Fundies and Chiropractors

[BelieveinScience]

Due to my parent's med insurance at the time, I had to see a Chiropractor before I could see a back surgeon. Thankfully this was one of the few that are on the up and up. I had scoliosis that went from a very slight curve in early Sept. to 70 and 80 degree curve by early Dec. I was dying by slowly being smothered to death by my own body and if this chiro had played false with me and said he could cure it I would have died. But he said I needed this surgery that all the doctors were talking about and nothing else would save me. That is why I get so pissed when a lot of the local Chiros say they can cure scoliosis, um no they could wind up killing someone.

So I have a herrington rod in my back, full length of my spine for the rest of my life. I have been able to do almost everything that anyone else could do. I have been white water rafting, given birth vag, rock climbing, hiking, skiing, ect... except for not being able to bend at the waist but at the hips I have lived a very normal life. One thing is is that I can never be hit in the back or have my spine adjusted. I have been told by so many Chiros that if they could just adjust me I would live a pain free life. Um, no. If they do that then I risk either dying or being paralyzed from the neck down. Sorry, aint happening. I had to give up white water rafting after I was thrown from the raft onto a boulder and that was something I loved to do very much, so I'm not going to let a stranger destroy my life just to feed thier ego.

I could fill pages and pages of my expirences with bad Chiros but I think there are a handful out there who are on the up and up and should be praised.

Oh gosh, My chiropractor made an off handed comment about how my back slightly curves. Now I'm wondering if I should be concerned.

[smores]

My issue with the whole natural stuff is I know I wouldn't be alive right now if it wasn't for regular good old MDs. So I can't see myself trusting a "natural" type doctor because of that, ya know? I see a chiro because it's what my mom wants not really what I want and my mom thinks the chiropractor can treat me since my doctors can't. (I see a gynocologist, endocrinologist, GI, neurologist, ENT, etc.. right now)

I'm a very complex medical case and I just don't see a DO being specialized enough for that (just like I dont really see the chiropractor as one) to help me. I think it's a mental thing for me. Are DOs typically covered by insurance?

I had a DO as an obstetrician. They go through specialized residency the same as doctors do, they just learn more. I have a friend about to go to school for it. It's not as "quacky" as you think. Really, most of them leave behind the natural stuff once they get into practice and act more like normal doctors, in my experience.

[ladypuglover]

Oh gosh, My chiropractor made an off handed comment about how my back slightly curves. Now I'm wondering if I should be concerned.

Most people have a slight curve or even a slight degree of scoliosis without ever needing any treatment. Mine was just a case of all the right/wrong factors falling into place. I fit the book perfect text of who needs this surgery by being a young girl who just hit puberty and had a family history of scoliosis. Puberty can act like some deranged mircicle-gro in scoliosis and boys having is almost nil.

Get checked by a real doctor first and relax. Most likely you have nothing to worry about.

[emmiedahl]

My issue with the whole natural stuff is I know I wouldn't be alive right now if it wasn't for regular good old MDs. So I can't see myself trusting a "natural" type doctor because of that, ya know? I see a chiro because it's what my mom wants not really what I want and my mom thinks the chiropractor can treat me since my doctors can't. (I see a gynocologist, endocrinologist, GI, neurologist, ENT, etc.. right now)

I'm a very complex medical case and I just don't see a DO being specialized enough for that (just like I dont really see the chiropractor as one) to help me. I think it's a mental thing for me. Are DOs typically covered by insurance?

DOs are licensed physicians that go through the same training as MDs and are allowed in the same residencies, the same specialties, etc. They are just a different orientation of physician. Every insurance covers them as a doctor. Because they are a doctor. Some of the physicians on FreeJinger are DOs.

[BelieveinScience]

Most people have a slight curve or even a slight degree of scoliosis without ever needing any treatment. Mine was just a case of all the right/wrong factors falling into place. I fit the book perfect text of who needs this surgery by being a young girl who just hit puberty and had a family history of scoliosis. Puberty can act like some deranged mircicle-gro in scoliosis and boys having is almost nil.

Get checked by a real doctor first and relax. Most likely you have nothing to worry about.

I just know that when my back got messed up (the chiro said my muscles clenched down???) are around where he said I had the curve.

Bolded part= funniest thing I've heard all day.

[BelieveinScience]

DOs are licensed physicians that go through the same training as MDs and are allowed in the same residencies, the same specialties, etc. They are just a different orientation of physician. Every insurance covers them as a doctor. Because they are a doctor. Some of the physicians on FreeJinger are DOs.

Are there stand alone DOs are they all like what smores said about her OB being a DO?

[emmiedahl]

Yes, they are physicians and can do anything an MD can do.

eta: you probably have been treated by DO's on several occasions and don't even know it. An ER doctor, or whatever. They are doctors and quite common, so unless you check the credentials of every physician who treats you, you probably have seen one and did not know the difference.

DO's used to be more holistic and "crunchy" than MD's, but it seems like MD's are becoming more holistic while DO's are becoming less crunchy. It is difficult to tell them apart because they do the same stuff. However, DO's do have additional knowledge in the area of osteopathic manipulation so they may be able to treat things that both chiros and MD's cannot.

[BelieveinScience]

Yes, they are physicians and can do anything an MD can do.

Okay, thanks for all the information!

[tropaka]

As far as I know in Ontario Canada osteopaths aren't required to be MDs and are basically hanging around in the same category as chiropractors.

[tropaka]

confusing

http://osteopathyontario.org/about-oste ... steopathy/

[Witsec7]

Yes, they are physicians and can do anything an MD can do.

eta: you probably have been treated by DO's on several occasions and don't even know it. An ER doctor, or whatever. They are doctors and quite common, so unless you check the credentials of every physician who treats you, you probably have seen one and did not know the difference.

DO's used to be more holistic and "crunchy" than MD's, but it seems like MD's are becoming more holistic while DO's are becoming less crunchy. It is difficult to tell them apart because they do the same stuff. However, DO's do have additional knowledge in the area of osteopathic manipulation so they may be able to treat things that both chiros and MD's cannot.

DO's are widely used by our local health care monopoly. They get paid at lower rates than MDs but do the same work. Its interesting that at my local public health office I have access to MDs (no DOs) and NPs.

[BelieveinScience]

eta: you probably have been treated by DO's on several occasions and don't even know it. An ER doctor, or whatever. They are doctors and quite common, so unless you check the credentials of every physician who treats you, you probably have seen one and did not know the difference.

DO's used to be more holistic and "crunchy" than MD's, but it seems like MD's are becoming more holistic while DO's are becoming less crunchy. It is difficult to tell them apart because they do the same stuff. However, DO's do have additional knowledge in the area of osteopathic manipulation so they may be able to treat things that both chiros and MD's cannot.

Yeah, I used to check credentials of doctors before I would see them (and patient ratings) now I don't. I trust who my doctors refer me to. On all my doctors' businesses card they all say MD. But I would guess I've seen DOs in the ER since I was a frequent there for a while. Thanks again for all the information about them.

[emmiedahl]

DO's are widely used by our local health care monopoly. They get paid at lower rates than MDs but do the same work. Its interesting that at my local public health office I have access to MDs (no DOs) and NPs.

I think they get paid at the same rate. My insurance, when I had it, considered them interchangeable, and my kids' state insurance does as well. The average DO salary is lower than the average MD salary because DO's are more likely to go into primary care, the lowest paid medical specialty. But the cost-per-service is the same for the same services.

[Witsec7]

I think they get paid at the same rate. My insurance, when I had it, considered them interchangeable, and my kids' state insurance does as well. The average DO salary is lower than the average MD salary because DO's are more likely to go into primary care, the lowest paid medical specialty. But the cost-per-service is the same for the same services.

At our monopoly specialists are all MDs, its a weird structure. They own the hospital, all the medical and diagnostic practices a couple of care centers and oh yea, an insurance company...

[ilovetchotchkes]

Here's what happens at a chiropractor's office -

1. they take a brief history

2. They say you have to get an X-ray, but don't worry because it's free!

3. They tell you to come back in a few days

4. They tell you that there's nothing too serious, but it could become serious unless you get their treatment.

5. They ALWAYS tell you that your neck is straight when it's supposed to be curved.

6. They lay out your treatment plan, and also just happen to have the payment schedule all laid out right there for you

7. They then let you know it probably won't be covered by your insurance

8. Six weeks and many hundreds of dollars later, nothing's changed.

In my opinion, they're crooks.

I worked for one once that pulled this crap. Paid me shit too. And I quit when she claimed she could cure cancer through chiropractics. My current one though is the total opposite and I Love. Her,charges per visit only, no payment plan no bullshit 8 year treatment plan. Its helped my back from pregnancy tremendously. And she's concentrating on keeping me out of pain not "curing" me of anything. It also helps that she's a liscensced massage therapist so she combines the 2.

[emmiedahl]

At our monopoly specialists are all MDs, its a weird structure. They own the hospital, all the medical and diagnostic practices a couple of care centers and oh yea, an insurance company...

DO's seem to go into medical school wanting to be primary care and most DO schools put a huge emphasis on it. Also, they tend to practice in rural areas. I have met some DO specialists who are faculty at both UW and the DO school near me, but they seem to be rather rare. It's not that you can't become a specialist, but that most DO's are just not attracted to it. I volunteer at the DO school in my area and it is my "back up" school, so I have really learned a lot about this type of physician recently. It kind of speaks to the holistic hippie in me. I love the faculty, I love the students, I love the patient-centered focus. I am applying to UW and other allopathic (MD) med schools, but I will not feel slighted or disappointed if I end up a DO. My key objection is that there is little awareness about the field and people outside the medical field tend to view them as glorified chiropractors rather than physicians. I don't want to spend my career defending and explaining my credentials to people who are not familiar with medicine. I just want to help people and be a doctor! So MD is the simplest choice and I love simple.

I endorse the following wikipedia article, which seems to be very accurate http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison ... ted_States

Sorry to be a PSA. It's something close to my heart because I am dealing with great physicians who are DO's on a weekly basis.

[BelieveinScience]

DO's seem to go into medical school wanting to be primary care and most DO schools put a huge emphasis on it. Also, they tend to practice in rural areas. I have met some DO specialists who are faculty at both UW and the DO school near me, but they seem to be rather rare. It's not that you can't become a specialist, but that most DO's are just not attracted to it. I volunteer at the DO school in my area and it is my "back up" school, so I have really learned a lot about this type of physician recently. It kind of speaks to the holistic hippie in me. I love the faculty, I love the students, I love the patient-centered focus. I am applying to UW and other allopathic (MD) med schools, but I will not feel slighted or disappointed if I end up a DO. My key objection is that there is little awareness about the field and people outside the medical field tend to view them as glorified chiropractors rather than physicians. I don't want to spend my career defending and explaining my credentials to people who are not familiar with medicine. I just want to help people and be a doctor! So MD is the simplest choice and I love simple.

I endorse the following wikipedia article, which seems to be very accurate http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison ... ted_States

Sorry to be a PSA. It's something close to my heart because I am dealing with great physicians who are DO's on a weekly basis.

Personally, I'm glad you educated me on them. My crunchy friends approved of them along with the chiropractors so I just figured they were in the same category. Now that I know that they are real doctors I won't be iffy at all about seeing one.

[Witsec7]

I think our DOs provide a high quality of care. A lot of the ones I've seen here have all done the rural medicine route to relieve themselves of student loans. One that cared for me for years qualified for her loan forgiveness by working with migrant farm workers for a period of years. I think the generation before me may have seen DOs as less than, but for my generation they are just qualified professionals.

[ilovetchotchkes]

I think our DOs provide a high quality of care. A lot of the ones I've seen here have all done the rural medicine route to relieve themselves of student loans. One that cared for me for years qualified for her loan forgiveness by working with migrant farm workers for a period of years. I think the generation before me may have seen DOs as less than, but for my generation they are just qualified professionals.

My current doc is a DO he's fab! He is the FIRST doctor to understand why i wanted to continue to breast feed my son past a year and helped me come up with medications that were safe rather than just brushing me off and demanding I wean in order to prescribe amoxicillin. (I shit you not I fired my previous GP for that!)

[YPestis]

On the DO thing, they are medical practitioners like MDs and have all prescriptive rights. Their curriculum is similar to MDs and they also do residencies. The only difference is the DOs learn osteopathic manipulations. I'm not sure what it entails but it's something they can bill for and I (as an MD) cannot. :~)

I worked with a few DOs during various rotations, even had a couple who lectured in med school Their degree makes them a "medical minority" but I didn't feel any difference. I'm pretty sure they bill the same amount as MDs. They do seem to get asked "why DO" question though. Although unspoken, I think many students at my med school always assume people go to DO schools as backup when they can't get into an allopathic (MD) school. However, I've never met a DO student who stated that as a reason for their choice.

Honestly, I don't feel the DOs were more holistic or whole person oriented. I think that's more of a gimmick used to differentiate themselves from the allopathic (MD) schools. A doctor is a doctor. Some are more crunchy than others.

In the rest of the world, DOs are like chiropractors in scope of practice. DOs in this country is unique in that the degree denotes the same level of medical training as an MD. It's all very confusing. Most people in this country assume all doctors are MDs. I guess it must be tough to constantly have to explain your degree.

[0KidsAndHappy]

Anyone with sinus issues ever try a chiropractor? I went to one once in my fight to avoid getting (spinal) surgery. I had tried so many other things and the chiropractor was another in that list. It actually made my back feel worse, but damn ... I had never breathed that well in my entire life. If it didn't hurt my back so much, I'd make it a weekly thing around this time of year.

[snarkbillie]

Yes, they are physicians and can do anything an MD can do.

eta: you probably have been treated by DO's on several occasions and don't even know it. An ER doctor, or whatever. They are doctors and quite common, so unless you check the credentials of every physician who treats you, you probably have seen one and did not know the difference.

DO's used to be more holistic and "crunchy" than MD's, but it seems like MD's are becoming more holistic while DO's are becoming less crunchy. It is difficult to tell them apart because they do the same stuff. However, DO's do have additional knowledge in the area of osteopathic manipulation so they may be able to treat things that both chiros and MD's cannot.

I go to a DO because he knew more about my child's condition than the MD we were seeing. It's a rare disorder and he took it upon himself to research it for us to get us better care. He emails me when new research comes out. He's great. He also takes a lot of time with us and really figures out what's going on rather than just giving pain pills or whatever. I don't know if it's because he's a DO or because he really cares. Either way he rocks.

[apple1]

DO's seem to go into medical school wanting to be primary care and most DO schools put a huge emphasis on it. Also, they tend to practice in rural areas. I have met some DO specialists who are faculty at both UW and the DO school near me, but they seem to be rather rare. It's not that you can't become a specialist, but that most DO's are just not attracted to it. I volunteer at the DO school in my area and it is my "back up" school, so I have really learned a lot about this type of physician recently. It kind of speaks to the holistic hippie in me. I love the faculty, I love the students, I love the patient-centered focus. I am applying to UW and other allopathic (MD) med schools, but I will not feel slighted or disappointed if I end up a DO. My key objection is that there is little awareness about the field and people outside the medical field tend to view them as glorified chiropractors rather than physicians. I don't want to spend my career defending and explaining my credentials to people who are not familiar with medicine. I just want to help people and be a doctor! So MD is the simplest choice and I love simple.

I endorse the following wikipedia article, which seems to be very accurate http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison ... ted_States

Sorry to be a PSA. It's something close to my heart because I am dealing with great physicians who are DO's on a weekly basis.

In my area, MDs and DOs are completely interchangeable. There is no difference in hospital privileges, and some DOs are in specialties, just like some MDs. 35 years ago they were mostly separate, with one area hospital considered the "DO hospital". All of that has morphed into complete interchangeability, and I think that is a good thing.