I just went to my initial meeting with the Chiropractor today, and am going for a first adjustment tomorrow. I have a "welcome meeting" to go over my results on Saturday... I know they are going to want me to sign up for a contract or something. Before I commit to something like this, I wanted to ask you ladies if you go to a Chiropractor and if it has helped you?

My main concern is that since I got this job 2 years ago, my back has started hurting. Even when I was freelancing before this, I never sat for 8 hours straight like I do now.

On the flip side, I am weary of signing contracts, don't have any health insurance, and don't want to commit to going 3 times a week if I can't afford it.

a medical provider should not be asking you to sign a contract!! They should diagnose you and recommend a treatment plan, and then you decide whether or not you agree with that plan. Even if it might be that you want less frequent treatment because of the costs, the provider should work with you to figure out a schedule that works for you and then treat you within those constraints.

I'd be EXTREMELY wary of any medical provider who asks you to sign a contract and commit to a certain number of visits up front before even knowing how you are going to respond to the treatment.

I agree with PeanutsMom!! You should not be signing a contract with a medical provider.

One thing I'll say is I've been to a Chiropractor before and there are quacks out there just wanting to take your money. There are also some really good Chiropractors. It is hard to tell which is which sometimes though. Are they licensed? Who are they licensed with? Do they push supplements (big no no!!)? Do you know anyone who has gone to them before? I'd ask for references. Are there other chiros in the area you can talk to?

I LOVE my chiro visits!!! I go once every two weeks for an adjustment. I can seriously feel the difference when it's been almost 2 weeks and just feel out of line. When I first started going my back was constantly going out and I wouldn't be able to get off the floor. Now I go months in between back issues, and it isn't the drop me to the floor kind, it is just where I can feel my back is weak and I need to take it easy.

I also bring my little 9 year old sister to get adjustments when I can and she loves it. She used to get headaches all the time but doesn't anymore. I wasn't able to get her in for a couple months and the headaches started back up while she was away.

PS. I don't have insurance either and pay on my own...

My chiro does recommend supplements and I don't think it is a problem. They suggest fish oil and vitamin d... and sometimes they talk about doing a system cleanse. Otherwise, they mostly focus on total body wellness and have a ton of free workshops about not using prescription drugs, benefits of water, exercise, losing weight, pressure points, etc.

My chiropractor recommended some supplements as well and is as far from a money hungry quack as they come! (I already take fish oil and vitamin D, he recommended I pick up some MSM and glucosamine to aid in some of my chronic joint issues).

I have done chiropractic throughout my life and find it indispensable for my overall health and comfort. I was going twice a week and now I am feeling good enough to go only once a week for basic adjustments - pregnancy is tough on my back. It is worth every penny.

My recommendation is to talk to someone who loves their chiropractor and get a referral. It can even be someone far from you, as there are many chiropractic professional networks where chiros are rated and recommended from many localities. My old chiro down in California helped me find my AMAZING chiro in the middle of Alaska, by use of those things!

I LOVE how I feel since I've been going to the chiropractor. I've been going for three years. My range of motion is greatly improved. My headaches and sinus troubles have been greatly reduced and my seasonnal allergies have improved. The theory is that when your nerves are not able to function due to being "squeezed" by bones being misaligned (there is a more technical term but it escapes me at the moment.) they cannot function properly to heal the
body. Don't worry about buying into the theory or contracts. Go for a while and let the results decide for you. My chiro does not do a contract but does let you pay a monthly fee that allows unlimited visits for the price of about three regular priced visits. You can also pre buy visits for about half price. My chiropractor recommmends suupplements on occassion but not in a fraudulant self-serving manner. There iss no pressure o buy them and he will tell you differentt brand names to loook for if you want to shop for them at the store. They may recommend you come a certain number of visits but won't force you.

If you find a wonderful chiropractor or naturopath, hold onto them! You've found the gold at the end of the rainbow.

I sometimes have dreams about going to the chiropractor, my last one was THAT good.

You shouldn't have to sign a contract. They will probably want you to go more often than you think is reasonable at first, to correct the issues. My chiro had me going 3x a week at first, then got me into a maintenance schedule that was once every 1-2 weeks. If cost is an issue, discuss it. They may have special rates available to you since you have no insurance coverage.

I've seen chiropractors in the past that pushed supplements (their particular brand, purchased in their office), and I would steer clear of those. Recommending a supplement such as gluco though, which you can go pick up anywhere, is a sign of a good doctor in my opinion.

They should explain what they are going to do before they do it, and if they don't, ask. Also, ask if there's any particular exercises or supports for your chair that you can use. A good doctor will give you all of the information you need to maintain a healthy spine - they shouldn't just tell you to keep coming in daily.

My chiropractor (curse him and his retirement!) used a traction table and biofeedback as well as manual adjustments and some light massage.

As with any doctor, if you don't like this one, go to another.

Thanks for all of your feedback ladies! Now, should I even factor age into this equation? My husband was saying that I'm too young to go to the Chiropractor at 24 y.o. and that the majority of my problems are likely do to the extra weight and pressure I'm putting on my body because of it, and that I should just focus on losing the weight, and maybe going to some massage therapy every now and then instead of getting on board with a Chiropractor.

Anyway, I have my first assessment today after work, and then Saturday there is an informational meeting. I think I will go to both, just to see what it's about and because I've only invested $20 so far due to a promotion they had. From there I can get all of the information I need, costs, and think on it.

As for recommendations, my co-worker goes to the same practice and she says they are good, but pushy. And I definitely felt that when I was there. It is very sales-esque. Which doesn't really suit my personality type, nor my husband. They wanted my husband to go to the informational meeting with me, and he told me that he's not going, but he says if I want to go that's my decision... but to not sign up for anything or give them any money on the spot.

So... the likelihood that I will do it is very small, but I would like to follow through with what I started at least until the assessment and review of my xrays and such.

Which, is another subject. My husband told me that xrays are not necessary in chiropractic care and pretty much just to appease insurance companies and that a good Chiropractor won't take them, because they can't really show anything. ???? I must admit I am a little ignorant on all of this. I am definitely not ready to make any snap decisions.

Rakel, if they are pushy, I wouldn't go to these people for your care. It is very important that we feel comfortable with our health care providers. I'm sure there are other chiropractors out there. If you go online and google some of the providers in your area, you can read ratings and comments from other patients.

I meant the Chiro's that have their own supplements and it is like 'here are some special herbs!' rather than something like vitamin D or glucosamine which are proven effective.

Don't go to a pushy one that wants you to sign a contract. Find another one. You are never too young to go to a chiropractor. I started in college to help me with my migraines. I have just started seeing a naturopath. They are also worth every penny.