Physio v Chiro

cavanmaniac

I developed pain in my ankle joints while jogging on a treadmill a few years ago, went to a conveniently located chiro who did the whole gait analaysis and gave me orthotics for my shoes and so on.

I have attended on and off since then but lately have begun to question the usefulness of it all.

The chiro has sorted out bad lower back pain I used to have so that's one positive, but I still suffer from neck and shoulder pain intermittently while in the last 12 months my knees are giving me pain, something that I never recall having before going to chiro. My knees were even complaining despite the fact that I had abandoned all impact cardio training and wasn't doing anything else that would have stressed them in any way. It seems I could realistically be atteneding a chiro for life without ever really getting better, like I'd say if I played a game of five aside I'd be totally wracked, I'm by and large ok if I stick to my normal exercise routine.

I got talking to a physio recently who seemed very anti-chiro, and on the basis of more anecdotal evidence from people who swore dead against chiriopractors as well, I'm wondering should I go to a physio now and forget the chiro?

Anyone have similar experiences and what did you decide?

yomchi

Scrap them both and see a good osteopath

comer_97

don't get me started on physios and physical therapists. I was fine, had gait analysis, developed a knee problem now i have gone from marathon running to not running at all or really doing any exercise.

tomorrow i have an appointment with a podiatrist!

thirtyfoot

Not all physios are bad, its about finding one that suits you, kinda like finding a good barber.

PeakOutput

isn't chiropracty(spelling) still considered "alternative medicine"??? i can see the advantages of it for some things but i certainly would not use insoles from one as they are not specialists

my knees and feet are at slightly funny angles (which apprently means ill bein agony in about 20 yrs) and i had to go to a doctor then a chiropidist and then 2 specialist appointments to get custom made in-soles from a doctor who only deal with feet and lower legs

would you not just go to the gp and let him point you in the right direction be it chiro physiotherapist or specialist, i dont know how much they charge for a session but it wouldnt be much cheaper than the 50 squid for the gp

dajaffa

PeakOutput wrote:

isn't chiropracty(spelling) still considered "alternative medicine"??? i can see the advantages of it for some things but i certainly would not use insoles from one as they are not specialists

Chiropracty isn't regulated in Ireland so it could be anybody, thou a lot would have a formal qualification from the UK. At least with physios they have to be registered etc

As with many things, still depends on who you go to, granted just cause some people r getting knee pain after gait analysis doesn't necessarily mean that's what causing it...

Hanley

Tingle wrote:

Not all physios are bad, its about finding one that suits you, kinda like finding a good barber.

Completly and utterly agree. As I said in another thread, a good physio is worth their weight in gold.

BJohnson

Hey, just thought I'd chime in. I'm a chiropractor in Galway, born and trained in Canada and have been living here for the past two years. There are a lot of similarities between chiros/physios/osteopaths - we all treat similar conditions, but we all have our own approaches to dealing with various conditions. I always tell people I don't care which type of professional you go to, just go to someone that is known to be good at what they do. As with any profession, some are better than others. Referrals from friends and family are usually the best way to go. If it's a sporting injury, I recommend finding a practitioner that is involved with whatever sport you're into. As a marathon runner myself I know there's nothing more frustrating than taking running advice from someone that doesn't run at all.

If your current treatment isn't working out, a 2nd opinion certainly wouldn't hurt.

BigTommyBomb

A physio is what you need. A chiropracter is not a sanctioned by any medical body. You might as well go and see a faith healer.

cavanmaniac

Pretty much confirms my fears so, I think I'll look up a good physio and see how it works out...anyone recommend a good one in the north county Dublin area, nar Malahide area etc...

fenris

Also make the distinction between a proper physio - i.e. a chartered physio trained, tested and regulated as opposed to a physical therapist - who done a night course if you are lucky.

A chartered physio will have proper certification on display and is an actual healthcare professional, this meant that they will not "give it a go" if they are uncertain. They will have the training and contacts to refer you further if needed.

lady_marmalade

BigTommyBomb wrote:

A physio is what you need. A chiropracter is not a sanctioned by any medical body. You might as well go and see a faith healer.

Ah, I wouldn't agree with that now. I had a lot of back problems and my doctor kept saying 'don't see a chiropractor whatever you do!'. It got so bad that when a friend gave me a free chiro consultation I thought feck it - and I haven't had any back problems since.

The problem with chiros over here is that they're not regulated, so you could get a dodgy one who could do more harm than good. So I'd only go to one you've heard good things about.

fenris

Hearing good things is not enough! you tend not to hear the flip side from people who often tend to feel foolish when they end up going to a real physio or a&e for "repairs" after first trying the non-regulated route and ending up with more damage than they started with.

siochain

Jon wrote:

Scrap them both and see a good osteopath

fully agree, I when through something similar to the OP. I know a good no bull ostopath in Rathgar, PM me if you want details

Hanley

What does an osteopath do??

Anything that can keep me healthy is worth consdiering imo!

cavanmaniac

Osteopaths sound interesting alright, sort of 'Chiropractor Lite' with a more wide-ranging expertise beyond the spine.

Rathgar is a wee bit off my beaten track, anyone know anyone dependable operating out north county direction?

CerebralCortex

BJohnson wrote:

Hey, just thought I'd chime in. I'm a chiropractor in Galway, born and trained in Canada and have been living here for the past two years. There are a lot of similarities between chiros/physios/osteopaths - we all treat similar conditions, but we all have our own approaches to dealing with various conditions. I always tell people I don't care which type of professional you go to, just go to someone that is known to be good at what they do. As with any profession, some are better than others. Referrals from friends and family are usually the best way to go. If it's a sporting injury, I recommend finding a practitioner that is involved with whatever sport you're into. As a marathon runner myself I know there's nothing more frustrating than taking running advice from someone that doesn't run at all.

If your current treatment isn't working out, a 2nd opinion certainly wouldn't hurt.

I have been a patient of your practice and I have nothing but good to say about chiropractors since you guys did a lot of good work on me.
So thanx I guess.