Question
Hi Dr. Gillman,

I have been seeing a physiotherapist for a year off and on for a SI joint problem that has been causing my sciatic nerve on my left hamstring to flare up. The pain is manageable but uncomfortable. She has been able to help me with exercise and acupuncture. I recently saw a chiropractor at a Wellness Fair and he expressed concern for my neck and back and suggested I come in for a full evaluation. I did, he took xrays and did the exam. When he went over the results with me he said I have a straight neck and some misalignment in my lower back. He also said my left leg was shorter and I walk with 30 extra pounds on the right side of my body. He said he could fix all these problems with a 64 adjustments over 12 months (two adjustments a week for the first ten weeks and then one adjustment for the next 42 weeks for just over $2700). Besides the pain from my sciatic nerve in my left hamstring I have had no neck or back pain.

I am 25 years old and am in great physical health, exercising five days a week.

I just don抰 know if not doing treatment now is going to cause long-term problems because if it is I抎 rather do it now rather than have a more serious problem in the future.

Thanks for your help in advance!

Cheers,
Emma

Answer
Hi Emma,

Keep in mind that the object of setting up a booth at a wellness fair is to acquire new patients...     Current evidence-based guidelines dicate that x-rays are not recommended for evaluating spines in healthy adults.  It is not possible to determine someone's back pain (in most cases) or general health from looking at spine x-rays.  We also know that the determination of misalignment, no matter how obvious it might appear, is not a valid parameter by which to treat someone's spine.  Lastly, even if there appears to be a bone out of place, it will always look like that no matter how many adjustments you get.   Not getting treatment is not going to cause long term problems.   Getting treatment - the right kind of treatment for the right reasons - can prove quite beneficial.  Adding good quality chiropractic treatment to your mix of healthcare might reduce or eliminate that pesty hamstring/SI situation you have.  That would be a valid reason to get treatment, not to re-aline your bones (an outdated and unproven concept).    You need to find a modern, evidence-guided provider that will deliver more logical and rational care, and monitor you every few weeks for improvement, not look into a chrystal ball and come up with 64 weeks ($$$) as the magic number.  You can find a good provider on www.westhartfordgroup.com. If nobody is in your area, ask someone on that list for a referral.  I have a "'How To' find a good DC" on my web site, too.   

Best regards,

Dr. Gillman
www.drgillman.com