So I read up on chiropractic today. Unfortunately for my narrow mind, I like to have thing proven by the scientific method and don’t take much on faith. Basically the pointers from the research said that spinal manipulation can help back pain a little more than following the instructions in a brochure on back pain. That’s fine. However, all the fruity stuff that I didn’t like about the, “benefits of chiropractic,” were unproven and taken as articles of faith by chiropractors. That means it’s kind of a religion of cult. Also, manipulation of the neck is correlated to stroke risk in older patients.
In any case, I wasn’t going to tell the chiropractor that I didn’t believe in his religion. I’m just going to cancel any future appointments. I think he probably did me some good, but I just don’t believe.
And now for my display of cognitive dissonance, I’m going to see an acupuncturist for my back pain. Not my usual guy, but one of the instructors from his school. I know quackwatch has nothing good to say about acupuncture, but I’m hoping that he won’t tell me that my chi is blocked and just stick some pins in me. Since I haven’t seen any scientific literature promoting acupuncture, I must jut be taking things on faith (the cognitive dissonance I was referring to earlier.)
My buddy thinks the only reason the needles work is because they’re coated in Fentanyl. I figure if they were, I’d be jonesing for a fix, and I’m not.
i think the needles work because they calm you down and they somehow focus your energy on the places where the needles are instead of being all up in your head thinking about pain. it’s the most relaxing thing i’ve ever done and i’m not much of a relaxer. mentally anyway.
Since all we can go on is anecdotal evidence for these two I have to say I have always heard very good things about acupuncture and I have some horrific stories about chiropractic medicine. I worked for a guy that was in so much pain after a chiropractic visit everyone thought he was having a heart attack. Plus what are the standards of care? Geez, I even know a guy who went into chiropractic medicine and he is the smarmiest, biggest BSer I have ever met. You are probably better off going to a masseuse and just getting gentle massages and doing very gentle stretching exercises.