Osteopath vs. Chiropractor

[SueEllen]

I had had a sore lower back for ages and popped along to see the chiropractor they had got along.
I explained my back pain and he said "I know what is wrong with you". Surprised, I asked him what and he said that when I sat down, I crossed my legs and that if I stopped crossing my legs my problem would be solved.

He was right.

so, just like in IT (and all other professions), there are good people amongst the sea of not so good ones, it's just a matter of finding the good ones.

Lots of issues with bad backs are caused by sitting incorrectly for long lengths of time, lifting things incorrectly or carrying bags that are unsuitable for the weight carried. (Most women's handbags are a good example.)

Personally I prefer sports physios simply because even if they have trained in some other alternative medicine they should have enough traditional knowledge not to damage you.

[MyUserName]

Been having trouble with my thumb and foot since I got back from being away a week or two ago.
Went to the chirorpactor today and the treatment was:

Took my sore hand and pushed my thumb various angles, there was one where I could not stop him moving my thumb easily. He then examined how far around I could turn my hand and pointed out that I could not quite turn it properly palm up. From that he diagnosed a muscle knot in the top of my forearm and just above the elbow. He massaged these and the retried the tests with my arm and thumb and my strength and range of movement was much better.

He had me lay down and tried pushing my foot various ways whilst getting me to point my toes, raise my toes etc. He found a weak angle that I could not stop him easily moving my foot along. He diagnose a muslce pull in the muslec under my calf (forgotten what it was called now, Serium or something), then he, quite roughly, massaged my calf muscle before retrying the push and finding that I was able to stop him moving me.

I arranged to go back in 4 weeks (I train 6 - 7 times a week in various ways so my body takes a battering!).

Whole thing took about 15 minutes and cost £30.

[Gibbon]

Mine helped me enormously with my back, but was rubbish with the wife's shoulder.

Sitting is bad for the lower back as your bodyweight is all on the lower veterbrate rather than being dissapated through the legs when standing.

If this is you, when you feel it tightening and preferably before a spasm, lay flat on your back and pull you knees one at a time towards your opposite shoulder trying to keep your arse on the floor. This will open up the lower spine joints and alleviate the tension. I haven't been back for years. There are some other exercises.