Calling all chiropractors...

[Epitome]

Since I was a child, I've suffered from rounded shoulders and a rounded back. These problems have in turn begun to give me back pains, which shouldn't be happening at my age (early 20's). It doesn't actually look as hideous as it sounds, but it is definitely an obstacle in the vision of myself. Furthermore, I KNOW these problems can be fixed, because if I wake up after a couple of hours of laying on flat surface, my back actually looks normal. It even feels normal. However, after a couple of hours, it reverts back to its deformed shape.

I have heard some positive things about ART and rolfing, but apparently there aren't any in my area. I did go to a chiropractor once for a free initial visit, but he did not provide me with one piece of valuable information. He took x-rays, but instead wanted to reschedule in order to review them with me. I left furious, never to reschedule.

I have yet to find a single resource outlining how one can permanently, physically change his or her body, as the internet is full of garbage webpages just trying to make money. Of course, there are literally hundreds of testimonials, but all are on those pages trying to sell products or services.

Though I have excellent insurance, I have no desire to bring yet another burden upon them. I don't mind to pay for a service that is actually beneficial to me, but from what I have heard, most chiropractors aren't worth a damn.

So my first question is, does anyone have links that might be useful in correcting my poor posture? And second, can anyone provide me with any information on chiropractors and their ability to correct these problems? Thanks.

- Epit

[Eregular]

dude check out your chiropractor! i go to one regularly cause i end up throwing my back out of wack doing bench at least once a week and he is more than happy to fix it!

going to a chiropractor will make a huge difference after about 4-6 weeks, you'll notice you stand taller and others will even comment on how you look better (bigger in some cases cause your not 'hunching')

most insurance companies will pay for chiropractic care (well co pay) so it is usually not very expensive. and they will also help a lot with past/future injuries

this is just my 2 cents...some people do not like chiro's...

Eregular

:-p

[archive_Killer]

You also may want to focus on working on the posterior muscles of the back, hip, and shoulders, paying extra special attention to the shoulder retractors (mid trap,rhomboids), rear delts, and ext rotator cuff. Stretch the hell out of your anterior side, especially the pecs, front delts, and internal rotators.


Chiros can be hit or miss, such as anything in life. I have known good, I have def known bad. Probally more bad than good, but good ones do exsist.

[jimm]

here's an obvious suggestion : learn to make a conscious effort to keep your shoulders back all day long- this will help keep you from allowing them to pull forward. the previous suggestions on exercises to focus on are excellent.

Not all chiro's are created equally. Some are good pain relief docs. Others can provide some alternative remedies for non-medically responsive problems, or in case the person does not want to go the medical drug route for certain ailments.Still others are skilled at sports medicine,acupuncture or helping geriatrics with specific musculoskeletal problems for more examples.

You are looking for a DC who will correct improper biomechanics. They often do this by prescribing specific forms of traction in the office and home correction exercises. This method can actually work suprisingly well for correcting sometimes serious spinal deformities like moderately severe scoliosis. For example, one auxillary exercise used for improper head position is a weighted head band. If a person carries their head to far forward, the head sticks out, they have you wear this head band that has weights on the front - which pulls the head farther forward. This seems like it would make it worse, but it causes you to have to pull your head back - strengthening the postural muscles that keep your head back. The same thing works for sidwards head tilts - if the head is tilted to the left, the weight on the headband is worn on the left side forcing you to pull it over to the right and so on. It can take awhile but with time you can retrain all sorts of faulty biomechanics based on faulty proprioception and imbalanced postural muscles.

But you will have to call and ask around to find the right guy. The guys who are really into correcting postural faults do a technique called biophysics or something like that. I can look up the specific name of the program if you want me to. people think chiro's are all cut out of the same weird mold, but they do differ. I mean all chiro's have some training in posture, or exercise rehab - but depending on the passion of the chiro they tend to develop alot of skill in one area or another.

I also think the Alexander technique is valuable to learn for correcting posture over the long term. You can buy books on the exercises they recommend.