Question
I went to a Maximized living Chiropractor for my 9 year old daughter. I was so surprised that they took my daughter's X-rays while she was in the sitting position. Also, in the xrays you can see my daughter's zipper and metal buttons all over the xray, making it hard to even see her spine. I thought this was very unprofessional that they didn't even remove the metal before taking the xrays (but they said that's how they do things there). Then when the xrays came back the doctor looked worried, he told me that my daughter's spine was completely out of alignment and that she was in danger. He said that her health was on the line and that we need to work quickly to "save her". He said that her spine is the worst he's ever seen. He also said that no other doctor, except for him, would ever be able to fix her. He also wanted thousands of dollars up front to be able to fix her for me. I was scared and upset for my daughter, my husband is over in Iraq with the military right now and this is all I need is another person to worry about. I decided to get a 2nd, 3rd and 4th opinion on my daughter's xrays, and I'm so glad that I did! As it turns out, my daughter's spine is fine! The 3 other chiropractors that I hired to look at her xrays all told me that my daughter is fine and that they have never heard of a chiropractor taking xrays in a sitting position, in fact they said that is "deceptive" and recommended that I turn maximized living in to the state, which I am doing now. The Maximized living COO told me that they do train their doctors to give xrays in the sitting position because this is the best way to see stress on the spine? Do you agree with this statement?
Thank you!

Answer
Mia,

I would suggest running like all heck out of that office!   You experienced the cult called Maximized Living.  I cannot tell you how bad it is.  There is absolutely no reason to expose a young girl to the ionizing radiation of x-rays.  Maximized living a huge problem in our profession right now as they suck in young and vulnerable doctors getting them to believe in all sorts of junk and then push the unknowing public into receiving unbelievable sorts of unnecessary treatment.  You should report this experience just as you told it here to you your state's licensing board.   If your daughter has a painful spine or other painful musculoskeltal condition, then please find a good quality, evidence-guided, patient-centered (not doctor centered) chiropractor.  I can help you do this if need be.  But please, consider reporting this to your licensing board.   

'Best regards,

Dr. Gillman.