Length of Treatment SCAM

[adr003]

HI there,

I recently took my girlfriend to a local chain of Chiropractic Clinics (BacktoHealth) in London as she was experiencing severe pain the lower back pain and couldd hardly moove. I too joined in and had a full assesment, Xrays, EMI scans and so on only to find that we both apparently need 12 to 18 months treatment, 3 ajustments a week for the first 3 months, 2 a week for the next 6 months and then 1 ajustment a week for the remaining period after which you should continue getting ajusted once a month just to maintain a healthy back.

All was very well structured and even included a seminar with a number of potential candidates to whom they then seem to be selling the long term endless health plan, which also included finance agreements as well as repayment plans.

We are both 39 yrs of age and in good health especially my self, but due to my neck going forward (I swear I do look normal and quite good) I will need accoriding to them something like 100 ajustments. Their finding revealed:

- Cervical lordosis minus 2 degrees (normal minus 43 degrees)
- 97% loss of cervical curve
- Phase 1-2 degeneration
- Lumbar lordosis minus 39 degrees
- Right thoracic shift
- Left Cervical shift
- 4.3mm hip drop on left side

Sounds bad but in reality I am very fit, regularly exercise, practice yoga, and only recently have had some minor tingling through the left ulnar nerve and nubness of the left little and ring finger, but no pain or anything else. I was told that my neck is probably responsible, and thinking about it yoga head stands didn't help I guess.

Could something let me know if this is normal and standard practice and if I should really be considering udergoing such a long and expensive treatment???

Many thanks

[phil123106]

If any chiropractic informs you that you will require 12-18 months of treatment, my advice to you would be to run out of that office as fast as possible. It is unfortunate and disgusting that  a chiropractic facility would even attempt to sign you up for long term treatment based on a single initial examination. I am a chiropractor who has practiced for 12 years and I review chiropractic notes for insurance companies daily and I perform independent medical examinations (IMEs) and PEER reviews. The chiropractor in london is more concerned with the amount of money that can be collected from as compared to any concern of your spinal health. Enough is enough and shame on "Back to Health" in London. If it feels like a scam, looks like a scam and smells like a scam, it is a scam.

[Adam Tanase, D.C.]

This is a valid concern. Just as dentists and medical practitioners can have starkly contrasting treatment recommendations, so can chiropractors.

Personally, I've never met a person that needs 100 adjustments over 12-18 months. Many of my colleagues would agree with me. However, there are a handful who feel that this frequency is what's necessary for their adjusting methods to work.

I will note that basing your overall level of health on outward appearances and how you feel isn't always reliable. A person can look very healthy on the outside, but be very sick on the inside.

All in all, I would suggest getting a second or third opinion. You'll likely get 2-3 different treatment recommendations, which will allow you to make a more informed decision.

If you're in London, you might consider consulting with Dr. Heidi Grant. She is a cervical spine specialist, and may be able to give you an alternate suggestion for care. Her website is - http://www.nucca.co.uk/