Question
I'm nineteen, with a history of headaches, knee and ankle pain, and fatigue. Today I went to one of those 'free chiro evaluations' that seem to populate every minor craft fair and festival. While I'm convinced that, at very least, the people running it are total con artists, some of the things they pointed out do seem potentially worrisome.

To Whit: I carry one shoulder higher then the other, and put about ten pounds more of my weight on my left leg than I do my right. In addition, they claimed that chiropractic care could treat my bouts of vertigo, dizziness, and ringing ears. (And apparently I carry my head too far forward and my neck isn't centered? I don't understand those, but it was rather disturbing when they showed me it in the mirror.)

Is any of this something I should actually be worrying about? Should I seek care for this?

Answer
Hi Emma,

First, it is true that the chiropractors that do these sort of things can come across like con artists.   Keep in mind that our healthcare system shuts out doctors of chiropractic, and this forces DC's to do whatever it takes to get patients.   When was the last time your PCP referred you to a DC? Odds are never.  How many DC's are there in your local hospital?  Odds are zero.  So, unfortunately, some DC's do screenings.   The concept of screening is not bad.  There's screenings done all the time for blood pressure or other conditions.   DC's often will do posture and bilateral weight scales and point out all the asymmetries.   It's an old, outdated concept.   It would surely be better if the screnings were more hands-on and provided viable examination methods such as feeling if your joints are tender or if you have pain when you bend or move.  Everyone's posture is off.  This includes elite athletes.   Right handers often have a low right shoulder.  So what?  Posture poorly correlates with pain.   Can a DC help you with vertigo and ear ringing?  Yes.  Does it have to do with your posture?   No.    When I was first in practice, I, too, did these screenings in embarassing venues like craft fairs.    I hope a day comes when DC's can be better integrated into our healthcare system so that they do not have to hustle to get patients like this.   Thankfully, I abandoned the screenings in favor of meeting and networking with medical doctors, advancing my education and experiences, and promoting our delivery of evidence-guided and patient-centered care.   Therefore, I would suggest that you find a good quality DC in your area and see about getting evaluated properly in regards to your symptoms.   My web site has a "how to" section on how to find a good chiropractor.  

Let me know if you need more info.

Dr. G'
www.drgillman.com