Question

X-Ray  

Summary   My 21-year old daughter has just completed 35 sessions with her chiropractor. She initially went in because of back/neck/arms/hip/etc.  pains she probably sustained from sports (badminton & crew). She went in 3x/week because the doctor wanted her to be on an aggressive schedule.

The doctor now wants her to do another 24 sessions claiming she could help her further. I have included the before and after x-rays and doctor synopsis of my daughter抯 current condition. The majority of the pain my daughter previously felt has gone away. So I don抰 deny that the chiro sessions have helped her (either physically or mentally). But the doctor did use scary words such as disease and claimed my daughter抯 body was that of a 40-yr old!

Here is an email assessment from the doctor ?br>
揧our daughter has had roughly 80-90% improvement in most areas of her symptoms (hip pain, neck and shoulder pain, headaches, tingling/numbness in her arms and hands and lower back pain). This is the result of her dedication and commitment to the care she抯 received here, and is evident in her post-x-ray analysis. In fact, a 52% improvement in the overall structure and curvature of her cervical spine was achieved.

At this point she has two options. She can be released from care as she is mainly asymptomatic. If you chose this route for her, she will do monthly maintenance visits of chiropractic care to keep her body aligned. This includes some home care which I抳e already spoken to her about.

The 24 visits that I have suggested to her is to bring her cervical curvature into a perfect alignment. I believe a full restoration of her curve is possible as she is young.?br>
I discussed with doctor to see if 24 sessions was really necessary and if we could possibly wait until January 2013, when our insurance benefits restart again. Our insurance covers 24 chiro sessions a year (90% after deductible). If we do the 24 sessions this year, we will have to pay out of pocket at about $100/session (which we cannot afford).

I asked if we could do once-a-month maintenance. But the doctor is still insisting that if we抮e doing the 搈aintenance route? my daughter should still go in 2x/week for next several weeks and then taper to 2x/month.

It is still more than what we want to spend. But without knowing whether or not this is fact, we don抰 want to deny her the needed treatment if it is detrimental to her health. Do you recommend her continuing treatments and if so, how often? Thank you in advance!

Answer
Hi Betty,

I believe this is excessive and unnecessary care.   He stated, "The 24 visits that I have suggested to her is to bring her cervical curvature into a perfect alignment. I believe a full restoration of her curve is possible as she is young.?    Ask if he would bet all the money you've paid into the care back if it is not perfect?      I think this system of care is erroneous, lacks evidence to support its claims, and in some cases is detrimental.   You can likely find previous questions on this site where people who have improved curves now have worse or permanent symptoms, and they are still dogged to continue treatment.     If she moves well, feels good, and is able to perform like she wants, then there is no need for care.   Basing care on the erroneous assumption that the cervical curve has to be at some ideal angle is not healthy for anyone but the doctor's wallet.   That's why they do it.   Until I can see one piece of good evidence to support their claims, then I'll happily state that I was wrong and I, too, will adopt their system.    Otherwise, I see it as unscrupulous practice, especially when you can treat someone's neck and back in six or twelve visits and get them to feel good, regardless of their neck curve.   Conversely, how do you acknowledge that some with chronic neck pain have a perfect neck curve?  It's flawed, in my opinion.    Ask the doctor to x-ray his neck and prove his curve is perfect...  

'Hope this was helpful.   If not, please feel free to ask me more questions.

'Best,

Dr. G