Question
Dr. G,

I have read some of your answers and they are really
helpful! I had my first ever chiropractors appointment
yesterday. Two of my room mates go to this guy. He has
diagnosed both of them with a loss of curvature in the neck
and has recommended that extensive treatment others have
mentioned (3x a week for 3 months).

I have upper back pain mostly in between my shoulder
blades. Sometimes it moves down my upper arms. I also
slouch when I sit and want to do exercises to have a better
posture. He examined me and said my neck is too straight he
also said I have lost range of motion in my fingers and
strength in my arms. I am supposed to go back on Thursday
to go over a plan with him. I am only 23 and don't have the
time or money for a treatment that might not work. Should I
go see a different doctor? What he said about me losing
motion in my fingers scared me a little bit!

Thank you!
Ciara

Answer
Hi Ciara,

Range of motion of fingers?  Did he measure the range of motion of your fingers and compare them to normal?  (Normals would be listed in books such as Hoppenfeld or the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment)  Also, your neck curvature has absolutely nothing to do with your fingers.  Strength in arms?  Did he test this?  Are you just not strong e.g. you don't go to the gym?  Or, was there a significant weakness of one arm muscle over another? And if so, that's notable enough to warrent examination as to why, e.g. an old elbow injury can cause weakness to the triceps muscle, or carpal tunnel syndrome can cause weakness to the thumb/pinkey pinch muscles.  It's not your neck curve!  I agree with your gut feeling...   How is it that he finds loss of neck curvature in all his patients and puts them on extensive programs, when the guy down the street fixes up the patient in two weeks?  You've read my postings on this topic and I have no issue telling these guys that they are clearly out of line.    Please go and find an evidence-based practitioner that is logical, rational, reasonable and comfortable to work with.

'Regards,

Dr. G