Should I see a chiropractor?

[BritChick]

I recently spoke with a chiropractor at the Emerald Cup expo about the fact that I am... shall we say 'a little wonky'!
After doing a posture analysis, he informed me of the results, in short the left side of my body is bearing 6lbs more than the right from improper alignment and my right shoulder is 1 1/2 inches lower than my left.
The info about my shoulders being 'off' I was well aware of and it's never really been a big deal until I started competing in figure. Considering one of the first things the judges look at is symmetry it's something I've been struggling (not very successfully) to modify in my posing, trouble is I can't 'feel' when it looks right. So far no judges have picked up on this but to me it stands out like a sore thumb!
The chiro said that with treatment this could be permanently corrected but it could take MANY, MANY months and therefore big bucks to correct.
I am also a little concerned of the whole 'snap, crackle and pop' approach having never seen a chiro before and in light of the fact I have two degenerative discs in my neck, I don't want to create new problems.
I imagine some of you here have had experience with chiropractic treatment and any input, advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

 

[BoneCrusher]

I know two people who's lower backs were destroyed by "chiro". Step away from the chiropractor mam ...

 

[cappo5150]

be careful, chiros will want to book you 3 times a week for like a year straight. That was way too much for me, so I stop going.

 

[Arnold]

my wife and I have been going for about 2 months, for the first month we went 3 times per week, then dropped to 2 times, and now we are at 1 visit per week.

if any chiro wants to see you 3 times per week for a year I think they are a quack!

 

[cappo5150]

It was more like 3months, but it felt like forever.

 

[Arnold]

how long does it take to see results in the gym? 1 month, 2, 3 months?

if you stared working out and you went 1 time per week would you see any results?

 

[Luke9583]

I had an alignment a month ago. I needed another one two days later.

I just found out how to do it on my own, and bought a bed that my feet didn't hang off of.

 

[SPIKE1257]

Hey BritChick.. How is the back coming along ? How about some feedback..

 

[rule62]

I love my chiropractor. I also went three times a week for about a month, then twice a week for a month and now I see him twice a month. Lately he has been working on my shoulder more than my back - he is also a physical therapist.

It sounds like your alignment problem is to a point where you may want to consider Rolfing as well. I had tremendous success with Rolfing. I went to have my running gait tweaked, which worked - but where I received unbelivable results was in the upper body. My chest before and after pics are startling. It is another option.

 

[BritChick]

Hey BritChick.. How is the back coming along ? How about some feedback..

Hey Spike, I nearly forgot about this thread! Yeesh
Well thank you all for your responses.
As yet I have not been to see the chiropractor I am still umming and ahhing over the situation.
I guess because I am currently not in any pain and my reason for going now is more of an aesthetic nature it's a lot easier to put off.
Honestly though I think once the kids are back in school I will end up going to see him. When I train now all I see is how 'off' my shoulders are, it doesn't sound like much but it's very frustrating and I really don't want the judges next year saying 'you would have placed higher but you lack symmetry'.
So again thanks for the feedback and I will keep you posted with what I decide to do.

 

[BritChick]

I love my chiropractor. I also went three times a week for about a month, then twice a week for a month and now I see him twice a month. Lately he has been working on my shoulder more than my back - he is also a physical therapist.

It sounds like your alignment problem is to a point where you may want to consider Rolfing as well. I had tremendous success with Rolfing. I went to have my running gait tweaked, which worked - but where I received unbelivable results was in the upper body. My chest before and after pics are startling. It is another option.

Hey rule, thanks for posting. I don't know anything about rolfing... other than I heard someone say it's painful! lol
I will have to look into it and find out exactly what it is.
What were the changes you saw in your chest?

 

[cappo5150]

Whats rolfing?

 

[JLB001]

Whats rolfing?

Super deep tissue massage. Made Craig cry when he had it done.

 

[Vieope]

Super deep tissue massage. Made Craig cry when he had it done.

Hey JLB001, DrChiro is a chiropractor?

 

[JLB001]

In a few more months he can have that title. He has 3 months left. Right now his cards say "intern".

 

[Vieope]

Nice

 

[rule62]

http://www.rolf.org/

This link is their official website. It gives great detail on what it is and the theory behind it. I went for ten sessions, and it can be painful as JLB points out. I can't say I cried (although I can see how someone could) but I definitely knew when he hit a "challenging" spot. My chest diameter just exploded after he was done. Gave me a nice tapered v that I did not have before. Funny thing is I wasn't really into bodybuilding at the time, I was into triathlons, running and other things.

 

[BritChick]

Cool, thanks for the info I will check it out