Tell me about Chiropractors.

[PumpkinZulu]

My back has been KILLING me! It's insane, in fact all of my joints just ache and ache at night. Sometimes the day too. It's getting uncomfortable to get of the couch or out of bed. I have also been getting heaps of headaches, I feel it's all related to my back being out of whack. I spoke to my doula on the weekend and she suggested seeing a chiro. I think I really need to, as my pelvis has also been bothering me, and I don't want that to inhibit me in any way during labour.

So my questions are:

How often will I need to see them? Every week? Obviously they will have to have experience with pregnancy (18w6d).

How much do they cost, and how much can I get back? No PHI, but I have a HCC.

TIA

[Traveller]

I see a chiropractor monthly, whether in pain or not. They will all differ in what they recommend, but mine usually recommends weekly appointments initially, then down to fortnightly and finally monthly or three monthly for check-ups.

Mine costs around $40 per session, reduced for people on a regular plan. I'm not sure if there is a reduction for a HCC, would imagine there would be though.

[Rainbow_Mumma]

We see one for Bellah it was every week but shortly went to fortnightly now its 6 weekly and we pay $45 per session and they are specialists in pregnancy and childrens chiro but well worth it the improvements have been phenominal! Its not bulk billed or anything just a flat rate of $45 per session and Bellah was pretty messed up with her back and neck when we started (hip dysplacia, twisted tail bone and neck and back both out in various places) its def worth looking into obv prices will vary on where you go but theres a lot out there who specialise in pregnant people etc

[Enchanted]

IMO I would see an Osteo not a chiro. I went and saw a Chiro a few times after having DS and I found them useless. I needed work done on my lower back and pelvis and he told me that he just couldn't get deep enough. I let it go and had DD and then decided to see an Osteo and boy I feel good! They do some weird and funky things but they get a lot deeper than a Chiro will. I had an extremely twisted pelvis and couldn't lay down on my back on the floor without it hurting like hell. After one session I was feeling amazing and could lay on the floor with no pain. I pay $50 for a half hour session.

Sorry I know you called for info on Chiros but you sound exactly the same as me, so wanted to tell you my experience.

Edit- I went weekly for the first 3 weeks then it was stretched out to 2 weeks for 2 sessions. Then it was a matter of "maintenance" and going back for a "tune up" every 6 or so weeks.

[Party-of-five]

we all go to one some of them tell you to go back regularly but I just go when I feel the need. I saw one right thru all my pregnancys as I have hip issues.

[PumpkinZulu]

What's the difference between an osteo and chiro? Scuse the ignorance

[Persephone1]

Someone we both know IRL recommends chiros

My Mum is a Bowen therapist (similar to osteo) so I'm a bit biased for them. BUT I had one chiro treatment which (possibly) sent me into labour at 41 weeks. DS had a couple of chiro treatments which helped with BFing.

ETA difference btwn them is hard to explain. Osteo is more subtle, gentler. But I don't know enough to explain the differences, sorry.

[Trillian]

The trouble with Chiro is that you will need to have x-rays before you commence treatment, so that may not be possible because of bubs. I love my chiro - see him once a month or more if I need to and DS1 sees him too now as well. But, I think your problem may be more muscular as opposed to skeletal so it might be a better option for you to see a Bowen therapist as they manipulate the muscles, not the spine etc and bowen is also fabulous for pg women to help maintain a good fetal position as well.

[PumpkinZulu]

Oky cool, so maybe looking into an Osteo or Bowen is my best bet. Thanks ladies!

[Jakabella]

I go to an osteo that specilises in pregnancy and she is freaking brilliant! She will fix thing and it put minimal preasure on anything - infact some times its so subtle that you dont know she is doing anything but you walk out feeling amazing! And she only wants me back every 6 weeks or when I feel like I should, never any preasure to come back.

[~Trish~]

I saw a chiro all through my pregnancy with DD and it was brilliant. I have an unstable pelvis and the chiro kept it under control. I'm also sure that's why I had such a quick and easy labour, my chiro constantly made sure everything was in the right place for a good labour (gee I loved that woman ). I didn't need any x-rays at all, so it might be worth ringing a chiro and asking if they required them. My chiro costs about $40 a session.

[Miss.September]

Maybe ring both and find out. I've never needed an xray for a chiro before, and on occassions I've not been able to walk into the clinic, the pain was so bad. I think its what you'll like personally - I like chiros, DH hates them but prefers physios. Hope your back feels better soon.

[PumpkinZulu]

Maybe ring both and find out. I've never needed an xray for a chiro before, and on occassions I've not been able to walk into the clinic, the pain was so bad. I think its what you'll like personally - I like chiros, DH hates them but prefers physios. Hope your back feels better soon.

Yep definately think I'll have to call both, as I have NO idea who I should be seeing, just that I *do* need to go somewhere.

[Arimeh]

I think it depends on the person doing it - not whether its osteo, chiro or bowen therapy. Some are awesome at what they do, some are crap.

I saw a physio when pregnant with DD2 up to 28 weeks and it did nothing to stop my SPD.

I saw a chiro from the start of this pregnancy, and SPD is starting to show its ugly head BUT its mainly my lower back thats bothering me, not my pelvis because of all the extra weight at the front. If your back is killing you try lying on your back and putting your legs to one side and then to the other, its a great way to stretch your lower back muscles. I have to do this before going to sleep at night and also before getting out of bed or else I can't walk properly without hanging onto walls for support.

My chiro is amazing - she is just - amazing. So it definitely depends on if they are actually GOOD at what they do, not just what they do.

As for the amount of treatments, I was on weekly treatments cos my back was giving me so much trouble, now I'm on about 3-weekly appointments (or unless the pain intensifies then she will fit me in) a good one will change your treatment plan to suit the frequency you need to be there, some crap ones will just keep you coming in every week to get money out of you!!

Mine costs $45 a session - no discount with HCC (not that I have one, but they never asked me for it so I assume there is no discount) and I have PHI but I don't use it.

[Early Kids]

I've seen a chiro and a physio and found that doing them together was more beneficial for my lower back and hip problems (Tristan's pregnancy caused sacroiliac joint dysfunction). I did the physio through the local allied health (free) and the chiro cost me $45 (it was $35 with a HCC, which I don't have) I saw both weekly for the first month and then fortnightly. I haven't seen either for a while as I'm managing it myself with the exercises I was given.

I've never had an x-ray from the chiro and I've been going since I was a baby, including during pregnancy.

*ETA* It really does depend on the person too, not the profession. I saw two different physio's and been through about 5 chiros (they moved on) some were brilliant and there were a couple who were just crap.