<p>I’ve mentioned before that my mother ( 74) is impulsive and ego-centric, especially regarding spending money.
Taking a singles cruise and getting a face lift ( when she was in her early 40s) when she had three kids( 11 to 17) who needed a parent-after her husband died( should I even mention he may have died because she refused to call 911?)- to having a paid for condo 8 years ago from the sale of her 5 bedroom suburban home, which now has a mortgage of over $200,000 are just a couple things, she has done without thinking IMO about consequences.</p>
<p>Her latest involves going to a chiropractor. Now I have gone to about 4 or 5 chiropractors in my life- and I am not discounting hands on healing. On the contrary, I feel treatment massage and physical therapy can be enormously therapeutic.</p>
<p>However-my experience with chiropractic has led me to believe that it doesn’t have meaningful or long lasting effects for myself.</p>
<p>My sister and her family really believe in it & go often.
However- I also have to say, they are LDS, and whatever good the Mormon church does for its members, IMO, there is a lot of learning to not question authority, which probably has contributed to her family spending thousands on things like “executive headhunters” and investments that don’t pan out.</p>
<p>My mother has begun going to a chiropractor for adjustments ( my sister takes her), and is now going more than twice a week. When I asked her what her diagnosis is- she just replied “my back”. I persisted and asked " but what did he say is wrong with your back? " Assuming that to have to go once a week +, there is something majorly wrong.
She hung up on me.</p>
<p>Now I admit-there is not a lot I can do about what she spends money on-
But am I wrong about my belief that she should at least have some information about what she is paying for?</p>
<p>How do you tell a quack from a legitimate practitioner?</p>
<p>I have been to chiropractors for 2 kinds of treatment during my lifetime. Once was 20+ years ago and the other was within the past year. How did I know they weren’t “quacks”? Both said to me, “I don’t believe in telling people how long it takes to get better; you’ll know when it’s time to stop. However, I think we can manage this in 2-4 treatments if you do the exercises I prescribe along with it.” In other words, none of this “keep coming back until the end of time” stuff.</p>
<p>I see a chiropractor about twice a month. I had originally begun seeing her following a very serious fall about 10 years ago and I credit her with me getting back on my feet and back to work quickly. I began seeing her again at the beginning of this year when I was no longer able to lift my arm due to extreme shoulder pain. I decided to see her just to see if I could prevent what was likely going to be surgery and/or physical therapy. The pain cleared after just a few visits and I am now able to lift my arm to a full vertical position. In addition, a found I was suddenly able to raise from a chair without the use of my arms (I have RA). I brought my daughter to see her when she was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of eight. She received adjustments over a number of years and eventually saw her scoliosis reduced to a “minimal level” confirmed by comparitive x-rays. I am sure there are chiropractors that bill for phantom injuries, but I do not believe that is the norm.</p>
<p>I think whatever she is doing could be more helpful if things were combined with it- however- she doesn’t exercise- she takes her dog out about 4 times a day- ( small dog) across the street to the park- but rest of time- sits in a chair and watches tv.</p>
<p>Not interested in doing any sort of exercise which I think is most of her problem- despite my example of my health improving 100% since I have been exercising regularly.
However, I have the inspiration of my 93 year old neighbor who still goes on hikes!
:)</p>
<p>EK: I had a wonderful chiro when I lived in Bellevue. I first went to him after a car accident and was shocked at how fast I recovered. The woman in the car with me went to an Osteopath more often and didn’t seem to get any better. I sent her to my Chiro and he got her on the right path. We both knew when we were done.</p>
<p>If you want to know if he’s legit, why not go for a consultation appt and see if he’s a healer or just pushing adjustments and vitamins, etc.? I have a feeling that you may be the type of person who can judge a book by its cover, if you know what I mean.</p>
<p>EK,
We can’t change our mothers, we can only try to be the kind of mothers we wanted. Looks like you’ve done a great job at being a mom. I agree with you that your mom should have more info, but looks like your mom doesn’t care.
That consultation/ck idea does make sense.
LA</p>