Question
I just went to my 1st chiro appointment and left terrified that I might be slowly dying. They took x-rays and would only tell me that I need to come back next week to go over the, but that I have lost the curve in my neck and have subluxation(spelling?) and that I could slowly die from it. I only went in there for migrain headaches and a small bump on my shoulder. I have no pain other than the headaches and my neck only gets little stiff after being in front of a computer all day with not enough breaks. I am scared and not sure if I should see them Monday to go over the x-rays or find another chiro to try. It really felt like a guilt ridding sales pitch. HELP

Answer
Beverly,

You were in the office of a charlatan, not a doctor.  Get out!  There are some excellent doctors of chiropractic out there such that you will have a totally different experience.   See if there is anyone on this list close to you: www.Westhartfordgroup.com    If not, just send them an email: [email protected] and someone will help you.    I've written several times in the past on the x-ray/neck curve topic, so you can search through my Q/A's on this.   I can't believe that, in this century of modern healthcare, there are DC's still preaching the "killer subluxation" to patients.  Depending on your age and health, x-rays are not warranted to address neck pain.  X-rays are surely not needed for the generally healthy person with neck pain and headaches.  It is warranted for a patient who presents with signs of a fracture or tumor.  Your neck curve will likely not change, and even if it did change it would have little to do with your headaches.  Your first visit should have included things like: a medical history, physical examination that would include items like measuring neck ranges of motion, strength tests of neck-arm-hand/grip, blood pressure, reflexes, listening to your lungs, orthopedic neck maneuvers (like putting your neck in different positions and compressing down on your neck to see if it produces pain), and palpation examination of the neck muscles and deeper tissues.   From your history, it sounds like you need to consider some ergonomic changes, like not sitting in front of a computer all day, and getting lots of little exercise breaks.  You needed this advice, not an x-ray.   Frankly, if you did not get most of the above examination items, and if that DC charged you for examination, then you have every right to get your money back.  Your state licensing board would be happy to investigate this charlatan if your examination only consisted of a look at your posture and an x-ray (and a terribly unfortunate sales pitch).

You can find info on "How To" find a good chiropractor on my web site: www.drgillman.com

'Hope this was helpful,

Dr. G'