Chiropracter and RA | Arthritis Information

I was impressed by what she told me about my body e.g. she picked up that my right leg was shorter than my left (I had worked this out myself during my years of running). Anyhow I went to her offices for the complimentary free detailed analysis (it included x-rays among other things) and she told me that with treatment she could fix a lot of problems I had. She told me my pain would be the first thing to disappear but I needed long term treatment to fix underlying 'subluxations' on my spine, twisted hip that caused the right leg to be shorter etc.

I was desperate for pain relief and was at a low point having lost my job partly due to my arthritis making it difficult to do my job properly. Anyhow she offered me a year’s treatment at a 25% discount if I paid in advance. I paid out of the severance pay I received when I lost my job. I figured it would be a good investment if it resulted in my pain disappearing as then I would be able to work again. Since I was not well off financially I paid her for a year's treatments in advance, over 00, because by doing so I was 'saving' about 00 compared to if I paid after each session. Anyhow since she was adamant that my 'pain would be the first thing to go' as a result of her treatment and I would avoid ‘further deterioration’ of my spine I figured I would then be able to work again and the money would be a small price to pay for pain relief and the chance to work again.

After about 2 weeks into the treatment I began to realise I had been conned. A typical session costing (25% more if you didn't pay in advance) lasted 5 minutes consisting of her pushing on various places down my spine. All her patients were trained like dogs to go in to a cubicle when their name was called, lie down and wait until she arrived whereupon the quick 5 minute treatment happened. All patients got the same treatment and she was so ‘good’ that chiropractors in training often stood by and observed her treating patients because they wanted to know the secrets of how she had built up the largest and most lucrative practice in the state (NSW) of Australia I lived in.

One technique she used to achieve her 0,000 a year practice besides the 5 minute production line technique for all patients was to have a raffle with an expensive prize for the patient that referred the most new patients to her. As I observed such unethical behaviour I marveled at her enthusiasm and expertise at getting more patients. She once told me that every person in the world needed chiropractic treatment to overcome the ‘trauma’ that the spine went through at birth!

I wandered how she lived with herself doing what she was doing as I faithfully went along several times per week for my sessions. She even had a bright sign painted on the window of her premises calling herself ‘doctor’ even though she did not have medical degree. After all more people would be likely to come to be treated by her if they thought she was a medical doctor so why not tell people she was one!

After the 00 I had paid her ran out and I was no better (I was in just as much pain etc) she told me I needed to continue treatment no doubt for the rest of my life or until my money ran out and she asked for another 00 since I needed more treatment to fix my ‘subluxations’.

I declined further treatment and finished up about 00 poorer taking into account the petrol my car used up on each round trip of 70 kms. I believe she would have continued to ask for more money after each series of treatments until the money ran out (if this happened she probably would have suggested mortgaging my home to get more money as nothing was more important than ones health!).

I guess in retrospect I was foolish and proof of the saying there's a sucker born every minute and should have been suspicious right from the start when I was offered the 25% discount for paying for a course of treatments in advance but as I indicated earlier she got me at a very low point in my life when I was vulnerable and trusting of health ‘professionals’.

Like you Kathy I have back pain (and neck pain and hip pain and hand pain and feet pain). After the year of treatment I still had back pain (and neck pain and hip pain and hand pain and feet pain). The 00 I paid her was part of the money I received when I lost my job and it was money I could not afford to lose unless the treatment resulted in the promised pain relief allowing me to work again.

There are no doubt some reputable chiropractors around but in all honesty I believe 98% or 99% of people gain little or nothing from seeing a chiropractor. A small percentage of people with certain problems may get short term relief from pain caused by a disc pressing on a nerve by a little manipulation but most people if not all could in my opinion get more benefit from swimming laps in a heated pool 4 or 5 times a week and this is a lot easier on the wallet.

If you want a pretty good evaluation of what chiropractic is all about read what it says the following site about and if you read some of the case studies you will see my story repeated.

http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/chiro.html

However if you aren’t convinced from my experience and have money to spare by all means pamper yourself and make the chiropractor happy! As I observed the patients come and go while I waited for my turn I saw people that obviously did get some benefit from seeing the chiropractor in that they were lonely and needed the social experience and to feel the human touch.

However if you want your back fixed there is no evidence that chiropractic fixes anything but as I said earlier it may help a few people with short term relief of some painful conditions.

I can say in concluding that I have come across one chiropractor that I do have respect for. This man explained in another forum I belonged to that he quit chiropractic because his conscience bothered him so much about what he was doing. A fine man-I respect him!

I'm sorry Kathy if I didn't give you the encouragement that you desired but it was my experience and my perspective. Others may have different ones.

Edward

[QUOTE=Kathy621]Does anyone go to a chiropractor since having RA? I used to go to one long before I was diagnosed just last year for chronic neck pain. Now I'm hesitant to go because of RA now. Has your RA MD recommended against going or for going if you have problems? I have back pain now and I'd like to go get adjusted, but I'm worried this will cause more problems. I don't see my RA MD until next month. Thanks.