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Forward neck curve, very minor sublaxation correction

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Hi,I’ve worked in IT for 10 years and have a slight forward neck curve and the very beginnings of sublaxation.
My back and lower back have the ideal curve.My chiropractor practices a corrective approach where XRAYs are taken and he adjusts according to the XRAY.After 8 weeks of intensive 2xweek adjustments my body has proven to heal well.
He gave me exercises which I perform daily at home. He now recommends a further 12 weeks of twice a week sessions. No doubt after this course there will be further adjustments. I understand this is a very good business model for my chiropractor and I am suspicious of it.
It is working out expensive for me. Do I need to be adjusted twice a week to correct a slight forward neck curve (or will once a week suffice)? How long would it usually take to correct the neck curve? I try to maintain good posture, but have recognised there are many forces working against the chiropractive therapy and the exercises.
I’m worried this is all in vain and treatment will continue indefinately. Thanks in advance,Jarrad

Best Answers

doc4bax

doc4bax

As a chiropractor I can tell you that each person is an individual and all will respond to chiropractic care differently. So far you have been treated 16 times and the doctor is looking for another 24 treatments, which is a total of 40 treatments. This is not unheard of but is definitely in my opinion getting to the max of how many times I would see patients. Typically the patients I see that often are older and have underlying complications such as degenerative arthritis. When it comes to chiropractic treatment it is not the number of treatments that is key, its how often you go in the beginning. Frequency is what causes change. We start patients out daily for 3-4 days and then the following week move into 3X weekly for 3-4 weeks. Then we reevaluate and treatments are then decreased to 2X weekly for another 3-4 weeks. You could compare correcting the spine to what orthodontiststs do for the teeth. The braces are what does the work and once installed you don't see the orthodontistst as much, just routine check-ups to monitor the correction. The braces do the treatment as does the chiropractor. The adjustments are what demands change in the spine like the braces do for the teeth. With the medical approach the medication is the treatment and you follow set protocol of taking the medication over time. The thing is you do the treatment yourself by taking the medication. You do not have to go in for treatment. Chiropractic treatment is done by the chiropractor in the office and at times can seem like it's a lot treatment when really its not. If this chiropractor was telling you that you need a year of care I would tell you to run. Or if initially he said you need 88 visits or something ridiculous like that. You cannot put a number on the total amount of treatments unless you have a crystal ball. Sounds like you chiropractor laid out a good start to your treatment; he then re-evaluated and determined more treatment was needed. I think your chiropractor is following a good protocol which is within the standard of care. Many times postural problems cannot be permanently corrected. The goal is to stabilize them or correct the problem as much as it can be corrected. Maintaining correction is key and that is seeing the chiropractor one time every one or two months. This is similar to orthodontistcs and wearing a retainer once the braces are removed. Your job does not help the situation, this is why in your case you are being seen quite a bit and maintenance care is something that will work for you. You are thinking what the heck, another 12 weeks? Is this guy looking out for his wallet or my neck? It is easy to think that way with any treatment and having to pay out of pocket doesnt help. Tell him what you can afford and if you can't do it then you cant. If that is the case I would cut treatment to 2X week for 3 weeks. Then come in once a month. What is his reasoning for another 24 visits?


2 comments

    doc4bax

    9 10

    As a chiropractor I can tell you that each person is an individual and all will respond to chiropractic care differently. So far you have been treated 16 times and the doctor is looking for another 24 treatments, which is a total of 40 treatments. This is not unheard of but is definitely in my opinion getting to the max of how many times I would see patients. Typically the patients I see that often are older and have underlying complications such as degenerative arthritis. When it comes to chiropractic treatment it is not the number of treatments that is key, its how often you go in the beginning. Frequency is what causes change. We start patients out daily for 3-4 days and then the following week move into 3X weekly for 3-4 weeks. Then we reevaluate and treatments are then decreased to 2X weekly for another 3-4 weeks. You could compare correcting the spine to what orthodontiststs do for the teeth. The braces are what does the work and once installed you don’t see the orthodontistst as much, just routine check-ups to monitor the correction. The braces do the treatment as does the chiropractor. The adjustments are what demands change in the spine like the braces do for the teeth. With the medical approach the medication is the treatment and you follow set protocol of taking the medication over time. The thing is you do the treatment yourself by taking the medication. You do not have to go in for treatment. Chiropractic treatment is done by the chiropractor in the office and at times can seem like it’s a lot treatment when really its not. If this chiropractor was telling you that you need a year of care I would tell you to run. Or if initially he said you need 88 visits or something ridiculous like that. You cannot put a number on the total amount of treatments unless you have a crystal ball. Sounds like you chiropractor laid out a good start to your treatment; he then re-evaluated and determined more treatment was needed. I think your chiropractor is following a good protocol which is within the standard of care. Many times postural problems cannot be permanently corrected. The goal is to stabilize them or correct the problem as much as it can be corrected. Maintaining correction is key and that is seeing the chiropractor one time every one or two months. This is similar to orthodontistcs and wearing a retainer once the braces are removed. Your job does not help the situation, this is why in your case you are being seen quite a bit and maintenance care is something that will work for you. You are thinking what the heck, another 12 weeks? Is this guy looking out for his wallet or my neck? It is easy to think that way with any treatment and having to pay out of pocket doesnt help. Tell him what you can afford and if you can’t do it then you cant. If that is the case I would cut treatment to 2X week for 3 weeks. Then come in once a month. What is his reasoning for another 24 visits?

    Avatar

    9 10

    Jarrad In actuality, a reverse curve is easier to correct than a anterior curve (forward)If you do neck exercises for extension, bending your neck backwards, this only adds to the forward curve. Flexing your neck as much as you can and holding for a count of “Ten” several times a day will help. I normally take in consideration the degree of anterior curve, the age of the patient, sleeping posture, occupation etc. Nothing is concrete or exact as to how a patient will respond with X number of treatments. I would see my patient’s daily for the first week, 3 times a week for 8 weeks, 2 times a week for 4 weeks, 1 time a week for 4 weeks.Chiropractic is the best alternative care for spinal problems but it is not cheap and also, it’s time consuming. Good luck,Dr. FrederickBangkok, Thailand

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