OT: Question about Chiropractors

[Miss LD]

Lately I've been feeling a little "off" and I was debating seeing a chiropractor. I've been in the past and it was fine.
Anyway, I was in the mall the other day and they had one of those things where you can advertise your business and there was a chiropractor. The timing was great for me, I chatted with him and booked an appointment.
It was an initial appointment where you get x-rays and they take your history.
Fine.
Anyway, last night I went back for my results and to see the x-rays.
What it ended up was that I could see I'm out of alignment (my neck). But, it turned into a slick sales pitch where I was basically told I needed to come 3 times per week for 10 weeks and then 2 times per week for another few weeks. And then all sorts of other appointments - for a year.
The thing is, he whipped out a payment plan. It was $40 per session (not bad) and it came out to $4800 for a year. (so about $400 per month)
So, I said I can't afford that - and he asked what I could budget per month. I randomly said $150 - why I don't know.
Anyway, he asked me to sign a contract for a year of service - but said he would lower his price for me - to $150 per month.
I was feeling really pressured and said I was not going to do that because i want to talk to my husband. He said fine, but I had to make a deposit which I did. (he asked for $100 and I did $50 - I don't know why).
So, I have to go back today.
There's no way I'm committing to the financial burden or the time.
Does anyone think this is weird or am I overreacting?
Is this a normal chiropractor thing?

 

[thegrimdwarf]

I don't know about Canada, but it's definitely not normal in the states to find a chiropractor at the mall. I used to work for a couple of chiropractors, and I do know that *ideally* a patient would sign on for long-term wellness care because chiropractic is meant to be a routine thing rather that a solution for acute problems. But the hard sell you got from this guy would have me out the door in a flash - a good, reputable chiropractor shouldn't need to be that aggressively selling his services - he would be getting referrals word-of-mouth from happy, existing patients.

 

[Donna2105]

I've been in the chiropractic field for over 12 years(insurance manager). Many new, just out of school chiropractors try to use this method to get new patients to committ to their ideal care plan. That doctor has no idea how well your body may accept his adjustments. You may heal much quicker then he recommended or it may even take longer. We never offer a patients a "one size fits all" plan to our patients. Yes, most acute patients need about 12 visits over about 6 weeks to get their spine back to par but we don't offer these types of prepayment options.

If you feel comfortable with the doctor and like him then go to him but I would tell him I would pay at time of service and definitely do not pay for a years worth of service.

 

[SLK1]

Sounds a lot like buying a car! I would get out - fast. Go see your general practitioner and see if you can get into physical therapy.

 

[melafive]

Seriously I would ask around and see who other people recommend for a chiropractor. Since you are questioning this it seems that deep down you feel that something is off. He may be a great chiropractor but it does sound like a scam.

 

[shelly3girls]

That would definitely not sit right with me. I have seen 3 different chiropracters in my life and never faced something like this. I would go somewhere else.

 

[MMmomto5]

I worked for two chiropractors as massage therapist, and while they had pre-pay plans offered at a discount for cash patients, they never required a contract. It was usually a 3 visit for the price of two deal which was good for most patients. I can't tell you how many patients had financial situations come up and had to cut extras out, and chiropraqctic visits were one of the first they cut. Also a lot of patients stopped coming when they were feeling better, so maybe this Dr. is counting on making money on patients even if they stop showing up for appointments.

 

[Miss LD]

I ended up going back and speaking to him about it.
I felt a ton of pressure, and I thought that rather than just not go back (I'd booked an appointment) I'd talk to him. After reading these posts I realized I should have a choice.
It turns out that it's a really busy practice (I bumped into a friend there) and they do the monthly payments so that you don't spend a ton of time waiting around - they want to get people in and out pretty quickly.
But, I said I'm not comfortable with that and definitely not comfortable with a full year's plans.
I agreed to a month of adjustments - once per week. And we'll see.
Thanks for the (quick) advice.
I feel way better about things.

 

[shelly3girls]

Sounds like a great plan, good luck!

 

[crisi]

I used to work for an HMO doing statistical analysis of chiropractic care. Chiropractic care for some purposes can be pretty useful, but statistically speaking - don't ever go for more the six appointments. Any improvement in outcome is seen in six treatments or less. (This was a huge study with 10,000 participants over five years - the result was the reason that only some chiropractors are covered - those that cured your aches in six visits or less, and you were limited to the number of visits you could make for a single problem).


Some people enjoy adjustments and if its worth it for you, thats fine. I always tell my chiropractors that they have six tries. If it takes more than six, I'm out of there never to return to that doctor.

 

[LadyShea]

I have been seeing chiropractors since I injured myself as a teen (and avoided surgery doing so!), and my mom worked for one when I was in high school.

I would not commit to treatments I don't know are or will be needed. When I get "out of whack" I go get adjusted and pay for that visit only.

 

[islandtimect]

I've been seeing a chiropractor this year, but not the first one I visited. The first one was slick and had a payment plan too. I tried someone else and he's been wonderful - he's taken a conservative treatment approach with me because I asked him too (I'm a chicken). Don't know your health ins, but most plans cover chiros if you get a referral. At a minimum, you shouldn't be paying anything up front.

Ask around, including doctors, PTs and other patients. You should be able to find a good one in your area.

 

[J3nn78]

I would not go for that. Do you have insurance? Is it covered? I recently started seeing a chiro. I am on a similar treatment plan, but my insurance is paying for it. I pay my $5 copay each visit.
I feel a HUGE improvement since I started 4 months ago. I am now at 2 times a month, about to drop down to once a month treatment.