Need a new chirorpractor

[eaglesprings]

This is a cross post from Woodlands Underground:

Unfortunately, the one we like is not in our health insurance network. Our family physician referred me to someone, but he is not in our network, either.

So, is anyone familiar with any of these names?

Wade Brandt, on Sawdust

Peggy Bolts on K-dahl

Scott Botz, also on K-dahl

Christopher Boss, on Woodlands Parkway


My insurance company did tell me I could take my doctor's recommendations to another doctor "in network."

[msucowboy97]

i talked Boss once...but a friend turned me on to a guy in Conroe. I have his number at the house. What ever he did he fixed my shoulder. i have been to 5 different sports med doctors in the woodlands. All would give me the same spill.

I think they are witch doctors but hell it works.

[Wilson]

I love Dr. Christy in the Grogan's Park shopping center - they are down from Amerigo's.

[eaglesprings]

I'll check and see if Dr. Christy is in network, as well. I've received a couple of good recommendations both on and off this list, so now I just have to decide what to do.

[FamilyGal]

I have heard good things about Dr. Brandt. Let us know when you do go, how it goes. I've seen people asking this a lot and the only one I have ever dealt with was Dr. Durrett on the freeway.

[cgwoolf]

Nope, I stay as far away from chiropractors as I possibly can. A little known fact but so many over the years have actually caused strokes with some of their common spinal/neck manipulations. And I've had so many things happen to me with so-called reputable, brilliantly educated medical doctors, I shudder to think what could happen with someone who is actually NOT a doctor working on me.

[eaglesprings]

A friend's niece had this happen to her, cg: It is a scary thought. However, I've been to chirorpractors before with no problems. Heck, we've even taken our dog to a chirorpractor. LOL!

I've never thought to ask, and maybe you know. Is it the neck manipulation that has caused strokes in the past? I know this is rare, but it is a scary thought. Frankly, that neck manipulation is the only thing I've really not liked about my past visits to the chirorpractor. I could probably request that not be done. That's not where my problem is, anyway.

[FamilyGal]

It is definitely a risky thing. I have only gone a few times and I have to say it helped me a lot. I was having terrible headaches from a wreck I had a few years before and with one manipulation, it was gone. I also had severe back pain for awhile and that was the initial reason I went. When they told me what was involved (time and $$), I didn't go back. I just couldn't afford it at the time. Come to find out, most of the pain was from MS, so there wasn't anything they could have done anyway. So, looking back, I'm glad I didn't spend the money.

[mdonn76405]

Family Gal,
A guy in my Army Unit has MS and he participates in everything. He is even deploying with us. You guys have more guts than any human being. From what I have read about MS, my hat is off to you.

[eaglesprings]

Family Gal: I think I remember you wanted an update when I saw the chirorpractor.

As it turns out, I saw Dr. Wakefield today. Since Dr. Huey is in our network, then Dr. Wakefield (in the same office) will be covered as an in network provider. Of course, not everyone's insurance will work the same way, but I highly recommend Dr. Wakefield, just from my first visit experience. He's very down to earth and very thorough. Also very friendly and attentive. He does everything himself with no assistants. He's got a wonderful "table" that rolls up and down your spine. I would have fallen asleep except he likes to talk, checks on his patients, and I like to talk.

Right now, there isn't much of a wait (but if word gets out, that could change).

He discovered some muscle weakness in my hip area. (Well, actually his words were "These muscles are shot!" LOL!) I'm going tomorrow for xrays (he doesn't have an xray machine in that office), and I'll be back for a visit on Thursday, right after I meet with the nutritionist.

And, Family, from past message board conversations, I know that you like Dr. Durrett. Dr. Wakefield still works with Dr. Durrett, even though he can be found over in Dr. Huey's office. So, if you needed a chirorpractor and couldn't see Durrett for any reason, he's a good alternative.

Some people might not like that they are getting therapy in the same room with others, but there was only one other woman in there today. I personally didn't mind, and I liked the fact he was right there in the same room the whole time, so if something felt uncomfortable, I could immediately call it to his attention. At Dr. Durrett's office, I was often put in a room with the heating pad and "prickly things," feel some sort of discomfort, and had to wait until an assistant came to check on me to mention it.

Plus, he listens to KSBJ. LOL! One of my favorite stations.

I'll keep you further informed, if you are interested.

[FamilyGal]

I just saw these posts. I guess I had marked everything read when it wasn't! Thanks MD for your posts. I am amazed at what a lot of people with MS do. I am NOT one of those people. I do well to get the housework done. There will be no marathons for me or anything else strenuous anytime soon.

ES, thanks for letting me know about Wakefield. I need a chiro more than ever now. My mom is freaking out though telling me how awful chiros are and how they could "paralyze" me with one wrong move. Funny thing is I remember her using a chiropractor A LOT when I was growing up and she was never paralyzed (or any other permanent damage). I don't know where this fear is coming from. But, I would love to get an adjustment or two. I think I will start with a couple of massages and then if I am still really sore try Wakefield or Durrett. Our insurance doesn't cover chiropractor visits, and the last time I went to Durrett he wanted to take out a five year plan of sorts. (Not quite that long, but the payments probably were!) I'm not in "that" much pain to justify the money, so I am going to see what a massage does first. Thanks again for following up with your experience.

[eaglesprings]

Today was my first visit, so he didn't actually do any spinal adjustments. I laid down on a table that "rolled" up and down my back, and wanted to bring that thing home! LOL! Then, had a heat pad with the "prickly, pulsating" thingees in it. Then, he ran a little massage type thingee over the area I was complaining about.

I'll let you know how it goes when I do get a spinal adjustment. I did tell him I didn't like my neck being "popped," and he seems to really listen, so maybe I won't have to do that. We'll see what the xrays show. It seems my biggest problem is the muscles around my hip/pelvic area, which are "shot," even though that isn't exactly where my pain is.

Durrett got too expensive for us, too. Our insurance used to cover him, even though the deductibles were still getting too expensive for us. Dr. Wakefield, working through Dr. Huey's office, is a little bit of a different set up. Dr. Huey has ordered 3 times per week for four weeks. I suppose that could be "re-upped," but it just isn't the ongoing process that Dr. Durrett's office pushes. I like Dr. Durrett, but the marketing there is a little more than most of us can handle.

Also, I had a physician referral, rather than just going on my own. Would your insurance cover it with a physician referral? Everyone's insurance is different, but it might be worth double checking, just to see.

Now, I've heard some good things about "my healthy beginnings," I think it's called. That office doesn't use insurance, at all, but I understand they work with patients on payment plans, and their website is quite impressive. I think it's www.myhealthybeginnings.com but if that doesn't work, I'll try to find the right address for you.

[FamilyGal]

Hmmm, I will check if my insurance will cover it with a physician's referral. I'm sure my doc would.

[TripleA]

Sorry to come in late on this thread! My mom has used Dr. Ken Fields since I was a toddler (which means 25+ years). He's a wonderful man and a great chiropractor. My dad has used him over the years as well. I do know that he is a more holistic (not sure if I am using the right word) dr. and prefers not to do unnecessary procedures to speed up a result. He is on FM 2920 in Spring, near Rhodes Road (not too far from Gosling). I know that is a bit of a drive for most of you, but some people live in different areas so I thought I would mention him!

[11Linda11]

I go to Dr Lisa Hanson and Dr Dawn Schwab. They are both wonderful.

They have special chiropractic tables that pretty much eliminate the old twisting and cracking method. I used to hate that. I've only had to have that done once in over a year. That was because my pelvic bone was so out of whack.

[FamilyGal]

pretty much eliminate the old twisting and cracking method.

That hurt just reading that.

[eaglesprings]

I actually had an "adjustment" today. I did tell him to leave my neck alone, because that is the part I never really liked. After the spinal adustment, I did feel a strange "kink" I didn't feel before, but he told me that is normal, and temporary. And, he was right. It worked its way out before I even left the office, and I've had tons of energy sense getting back home! He even pulled on my feet a bit, and I didn't have any pain in my feet, but I've gotta admit, that was nice!

Because of my dislike of the neck manipulation, he didn't do that, but he did pull on my head a bit. I can handle that. He called it "traction." One of these days, I might let him really work on my neck, but not anytime soon. But, the "traction" felt good! He's gentle on the back manipulations, too.

[FamilyGal]

Did you say before your insurance does pay for him? Or was it out of pocket? If it is out of pocket, how much was your adjustment today? I suppose though, for safety sake, a new patient has to get x-rays done first. Wonder if I can bring my own? LOL I've had so many taken lately I could provide them.

[msmichellemiller]

I'm afraid of having anything 'cracked' on me, especially since too often I turn my neck wrong and get stuck with a 'crick' or whatever it's called for days. I do have the worst neck and shoulder pain lately, though. I've had it for years but over the last it's become an everyday nuissance. It's as if I just can't relax my upper back and my neck feels like it's bent forward or something. Is this what you'd visit a chiropracter for or is it something just a massage can help? I've never had a professional massage, either. My SO tries but he either does it too lightly, for too short a time or ends up hurting me!

[eaglesprings]

Did you say before your insurance does pay for him? Or was it out of pocket? If it is out of pocket, how much was your adjustment today? I suppose though, for safety sake, a new patient has to get x-rays done first. Wonder if I can bring my own? LOL I've had so many taken lately I could provide them.


The xrays were covered 100 percent, no co-pay or deductible. They were done at St. Luke's.

We have an office visit co-pay of $20, per visit. Now, that can add up! Our plan calls for a different chiropractic deductible of $35, then covered 100 percent, with an in network physician. But, since Dr. Wakefield is affiliated with our PCP, they are only charging me $20 per visit (and waived the first visit). Same with the nutritiionist. She's covered, other than our co-pay, because a medical condition was found. (Nothing super serious -- fatty liver, and the treatment is to lose weight, follow a proper diet, etc).


This stuff could still get expensive, just with the co-pays. But, it would be much more expensive without the insurance coverage. And, I'm not being asked to sign on for anything long term just to "get things right" with Dr. Wakefield. I just want the "mystery pain" in my back gone! No everyday thing, no long term commitment, etc....... I'll go twice a week, and in two or three weeks, may not go at all. We'll see. It's very "low pressure" as far as the sales pitches go. Dr. Wakefield works with Dr. Durrett, but the setup, and marketing, is very different! I'm thankful to be able to do it for a while, and we're not finding any reason at all to continue for an extended period of time.

[momoftwo]

I know this thread is old, but I thought I would share my Chiropractic experience. I went today after suffering for 2wks with low back, hip pain and pain in my hamstring. I walked in to Boss and was adjusted and out fairly quickly. I can tell a change already. I used to go 2xs a week before we moved and I forgot how good it makes me feel. I paid a copay of 25. He said I will only have to go when I feel it is needed after a week or two.

[cgwoolf]

ES, I'm glad he helped you and did not hurt you. I'm just now seeing this post again so I'll answer ? you asked several months ago. Yes it is the neck manipulation that if done wrong can cause a stroke.

If I had pain in my lower back that would not go away, I'd see a neurologist. That's what I did after months of pain. Turns out I have 3 pinched nerves and if I'd gone to chiro, could have caused great damage.

I don't think people realize fully that these guys are not MD's. They go to "school" for a short time and if you do have something physically wrong with you, they can aggravate it or even cause permanent damage.

I know I'm a naysayer - but there's just too many facts/instances out there.

[IndianSpringsGuy]

Nope, I stay as far away from chiropractors as I possibly can. A little known fact but so many over the years have actually caused strokes with some of their common spinal/neck manipulations. And I've had so many things happen to me with so-called reputable, brilliantly educated medical doctors, I shudder to think what could happen with someone who is actually NOT a doctor working on me.

Have you checked what they go through in school? My daughter-in-law does not currently practice but she spent about 8 years total in the university and post graduate school for Chiropractors.

[momoftwo]

All I can say is that I have had back issues for years and all the docs wanted to do was inject me with meds. I have scar tissue very thick on one side because of this. Never solved the problem and only seemed to make it worse. Went to a chiro and pain and symptoms gone in weeks. I am sure there is a danger to it, just as the meds and procedures docs will throw out there. Not for everyone, but it works for me.