Chiropractor Refusing to Deliver Treatment

[BlairW]

Apologies if this isn't the best subsection to post but I thought it seemed the most accurate!

I'm 6 months post partum and money is extremely tight following the arrival of twins!

My back pain has flared up (probably from picking up the babies so much!) and I rang my chiropractor to book a session as I have multiple sessions outstanding.

Long story short, I was booked in to see him today but he emailed me late last night saying he wanted another assessment fee last night (min. £50) which I don't have. I explained my situation to him and he's now refusing to treat me at all.

Luckily I retained all my paperwork from my initial assessment and there's no mention about further assessment fees so I feel like he should honour my remaining sessions (approximately 6 at a cost of £250)

What should I do? I'm so upset as
I'm in pain and I feel like he's trying to exploit me by asking for this additional fee.

Did you sign anything initially? Are their T&C online/written anywhere?

Yes and there's no mention of needing a further assessment... only the initial assessments and then blocks of treatments (4,6 and 12 sessions)

I bought the block of 12 as it was the best value

I'd think it depends how long ago the initial assessment was - pre-pregnancy, pregnant or postpartum might be a factor too. But if you can't afford it either ask for your remaining sessions to be refunded or maybe ask if you could give up the cost of one/more to be the assessment (not sure how much each session would be).

Wow that’s so out of order of the chiropractor!!!
Id say, if you need to asses me, do it at the start of my session?
Id also be looking into what official body / membership they belong to.
Also could look up consumer laws, and threaten you want a full refund?

I’d ask him to make one of the sessions outstanding the assessment and then 5 after that

Have you seen him since you gave birth?
I can see why he might feel you need another assessment if not BUT having said that if you have a block booked he should really waive it

Yes - how long ago were your original sessions?
Pregnancy does strange things to the body, and hormones as well. If the original assessment was pre-pregnancy, it is possible that your condition is not that which was originally assessed and may need a different approach.

I think it is normal to reassess after a break in treatment or medical change. Agree with above use one of the prepaid sessions as an assessment,

When did you book them? If it was pre pregnancy, then that is well over a year ago. I can understand him needing to re assess you, since then your body has been through a lot and while the back pain you had initially might have been the back pain you are having now, it could be down to something else, like the effect of carrying and birthing two human beings and the effect on your pelvis and lower back . I think it is worth using your credit to pay for another assessment, you will still have credit to get your back sorted. Personally after a time lapse I would want a physio to make a new assessment,shows they are thorough.

congratulations on the babies btw.

Thanks for all your messages.

Thanks for the congratulations... its great but it exhausting having twins!

Yes I had the sessions all pre pregnancy and I fully agree about him wanting to re-assess me but he refused to do that without charging me more money - he wasn't happy to do it as part of the treatments pending.

I'm honestly pretty upset by it all as I was really looking forward to some pain relief and had got a family member to babysit the twins for a few hours so I could attend.

I think the thing I'm most annoyed about is that he repeatedly told me that these sessions could be used flexibly as/when needed so obviously I wouldn't go for a period when I was fine! There is no mention in the T&Cs about this situation and he's now refusing to see me as a patient as me declining paying him any additional money as made him 'feel uncomfortable'

Any advice?? I just want my back sorting and don't have the money to go to another chiropractor if they insist (like he did) on repeating all the initial assessments/X rays etc