I am preparing to search for a chiropractor to treat me for mild
chronic upper back pain (between my shoulder blades, near the spine)
resulting from an injury that occurred 10 years ago.

I understand there are many techniques that chiropractors use to treat
their patients, ranging from pure quackery to very effective methods
for certain conditions.  What are some of the more well-known and
recommended techniques, in general, and more specifically for upper
back pain that I should look for when I query local chiropractors
about their practice styles?

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Request for Question Clarification by sublime1-ga on 04 Feb 2006 17:04 PST

achappel...

The following quote from Chapter 11 of a book by Samuel 
Homola, D.C. (himself a chiropractor) on Chirobase.com,
titled 'Bonesetting, Chiropractic, and Cultism', sums up
the problem:

"Chiropractic 'Technique Wars'"

"The first split in chiropractic thought came, perhaps, as
 far back as 1906 when some of the chiropractic schools began
 to teach methods of physiotherapy in addition to the
 chiropractic adjustment. Since then, many other splits have
 occurred, some widening and others breaking up into dozens
 of factions. Today, there are practically as many theories
 and methods of practice as there are chiropractors, with
 proof of the validity of any one of them as elusive as the
 'philosopher's stone.'"
http://www.chirobase.org/05RB/BCC/11.html

The table of contents for the entire online book is here:
http://www.chirobase.org/05RB/BCC/00c.html

And the entire site, run by Stephen Barrett, MD, and Samuel
Homola, DC, is geared toward being "Your Skeptical Guide to
Chiropractic History, Theories, and Practices".

I doubt you'll find a more thorough and detailed resource
on the subject of your question, so if you find that it
satisfies your interests in posing your question, let me
know, and I'll post a formal answer. Otherwise, please
specify what more you'd like to know.

sublime1-ga

---

Request for Question Clarification by sublime1-ga on 04 Feb 2006 17:18 PST

Oh...and a search for "back pain" on the site returns the
following questions and answers which may be of interest:

'Can Neck Adjustments Help My Back and Leg Pain?'
http://www.chirobase.org/17QA/neck3.html

'Who Should I Consult for My Back and Neck Pain?'
http://www.chirobase.org/17QA/disc3.html

'Why Does Popping My Back Make Me Feel Better?'
http://www.chirobase.org/17QA/popping3.html

And here's an article by a lady who had back pain:
'How a Chiropractor Used Scare Tactics to Keep Me Coming Back'
http://www.chirobase.org/16Victims/hays.html

---

Clarification of Question by achappel-ga on 05 Feb 2006 12:48 PST

You've answered my question.  Thank you.

achappel...

Thanks for acknowledging my input as a suitable answer.
I'll reproduce it here for the sake of future readers.

------------------------------------------------------

The following quote from Chapter 11 of a book by Samuel 
Homola, D.C. (himself a chiropractor) on Chirobase.com,
titled 'Bonesetting, Chiropractic, and Cultism', sums up
the problem:

"Chiropractic 'Technique Wars'"

"The first split in chiropractic thought came, perhaps, as
 far back as 1906 when some of the chiropractic schools began
 to teach methods of physiotherapy in addition to the
 chiropractic adjustment. Since then, many other splits have
 occurred, some widening and others breaking up into dozens
 of factions. Today, there are practically as many theories
 and methods of practice as there are chiropractors, with
 proof of the validity of any one of them as elusive as the
 'philosopher's stone.'"
http://www.chirobase.org/05RB/BCC/11.html

The table of contents for the entire online book is here:
http://www.chirobase.org/05RB/BCC/00c.html

And the entire site, run by Stephen Barrett, MD, and Samuel
Homola, DC, is geared toward being "Your Skeptical Guide to
Chiropractic History, Theories, and Practices".

I doubt you'll find a more thorough and detailed resource
on the subject of your question.


And a search for "back pain" on the site returns the
following questions and answers which may be of interest:

'Can Neck Adjustments Help My Back and Leg Pain?'
http://www.chirobase.org/17QA/neck3.html

'Who Should I Consult for My Back and Neck Pain?'
http://www.chirobase.org/17QA/disc3.html

'Why Does Popping My Back Make Me Feel Better?'
http://www.chirobase.org/17QA/popping3.html

And here's an article by a lady who had back pain:
'How a Chiropractor Used Scare Tactics to Keep Me Coming Back'
http://www.chirobase.org/16Victims/hays.html

sublime1-ga


Additional information may be found from an exploration of
the links resulting from the Google searches outlined below.

Searches done, via Google:

"chiropractic adjustment" "upper back"
://www.google.com/search?q=%22chiropractic+adjustment%22+%22upper+back%22

"upper back pain" site:www.chirobase.org
://www.google.com/search?q=%22upper+back+pain%22+site%3Awww.chirobase.org

"back pain" site:www.chirobase.org
://www.google.com/search?q=%22back+pain%22+site%3Awww.chirobase.org

Would have preferred a more direct answer, but I'm willing to accept
that this may be the best answer currently available.

Sublime1 - What a jaded answer.  Someone asks about chiropractic, a
subject in which you obviously know nothing about, and you give them
the largest anti-chiropractic website to look for answers you should
have easily answered as an "expert".  Without totally disparaging the
entire Quack Watch team for their unprofessionalism, not to mention
the Barrett VS Koren lawsuit, which they recently lost, A simple
answer would be to talk to a chiropractor and his patients to find out
what works for your particular issue.  I know hundreds of
chiropractors who would have answered this question for the price of a
phone call to the clinic.

AChappel - Chiropractic has been found very effective for people
suffering from low back pain, neck pain, and yes, mid back pain. 
Using techniques such as Full Spine, Gonstead, Thompson, and
Activator, you should be able to get relief from your mid back woes. 
With a proper evaluation and X-rays if needed, your chiropractor can
set you up on a care plan that works for you.  Now, for real
chiropractic website addresses specifically regarding techniques, go
to the hyperlink below or copy this into your browser address.  
http://www.chiro.org/LINKS/technique.shtml#Websites
You should ask for your money back on the previous answer.
Yours in health
Doc