chiropractor?

[treesprite]

Do figure skaters use chiropractors as an occasional routine way of keeping things straightened out that might get affected by the way they use their bodies?

I'm asking because I am going to a chiropractor following an a fall (at a store) for which my lower back was injured. She said the other day that my pelvis was not even, and did some weird chiropractor thing that left me limping for a couple days.

I can imagine the two sides being different, since jumps are always landed on the same leg, and spinning may affect the other side in a totally different way.

I wonder if I will notice a difference when I skate.

 

[overedge]

Skating can develop one side/direction of your body more than the other, depending on what you do and how you train. Most coaches IME try really hard to have you develop skills in both directions.

But skaters that have imbalances that are affecting their performance use whatever type of treatment or practitioner is appropriate. Some might use chiropractors but others might use massage therapists or physiotherapists. It really depends on the root cause of the imbalance and the best way to address that.

 

[vesperholly]

Yes, I've gone to a chiropractor for years. I've never been left limping, but maybe that's because I've gone consistently.

My doctor does a few things that I can absolutely feel immediate improvement on the table - pulling on my ankles to loosen them as they get really pounded, some kind of neck stretch thing that I can feel down my spine all the way to my hips, etc. Usually people have one leg longer than the other, so that can be treated as well. I often feel more "square" and straight after a visit.

I think the benefits depends on the seriousness and what kind of injury you have. I do absolutely believe in having your bones/muscles aligned properly, but if you've got a herniated disc ... not much they can do for you. Chiropractic care to me is one of those maintenance things that you should have done semi-regularly, not something that's particularly effective for treatment of acute injuries. But YMMV.

 

[Willin]

If you are going to see a chiropractor, ask about their philosophy - some are very anti-science (my local chiropractic school teaches practitioners to be anti-vax), but some are good just like normal doctors. Generally, though, I would never see a chiropractor. Maybe it's because many chiropractors don't subscribe to evidence-based practice, some try to treat and diagnose things they're not qualified to diagnose without proper tests to diagnose them, or because there's people to go to who do similar things and go through evidence-based medical training. For these reasons, some insurance companies have stopped covering chiropractic care. Here's some professionals I'd go to instead of chiropractors:

-MDs, particularly those specializing in orthopedic practice, can diagnose the medical cause of your pain and recommend proper medical treatment for it - surgery, physical therapy (PT), massage, etc. Some upon request may even refer you to a reputable chiropractor that subscribes to evidence-based practice. This may also treat your pain as opposed to just palliate it like chiropractors will do.

-DOs (osteopaths) go through similar (or in many places the same) training as MDs and can get the same residencies as MDs, but they also have extra classes to train them in adjustments similar to those that chiropractors do - but in evidence-based ways. Basically, they do the MD curriculum along with the parts of chiropracty that have been shown to help patients. So they could provide you with quality medical care and evaluation of orthopedic problems you may have beyond what a chiropractor can do just like and MD, refer you to proper evidence-based treatment, and perform interventions similar to those a chiropractor might. The downside is that many these days work in the capacity of an MD, so it may be hard to find one.

-PTs cannot necessarily diagnose your condition, but they certainly can help you with joint/muscle/back injuries. They all have at least Master's degrees and are trained specifically to help with both injuries and chronic pain.

-Board Certified Massage Therapists (may work with an MD, Hospital, PT office, or have a private practice) may also help with orthopedic pain and problems. I haven't used one and it's not something that anyone went over with me in school, so I'm not entirely sure what they do outside of helping with treatment as recommended by MDs/DOs/PTs.

 

[AxelAnnie]

I have seen various chiropractors for years and years. One of my kids is a chiropractor......but a really weird kind.

Generally, IME, Chiropractors see you whomp on you and tell you to come 3 times a week.
And sometimes you feel worse when you leave.

The Dr. I see now is absolutely fabulous. He does rather gentle adjustments. No major cracking of anything. He will see see me Friday, or he will say...nope, you are done, just tell me if it acts up. I have one hip that is higher than the other, making one leg " longer.

The best thing he is is thoughtful (as in thinking). I have a very high pain tolerance. He has known me long enough to say....you know, given who you are, I think you should get an x-ray. And 3 times, I had a broken bone. Now, THAT is good chiropractic.

 

[treesprite]

This place is a combination practice of neurology and chiropractic, with the term Rehabilitation" in its name. The chiropractor I do not think is anti-science. When she was younger, she was interested in working with children in sports, then when she was on a trip to China, she discovered chiropractic and decided to make a career of it.

Insurance companies tend to send people to chiropractors rather than physical therapists. I can't afford the PT, and I knew if I hired a personal injury lawyer, the lawyer would take care of bills if I went to a place that works with lawyers on the fees (mine won't). This is the third time in my life that a lawyer sent me to a chiropractor (i.e., every time I am in an accident that is on someone else's liability).

When I was hurt last February, I used the physical therapist, and have done it for other things. I see positives about both types of practices. It seems to me like it would be really helpful if there was some crossover. The chiropractor was actually going to show me exercises, but I told her I knew some already from last year's physical therapy.

 

[overedge]

-Board Certified Massage Therapists (may work with an MD, Hospital, PT office, or have a private practice) may also help with orthopedic pain and problems. I haven't used one and it's not something that anyone went over with me in school, so I'm not entirely sure what they do outside of helping with treatment as recommended by MDs/DOs/PTs.

My doctor referred me to an RMT (registered massage therapist) after I was in a car accident. I still go to that clinic, although now it's more for shoulder/back issues from too much computer time rather than for the accident injuries.

RMTs can work from a doctor's recommendation, or they can develop treatment based on whatever problem you are experiencing, without a referral or a previous diagnosis. IME they will send you to another practitioner if they think you should have a more thorough examination before they treat you.

RMTs, or at least the ones that are licensed here, get a very thorough education in physiology, different massage techniques, and appropriate treatment plans. I would have no hesitation in going to an RMT to work on fixing a physical problem, with or without a doctor's recommendation.

My only suggestion, though, is to go to a massage therapy clinic, not to an RMT working at a spa or something similar. The RMT will still be qualified, but some spas are run mostly to generate $$$ by making people feel good and by putting through as many clients as they can. Nothing wrong with that, but for the RMTs it sometimes means that they are under pressure to do a less thorough job than they usually would.