Chiropractor - recommend or not?

I used to see a chiropractor for back issues until I realised it was making things worse, not better. I also found the manouevres used to 'crack' my neck and spine quite frightning.

I see an osteopath these days, with much better outcomes.

Thank you to everyone who has responded. It has given me something to think about - I hadn't considered acupuncture. My GP referred me to the physiotherapist and I can self refer back to the physio at any point if I feel the pain is worse or I'm seizing up or need stronger meds. He wasn't in favour of hydro-cortisone injections as his opinion was that the NHS rarely does that now and not much evidence of efficacy. Which is odd as my DH had it done into his hip joint quite a few years ago and it was really effective for him.
I found I was taking paracetamol and other a range of other meds whether I needed them or not so went through trying not to take them unless really needed. When I'm sat down - I don't need meds so spend my days doing a bit of something and then sitting down to relieve my back before carrying on. On days when I know I will be active and busy I start with paracetamol and move onto stronger meds if I need it. As is typical with thoracic spondylosis - as soon as you rest - in general the pain goes away.
As with most pain related conditions the NHS goes through all the treatment options eg x-ray, mild pain relief, physios, as they are cheaper and so on before looking at MRI's of which I've had several due to breast cancer nine years ago.
I appreciate all your comments - thank you.

Another with a warning against Chiropractic treatment.

It’s far too aggressive, particularly for elderly patients (or children) and can cause harm, or worse. A good Osteopath will often quickly diagnose a problem and be able to establish whether he/she will be able to help. Sometimes, along with follow-up exercises, one or two treatments will be sufficient to give relief.

In any event, avoid at all cost someone who wants to click your neck or scrunch your spine. Yes, people might be impressed (if not shocked) but according to Osteopaths I have met, this is purely ‘showmanship’ as well as potentially dangerous.

I have found chiropractor treatments helpful but short-lived for back pain whereas acupuncture therapy better by far.

There have been several cases where people have been left paralysed after a chiropractor cracked their bones too vigorously.

After much pressure from a friend (who swears by chiropractors) I visited one with my very painful knee. He said I had a bone out of place so he knocked it with a mini hammer, did a bit of manipulation and said I would need at least three more sessions. In the meantime my hospital appointment came through and scans showed I had a torn meniscus. No bones out of place. I never went to one again.

Years ago my husband had a prolapsed disc. At the time he was delivering meat to butchers' shops, which meant carrying forequarters and hindquarters of Beef from his lorry to the shops. He started seeing a chiropractor and , between strong painkillers from the GP and treatment from the chiropractor. he was able to carry on working until he was able to have it operated on.

About 40 years ago I had a "mystery" back pain (which initially felt to be internal) that various hospital medics and scans could not determine. In the end a private doctor implied I was faking it and scoffed that I should consult a physiotherapist.

I did, and at the first appointment she could tell that I had scoliosis. She used both "traditional" physiotherapy techniques as well as chiropractic and others and within a couple of months had made a tremendous improvement. I still do some of those exercises at times and have led a relatively pain-free life.

You say you take "stronger" painkillers but less than the maximum. Why not consider good old paracetamol on a regular basis instead? The drug stays and builds up in your system, and is ultra safe.

Personally ( and we are all different) I find my chiropractor very helpful - to prevent locks up in my upper back and ribs. I also have spondylitis in my upper back amongst other back issues. I think the evidence for long term therapeutic efficacy is poor but for me it keeps me straight and in less pain. ( lock ups are so painful- and disabling- (as I’m sure you know)- and the nhs really has no answers!). Chiropractor treatment can be rather expensive. My chiropractor is female and quite gentle - maybe get a recommendation from a local friend? What has your GP suggested?

Agree with the above.
It can be dangerous.
At best is woo. Imo.
What about about an osteopath.
Or a private physio.
All the best.

I find the thought of chiropractors quite scary since I found that chiropractic treatments are one of the biggest causes of dissecting aneurysms in the vertebral artery causing strokes. Back washes at the hairdresser got a mention as well.