Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Chiro(quack)tic?

It's no secret that chiropractic care has often been the subject of controversy and criticism. Perhaps it's due to the fact that according to the founder of chiropractic, vertebral subluxation was the sole cause of all diseases of the human race. I'm thinking people probably weren't keen on the idea of going to the chiro when they had the flu or cancer.

That being said, I'm totally open to alternative medicine (I hear acupuncture can pretty much cure anything). So when, for the first time in my life, I started suffering from pretty severe back pain, I decided (with the blessing of my doctor), to check out a local chiropractor.
 
My back pain started a couple months after my knee injury, so I figured one had to be related to the other. After all, I was forced to sleep in an incredibly awkward position, and obviously since one leg wasn't functioning property, I was favoring one side. So it wouldn't be shocking if my spine was out of alignment, causing some pain. Right? And I thought perhaps an adjustment would fix me right up.
 
At my first appointment I filled out a lot of paperwork and watched a video about subluxation, and then chatted with the doctor, who took some photos of my posture and then did an exam. He didn't look at any of the paperwork, and he didn't want to hear much about my knee injury, which he insisted was not related to my back pain, and instead "confirmed" that I had a subluxation in my neck, which would need an adjustment to correct. Sweet. The adjustment wasn't bad, and then he moved me to a massage chair with ice on my neck and proceeded to start working on another patient. Eventually the receptionist said I needed to set up a follow up appointment.

My next visit seemed to be scheduled simultaneously with someone else's. I arrived right on time... but so did another woman, and the doc proceeded to start working on her while he had me do some weird neck stretches in the lobby. Then I had another exam and a few more quick spine adjustments, and he said he'd like to see me in another few days. It was at this point I started asking questions.
 
"Um, so what exactly is the course of treatment? Will I need to come back for multiple visits? Why isn't my back feeling better yet? What can I expect from these appointments?" etc.
 
I was told to wait; that these types of inquiries are covered at the THIRD appointment.
 
Say whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?
 
Um, okay.
 
So I show up for the third appointment. Again, a quick exam and adjustment shoved in between multiple other patients. Then the receptionist dropped the bomb on me.
 
"So, he wants to see you three times a week for three weeks, two times a week for four weeks, once a week for six weeks and then twice a month for the rest of your life. Oh, also your co-pays are $20, we need $60 right meow, and please sign this treatment plan agreeing to our recommendations."
 
Dude. No.
 
First of all, if you had told me at the first visit that I would need to come three times a week, I would have chosen a chiropractor downtown near my office. I cannot leave work early three times a week to come up to Snoqualmie for appointments. And had you told me this at the first visit, we would not have wasted each other's time. But no, you were too busy checking my insurance benefits and then masterminding a treatment plan that would max them out for the year. Well played.
 
But no.
 
I freaking cancelled every single one of those follow up appointments and walked away.
 
So now I'm uber discouraged. I feel like I got totally taken advantage of, and that every stereotype I've ever heard about chiropractic care is true. I'm so frustrated that I don't even want to deal with the situation anymore, but frankly my back still effing hurts.
 
 
Opinions? Advice? Anyone??

19 comments :

  1. Ugh, I keep hearing people say "get acupuncture for your stress and depression" and I'm thinking, NO. I just don't DO needles! Your situation sounds like a pain in the ass. I wish I had some words of advice for you, but I don't so instead I will just sympathize with you :)

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  2. This sounds so much like my history with chiropractors. Seriously, adjustments have helped me so much but I don't have the time or money for it! I guess living with back pain is just what I have to do... Augh, it serisouly frustrates me so much!

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    1. The main thing was that I felt like he wouldn't listen to me or explain anything to me... as if from watching that four minute video I should be an expert, too. I tried to explain about my knee injury, but he was super dismissive. I tried to explain that I had NEVER been to a chiropractor before, but he was still brief and abrupt. I left every appointment feeling confused about what was being done, and why, and what the next steps were. And I do think it was unprofessional to basically combine my appointments with someone else's. But if he would have been more upfront and communicated the process to me from the beginning, it could have been an entirely different experience.

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  3. I actually can't say enough good things about he chiropractor. I went multiple times before and it really helped. My husband goes- loves it. My parents SWEAR BY IT. my dad once had his left shoulder gradually move up and up until his shoulders were two totally different levels. It was insane. He was in so much pain but the chiropractor totally cured all. I think you really need to find a good trustworthy one. Ours os amazing and he just takes what your insurance will pay so we never pay anything. Look for local recommendations get on yelp and find a better one that's not taking advantage of you!!!

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    1. I think it honestly must depend on who you go to, and maybe I just had a bad experience. My co-worker goes to someone across the street from our office that she loves, so I might give him a try...

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  4. I would suggest doing more physical therapy and definitely checking out acupuncture. Many insurance plans cover it!

    I'm sorry you're dealing with the pain (both body pain and dealing with the chiropractor pain)!

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  5. This happened to me, too! I had a nurse recommend me to a chiropractor for some lower back pain. I would have never considered it had she not suggested it. I went to a Redmond chiropractor and my first appointment was actually super uncomfortable and very...quiet. And I was not given a lot of explanation for any of the adjustments that he did. Um, if you're going to slam my arm up against the side of a table you better tell me why! There was no "easing" me into things or introducing me to how adjustments are done, so I think that's what turned me off the most. Thankfully they told me after the first appointment what my treatment schedule would look like--2 or 3 times a week for 6 weeks! I said I would schedule later and then never went back.

    I actually bought a really good pair of walking shoes and began working my core out more. My back pain seemed to stem from weak muscles, as doing those two things really helped.

    Loved the post--I could totally relate :)

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    1. Honestly that was my main problem. No one communicated with me or explained anything that was going on, or told me what I could expect. It was just all the sudden, "Oh, I need to see you for a million appointments, but I'm not going to tell you why, or what I'm trying to accomplish. And get moving because I have another patient waiting." Ugh. I kind of want to try someone different, but my attitude toward chiropractic care is obviously not great right now...

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  6. Ugh. That sounds really awful. I've never used a chiropractor so I don't really have any advice for you, but that doesn't sound like a place I would go. I definitely want whatever medical professional I'm seeing to communicate better and give me their full attention during my appointment. Ugh.

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  7. You might want to consider trying another chiropractor. But have you tried massage therapy? My aunt is a massage therapist, and massage can really help with alignment and back pain. Sometimes, a massage therapist will recommend that you also see a chiropractor for the bone alignment, but massage is so delightfully wonderful it might be worth a try! :)

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  8. Oh girl, I'm so sorry! I don't like the way they handled it either.... they should have told you up front at your first appointment!! That being said.... I totally believe in chiropractors.
    Hear me out!
    Some are after your money.
    But others really want to heal you!
    I was in a car accident years ago and I had to see a chiropractor after. Yes, I had to go 3 times a week for 2-4 weeks (can't remember how long) then it went down to twice a week, once a week... come back when I feel like I need it. And I haven't been back. He wanted to make me better, not have me believe I couldn't ever be the same and I couldn't ever get by with a chiro visit, you know? My hubs was totally against them but he has some hip issues so I finally talked him into giving my chiropractor a try. He went once or twice, the chiro taught him stretches he can do himself to help his hips and told him to come see him when the pain was unbearable. That was 5 years ago and Eric's never been back. Whatever the chiro taught him to do at home has been all he's needed!
    If you can find an honest chiropractor... it could change your life in a good way :)

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  9. Oh no! I'm so sorry girl! I recently had some issues, not with the back, with I went to the doctors, paid $200 (that's with insurance) for them just to tell me to massage castor oil into the troubled area. Sweet, thanks! Doctors offices can sometimes be really frustrating at times. I pray your back starts feeling better soon :(
    xo TJ

    http://www.hislittlelady.com

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  10. I'm sorry you had such a bad experience! I haven't been to a chiropractor, but I have had acupuncture for migraines...and I loved going. But I think as with all healthcare (and trust me, I've had some bad experiences this past year)...it totally depends on the provider and staff. So maybe give another place a try? It sounds like this place was just super poorly organized...and also had terrible customer service!

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  11. Ugh. It sounds like you just got a real dousy. There are some great chiropractors out there. I promise. Ones who will listen to what is causing you pain and will help! Do you know anyone who goes to a chiropractor they really like? That might be a good way to get to someone who can trust and not just pick someone at random. Also a good massage might help your back :)

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  12. I would try your co-workers recommendation but also give acupuncture a try. I did it to help with my fertility issues and it was seriously the best hour of relaxation of my life! Dave's uncle and my mom have also done it for pain related to broken ribs and ear pain.

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  13. Yikes! That sounds like an absolute nightmare. Hope you find a good recommendation soon :(

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  14. hey! i'm a new follower, and just had a comment to make on this post in particular!
    i have had a herniated disc (and therefore chronic lower back pain) since i was 14. nothing ever made it better. physio took it to a manageable level (and regular massage makes me feel good temporarily) but i've always had pain. when i got pregnant, i was referred to a chiropractor because of another pain i was having (turns out i have something wrong with my hip)...well since seeing her, my lower back has felt SO MUCH BETTER. i went over 15 years in pain with no relief, and all the sudden even though i was pregnant, i had basically no lower back pain (seems like such an anomaly). even after i had the baby i see her, and now i'm pregnant again, and see her still. she really keeps my pain in my hip and back at bay. if i have a bad week and can barely sleep, then see her, all the sudden the pain is gone. even now that i'm pregnant again, i tried asking if i should see her more often and she really ensures i don't come more than i need. i almost want to go MORE than she offers up. so i know it's not just a money grab. plus she really listens to me. i think you just had one bad guy, so try again! especially when you're pregnant if you have pain. they can really help get you aligned (just see someone who is trained specifically for expecting women)...oh and she can also help if the baby needs to be turned! it's quite great!

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    1. Hi Kristy! Thanks so much for stopping by! I can't find your address otherwise I would have emailed you directly, so I hope you see this response!

      I agree; I think I just had a bad guy and if I found someone else it might be a totally different experience. That being said, since then I've seen a massage therapist and started prenatal yoga, and the pain is 90% GONE! So I am feeling great about that and I've put the chiro stuff on hold for the time being.

      Thanks so much for your advice, I really appreciate it!

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    2. MDs are trained to avoid some of rudeness and bad communication your chiroquactor showed you, but it seems like chiros have to pick it up on their own. I think it comes from no long residencies under talented supervision, and then you often set up your own shop where you're a) the little God and b) under financial pressure. My chiro didn't explain a great deal and seemed to expect me to take it for granted not only that he knew what he was doing, but that I knew more than enough about it too. I think we can find chiros who are good at talking to patients, even if we have to dig a little. I suspect it will be worth it, depending on symptoms. Sounds like you've got a lot of relief in sort-of-related avenues.

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