Question
What are the pros and cons of being treated by a chiropractor who uses this equipment?

Answer
Dear Eric,

First let me be clear in telling you that I do not use the ProAdjuster, so I am a chiropractor looking at it from the outside. These are some of my ideas...

The pro-adjuster is simply a technique, and as such, in my opinion, should not be used on all patients. I have practiced for more than twenty years, and one thing that I know for certain is that not all patients respond to the same type of treatment. Often, when something such as the pro-adjuster is purchased, at great expense by the doctor, it becomes the one and only technique used.

The pro-adjuster uses temperature differential from right to left to make a determination of what areas of the spine are needing treatment. Although temperature differential is one evaluation method, it is not the only one. Range of motion, intersegmental motion analysis, palpation, neurological evaluation, and orthopedic evaluation are other methods of diagnosis and testing that are valuable and should also be employed.   Pro-adjuster practitioners that follow only the thermal differential readings only might overlook others signs and symptoms.

The advantage of the pro-adjuster is that it gives some nice reports for the patient, and it is easy on the practitioner. It is also very safe for the patient. The treatment method used, after the evaluation, is that of an impulse instrument. The use of such an instrument is not new. Activator methods, for example, is another technique that uses a low force adjusting technique.

My advise would be that if your doctor uses the pro-adjuster, give him the benefit of the doubt. If you find, however, that you are not getting the results that you want and need, ask him to re-evaluate you using a good physical, ortho, neuro exam. Also ask him what other options he has for treatment of your diagnosed condition.

In short, it is one method/technique, nothing more and nothing less. It might be very beneficial for you, but you might not respond to that particular treatment method either. Keep an open mind, but don't be afraid to ask your chiropractor to try something else if you are not getting results within the expected time/treatment plan.

I hope that this answer is helpful for you Eric! Good luck in your health decision making!