8 Reasons Patients Switch Chiropractors

Guest post by Dr. Adam Tanase

Whenever I meet with a new patient, I ask them about any previous chiropractic experience they’ve had… It’s important to know if they’ve been to a chiropractor in the past, or if this is their very first experience having their spine adjusted.

They usually have very positive things to say about their past experiences. The reason they’re looking for a different doctor is simply because they moved to a new city, the previous doctor retired, or they’ve developed a new problem that would benefit from a different approach.

Occasionally, however, a particular experience motivates them to seek help elsewhere. When this occurs, I like to learn more about what happened, and why they were dissatisfied.

I’m going to outline some of the more common responses that patients have shared with me over the past 15 years. Before I do, however, I want you to know that this not a reflection of the profession as a whole. The majority of patients love visiting their chiropractor and have favorable overall experiences.

If any of these shenanigans sound familiar, don’t get upset. I’m not suggesting that you need to switch chiropractors. But if you’re ever dissatisfied or uncomfortable with your experience in a chiropractic office, changing doctors is much easier than you might expect.

So, let’s begin…

1) “Required” Care Plans

A very common reason patients have told me they switched chiropractic offices is because of care plans that insist upon a specific number of office visits.

It sounds something like this… “He showed me my x-rays, made a few markings on them, and gave me this packet of information. Then he told me it would take a year to fix my problem and I needed 50+ visits. The only choice I was given was how I wanted to pay for it.”

Can you imagine restaurants refusing to serve you until you agree to eat there every week for a year? What if airlines wouldn’t let you board a plane until you signed a contract that binds you to a specific number of roundtrip flights?

Sounds pretty silly, right? These militant offices expect you to be fully committed to the process. If you aren’t, they won’t “accept you” as a patient. What is this, North Korea?

2) Appointments Were Too Frequent

Another common reason patients switch chiropractors is because they have to go too often. This typically unfolds in one of two ways.

First, the patient is told they “need” biweekly visits. For some people, this can be an impossible expectation. Having incompatible work hours, or living impractical distances from the office makes receiving the recommended care stressful or inconvenient. So it’s easy to understand why people search for more suitable options if going to/from the office becomes a hassle.

Second, the benefits of the adjustment are short-lived. The adjustments feel great, but each one seems to only last a few weeks. So they begin searching for different ways to manage their problem, and discover that other chiropractic methods could potentially have a longer lasting effect.

(A footnote I’d like to add is that there are many different ways to adjust the spine, and each has its own recommended treatment interval for optimum results. All of them have merit, but some of these methods require more frequent adjustments than others. It’s up to you to decide what you’re most comfortable receiving.)

3) Didn’t Like the Chiropractor’s Method of Adjusting

Some people find the physical experience of having their spine “popped” quite comfortable, if not pleasurable. Others get weirded out by it, or find it too forceful. One of the most repeated reasons for switching chiropractors that I’ve heard is, “I don’t like having my neck twisted.”

It’s perfectly acceptable to develop a technique preference… Instrument-based methods, for example, are a popular twist-free alternative to conventional chiropractic adjusting. It’s normal to experiment with different methods until you find what works best for you.

4) Not Enough Time With the Doctor

This is a common complaint with doctors in general. No one wants to feel like they’ve been shuffled in and out without having their concerns adequately addressed.

The process of getting adjusted doesn’t take long. You’re not paying for time spent in the office; you’re buying the benefits of an adjustment. But there’s no excuse for taking the “care” out of healthcare. Being treated like cattle doesn’t make a patient feel good.

Allow me to paraphrase a concern I’ve heard a number of times over the years:

“A massage therapist would rub my back for a minute or two, then I’d wait there with my face down on the table. Eventually the doctor would come in, and after barely acknowledging me, adjust me a few different ways, pat me on the back and say I did great, then leave. He didn’t ask if I had any questions, or if anything new was bothering me.”

Similarly, patients want to know the doctor is present and attentive while recognizing their concerns. Here’s one I’ve heard variations of multiple times… “She walked in, called me by the wrong name, and asked me how my ankle was doing… but I was there for help with carpal tunnel syndrome.”

5) Passed Down to an Associate

It’s not uncommon for a chiropractor to get so busy that he needs to hire an associate doctor to assist with patient care. This is normal. Unfortunately, not all associates are as clinically experienced as the doctor you were originally seeing… So after enough sub-par adjustments, patients begin to look elsewhere because they’re tired of not getting the quality treatment they’ve come to expect.

I’ve also heard scenarios where a charming and outgoing doctor handles all the new patients, then passes them along to a different (less personable) doctor to do all the adjusting. This can make people feel like all the focus was placed on getting them in the door, then casting them aside once they were there.

6) Unreasonable Wait Times

A chiropractic office isn’t an ER. There’s really only a handful of treatments we offer, none of which take very long to perform. So when a doctor makes patients wait lengthy periods of time, it’s frustrating. I’ve heard very specific things like “she routinely made me wait while she handled personal issues during my appointment” and “Multiple times I had to wait outside the office for 20-30 minutes because he wasn’t there yet, and didn’t bother to apologize after he arrived, or explain why he was so late.”

I’ve also heard complaints about poor office efficiency. For example, taking several days to return phone calls, neglecting to bill insurance companies in a timely manner, and even being “forgotten” in a therapy room.

Bottom line, when patients feel their time isn’t being respected, they look elsewhere, especially if the quality of care isn’t worth the wait.

7) Heavy Sales Tactics and Scare-Plans

Would you be surprised if I told you that there are coaching programs that chiropractors pay tens of thousands of dollars for that will teach them persuasive sales techniques?

It looks something like this…

Patients sit down with the doctor (as well as the decision-making spouse “for support” when applicable) and hear an artfully crafted presentation on why 12-months of care is so imperative. It can be an emotionally manipulative experience, frightening you about how dreadful life will be with a deteriorating spine. Much like buying a used car, the huckster says whatever it takes to get you to sign on the dotted line.

Fortunately, people are getting wise to this approach. More and more patients have learned to recognize disingenuous tactics. I wish I could tell you this doesn’t happen at all anymore, but sadly, it still does.

8) “Cult-Like” Atmosphere

It pains me to say it, but more than a few patients have used the phrase “cult-like” to describe their experience in a previous chiropractic office.

Visiting such an establishment (which is often a franchise) can feel like you’re participating in a “movement” or involved in a religious sect. They implement monthly community lectures or wellness presentations that are peppered with biblical references and inspirational testimonials designed to invoke like-mindedness.

A passionate and personable doctor with a well-trained staff can attract hordes of impressionable people who gravitate to the “herd” mentality. Stimulating one’s psychological need to belong can have a powerful impact on their decision making.

I’m sure these doctors mean well — deception isn’t their intent. They very much believe what they’re saying… But they expect you to “have faith” in it too, and they make no apologies for pressuring you into making an “investment” and modeling your lifestyle after their own.

You can expect them to offer deep discounts for your family members if they accompany you to the office, because if you’re trying to prevent cancer and live forever (or whatever BS they’re selling), shouldn’t they get on board too?

There’s never an end to chiropractic care in offices like this… it’s unapologetically intended to become part of your weekly routine, as well as your identity.

They cluster 10 or more appointments together to give the (manufactured) impression of “social proof” – others are doing it, so should you! They want everyone to believe they’re really busy “saving lives” in the community. Groupthink is a powerful thing, and they milk it for all it’s worth.

Hundreds of obedient patients willfully adopt the charismatic doctor’s vision. They’ll wear the office logo on t-shirts, attend marketing events to help the doctor spread his/her message, and maybe start working part-time in the office as an assistant.

Barf. Honestly, I felt dirty just writing this description. It’s nauseating to hear about practices like this… If you encounter such an office, use your best judgement before drinking the Kool-Aid.

I’d like to reiterate that these are simply a collection of shared responses from patients I’ve met throughout my career. It’s not a reflection of the entire chiropractic profession.

You don’t need anyone’s blessing or permission to change doctors. So if you’ve been thinking about looking around, go ahead and explore your local options. You might find a great new chiropractor without all the tomfoolery!

(Disclaimer: Remember the objective of upper cervical care is to correct head neck misalignment that is interfering with proper brain to body communication. When this is corrected the body functions at a higher level and can often correct other problems more efficiently on its own. Please do not confuse upper cervical care as a treatment for any condition, disease or symptom.)

8 Reasons People #SwitchChiropractors https://t.co/aC8eZEmKbD

— Travis Robertson (@theuppercblog) November 29, 2016

Off-Label Uses For Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

by Dr. Adam Tanase

(Editor's note:  This post again comes from my good friend and colleague, Dr. Adam Tanase.  His perspective on this topic is interesting and I think will serve to help more people understand the potential uses of Chiropractic care more easily.) 

Medical physicians commonly use Botox, a medication intended to treat wrinkles, on patients with headaches. They also give Singular, an adult asthma/allergy drug, to children with atopic dermatitis. This practice is called "off-label prescribing" and it’s so common that the Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality estimated 20% of all prescriptions are written for off-label use.

Since this now happens on a daily basis, it doesn’t really shock anyone. Plus, it’s perfectly legal. What you might be surprised to find out, however, is that (upper cervical) chiropractic care has off-label uses of its own.

If you have generalized back or neck pain, (upper cervical) chiropractic adjustments are very helpful. This type of pain relief could be considered an "on-label" reason for seeking the assistance of a chiropractor. But what about the patients who don’t have back or neck pain, and elect to receive care for relief from other conditions? Examples may include constipation, dizziness, or TMJ.

Believe it or not, (upper cervical) chiropractic offices across the world are filled with patients receiving these "off-label" benefits. That’s why you might hear chiropractors discussing how they’ve been able to help patients with psoriasis or IBS. To outsiders, this can seem like complete quackery. And while I would consider it irresponsible for chiropractors to advertise a "cure" for these conditions, I wouldn’t necessarily call it a hoax. Some people with non-musculoskeletal conditions really do respond well to (upper cervical) chiropractic care.

In fact, just yesterday, two of my patients expressed how they can immediately feel their sinuses open up after getting an upper cervical adjustment. Now, both of them originally came to see me for "on-label" reasons – neck pain and upper back stiffness. I didn’t attempt to diagnose either of them with any sort of sinus issue, nor did I ever tell them that the adjustments would help sinus congestion. Moreover, neither one mentioned sinus irritation being a concern when we first met. But now, they each come back as needed for an "off-label" benefit (improved sinus function), as well as typical relief from back/neck pain.

Why does this happen? The answer is fairly simple: Our bodies function better with a strong and balanced spine that moves properly.

I invite you to consult with a reputable chiropractor in your area so that you too may experience the "off-label" benefits of (upper cervical) chiropractic care.

How to Relieve Pain in the Base of the Skull

(Editor's Note:  This post comes to us from my good friend and colleague, Dr. Adam Tanase.  I love it because it gives people a way to help themselves and I think that is part of the reason we are here, to help each other help ourselves.)

 

by Dr. Adam Tanase

Tightness, stress, and pain at the base of the skull has long been an issue that required hands-on therapy from a chiropractor or massage therapist. The sub-occipital release maneuver performed by these professionals can open up the space between the skull and spine.

Patients with this type of pain pattern would ask, "Is there anything I can do for this at home?" And while there are a couple of stretches and make-shift remedies that I could recommend to temporarily reduce discomfort, they aren’t nearly as effective as the manual pressure release performed in-office.

But I recently discovered a tool that patients can now use at home to achieve a similar result as the sub-occipital release procedure performed by healthcare professionals:

The CranioCradle

 When I first discovered the CranioCradle, I wondered if it could actually produce positive changes to the tight and narrow space within the upper neck. I also had some concerns about operator error (patients positioning it incorrectly). But I must say, after experimenting with it for a few weeks, those concerns were needless. Here’s my experience with it…

How I Tested It

 I tried it two different ways. The picture above is how I’d suggest you use it as well – it feels more natural, comfortable, and relaxing when the head is cradled in this manner… but it can also be turned the opposite direction, with the sloping side beneath the neck instead. This approach, however, is a more advanced/progressive position, so it may create some discomfort for first-time users.

I tried it on a variety of surfaces, from firm and soft mattresses (including memory foam), to carpeted floors and on hardwood. I also used it lying flat on my back, as well as with my legs raised in the static back position.

I experimented with different durations of time, and times of day, to see if there was a difference in the outcome.

Here’s What I Liked Best

 Resting on the carpeted floor was clearly the most effective. It was firm enough not to impact the pressure needed from the device, but not so soft that the device sunk down and became less useful. (Mattresses created inconsistent support, while resting on my hardwood floors was simply too firm for me to get comfortable.)

Lying flat is recommended, but combining it with the static back position provided a slightly deeper impact on the tissues that some may find beneficial.

The preferred time of day was in the evening, immediately before going to bed. There’s nothing wrong with using this earlier in the day, but the relaxation I attained at night before going to sleep was noteworthy. The reason this happens is likely due to the deep tissue-penetrating effects in this specific region of the spine. It stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system which has a calming effect on the body.

What I Noticed

 5-minutes was all it took to notice a change, but I set my timer for 7-10 minutes each night, and that became my preference. Once I was finished, I rested with my head flat on the floor for an additional minute or two. Each time I did this something interesting happened within 15-20 seconds… a distinctly warm/hot sensation permeated my upper neck. This rapid increase of blood infusing the soft tissues beneath the skull was almost addictive. I found myself looking forward to the sensation each time.

I also noticed that my sleep quality, which was already pretty good, was even better on the nights that I used the CranioCradle before bed.

What Patients Had to Say About It

 I asked a variety of patients at my chiropractic office to try the device, and it was well-received. Comments ranged from "my neck feels comfortable; I can tell it’s doing something" to "I can feel my sinuses opening up."

Alternative Product Options

 There are similar products on the market, but they vary in price and functionality.

The Upledger Institute International has their own version of this called the Still Point Inducer. While listed at half the price, it’s less specific to the sub-occipital space. It can help ease muscle tension and is noticeably firmer, but doesn’t quite have the same effect on the sub-occipital region of the spine as the CranioCradle.

The Cranial Therapy Centre in Toronto created BeCalm Balls. These are adjustable and can be widened/separated along a cord, and they’re much softer than the other two. They’re also the most expensive of the three.

Who Would Benefit?

 If you suffer from occipital headaches, or you experience tightness, pain, and discomfort in the back of the head or mid-to-upper neck, I recommend using a CranioCradle.

How Strong is Your Signal?

By Dr. Adam Tanase

Most people are familiar with the concept of “bars” that identify the strength of a cell phone signal. When I used to be a Sprint customer, I could be in the same room with another Sprint customer who had the same phone as me, but we’d have different signal strengths. It was puzzling because one would have a full signal, and the other was struggling to maintain just one bar.

Similar to how your cell phone won’t work properly without a strong signal, your body depends on a strong signal between the brain and body via the nervous system.

Upper Cervical chiropractors use a technology called Computerized Infrared Thermography, or CIT for short, that primarily evaluates this “signal” balance between the brain and both sides of the body. It’s comparable to the “bars” on your cell phone.

Muscles, tissues and cells within the right half of the body should be receiving the same quality of nerve signals as the left half of the body. Lopsided “signal strength” favoring one half over the other suggests an imbalance in body function and performance.

One of the advantages of receiving Upper Cervical Care is that after the doctor makes an atlas-correction, we’re able to remeasure your body’s communication signal, and confirm that balance was restored. So there’s no guesswork involved… patients are able to see their improvement.

(Editor's note: Remember the objective of upper cervical care is to correct head neck misalignment that is interfering with proper brain to body communication. When this is corrected the body functions at a higher level and can often correct other problems more efficiently on its own. Please do not confuse upper cervical care as a treatment for any condition, disease or symptom.)

Is Upper Cervical Care Really A Secret?

                       

(Editor's Note: One more time, a great post from my good friend, Dr. Adam Tanase)

A Secret Form of Chiropractic Care?

by Dr. Adam Tanase                            

 

From time to time, I’ll meet a chronic pain sufferer who experimented with conventional chiropractic care, but wasn’t thrilled with the results. So they gave up on chiropractors altogether, thinking we’re all the same.

But they’re doing themselves a disservice by thinking this way.

An alternative chiropractic method that I’m going to tell you about isn’t really a secret, but you may find yourself asking why you’ve never heard of it before…

It’s called Upper Cervical Care, and there are two things about this approach that set it apart from conventional chiropractic methods:

1) X-ray Analysis

Upper Cervical practitioners examine angles within the spine in a rather unique way. Using engineering principles, calculations are made from your spinal segments as they relate to the joints above and below. This highly specific approach enables spinal corrections to last much longer than generic manipulations.

The Benefit: Fewer treatments than standard methods.

2) Method of Contact 

Twisting, popping, and crunching sounds are often associated with common chiropractic methods. But with Upper Cervical Care, the adjustment is completely silent. A gentle touch behind the ear is the only sensation you’ll feel.

That’s perhaps what makes this approach the most intriguing. Whether you’re suffering from headaches or low back pain, the doctor’s point of contact doesn’t change. That’s where the engineering principles I mentioned above come in handy. Upper Cervical doctors are able to make full body improvements without any force applied to other parts of the spine.

The Benefit: No cracking. Individuals who aren’t fond of the “pop” they’ve heard or felt from standard chiropractic manipulation love this approach.

Where Can I Find an Upper Cervical Chiropractor?

There are over 2,000 practitioners worldwide. To find one in your area, click on the “practitioners” tab at UpCspine.com.

What About The Nerves That Don't Sense Pain?

(Editors Note:  Our post today comes from my good friend and colleague Dr. Adam Tanase, A wonderful and knowledgeable Upper Cervical Chiropractor.)

Not All Nerves Sense Pain

by Dr. Adam Tanase

                                             

Thanks to our body’s sensory nerves, we’re able to tell when something doesn’t quite feel right, like pain.

But did you know that your body has two additional types of nerves that have nothing to do with pain?

Motor nerves control our movements, while autonomic nerves (or “automatic” nerves) govern things you don’t ever have to think about, like heart rate, digestion, and breathing.

This helpful infographic (produced by Mager and Associates Consulting) demonstrates how “feeling good” doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in good health. Nerve irritation can be present in your body without pain.

 

That’s why it helps to get periodic checkups from an upper cervical chiropractor. With the help of objective assessment tools like computerized thermal imaging, upper cervical chiropractic doctors can help restore healthy function to the body by identifying and reducing autonomic nerve tension related to head/neck misalignment.

A Good Office Chair Does Its Part...Just Like Upper Cervical Care

(Editor's Note: Today's post again comes from my good friend, Dr. Adam Tanase and he has some great suggestions for office chairs.  So many people spend so much time sitting so a good chair is a must...and it may just help you maintain your upper cervical correction.  Enjoy!)

What Kind of Office Chair Should I Buy?

BY DR. ADAM TANASE

Click here to read the full article.

Among the most common questions I’m asked as a chiropractor, “What kind of chair should I buy?” is near the top of the list. That’s because using the wrong chair can create undue strain in your neck, arms, back, hip, and legs.

With hundreds of different choices and dozens of office furniture stores to choose from, few people know where to start looking. So I’ll share some information to help you buy the right chair.

Office chairs range in price from as little as $15, all the way up to $1,500 or more. While most people can’t afford a $1,000+ chair, or can’t imagine themselves paying that much for one, we can still learn from these design concepts, and buy more price-friendly chairs that share similar ergonomic benefits.

Why Spend More Than $50-100 on a Chair?

Simply put: More Pain = Less Productivity.

Poor quality chairs decrease your productivity when they cause pain. The longer you work in a wobbly or unsupportive seat, the harder your body has to work to compensate for it. That’s a lot of wasted energy.

If you spent $600-$1,200 on the mattress that you sleep on for 6-8 hours per night, why spend less on an office chair that you sit in every day for the same amount of time? If you can afford it, buy a good one!

Best Value Chairs (Cheapest)

These chairs emulate the more expensive models, but are reasonably priced and can ease some of the common aches and pains associated with poorly designed office chairs. Think of them as the Toyota, Honda, or Hyundai of chairs.

1. Lorell Executive High-Back Chair ($167) – Arms adjust in height and weight, seat height adjusts 17″-21″ from the floor.
2. Alera Elusion High-Back Chair ($226) – Another adjustable chair with quality arm rests. Very well made for the price. Ideal for taller individuals. If you’re shorter or simply have a smaller body type, I recommend the mid-back version instead.

Click here to read more.

How To Spend Less On Upper Cervical Care And Chiropractic Care

Editors note: Today's post comes straight from our good friend Dr. Adam Tanase.  We are also big advocates of doing the right things so that you do not have to come in and get adjusted  anymore often than you choose to.  Also to the list below of what to do I would also include looking into Foundation Training (Dr. Tanase also mentions it in the stretching section) it is a great workout and I have seen it make big improvements in patients' spinal health.

How To Spend Less on Chiropractic Care

BY DR. ADAM TANASE

I might be a chiropractor, but I’m also a chiropractic patient… And the notion of having to get adjusted every week (or every month for that matter), really irks me. It’s time-consuming and costly when you have to get adjusted that often.

Fortunately there are things we can do, and not do, to reduce the need for frequent/excessive adjustments. I call it spine management. So if you’re interested in decreasing the number of trips you make to the chiropractor’s office, while increasing your overall quality of life in the process, take these tips into consideration.

Activities and behaviors that stress, strain, or wear down the spine in an untimely manner can be considered “bad” spine management.

Examples of Bad Spine Management

• Poor general posture (slouching)
• Non-ergonomic work space
• Sedentary lifestyle (hours of daily couch-time)
• Spending too much time in front of a computer
• Hunching over a smartphone playing games or texting all day
• Not exercising for at least 20-30 minutes daily
• Not walking enough
• Sleeping on your stomach
• Using a dated mattress that provides inadequate support
• Using an unsupportive pillow
• Not drinking enough pure water
• Failing to stretch regularly
• Neglecting your spine by not getting periodic chiropractic checkups

These habits and behavior patterns can also trigger symptomatic flare-ups and relapses. In other words, just when you’re starting to feel like things are getting back to normal, your pain comes back with a vengeance.

Here’s what you can do to help prevent that from happening:

Examples of Good Spine Management

• Periodic chiropractic checkups – Seasonal checkups are my personal recommendation for patients who practice good spine management. This helps insure your body doesn’t remain misaligned or unbalanced for too long.

• Stretch regularly - Consider how inflexible most elderly people are… how do you think they got that way? Muscles abide by the “use it or lose it” principle. Avoid this fate by isolating key muscle groups and giving them a good daily stretch (I’m a big fan of the Foundation stretches to prevent recurring low back pain).

• Proper hydration - What happens if you don’t water a plant regularly? It wilts. The same withering effect occurs internally with every organ, muscle, and tissue in your body. Your spine and its supportive structures work best when they’re hydrated.

• Daily exercise - In addition to walking at least a mile per day (after dinner is great), join a gym and treat different muscles to a daily workout. Chest, back, legs, and core are the most important. BodyRock.TV offers dozens of great free workout plans.

• Supportive sleep environment - Your bed and pillow should both help keep your body in natural alignment. Dated and flimsy mattresses stress your hips, pelvis, and back, which inevitably lead to chronic pain. Buy a quality pillow that keeps your head level, and use a good mattress that firmly (yet comfortably) prevents your spine from dipping or sagging while you sleep.

• Be mindful of your posture - This applies to whatever you’re doing, whether you’re at work, home, in the car, at the gym, or simply standing up. So sit up straight! Good posture has benefits; poor posture has consequences.
  

The bottom line is this… patients who practice good spine management get the best results with chiropractic care, and spend the least amount of money in the process.

Dr. Tanase's Mattress Recommendations

(Editor's note: Dr. Tanase is a great upper cervical doctor and a good friend.  His advice is helpful and should always be considered.  While this post is not directly about upper cervical care certainly that which supports your head, neck and the rest of your spine while you sleep is important for the patient and this info could be helpful so that they can make the best decision on a mattress for themselves.)

What’s the Best Type of Mattress?

by Dr. Adam Tanase

Buying a new mattress can be expensive and daunting if you’re not sure what to look for… So I’m going to tell you exactly what I recommend (and don’t recommend) to patients who ask me what type of mattress is best. I’ll also share some additional mattress-buying tips which could save you up to $1,000 or more!

The “best” mattress I know of probably isn’t one you’re interested in… That’s because it costs more than most peoples’ cars ($60,000). From there, ultra-premium quality mattresses run anywhere from $4,000 to $15,000.

Fortunately a good night’s sleep doesn’t have to be steep. The recommendations I give to people are much more affordable.

Before I go into that, I must say that “comfort” is highly subjective. People can be comfortable resting in really cockamamie positions… So the recommendations I’ll make are based on my clinical knowledge of the spine, comments patients have shared with me over the past 12-years, and personal experience.

To begin, here are four types of mattresses I wouldn’t buy:

1. Waterbeds:  Good mattresses allow for proper spinal alignment. Sleeping on a giant bag of water that’s always moving can’t do this for you. Waterbeds were actually invented in the late 1800′s to help prevent invalids from getting bedsores.

2. Air Mattresses:  I’ve sat through the “pitch” at Select Comfort stores in the mall, and can confirm that the last bed they show you is much more comfortable than the first (sales trick). But at the end of the day, you’re still sleeping on a glorified air mattress. Several patients have complained to me about “Sleep Number” type beds and regret buying them.

3. Pillow Top Mattresses:  These seem luxurious at first, but the material inside a “pillow top” is extremely flimsy and can break down in a few weeks. Eventually an indentation forms around where you sleep, and this can compromise spinal alignment. Mattress makers are fully aware of this, so they’ve started sewing a second pillow top on the opposite side of the mattress for you to flip… That’s their way of admitting the problem. It’s a trap, don’t fall for it!

4. Tempur-Pedic Mattresses:  I like memory foam, but there are four reasons I wouldn’t buy an entire mattress made out of it. First, the sheer number of patients who’ve complained about the visco-elastic material’s recovery time is alarming. Many describe the problem as feeling like they’re sleeping in a ditch. Second, this photo taken from one of their TV commercials makes me question the company’s understanding of the spine. They claim Tempur-pedic mattresses provide “perfect alignment,” but the blue dots I placed along the model’s spine aren’t aligned at all! The third reason involves the price tag ($1,200-$6,000). Purchasing an off-brand memory foam mattress topper can be just as relaxing for a fraction of the cost ($150 or less). Lastly, it’s because I don’t sleep in Outer Space (these beds were invented in the 1970′s for astronauts).

Here’s what I recommend to patients looking for an affordable new mattress:

First, determine if you really need a new mattress. If your current bed doesn’t dip or sag, you can save a lot of money by adding a high quality memory foam mattress topper.


Be careful though, people make two mistakes when buying these. The first is buying the thickest topper they find. Since these are sold in different sizes (from 1.5-inches to 6-inches), it’s tempting to assume that 6″ is best… but it’s not! The second mistake is buying the toppers conveniently sold at Walmart, Target, and Bed Bath & Beyond. Save your money; these toppers are over-priced and wear out very quickly.

Here’s what you should know about memory foam mattress toppers:

Density is more important than thickness. Every topper comes with three measurements: Size, thickness, and density. Pick the size you want (twin, queen, king), then buy the heaviest density you can afford. The denser the memory foam is, the longer it will last and the more resistant it is to wear-and-tear. Quality toppers can last for 3-4 years. Cheap ones won’t even make it 3-4 months!

A good rule-of-thumb is you want the density weight to be greater than thickness. Toppers that are 4″ thick with 2-lbs of density aren’t nearly as good as a 2″ topper with 4-lbs of density. I recommend buying a 2-3″ pad, with 4+ pound density. Anything higher than that runs the risk of being too thick. Full memory foam mattresses are typically 6-8″ of pure memory foam, but that’s what creates the “sleeping in a ditch” effect I mentioned earlier.

If this sounds confusing, don’t sweat it. Here’s the kind I have at home.

Doing this can delay the immediate need to buy a brand new bed, so try it before embarking on a mattress mission.

Here’s what I suggest to patients who still want a brand new mattress:

If you’re on a tight budget, don’t assume you have to spend $600+ dollars on a mattress. When sawed in half, there’s not a significant difference between $300 and $600 mattresses. The $600 options probably have a pillow top and more touch-friendly fabric… but the “bones” of the bed will be eerily similar. So you’re not missing much if you wish to purchase a “wallet-friendly” mattress.

Just buy the heaviest mattress you can afford; something that doesn’t dip, bend, poke or squeak. The firmer the better. Then purchase the type of memory foam topper I described above. Your new economy mattress will feel much more expensive than it is…

Now, if you’re willing and able to spend more money on a higher quality mattress, take a look at Simmons Beautyrest. They’re very well-built and reasonably priced. I like them because they offer the right amount of firmness without being stiff, are surprisingly heavy, and promote healthy spinal alignment. Here’s the kind I have at home.

Mattress Buying Tip #1:  When purchasing a bed, the last person you want advice from is the guy hoping you buy it. Peer through the window of a free-standing mattress store and you’ll quickly notice that these are relatively low-volume businesses. Salesmen might work an entire shift and not have a single customer. So when someone does walk through the door, it’s “do-or-die” time. They have mouths to feed and might desperately need that sale!

Mattress Buying Tip #2: Standard bed construction isn’t nearly as complex or intricate as the price tag indicates. I’ve spent time with manufacturers who build beds from scratch and they’ll be the first to tell you (if they’re being honest) how unsophisticated bed-building is… So remember this when you’re ready to buy. Consider going directly to a local mattress maker instead of an overpriced chain store. Skipping the middle-man can save you a nice chunk of change.

Mattress Buying Tip #3: Depending on where you live, it’s possible to find $1,000+ beds at discount mattress stores on clearance for as little as $200 if you know where to look and how to sniff out bargains.

Mattress Buying Tip #4: Prices are negotiable. Buying a bed is like buying a car… Don’t pay sticker price! The mark-up varies between different models and manufacturers, but these bedding stores need to move their inventory. It’s not a flea market, but you certainly have the right to make them an offer. They might say no, but they could also say yes!

Mattress Buying Tip #5: If you’re waking up with back or neck pain, it might not be your mattress that needs replacing. Your pillow or your sleep position could be the culprit. In either case, if you’ve never had your spine checked, I recommend you consult with an upper cervical doctor. Even a $60,000 Hasten’s bed can’t fix a misaligned spine.

Football, Concussions And Upper Cervical Care

Concussions During Football Season

By Dr. Adam Tanase

Despite vast improvements in protection equipment, athletes of all skill levels are still experiencing frequent concussions.

While modern medicine has a firm grasp on the dangers of this type of injury, much of the general public remains in the dark. A surprising number of students, parents, coaches and players don’t think concussions are a big deal. In fact, countless patients have told me (often with a smile on their face) that they’ve suffered a concussion.

It’s tempting to assume that if brain surgery wasn’t required, then the injury had no effect on them, so it must be okay to play in next week’s game.

According to the Mayo Clinic,

“Concussions range in significance from minor to major, but they all share one common factor — they temporarily interfere with the way your brain works. They can affect memory, judgment, reflexes, speech, balance and coordination.

Usually caused by a blow to the head, concussions don’t always involve a loss of consciousness. In fact, most people who have concussions never black out. Some people have had concussions and not even realized it.

Concussions are common, particularly if you play a contact sport such as football. But every concussion, no matter how mild, injures your brain. This injury needs time and rest to heal properly. Luckily, most concussions are mild and people usually recover fully.”

I’d like to append this description by saying that concussions have two things in common. The second being trauma to the neck.

After receiving the proper neurological exam from a medical practitioner, I believe that concussion sufferers should then receive a follow-up evaluation from an upper cervical doctor. Forces of this magnitude can absolutely cause damage to the spine and it’s supportive muscles, ligaments and soft tissues. Therefore the head and neck should both be properly evaluated.

Unfortunately, a high percentage of people (even some medical providers) aren’t aware that this experience can be the precipitating event for spinal degeneration and health problems which surface months or years down the road. So the earlier you address this damage, the easier it is to correct. In many cases you can limit (and often prevent) subsequent damage by handling it sooner rather than later.

(Editor's note: Remember the objective of upper cervical care is to correct head neck misalignment that is interfering with proper brain to body communication. When this is corrected the body functions at a higher level and can often correct other problems more efficiently on its own. Please do not confuse upper cervical care as a treatment for concussion or any other condition, disease or symptom.)

Upper Cervical Care: What Pillow To Use?

Ever wonder what kind of pillow to use? Please follow the link below to a wonderful post by a good friend, Dr. Adam Tanase. He reviews 6 different types of pillows and I have to agree with his assessment of them. Click here for his take on pillows.

Also visit his Blog and his clinic website, especially if you are in need of a great Upper Cervical Doc in the St. Louis, MO area.