Question
I'm a 22-year-old female who just went to a chiropractor for the first time today. I went in because I injured my lower back lifting my cat improperly (to keep him from escaping the house, but that's just a random side note) and my general practitioner wanted me to start physical therapy; however, she said an adjustment might be helpful in relieving the pain.

I found out that I have a reverse cervical curve that is apparently quite severe (the chiropractor was not reassuring at all and seemed more focused on how lengthy the treatment would be than on telling me it's not the end of the world) in addition to a "jamming" of two of my lumbar vertebrae into one another.

I have not had problems with headaches (aside from the usual sinus/allergy-related ones, but they're infrequent), shoulder pain, or neck pain. I also don't have the time or money to keep going in for adjustments to fix this supposed problem that isn't causing any symptoms. (He is convinced that this curve is what caused a benign cyst to grow on my thyroid three years ago, which resulted in the removal of part of my thyroid.)

Do I really need to invest all the money into having this corrected if I'm not having problems related to the "really severe" (his words) curve? Or is he just trying to get more money out of me?

He didn't even say anything about my lumbar curve (remember, lower back pain is the whole reason I decided to go in), but then, I'm going back in tomorrow to discuss the x-rays more thoroughly. I'm wondering if this is just a money-grubbing technique...

Answer
Jess,

Sadly, this is a commonly encountered issue in chiropractic:  is a lack of cervical lordosis (normal curve) or the reversal of it.  What is questioned is if it is important and should it be corrected.    I have responded to several others with this same encounter, so feel free to search through some of the Q/A's on my list;  I am not aware of any clinical research which demonstrates that people are any better off for having their lordosis 揷orrected.?  I am aware, that some chiropractors believe that a loss of lordosis is a variation of normal and has health consequences.  The problem is that this has never been proven.   In fact, there is no proof that having a lost or reversed curve will lead to ill health.  Also, there is no proof that the neck curve can be corrected.   It's been two decades since I've observed this and there is no good data to show that this presumed condition is a problem or needs any fixing.  It is, however, a good ploy to scare the unknowing public into paying a lot of money to the doctor.    There is no proof that an altered neck curve will cause a thyroid cyst.  Rubbish!   Also, there is absolutely no reason to take x-rays on a 22 year old female with simple lower back pain.  It is well established that this practice is detrimental!  First, x-rays will not tell you why your back hurts unless you have a fracture or traumatic dislocation.  Did you have this?  So if you didn't fall off a ladder and hobble in to the chiropractor with suspicion of a significant break, then what was the reason for x-rays?  To look for bones out of place or measure your curves?  Everyone has bones out of place...  Everyone has alterations of textbook normal curves...  It doesn't mean anything.  It does not correlate with disease or pain.  This is well known at this point.   Here is a consensus document on the topic from the West Hartford Group that you can copy/paste:
 
http://www.westhartfordgroup.com/file/sites%7C*%7C98%7C*%7CRadiographypositionpa...

You need to find a chiropractor that is evidence guided and cares about addressing your health in a way that is appropriate.  There are some top notch phenomenal doctors of chiropractic out there and there are also some real quacks...    Resources include the www.westhartfordgroup.com as well as www.acbsp.com (credentialed sports chiropractors tend to be more on the ball, no pun intended#.  You can also get a "How To find a DC" sheet off my web site #www.drgillman.com)  If any chiropractor or other doctor for that matter insists on x-raying your spine, a 22 year old female with simple back pain, then walk out their door.   You need simply to obtain reasonable chiropractic treatment, with an expectation of obtaining back pain relief starting within a few treatment sessions.   Let your PCP know about this unethical DC and see if there is another quality DC that can take over and help you.

I hope this helps answer your question.  

Dr. G

www.drgillman.com