself specialize in Sports Med/Sports Injuries, as well as Acupuncture. I do have to defend DC's in regards to knowing what we "can and can't do". ANY PHYSICIAN worth their salt knows when to proceed and when to refer; it's not an industry specific thing. To all you believers go hug your Chiropractor!!!!

RE: Chiro or PT? Why choose one over the other?

Swim Freak — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 08:35:23 GMT

I had similar experience as Fortress...PT did not work and wouldn't go back. Deep tissue massage has helped much, much more. No experience with chiro (yet). :2cents:

RE: Chiro or PT? Why choose one over the other?

Former Member — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:43:01 GMT

I've never seen a chiropractor and have no plans to. If anything I would go to a physical therapist. They don't seem to have the same tendency to make exaggerated claims (preventing Parkinson's disease, etc.)

RE: Chiro or PT? Why choose one over the other?

swimshark — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 07:36:34 GMT

Alison, really 900 yards fly and you're surprised your shoulder hurt??? Last night I did 60 yards of fly and my whole body hurt. :whiteflag: Who would have thought 900 yds would have hurt?! hee-hee.

RE: Chiro or PT? Why choose one over the other?

Former Member — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:30:36 GMT

I have used both. My first time at the chiro was last summer when I had pains in both shoulders. I was skepticle but am now a believer. He worked wonders on me and have been pain free since. I think it also helps that I know the chiro and also train with his daughter on the uss team. So he knows what I put my body thru. I have to say that PT's are good also but they work on developing the weaker muscles etc. I was told that my chest/shoulders are very developed but yet my back muscles were weaker. I thought to myself but I am a butterflier, how can that be. So, I have been doing numerous exerciser to fix that problem. Of course, I need to listen to my PT because she is my wife! I sometimes get tired of the "I told ya so" commets :-) Greg

RE: Chiro or PT? Why choose one over the other?

Former Member — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:18:23 GMT

If you can find a chiropractor who is certified in ART (Active Release Technique), that's probably your best bet. From www.activerelease.com: You can search for a provider on the above web site. I found 10 of them in the Raleigh area. Anna Lea You're awesome! Thanks...

RE: Chiro or PT? Why choose one over the other?

Former Member — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:17:24 GMT

I have done both for different reasons. I started going to a chiro about 6 weeks ago for headaches. While there I told him about my shoulder hurting again (previous tendonitis which I did PT for) after 900 yds of fly at practice! He did some PT type things on it and it's getting better already. I was also looking at re-do of surgery I had on emy wrist. He did some things and now the wrist is 99% better. My chiro is a sports medicine guy as well as being chiro trained (used to be DC United's Chiro). In his office he has PT equipment. Maybe you can find one that is both sports med and chiro that will help more. PS Headaches which were once daily are now down to once every 5 days or so :applaud: I'm leaning toward a sports oriented chiro - with experience in PT - sounds like a winning combination. Now I just have to find one within a reasonable distance...we live in the middle of "nothing close" - at least there's an indoor pool:)

RE: Chiro or PT? Why choose one over the other?

Former Member — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:12:12 GMT

I haven't had great results with either and more than once a chiro visit left me worse off than before I went in. Now I just get deep tissue massage and that seems to work for most problems.

RE: Chiro or PT? Why choose one over the other?

ViveBene — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 10:55:04 GMT

Went to a chiro once and on the basis of the experience (3 visits), would not go again unless the chiro was working under the supervision of an MD. If there is something really wrong, they do not have tools or training to make a diagnosis. Manipulation is not the solution to every problem in the world. YMMV. VB

RE: Chiro or PT? Why choose one over the other?

Former Member — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 09:04:35 GMT

If you can find a chiropractor who is certified in ART (Active Release Technique), that's probably your best bet. From www.activerelease.com: "ART is a patented, state of the art soft tissue system/movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART. These conditions all have one important thing in common: they are often a result of overused muscles." You can search for a provider on the above web site. I found 10 of them in the Raleigh area. Anna Lea

RE: Chiro or PT? Why choose one over the other?

Former Member — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 08:36:59 GMT

RE: Chiro or PT? Why choose one over the other?

Former Member — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 07:25:35 GMT

I prefer Chiro over PT. I don't have the patience for PT and I like the results from the Chiro. My Chiro specializes in Sports - we chat often about modifying strokes and/or changing technique for other sports to prevent injury. So many times damage occurs because the joint is not moving or being used correctly. Then, when resistance/force/strength are added/applied coupled with repetitive "bad" motions - it's no wonder things break down. In my humble opinion, it is about modification, moderation, & listening to your body.

RE: Chiro or PT? Why choose one over the other?

Former Member — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 05:39:32 GMT

RE: Chiro or PT? Why choose one over the other?

dorothyrde — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 05:35:05 GMT

Both! Depending on the problem, is who can help you. I learned a lot from PT, and I use a chiropractor. If you read up on this, it helps understand why chiropractic works and has a lot of basis. But find a good one, look for recommendations from patients.

RE: Chiro or PT? Why choose one over the other?

swimshark — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 04:15:54 GMT