Would you see a chiropractor before a GP? ABC Catalyst program on chiro

[meow]

You know, I was a chiro sceptic even though I started seeing one regularly throughout my second pregnancy. It wasn't until I was 40 weeks pregnant and one side of my tongue went numb. I asked the chiro about it as I saw him that morning it happened and he guessed it was due to body swelling and squeezing the nerve that affects my tongue. He couldn't adjust that part of my spine as it's up in your skull but he thought it would go away after birth once the swelling went down. He said I should see a GP too though.

So I went to the GP who was stumped and ignored the idea I told him the chiro had. He said to go to the hospital and see a neurologist so I did. They also ignored the idea from the chiro and were totally stumped. Eventually they decided I must have bells palsy even though I didn't have the right symptoms and said I could take antibiotics. I decided not to as the chiro's explanation resonated with me.

What do you know? Within 48 hours of giving birth a week later, the numbness went away. The fact that a neurologist who should know a STACK about nerves was clueless and couldn't seem to wrap his head around what the chiro understood was appalling to me. I was SO glad I had seen the chiro first and had his understanding before seeing the western medicine doctors.

My experience has continued to be the same as we see more 'alternative' medicine practitioners. They understand the synergy of our body and holistic care. You are never "just" treating the spine, the body is a total unit. We are far healthier now and I'm so glad we're not reliant on western medicine for wellness. I'll see them for acute care and that's about it now.

I agree that a lot of chiro work requires self care to work. My current back adjustments for my posture are not really going to solve the problem. Doing exercises and strengthening previously un-used muscles is the important bit. But the adjustments really help provide me relief and keep me trending in the right direction as the week progresses. Long term I will also just do exercises and less frequent adjustments and massage. We're also lucky that our insurance covers most of our chiro visits so they only cost me $10 each time.

[little_O]

Just as a side question:

why does a newborn need to be adjusted? I know some babies have dysplasia (sp?) etc when they are born, but not all?

[RhiChiChi]

Just as a side question:

why does a newborn need to be adjusted? I know some babies have dysplasia (sp?) etc when they are born, but not all?

My DD was born via c-sect and having seen how they are performed and how the child is pulled out, I could imagine there maybe some adjusting that could be required.

[BellyBelly]

A newborn from the birth journey and the pressure from positions inutero etc.

For many things I see my acupuncturist first (they are doctors and chinese medicine has been around MUCH longer than modern medicine). I would also be inclined to go to osteo/chiro for other issues too. Serious ones, of course you would see a doctor, I still go from time to time, but very much less than I used to, with great results. E.g. my acupuncturist fixed 18 months of heavy periods after birth, in just one cycle.

Did you know that acupuncture has been acknowledged by the WHO for a cure for thousands of problems? In Chinese hospitals, they employ acupuncturists to see patients and do rounds.

[HotI]

I took both my kids to an osteo in the first few weeks/months after birth and they had small adjustments. It did not make a big difference to their colic/reflux/unsettledness, but i was happy to try it and to repair any 'damage' from being born.

I also had chiro during my pregnancy to help with sciatica and to give DS best opportunity to turn head down. They used an activator during these treatments.

[peanutter]

Just as a side question:

why does a newborn need to be adjusted? I know some babies have dysplasia (sp?) etc when they are born, but not all?

An excellent question. The reasons can vary, but the two most common from my understanding are:-

• from being in a cramped environment during the end of the pregnancy, and getting something squished or in a bad position; and/or
• from getting something out of whack during the birth (whether vaginal, foreceps, whatever).

DS2 was having a bit of difficulty with feeding from my right nipple - turns out his shoulder and neck was pinched on the opposite side, meaning it actually was stiff and uncomfortable for him to feed from my right boobie. One adjustment later (which my chiro did while seeing me) and it was completely fixed.

Now would I let any old chiro see and adjust my baby? Or to adjust me, when I was pregnant? Or to stick needles in me? No. Obviously not.

But the wife of my chiro (who is actually a friend of my brother) was pregnant around the same time, and I was aware of the huge amount of swotting he was doing to help her in her pregnancy, to take the absolute best care for her and their child. He already had done all his studying, uni, masters, further courses, etc, but I saw him working to take care of his own family, and I was impressed with his dedication.

So I was happy with him as a health care provider for me and my family, as I was confident in his knowledge ability and dedication.

As with any medical professional (with western eastern or other therapies) I'd generally go where I knew from people with first hand experience that they are a quality practitioner.