this is my general impression too, the origins of the practice is kinda bunk and it’s probably not worth the risk for a lot of people. I particularly dislike that a lot of people will see a chiropractor for pain before they’ll consider seeing a PT.
that being said, there are individual chiros out there that do good work. The main person I go to for non-chiro bodywork, who really knows her shit, sees a chiro herself and highly credits them for her recovery from pretty severe spinal issues. I’d probably see one only if I was referred from someone I trust.
but generally speaking there’s other alternative therapies I’d recommend over seeing just any random chiro. Acupuncture can be a game changer, and is starting to become less “alternative” as some PTs offer “dry needling” now. Craniosacral work can be great for some too, it’s a very gentle form of bodywork that can have a big impact nonetheless. Both of those are a lot less focused on manual adjustment, lowering the risk significantly.
You’ll find more study in the West of “dry needling”, a technique directly inspired by acupuncture. Here’s one recent review.
I see an acupuncturist because the results for me are great, she’s good at what she does, she does believe in germ theory, she practices in a sanitary way, and she doesn’t claim to cure illnesses. These are the norms for modern licensed acupuncturists. I’m not saying every acupuncturist out there is like this, hokey grifters do exist in alt medicine spaces, and that’s kind of my whole point. It really depends on the practitioner.
this is my general impression too, the origins of the practice is kinda bunk and it’s probably not worth the risk for a lot of people. I particularly dislike that a lot of people will see a chiropractor for pain before they’ll consider seeing a PT.
that being said, there are individual chiros out there that do good work. The main person I go to for non-chiro bodywork, who really knows her shit, sees a chiro herself and highly credits them for her recovery from pretty severe spinal issues. I’d probably see one only if I was referred from someone I trust.
but generally speaking there’s other alternative therapies I’d recommend over seeing just any random chiro. Acupuncture can be a game changer, and is starting to become less “alternative” as some PTs offer “dry needling” now. Craniosacral work can be great for some too, it’s a very gentle form of bodywork that can have a big impact nonetheless. Both of those are a lot less focused on manual adjustment, lowering the risk significantly.
Why would you let someone who doesn’t believe in germ theory put needles in your body?
There is no evidence justifying acupuncture.
You’ll find more study in the West of “dry needling”, a technique directly inspired by acupuncture. Here’s one recent review.
I see an acupuncturist because the results for me are great, she’s good at what she does, she does believe in germ theory, she practices in a sanitary way, and she doesn’t claim to cure illnesses. These are the norms for modern licensed acupuncturists. I’m not saying every acupuncturist out there is like this, hokey grifters do exist in alt medicine spaces, and that’s kind of my whole point. It really depends on the practitioner.