Question
I am so confused.  My mother thinks Chiropractic works; on the other hand, my father thinks they are quacks.  My back has been hurting me on and off for a couple of months now.  I went to a regular doctor (lack of better word) about it and he said the best thing to do is go to a chiroprator.  I don't think it is fair to say that they do not help because I know some people that go to them about their back and are fine.  But I want to know both sides of this chiropractic agreement so I can deside what I need to do.

Thank you for your help.

Elizabeth

Answer
Elizabeth,

I understand your situation and I hope that I can help. Obviously, you have received some good advice and some that is conflicting.  I understand that you would like to believe your father, who has an opinion.  

My question is: On what is your father basing his opinion?

Has your father studied chiropractic and determined through his study that it is invalid as a mode of healthcare?

Does your father have a first-hand knowledge of what chiropractic does in relation to the spine and therefore disagrees with the methods it uses to treat spinal conditions?

Has your father had a bad experience with a chiropractor?

Is your father basing his opinion on no educated knowledge?  Is he simply making a statement for which he has absolutely no information or knowledge to base his opinion?

After 14 years of practice, I have heard this opinion of your father's a time or two.  It has been my overwhelming experience that about 9 times out of 10, the person making the statement has no idea or knowledge to base the statement or back it up.  They are simply stating that chiropractic is invalid "just because".  The other 1 out of 10 had a bad experience with a "bad" chiropractor.  It does happen.  I will be the first to say that there are many bad chiropractors, just like there are bad "real doctors", bad dentists, bad mechanics, and most likely, bad "whatever your father does for a living".

On the other side of the argument, you have your mother and your medical doctor.  Your mom tells you to see a chiropractor.  Your medical doctor tells you to see a chiropractor.  Obviously, the MD has had experience with chiropractors, or he would not refer you to one.  He obviously feels that your condition is a chiropractic one and would be best helped by a DC.  You have other friends that go to chiropractors and are helped.  

While I don't know what your specific condition is, I feel obligated to recommend that you see a chiropractor, despite your fathers wisdom.  You may try asking your father what he bases his opinion on. I know that you love your father, as I deeply love mine.  But I do know that my father is not always right.  

However, MOM usually is!

God Bless,

Dr. Boss