Hey guys, I could use some advice and as this is the only internet forum I'm a part of then I figured I'd ask it here.
A few months back I went to a chiropractor for a regular adjustment as I was having some discomfort in my upper back. It didn't help so I just left it for a while. A few weeks back I decided to try a different chiropractor. They are a "corrective" chiropractor, meaning that they will do x-rays and determine if there are any issues with your spine/neck and then provide a treatment plan for it. I did the x-rays and they discovered I had "forward head posture" and that my neck was about 33mm forward from it's ideal curvature and was at risk to start developing arthritis. I did some googling when I got home and it seems this pretty common from age 40 or so (I'm 33).
Anyway, so they recommended a 3-month 39-adjustment treatment plan which would help to start correct the alignment of my neck (likely results would be about a 6mm improvement after 3 months). The only problem is this is going to cost $2,650 (they don't take insurance so it's all out of pocket). After the 3 months is up there would be a further 9 month treatment plan which would cost another several thousand dollars (expected results after this 9 months would be another 10mm of correction). After that 9 months they recommend you sign up for an ongoing "maintenance" annual plan to be adjusted twice a month on an ongoing basis which would be $90/month.
They gave the whole sales pitch on the benefits of this kind of chiropractic care and how it prevents major issues down the road, and I do buy into that, but my main objection is whether I really need this done at this point in my life. I'm 33 and in good health. I'm fairly active, although have worked at a computer for the past 10 years which is why I'm guessing this has developed. I'm planning to FIRE in the next 3 years and won't be at a computer nearly as much then. Also, now that I'm aware of the issue I can watch my posture and perhaps do some PT exercises on my neck to help with the forward posture.
The counter argument in my brain is that this is my health and it's not worth skimping on, and as I have a high income right now (~$950k in 2018) then I should just pay up and do it. After reading about neck arthritis it's definitely something I don't want to develop at any point in my life. I don't like the idea of wasting thousands of dollars though for something I don't really need and may be able to just partially treat myself with some at-home exercises. I'm leaning towards just doing some exercises at home myself and then maybe having another x-ray in a year to see whether there's been any improvement and maybe reassess at that point.
Does anyone have any experience or thoughts on this though to help me make a rational decision?
Thanks so much in advance!
1. There is very little scientific literature that would support the idea that a specific kind of curvature or spondylolisthesis can be linked/connected to specific kinds of clinical symptomology (ie. pain, stiffness, etc). (There isn't evidence to support the opposite hypothesis however.)
2. There is no scientific literature that would support the idea that if there was a specific kind of curvature (scoliosis, alordosis, hyperlordosis, etc) or spondylolisthesis that a chiropractor or any manual therapist can "fix" it.
3. Most people get osteoarthritis in their lifetime (we aren't talking rheumatoid, psoriatic, or enteropathic seronegative spondyloarthropathies). Osteoarthritis as confirmed on X-rays does not correlate well with symptoms. Just over 40% of patients in the general population have osteoarthritis but aren't aware of it because they are symptom free.
4. Chiropractic care is fantastic for hypomobile spinal joints. Chiropractic care is excellent for helping peripheral nerve neuropathies. Chiropractic preventive care is excellent, but "best practice guidelines" suggests that spinal manipulative therapy is undertaken approximately once a month. (Some people do best with treatment once every 3 weeks, some every 4 months... depends on the individual!)
5. Having good posture AND being physically fit and active is the best way to keep your spine healthy. (Just make sure your joints, spinal nerves, and muscles are functioning well, especially if you really push it with your exercise.)
I'm a chiropractor. I don't think getting x-rays and taking "x" number of treatments based on that lines up with the best evidence in the scientific literature. Would that approach help though? Yeah, probably. Just not what I see as the best approach. Take that for what it's worth, being this is the internet and all!
FWIW: There is a lot of hate for chiropractic and chiropractors. But the scientific literature supports spinal manipulative therapy, of which is chiropractic is best known for.