I had never been to a chiropractor before last week. I guess I just haven't had a lot of back problems in my life, and the few problems I've had, I've gone the physical therapy route. As per suggestion from a colleague, I decided to try it, not because I have any problems but more to optimize my pelvic bones before I have to push a large thing out of them. I've seen too many women with tight ligaments, stuck babies, and subsequent long labors. I was surprised by a few things relating to chiropractors:
1. The claims by some chiropractors about curing major diseases with correction of "subluxations." Like, do you really expect to cure kidney failure or ADHD with an adjustment? Call me cynical, but that sounds like a stretch scientifically and at best overly simplistic. I'll count that as a CON.
2. How medieval the process feels: lying face down on a table; being pushed, popped and dropped into alignment. Maybe I'll ask for the leaches next. I think I'll count this as a weak PRO--the process is interesting.
3. How it seems to have worked in relaxing my round ligaments (those persnickity ones in the lower abdomen that get so tweaked in pregnancy). In general my pelvic bones and ligaments feel looser, and the baby has started to make her way into a good position, so I'll count that as a definite PRO.
4. How it seems not to have relieved my heartburn---I'm not surprised by this actually because no matter how well my stomach is being "innervated" I think the effects of progesterone in pregnancy are just too powerful for this esophageal sphinctor. I'll call this a weak CON as I never expected it anyway.
1. The claims by some chiropractors about curing major diseases with correction of "subluxations." Like, do you really expect to cure kidney failure or ADHD with an adjustment? Call me cynical, but that sounds like a stretch scientifically and at best overly simplistic. I'll count that as a CON.
2. How medieval the process feels: lying face down on a table; being pushed, popped and dropped into alignment. Maybe I'll ask for the leaches next. I think I'll count this as a weak PRO--the process is interesting.
3. How it seems to have worked in relaxing my round ligaments (those persnickity ones in the lower abdomen that get so tweaked in pregnancy). In general my pelvic bones and ligaments feel looser, and the baby has started to make her way into a good position, so I'll count that as a definite PRO.
4. How it seems not to have relieved my heartburn---I'm not surprised by this actually because no matter how well my stomach is being "innervated" I think the effects of progesterone in pregnancy are just too powerful for this esophageal sphinctor. I'll call this a weak CON as I never expected it anyway.
All in all I guess chiropractic care gets an overall NEUTRAL rating from me. I like the benefits in pregnancy; I doubt that I will extend my dalliance with it longer than the pregnancy itself.
In further proof that I am entering my third trimester, I went out and bought a body pillow. Now Matt has to huddle in the corner of our bed as the amount of space I take up is enough for two. A note to teenagers wanting to sneak out while tricking parents into thinking you are sound asleep (think Ferris Bueller): when the body pillow is in the bed under the blankets it looks exactly like . . . a body . . . decapitated of course.
5 comments:
Celeste,
Chiropractors are like restaurants, they range from Taco Bell to Chez Panisse. When you find yourself with a great one, you'll know it. Finding that person, plus a great acupuncturist (which Salt Lake does have) is my first line of defense.
Chiropractors curing ADHD? That's ridiculous. Everyone knows you cure ADHD by burning a rose candle and drinking thyme-water on the 2nd or 3rd day after the new moon.
I heard that when you have lots of heartburn during pregnancy that the baby will likely be born with a lot of hair. (apparently a hormonal thing.) Let's see if this holds true for you...
Pear, all my latina patients tell me that, so you must have heard it in Brazil. If baby-Matt is any clue, this baby will be hairy all over.
i tried the whole chiropractor thing when i was with porter. i agree, they get a neutral rating. i had super bad sciatica and it seemed to cure it for a few days. but they wanted me to come back every week, or more. i felt that a ploy to get all my money, so i never went back.
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