Question
Hello,
I've been going to a chiropractor for 2 years now. He xrayed my back and said I had degenerated disk disease, lower back and in my neck. Once in a while, I'd have a stiff back when I woke up in the morning, but I am basically active and not in any pain. He wanted me to go 3 times a week, he would stretch me, and put some throbbing thing on my back and adjust me. This went on for one year, I got so tired of going in, I work full-time. I am 47 years old. I asked him to limit the visits, he argues with me and tells me "don't I care about my health." He compares the treatment to orthodonics, if you take your braces off , your teeth with go back. It's been two years now, he still insists that I come, if patients are late or don't show, he calls your cell phone within 15 mins. I am going twice a week now, just only adjustments, it takes only 5 mins. He still charges my insurance a lot of money just for this. He never mentions me quitting, or going on maintence. When I tell him I cannot make it, he gives me a hard time. I feel absolutely fine, I am in no pain. What do you think?

Answer
Nancy,

I think you've been duped by an unscrupulous, unethical charlatan.  The chiropractic profession is trying to get rid of this bad element.  There is no reason for you to go to the chiropractor three twice per week for two years! NONE!  Also, if that DC is charging your insurance company for more than just a quick spine adjustment, then that constitutes fraud and you have the ethical responsibility to inquire about this.  All it takes is a phone call or letter to your state's board of licensing, and they will do the rest.  I'd suggest you send this information to the board.  Regarding your treatment, what you had early on was electric stimulation (that "throbbing thing").  It has no effect on curing stiffness of osteoarthritis.  There is no cure for degenerative discs.  There is no comparison of chiropractic treatment of spine pain or stiffness and dental orthodontics - that's ridiculous.   Your initial assessment, for whatever pain or problem it was you initially went in for, should have been examined, and treatment results should have been tracked within a month's time - not a year!  If you had no pain after a month of care, then it would not have have been unreasonable (by some standards) for him to discuss periodic "wellness" care, e.g. once per month or so.  But frankly, this is something that should be outside of your insurance if you "feel absolutely fine."  Please commit yourself to blowing the whistle on this, and please also do not hold a grudge against those ethical, competent, and skilled doctors of chiropractic that frown on the experience you describe.

'Best regards,

Dr. G
www.drgillman.com