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 ☹️

My Mum spent years going to a chiropractor and spent probably thousands of pounds. She would get temporary relief but the problem would always come back.
She eventually went to see a physiotherapist who told her to see her GP who subsequently diagnosed an arthritic hip. She had a hip replacement a few months later and never had any problems with her back since.
A chiropractor would not be my first point of call. I would first see a really good physio and perhaps an osteopath and ensure you have a clinical diagnosis for any ongoing pain.

@DifficultBloodyWoman

*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!

Chiropractic is seen as complementary or alternative medicine, not mainstream. It is very rarely available on the NHS via exceptional funding routes.

I'm a chartered physiotherapist. As a patient I've had treatment from physios, a chiropractor and a wonderful osteopath so I'm not going to pitch one profession against another. However, any healthcare professional should not charge up front for a course of treatment in this way, but it will pull you in when you feel most vulnerable, and you have limited recourse if it is not effective in treating your pain. There are extensive threads on Twitter that critique why this type of payment 'plan' is ethically wrong. Your GP should be able to refer you to an NHS service, and some accept self referral depending on your area. Prioritisation criteria normally accelerate an appointment for people with severe symptoms and/or who are off sick. If your employer has an occupational health service this may also be worth looking in to. If you choose private, or a mix of private and NHS, there are so many brilliant, ethical physios, chiropractors and osteopaths out there who will support you without making you commit such a significant amount of money in one go.

@zafferana

Chiropractors are charlatans - I wouldn't pay one a penny. Talk to your GP surgery and explain how desperate you are and ask them to recommend someone. If you're going to pay good money you want to be sure that you're getting proper treatment.

In your opinion! I would not be able to do my job if I were reliant on the NHS. Mine keeps me pain free and is worth every penny.

I've spent thousands on my back ver the years! It's expensive back pain and the nhs is useless . You can self refer to a nhs physio but the wait might be long .

@One2Four

I'm a chartered physiotherapist. As a patient I've had treatment from physios, a chiropractor and a wonderful osteopath so I'm not going to pitch one profession against another. However, any healthcare professional should not charge up front for a course of treatment in this way, but it will pull you in when you feel most vulnerable, and you have limited recourse if it is not effective in treating your pain. There are extensive threads on Twitter that critique why this type of payment 'plan' is ethically wrong. Your GP should be able to refer you to an NHS service, and some accept self referral depending on your area. Prioritisation criteria normally accelerate an appointment for people with severe symptoms and/or who are off sick. If your employer has an occupational health service this may also be worth looking in to. If you choose private, or a mix of private and NHS, there are so many brilliant, ethical physios, chiropractors and osteopaths out there who will support you without making you commit such a significant amount of money in one go.

This, I no think the fact I was suckered into an extended, expensive treatment plan when I was sad, in pain and vulnerable was the most abhorrent part.

Does anyone know why they are allowed to call themselves 'Dr' after a 3 year degree?

@aaron_kubaldc

Have a look at this guy on TikTok, he is so interesting regarding all things Chiropractic (he doesn't dismiss it totally)

@21butterflies - in my rush to caution against paying up front I forgot to say I'm sorry you're feeling so rubbish, and that burnout is horrible and it will also be accentuating your back pain. Do you have a supportive GP you can speak to for advice on treatment and support? I'd also really recommend this book to help with burnout- it's been really helpful for me, and has useful hints and advice from the first chapter: Burnout: Solve Your Stress Cycle, Emily & Amelia Nagoski - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1785042092/ref=cmswwrcppapigltti4CJXVYJTWZWBHZF44EWC