Where can I find a chiropractor willing to adjust me the way I want?
February 18, 2011 4:41 AM Subscribe
I have a chiropractic question but I don't want to hear about whether chiropractors are all quacks, etc.
I believe in chiropractic. It works for me. However, since moving to the West Coast from the East Coast, I haven't been able to find a chiropractor that is willing to apply enough pressure to actually manipulate my spine where I need it (middle back). I've gone to five different chiropractors in the Bay Area and they've all said, "if it doesn't go with the pressure I'm applying, then it doesn't need to go." They try different positions, different techniques, and I sometimes feel as if they've almost got it, if only they'd push a little harder.
During my 14 year stint in New York I saw two chiropractors, and both were able to adjust my mid-back with no problem. So, I guess what I'm asking is - is chiropractic technique vastly different among coasts, or do I just need to keep searching until I find a chiropractor willing to apply the correct pressure?
I believe in chiropractic. It works for me. However, since moving to the West Coast from the East Coast, I haven't been able to find a chiropractor that is willing to apply enough pressure to actually manipulate my spine where I need it (middle back). I've gone to five different chiropractors in the Bay Area and they've all said, "if it doesn't go with the pressure I'm applying, then it doesn't need to go." They try different positions, different techniques, and I sometimes feel as if they've almost got it, if only they'd push a little harder.
During my 14 year stint in New York I saw two chiropractors, and both were able to adjust my mid-back with no problem. So, I guess what I'm asking is - is chiropractic technique vastly different among coasts, or do I just need to keep searching until I find a chiropractor willing to apply the correct pressure?
Best answer: I'd keep looking. I had a chiropractor who was a very large former college football player. I actually thought he was too forceful, but he was used to working with sports injuries on huge muscle bound people. I was a willowy teenager coming in for a car accident.
Maybe you could look for a chiropractor that specializes in Sports Medicine?
posted by TooFewShoes at 6:12 AM on February 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
Maybe you could look for a chiropractor that specializes in Sports Medicine?
posted by TooFewShoes at 6:12 AM on February 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
Call your old chiropractor's office, explain and ask for a recommendation.
Is it possible that something has changed, so whereas before x pressure would be enough, now it's x+y and that's just too much?
posted by mrs. taters at 6:19 AM on February 18, 2011
Is it possible that something has changed, so whereas before x pressure would be enough, now it's x+y and that's just too much?
posted by mrs. taters at 6:19 AM on February 18, 2011
You are asking a person who doesn't have a medical degree to apply more pressure than s/he is comfortable applying, to an area where the application of too much force could paralyze you from the waist down or cause other chronic neurological or structural problems. This is such an incredibly bad idea that I don't have words to properly express it.
posted by Mayor West at 6:30 AM on February 18, 2011 [13 favorites]
posted by Mayor West at 6:30 AM on February 18, 2011 [13 favorites]
I too would keep looking.
There are only a few chiropractic schools in the U.S. You might want to check where your previous chiropractor when to school and see if you can find a local who went to the same place.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 7:41 AM on February 18, 2011
There are only a few chiropractic schools in the U.S. You might want to check where your previous chiropractor when to school and see if you can find a local who went to the same place.
posted by Tell Me No Lies at 7:41 AM on February 18, 2011
Response by poster: Mayor West: I'm sure that's easy for you to say because you don't suffer from chronic back pain. I've seen medical doctors for my problem and all they've done is prescribe pain pills which make me foggy. I do yoga and stretches every day, and that provides temporary relief, but thus far chiropractic has been the only treatment with lasting improvement.
TooFewShoes: That's a good idea! In fact, now that you mention it, I think both my guys in New York were specialists in Sports Medicine/Rehab. I'm stocky and muscular, so what you're saying makes a lot of sense to me. I'll try that.
posted by analogue at 8:05 AM on February 18, 2011 [2 favorites]
TooFewShoes: That's a good idea! In fact, now that you mention it, I think both my guys in New York were specialists in Sports Medicine/Rehab. I'm stocky and muscular, so what you're saying makes a lot of sense to me. I'll try that.
posted by analogue at 8:05 AM on February 18, 2011 [2 favorites]
If you can't find a chiropractor with expertise in sports medicine, look for physical therapists with expertise in same.
posted by Sidhedevil at 11:23 AM on February 18, 2011
posted by Sidhedevil at 11:23 AM on February 18, 2011
Best answer: (prefacing my comment by saying that I'm a huge proponent of chiropractic care, and in no way do I think they're quacks. I love them). You said you've been seeing a chiropractor for the past 14 years. Is it possible that over the years, just through normal aging, your body has changed and shifted ever so slightly, so that now the same methods and pressure don't work?
posted by hasna at 12:23 AM on February 21, 2011
posted by hasna at 12:23 AM on February 21, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Attackpanda at 6:03 AM on February 18, 2011