Can't afford to go to chiropractor every week...

[oneKnight]

This didn't seem to fit into any of the "health" threads, and it's more about money anyway.
DH had some back problems, constant pain/stiffness etc. We found this great chiropractor, price is very reasonable ($50 first visit, $35 each afterwards) and it seems to be helping. Most of the relief came after the first visit, but they keep wanting us to come back every week. That adds up to $70 per paycheck (plus some gas to get there and back) and we just don't have the extra money!
Basically they just keep doing a massage and running this electro-something machine, and handing out Biofreeze to rub on his back at home. Do you think we really need to be paying for it??
How do you know when you reach the point where the cost outweighs the benefit??

[frogguruami]

I am in the same situation. I don't have the 100 bucks a month. So since I am significantly better I am starting up my yoga again and hopefully that will help.

[JenJMP]

I would just tell them you that it isn't in your budget to come every week.
Perhaps your dh could go every other week (or even 1x month) and they could recommend some exercises/stretches that would help along with the biofreeze.
It shouldn't have to be all or nothing.

[~Megan~]

Talk to the doctor or office manager about your situation and see what you can do. Perhaps you can work out some lower price or a barter.

[luvdisny]

My chiro offers a 30 day deal ($125 for the first 4 visits and $2 per visit after that with in 30 days) for cash paying customers. See if you can work out some kind of deal with your chiro. I know that they are offering a reduced rate for the 2nd visit but is there a way to do a group of visits for a certain one time price. I do the 30 day deal and then wait a week or 2 and then go back for another 30 days. My chiro is open Tues, Wed, Thurs and will see you as needed on Monday and Friday. (He uses those days for classes and extended education credit time) My 30 days end up running about $139 for 11 visits. I can't find a better deal anywhere else.

I second the barter suggestion.

[LEAW]

Have him miss an appt next week and see how he feels. If he's doing ok, then there is no reason to not spread out appointments to every other week or every 10 days or something...

There should be some sort of "treatment plan" they set up - for example, with my injury, we did 3x/week for 2 weeks, then 2x week for 2-3 weeks, then once a week for 2 months, then every other week for a while, now I call and make an appt. as needed when I have pain. They showed me a plan up front and said "this is what we think you'll need and it'll cost x much" and actually I needed less and we adapted the schedule to that.

You can get some cream for him at the health food store or online and give him a backrub at home between, or even one of those massage tools to help relax his muscles.. and maybe you can get a turn too!

If they insist he NEEDS this treatment each week, well, then get a new chiro. Most offer $30-40 cash basis, you just have to ask. When my insurance paid it was $80 a visit, now that I pay, it's $35.

[Geofizz]

Do you have health insurance? If so, check to see if you have an "alternative" plan that includes chiro. Our ins pays 50%. Otherwise, check to see if he can get a referral to physical therapy and see if PT can do the same.

[oneKnight]

The insurance specifically does NOT cover chiro. But even if it did we'd still be paying like $20/visit.

I think we're gonna do sortof like Lisa2976 said; we're gonna start going every other week and see what happens.
Doug and I got together and re-configured the budget yesterday (partly because of this and partly because of the cost of internet) and things are looking better - at least on paper.
Thanks for all the suggestions!

[sweetfeet]

I'm paying $30/ 3 times a week! It'll be worth it to get the baby in a good position but dang $90/week is so unaffordable. We're pinching pennies every chance we get. Which we were already doing before...Anyhow I know how ya feel. I feel awesome after leaving the chiro but it's so expensive.

[MichelleAnnette]

If there's a university clinic near you, that might be a good option. I go to one and it's $8/visit for college students. I only know about it b/c my mom works there.

[nicolelynn]

I am a massage therapist working for a chiropractor and I understand this dilemna. Personally on the salary my husband and I make..I could not affoard chiropractic or massage therapy. Yet they are therapies I believe in and have experienced relief from. My rates for massage are literally the lowest in my area ($45 for an hour vs. $85 an hour going rate) because I truly want more people to be able to affoard it. But still it's tough for people. I get free adjustments as an employee but I still spread them out as I see fit so my body does not become dependant on them (I don't tell the Dr this haha). My husband and I are working out a barter with him for my husband's adjustments as he has mild scoliosis. He could easily be there weekly but once a month is all we can swing. I'm convinced it's better than nothing. At least the chiropractor I work for has 30 years of experience and has a common sense practice: come when you need it...not all the time so I can make money, you have control of your therapy and chiropractic is for moving restricted joint segments and thus relieving pain...not some lofty all-sufficient wellness theory.

Also, do not under-estimate self therapy. Stretching, icing, and self massage. I highly reccomend the book the Trigger Point Therapy Workbook by Clair Davies.

At risk of putting myself and my employer out of business,
Nicole :

[seeing_stars]

Ask your chiro if they can work out a discounted payment plan or barter for services. My chiros let me clean their bathrooms for a few months when I needed treatment but couldn't afford it. My parents are picture framers and get their care for their labor- the Dr.'s pay the material costs, my parents work. Good luck!