Question
I recently started seeing a new chiropractor after I had violent and sudden rib
pain with no apparent cause a week and a half ago. The new chiro (I just
moved to the area where I now live) helped me out, saw me several days in a
row and was great, but I get a kind of creepy vibe off of him. He signed me
up for a year of treatments - non binding, he just offers a payment plan
because I have no insurance at the moment, with the understanding that
once my insurance from my new job kicks in, he will bill them, and if I don't
want to keep coming for a year, it'll be $60/session. At the moment he has
me coming in 3x per week - standard mojo.

On monday I went to my appointment, and I wasn't feeling any pain at all
before I went in. Since he adjusted me (something in the mid-back around
the rib that had hurt me, and an adjustment to the neck), my left arm has
been going numb whenever I sit - especially when I use a computer. I saw
him again today, and he said that was normal or at least not a huge surprise
since we were moving things around and putting them in "new positions."  He
adjusted me again and seemed to think this would make the numbness stop,
but it's a few hours later and hey, my arm's still numb. I have never
experienced anything like this before.

What I'm wondering is, is this guy a quack? He has a lot of diplomas, decent-
seeming credentials, and trained as a physical therapist before becoming a
DC - but he also definitely buys into subluxation theory, sells marked-up
herbal remedies, etc. I'm in a constant struggle with myself about whether or
not I should trust him - and the fact that my arm is numb because of him
compounds that. How can I tell if I should ditch him and try someone else?

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Melon,

The first clue was the one-year payment scenario.  I'm not a fan of this.  What if you injur yourself?  Will the doctor honor this and provide all the care needed?  Do you get a pro-rated refund if you change to insurance?   The second is your mention of "subluxation theory."   We still cannot define what a subluxation (the chiropractic version) really is, and even if we were to come close to some sort of consensus, there is no proof that we could correct it.   So the entire "subluxation detection and correction" scene is a farce.  Even though our federal government defines us as doctors who provide manual manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation as demonstrated by x-ray," we are at the point of re-writing the definition who we are and what we do, because the above definition is oxymoronic:   1) we cannot detect (chiropractic) subluxation on an x-ray, 2) we cannot even define (chiropractic) subluxation, 3) even if we all could agree it existed on an x-ray, the proof is lacking that we can change it.doctors who locate spinal subluxations on x-ray and correct them with spinal adjustments.  Okay, enough of that.  Next, if you have brachial symptoms, then the doctor must use due diligence to 1) try to identify the cause of it, and 2) do no harm to worsen it.   It is not uncommon to have odd aches and pains following joint manipulation.   Likely variables include the amount of force used, the speed and skills of the doctor, and whether any preparation was done prior, e.g. massaging, heat, etc.    Your last question, "how can I tell if I should ditch him and try someone else": You deserve to feel comfortable and confident in your doctors.   It's a free country.  You are allowed to change.   Always go with your gut...

I hope this was helpful.

Dr.G