Question
Hello:
I am a 21 year old very healthy woman. I was having migraines and my doctor noticed the tension in my neck and suggested a chiropractor. I enter with what I thought was pretty good health and leave with a shocking diagnosis. Apparently my pelvic bones are tilted, my spine is curved, a bone is displaced in my neck, and the curve in my neck is disappearing. The doctor suggests 40 visits where he will adjust my spine and this will be enough to correct my problems. The problem is my insurance only covers 20 visits and the rest of the visits would be very costly, all totaling nearly $4500! I have gotten two adjustments thus far and my neck feels ok but there is still do much muscle tension in my shoulders! I already know I need physical therapy for both shoulders because they are both slightly separated causing pain, but I can't afford both this chiropractor and physical therapy. My questions are: do you think all these problems the doctor says I have are a scheme to get money? Doesn't everyone have some kind of flaws in their spine and can't they live normal lives? Can standing in an imperfect position while getting the X-rays make is just LOOK like my neck curve is gone? Are there any studies that show years will be taken from your life if my problems aren't treated(this is what he told me)? I know I have so many questions but I really need some help.?br> Thank you,
TRH

Answer
Hi Trinity,

Yes, you are correct, that everyone has altered positions of alignment of bones and there is little to no correlation between what is seen on the x-ray and where there is pain.  Your spine curve is what it is, and it will look a little different depending on your posture, but essentially any curve alterations are what they are and there is no science or formula for making it line up straight.    There is no formula to know how long it will take to make you feel and function well (regardless of your spine curves).   Current guidelines suggest a few weeks of care to see if there is progress, just like with physical therapy.    If you do not feel substantial improvement after a few weeks of treatment, then odds are you are not going to feel better in a few months of treatment.   There is no formula for "correction" by either a chiropractor or a PT.    It is about improving how you feel and how you function.      Bet that charlatan $4500 that he can't come up with any credible research to prove that you will lose "years from your life" without treatment.     Inform your PCP that this clown should be scratched off the list.      Go to www.acbsp.com and find a good sports chiropractor.    Or, go to www.westhartfordgroup.com and interface with top-quality doctors of chiropractic.    See also if you can find a DC certified in www.faktr.com.    

'Hope this was helpful.

Dr. G'