There appear to be two main schools of training regarding chiropractioning.
I don’t know the particulars of each well enough to comment on them, however, I suspect that one is more voo-doo while the other containing some specific merit.
Having worked in the insurance business in the past, I’ve witnessed many individuals find solutions to their problems through chiros where regular doctors had failed them. Perhaps the most dramatic was an individual who, after having a car accident, was in extreme neck pain. Several docs and several xrays concluded that there was no problem, and he was prescribed one barrage of pain killers after another, until finally ending up at a chiro’s office. The treatment took 5 minutes, the relief was instant, and the patient no longer needed drugs. It would seem that there was an issue at the point where the skull met the spinal column.
Then I had my own incident involving my lower back. During a lift, I felt a pop, and hit the ground, not able to stand erect. The ER took xrays, and the doc prescribed narcotics. I didnt believe the diagnosis, and went to a chiro, still unable to stand, and in extreme pain. Five minutes later, after one of those 3 second voo-doo adjustments, I was completely pain-free and walking upright - the relief was instant and exceptionally notable.
Now, I don’t believe that a spinal adjustment will cure a flu or cold, and I don’t think chiropractic should be the first stop for all things medical.
However, based on several accounts by insurance clients and my own experience, there are certain instances where a chiropractor will excel where mainstream medical fails.
Based on the disdain apparent in other posts here, I imagine this view will not be well received, but I thought it was worth mentioning.
BTW, in my case, the ER doc became infuriated that I would dare question his diagnosis and disbelief that a mere muscle spasm would result in a “pop” and instant handicap. I guess no one’s perfect.