Chiropractors

Wouldn't touch them myself.

Decent physio - yes!

Don't touch them with a barge pole! Chiropractors are one of the biggest causes of avoidable strokes. Google it but please don't do it!

As Galen says, see a decent physio. My GP recommended the one I saw privately as she was the one I would see if I could wait long enough to go on the NHS!

More 'alternative' nonsense up there with crystals, homeopathy and magnets.

Wow, that was quick. THANK YOU I was very nervous of them myself but was feeling desperate. I did go to a private physio for a few sessions and he "unstiffened" my neck so I can now turn round but it is still really painful so not sure what to do next.

At the risk of sounding boring you need to see your GP!

Ask for an NHS physio referral - whilst you're waiting to see the physio your GP could prescribe appropriate painkillers or exercises.

Was about to say the same River. In fact if you have a physio assigned to your GP practice you can self refer, as I did.They will probably say there is a 6 week wait ( much sooner sometimes) but it's free!

Putting off going to GP as I am sure he will just give me painkillers which really upset my stomach. However, I think that is the next step. Thanks all for replying.

Live up to your name. GP, Lots of painkillers on the market.

My son is a chiropractor in NZ. He pointed out that physiotherapist gets one year only on musculo-skeletal problems, chiropractors now get 4 year degree and medical students get virtually nothing at all on backs and necks.
A good chiropractor or osteopath can be very good - a bad one can be quacky and/or try to get you coming to them for ever.
University of Glamorgan degree seems to be good.
He says ring and ask them how much they charge for a first appointment and if they start quoting large sums and saying you must have an X ray then back away.
But I agree that if you can get some free physio on the NHS that would be a good place to start.

wisewoman I would say no to chiropractor, but try an osteopath. GP just shrugged off DH's painful 'clicky' shoulder with painkillers. Osteopath examined him, diagnosed muscle problems and fixed him.

The same osteopath also examined DF when he had agonising back pain and his GP was equally dismissive and told him that she could find nothing wrong with his back that osteopathy could help and advised visiting another doctor.
The next day the pain was so bad I called out my GP who had him rushed to hospital with a severe infection in one of the disks in his spine. I have had a lot of confidence in that osteopath since.

Galen not feeling very wise today! Have just had a good weep. Reached a low point with the pain which has been going on for a while now and is interfering with the things I like to do! Feeling negative. However will make an appointment with GP and take it from there. Thanks everyone for being so helpful.

Here"s a hug for you Wisewoman .

Please go to the DOCS, !!

And from me.{{hugs}}

I went to an osteo for months with a back/neck problem to no avail. Then I moved house, and was recommended a local chiropractor who sorted the problem very quickly.

I know lots of people he's treated and everyone is happy.

Like Jess said, a good one can be very good.

I agree with Jess and Ella on this. A good properly qualified Chiropractor can be excellent. I had a bad experience with an osteopath, was recommended to a local chiropractor and ended up working for him. I could be a bit prejudiced! Seriously I did see how much care he and his team took, how much good they did and also how often they would refer people back to their GPs.
I still see him if I need to when I'm in UK but in Portugal I have found a young Canadian girl whose father has had a practice here for over 20 years. Where did she qualify ..... University of Glamorgan.

Sorry I meant to say that I hope you feel better soon wisewoman. In your position I'd see my GP first but not let it drag on too long.

When I lived in Manchester a back problem I'd had for fifteen years flared up and I was unable to walk. My GP, who was brilliant, told me that she had a patient with a similar problem who had had a marvellous recovery after visiting a chiropractor. She said she was not permitted to recommend the chiropractor, but nevertheless gave me her address. After only three sessions with the chiropractor my back was better - as in completely painless and with unrestricted movement for the first time since the original problem. Since then if my back becomes sore I do the exercises recommended by the chiropractor and have never again had a problem requiring treatment. My GP was so impressed with the results that she trained to become a chiropractor herself.

Good to hear positive stories. Will go to GP first but have researched local chiropractors just in case. Any Fife or Edinburgh grans have any experience of good ones?

When I couldn't walk because of a bad knee I saw an osteopath and was walking within a couple of weeks. All my doctor did was prescribe pain killers and it was months before I had a scan and physiotherapy. I do have another doctor now that seems very good with joint problems [he does acupuncture as well]. The consultant that I [eventually] saw was very rude and patronising [probably because I mentioned the osteopath]. When you think about it top sportspeople use physios and such like and look at the stress they put their bodies under.

My husband is currently being treated by a sports injury therapist who came highly recommended. After just one treatment there is remarkable improvement. Our GP, who is really good, will probably see similar sports injuries just a few times a year. The sports therapist is treating these injuries on a regular basis and has had specialised, focused training.

As an ex nurse I would like to speak out for chiropractors in particular McTimoney ones. I have seen some very good results from this very gentle form of therapy and have found it very effective myself. I had sciatica (modern medicine has nothing to help with this) The pain was excruciating. A McTimoney chiropractor put it right in one session which cost £40. I have never had the problem since.
In every profession there are good and bad and there are most certainly good and bad doctors ! Acupuncture is also very effective for many people.
Please keep an open mind and don't pay too much attention to sceptics - make your own mind up

The problem seems to be knowing who is a "good one". I have researched a couple in my area and they have glowing testimonials but I am a bit of a sceptic about these and would rather hear from someone I know who. It is like Tripadvisor. Never sure if friends send positive views and competitors put in negative ones!! It is great to hear good reports though.

Chiropractic clinic in our large health centre which would seem to give them credibility.
Very nice young man with the Glamorgan degree mentioned .
Two years ago I had 10 sessions (with the approval of my GP) for my arthritic knee/hip. - which cost about £300
I can't honestly say there was any noticeable improvement.