Can’t afford chiropractor

[21butterflies]

Posted before, long story short am suffering from burnout and also a bad neck/shoulder due to a severely out of place first rib.

Hoping to take sick leave for 2 weeks due to both stress and my back.
Went to the chiropractor today and they showed me very bad x rays and said how often I would need treatment. The total came to £950.

I burst into tears in the middle of the office.

I feel like I’m desperate for this time off but I need good reasoning for my boss and I also feel like if I can’t get my back fixed in time then it’s pointless. I feel if I go down the GP route I’d have to wait a long time.
I can’t afford the chiropractor on normal terms; let alone if I take sick leave so now I’m even questioning that.

If I’m honest my life feels like a mess and I have no idea what direction to turn to. I’m currently in bed in tears and I’ve been taking it out on my poor DP too who even offered to help but no chance am I letting him!

What on Earth do I do ☹️

These threads are frustrating, because as usual it's peoples opinions on these professions, and not the reality.

Like your whole post is based on your misinformed opinions. These people do NOT do a medical degree, cannot diagnose conditions, and do not practice evidence-based medicine. They are charlatans.

Any clinician or practitioner who shows you had X-rays and then gives you an expensive invoice to ‘fix it’ should be avoided.

X-rays and other imaging are helpful to rule out or diagnose certain conditions but don’t always relate to problems. Most adults will have ‘damage’ but this doesn’t mean it’ll be causing a problem.

A ‘displaced first rib’ also sounds an odd diagnosis. Was this from the chiropractor or a medical diagnosis?

In most areas you can self refer to nhs physio and this would be a good start. If you’re needing 2 weeks sick leave you will need to contact a GP anyway so you may as well get assessed there.

I have a brilliant chiropractor - been using him for about 30 years, probably see him about once every 3 years or so for different issues.
In lockdown, took up an offer from a chain that I'd once used for massage, v.v.cheap offer. The whole thing was about upselling further appointments - they reccomended a course of 12 appointments at one stage.
As soon as my regular chiropractor was working again, one appointment and I was fine.
If you're going to go private, shop around & ask for local reccomendations.

Like your whole post is based on your misinformed opinions. These people do NOT do a medical degree, cannot diagnose conditions, and do not practice evidence-based medicine. They are charlatans
I AM a student osteopath, coming to the end of my degree, so I'm pretty sure I know what I'm talking about.
You, on the other hand, don't have a clue, and are exactly what I was referring to.

I AM a student osteopath, coming to the end of my degree, so I'm pretty sure I know what I'm talking about

Ah yes, you've been taught the lies to tell to con people out of their money.

Osteopaths and chiropractors do undertake medical level degrees.

Are you actually joking? That’s hilarious 😂

@SpecialSexBlanket

These threads are frustrating, because as usual it's peoples opinions on these professions, and not the reality.

Osteopaths and chiropractors do undertake medical level degrees. They train longer than the initial physio degree which is only 3 years. An osteo does 5. They are allowed, to diagnose all sorts of health issues, as well as MSK. They can also refer people for scans.

Both professions are seriously regulated and accredited. Osteopathy is also an allied health professional, recognised and employed in the NHS, at a higher band in the NHS than a physio (unless a specialist like respiratory or pediatric).

As far as the OPs concerned, in their position I'd seek a second opinion from an osteopath. They'll use a combination of techniques which may include soft tissue work, articulations, METs and possibly manipulation.

For cheaper sessions, depending on your location, OP may wish to consider visiting a teaching clinic. Here, students who have passed certain exams and logged a certain amount of hours will consult, assess and suggest a diagnosis. They'll perform some of the soft tissue work, but only the qualified osteo will do any HVTs/manipulation. Everything is overseen and approved by them. I know of 2 clinics that are offering free treatments for new patients.

Should OP wish to try NHS physio, it'll be a long wait. Paying privately won't be much difference to paying a private osteo. Don't sign up to any plans, even with a physio. No one can tell you how many you'll need in advance. It should be based purely on how each treatment goes and your reaction to it.

Just to correct: Osteopathy degrees are 4 years full time not 5.

Newly qualified osteopaths tend to start in the NHS at a band 5. This is the same as a newly qualified physio.

There isn’t always a long wait for physio. Many areas allow self referral and many GP surgeries now have in house physios.

Ok, please don’t pay it. Try a registered osteopath. I’ve gone to one on and off for years for a chronic problem and 2-3 Sessions sort me out. Every osteopath I’ve had hasn’t had a good word to say about chiropractice and DD who is a radiographer says they aren’t qualified sufficiently to product X-rays worth their salt.

Chiropractors and osteopaths are quacks. They can't explain the theory or evidence behind their 'treatments'. Physiotherapists are actual trained health care professionals, see one of them.

Osteopaths are absolute NOT quacks, they are educated to Masters degree level and regulated and registered with the GOC.

Chiropractors I would agree with

Osteopaths ARE quacks. Whatever they spend all those years learning, it's not medicine that actually works.

I've never taken an issue to my osteopath that he hasn't solved in one or two visits. Whatever he's doing it definitely works

Up you have been offered help via your DP

So take it, and repay at so much per month

*There is so much false information on this thread it is astounding.

Whether you believe chiropractic works or not, can we please stick to actual facts?

Fact: chiropractic is a registered and regulated profession in the UK. Chiropractors must be registered with the General Chiropractic Council. (See the Chiropractors Act 1994)

Fact: chiropractors need a 4 year bachelors degree or a postgrad MA degree to practice. (See registration requirements on national careers website, multiple uni websites or the Chiropractors Act 1994)

Fact: chiropractic is available on the NHS but this is down to local clinical commissioning groups so access is very inconsistent. (See NHS website)

By all means, have your own opinion as to whether Chiro or osteopathy or anything else works or not. But please, don’t lie about the facts. Don’t make shit up. And - words to live by - don’t be a dick!

@SpecialSexBlanket

Like your whole post is based on your misinformed opinions. These people do NOT do a medical degree, cannot diagnose conditions, and do not practice evidence-based medicine. They are charlatans I AM a student osteopath, coming to the end of my degree, so I'm pretty sure I know what I'm talking about. You, on the other hand, don't have a clue, and are exactly what I was referring to.

Any student is not an expert in their field or another.

Yes there are some Osteopaths who work in the NHS, but there also used to be a homeopathic NHS hospital, that was woo too.

I'm not totally against 'alternative therapy' bur the 'therapy' is the same as a 'beauty therapist'

My mum used to go to a day hospice once a week, which was just for women with breast cancer.

They had some sort of visitor to give a talk, the guide dog talk was always popular. A nice meal with a glass of wine, some form of crafts or yoga and my mum got her nails painted.

I'm sure it all helped, as did the time to socialise with other women.

But this wasn't medicine.

I don't understand all the comments to see an osteopath instead of a chiropractor. They are remarkably similar in many ways and have a lot of overlap. Osteopathy is more prevalent in the UK while chiropractic is more prevalent in the US. I'm in Canada and GPs here regularly recommend chiropractic treatment for certain conditions, in particular low back pain. Chiropractic is also a first line treatment for pelvic girdle pain.

The chiro the OP saw is waving a lot of red flags though. I've been to many of them over the years. I've never heard of paying for a job lot of treatments up front, nor have I ever heard of someone going 3 times a week! Find someone else and take it one treatment at a time.

My objection isn't Chiro v Osteo it's the practice of this Chiro re the length of treatment and subsequent cost, which does seem more prevelant among Chiropractors. I've never seen an Osteopath who doesn't work one session at a time. Mine seems to take pride in fixing you in the fewest number of sessions.

I never said I was an expert. But as a student, I'm pretty sure I know what my masters degree has entailed and what I've had to study. I know the profession is regulated and accredited.

Osteopathy and chiropractic isn't the same as a beauty therapist painting someone's nails at an oncology centre.

Agreed DifficultBloodyWoman

OP, truly sorry for derailing your thread. Hope you feel better soon

Chiropractors are quacks! Might as well see a witch doctor. Go to the nhs and see an actual physio with real qualifications

[quote 21butterflies]@Whetheryouthinkyoucan I’ve only been with my partner 9 months, we don’t live together, I’m not just going to accept a grand off him!

So the lady said my problem is so severe that I would need 3x a week for 4 weeks, then 2x a week for 4 weeks, then 1x a week so that I can return to work quicker too. It would work out cheaper if I pay it in bulk.

I’m just struggling so much mentally too and I just feel completely stuck[/quote]
Go and see a physio not a chiropractor. Initial consultation is about £70 then about £40 a session and it'll be weekly as I'd be very surprised if they suggested 3x a week. See a sports physio if you can.

See a specialised sports physio, it will change your life. Chiros are dangerous quacks!

I wouldn't see a chiropractor either. One nearly caused a lot of damage to my DH as they undertook a session for the pain he presented with, without either of them knowing that the real problem was a serious long term condition. The GP was livid, after she diagnosed it the following week, and said things could have ended even worse.

@TaraRhu

Chiropractors are quacks! Might as well see a witch doctor. Go to the nhs and see an actual physio with real qualifications

Are they ?

Chiropractors have no medical qualifications

Be careful as they can be scammers (obviously not all are)

It's in their interest to sell you the story that things are really bad, and get you to sign up to spend £££

See a GP asap, if things are as severe as all that (broken bones, terrifying x ray) they will get you the MEDICAL help you need

You can even bring the x ray to your GP

Telling you your healt is seriously compromised yet NOT telling you to urgently see a GP is very dodgy

I got sucked in with a 'x-Ray and 2 treatments for £150' of course they told me they could 'cure' me but it would be 3 treatments a week for a few weeks and then 2 treatments for a further (4?) weeks.

In hindsight sight it was all codology, even the brochure they gave me with the treatment plan was 'pre printed' (ie I think everyone had the same plan)

I can't remember what I paid, it was hundreds ... it made no difference!

There's a chiropractor on TikTok who debunks all the chiro myths, he recommends NOT having x-rays (which the NHS agree with) as they are unnecessary, he says you could take a picture of someone with no back pain and they would have similarly 'awful' pictures!

My back pain is better managed now by a daily 20minute walk, insoles, an assessment of my posture and an ergonomic office chair.

I'm sure some chiros are great, your guy sounds like a charlatan like the folk I saw though, do they refer to themselves as 'Dr' as well? ... the ones I saw did and I though that was really misleading and odd!!