chiropractor? couple questions

I've been going to one for about 2 years now and I feel like it helps.  I've definitely had less ITBS flare ups and less shoulder and neck kinks.  I will say that if you go to a chiro expecting immediate relief of a symptom, you will probably be disappointed.  

I think their approach should be viewed as an ongoing maintenance type thing, not a quick fix.  Go once or twice a month for a year and see how you feel.  Avoid the ones wanting you go to 4 times a week.

I see a chiropractor for back, neck and hip alignments, particularly frequently when I'm mountain biking (and therefore crashing) a lot. She has been the most effective source of pain relief I've found yet, and as a former NCAA athlete and trainer, she is especially attuned to the needs of athletes. 

That said, I've been to completely useless and expensive chiro's in the past, so I think it's a matter of finding the right person, preferably someone with some expertise in dealing with athletes. 

For my own reasons I don't see a chiropractor or an ART doctor, however, I used to go to a massage therapist when I lived in Vancouver on a regular basis - usually once or twice a month.  It took a while to find the right person for me.  Once who would listen to me, and then would work on those issues. 

Shop around, get referrals from people you know, and don't be afraid to ask a lot of questions.   

This is exactly what I do as well.

I see a chiropractor on a weekly basis.  My chiropractor was recommended to me by a co-worker who is a big runner.  He aligns my spine but also does deep tissue massages in the areas that I am feeling sore due to a workout. 

My chiropractor is training for his second Ironman (Mt. Tremblant) and knows exactly what I am trying to do/going through.

The clinic he works for is about overall health and well-being. 

They put on several FREE workshops and clinics on a variety of things ranging from heart disease and preventatives, different workouts, nutrition, etc. 

My wife has started going there too since her job (a dental hygienist) puts a lot of strain on her back/shoulders and we figured it is worth it to help with the longevity of her career.  They even take a look and "adjust" my 19 month old son for free.

To be honest...at the end of the day does it work?  I feel better than ever before (but it could be due to my overall fitness) so I'm not 100% sure but for the "cost" that I pay to possibly have a healthier life is well worth it

I used to be in constant pain from my back and had to go to the chiro every few months, then I bought an inversion table.  Best money I've ever spent.

I see a Chiropractor regularly and an RMT.  They are invaluable with a few caveats.

Chiropractos seems to be drawn to practising "oustide" there scope of work.  While I like the ART, and the great stretches, exercises my Chiro provides, they cannot fix everything.  Sometimes going to an MD to get referalls to a specialist is appropriate.  But for regular maintenance, general upkeep, and corrections they play an important role.  Same with my RMT, absolutely excellent in the muscle manipulation and working on tight areas, etc.

Be weary when they get into orthotics, or stuff not directly under there profession.  You don't go to a plumber to get your drywall installed, so why chance it with your health.   Pseudo health products like ionic foot baths, or whatever also seem to be becoming popular....be weary.  I recommend if your going to see a Chiro, or RMT, find one that specializes with sports. 

I see a chiropractor on a once a month sort of basis.  Keep things aligned.

There are two great massage therapists at his office that I go to more frequently, they have different approaches and it depends on what I feel needs to be addressed at the time. 

I see a chiropractor as well.  He is my running partner as well.  Very profesional and has really help keep my buldging discs (thanks football) at bay.  I seem him now roughly once a month and keep up on a stretching program he gives me.  He can tell when I haven't been stretching like I should.

Buyer beware though.  There are some real quacks out there so do some research.  In my opinion if he looks to do an adjustment on you your first visit, he may not be the right guy.  Mine ran an X-ray on me and performed several range of motion tests on my back before hand and met with me the next day to discuss the results and what he thought we should do.

I've been seeing a chiropractor weekly for a bit more than 2 years. I used to wake up and deal with back pain on a daily basis. Now I rarely have back pain at all. I did see him more than once a week to start rehabilitating my spine. Now that my spine is back in alignment I just go for maintenance to keep it that way.

During the first few months of chiropractic care there was rarely immediate pain relief after an adjustment. Not surprising since it took 13 years of sitting at desks in school and 20 years at a desk job to get my back so far out of alignment. Just like weight loss or training; The fix didn't happen over night. 

I doesn't hurt that both chiropractors in the office are Ironman finishers and very supportive of my training.

Thanks so much. Going to have to dig to find an "athletic chiropractor" in my area. Concensus sounds pretty positive. Thinking massage therapy is worth a try as well.

Thanks again.

Fyi - did go to a new chiropractor. Asked him some relatively basic "sport-type" questions. Didn't seem all that knowledable, BUT did say his wife was a distance runner and had the same problem b/c of tight hip flexors.

He did put me in, felt okay. I'll be able to tell more tomorrow morning when I try getting out of bed.

Sounds like stretching will overcome a multitude of woes...

Thanks to all.