I left in pain, still holding my $20…read more
Let me back up and give you the full story. Don't worry. I've calmed down and I'm in less pain than when I first started writing this review. So it isn't as hastily written as it originally was. I've rolled on a foam roller, rolled like a ball, and, best of all, got my amazing boyfriend to do a few "pick-me-up hugs" and walk his hands up and down my back. The pain is way down now, thank goodness. And for Free!
I looked on Yelp for a chiropractic place near my house that was open. This place had a couple of good reviews (albeit written by one of the doctor's FB friends and her husband), so I thought I'd give them a try. I called and asked if they had time for a new patient. The girl that answered asked when I could get there. I said I was around the block, so I would probably be there in 5 minutes.
Before I could see the dr, I had to fill out some paperwork. Normal. Okay. I sat down thinking it's pretty weird that it's 5:30pm and there is no one else there. But then someone walks outside. Okay, NOW no one but me is there. Once I got to the second page, and because I'm in so much pain I asked the front desk girl if I really needed to fill everything out, I would just rather tell him everything in person. She asked that I just put down something for their records. So I did. I finished filling out the paperwork and gave it to her. She took it towards the back. A few minutes later a voice called "Veronica". I grab my purse and walk around the corner towards what I'm assuming are the offices and find a guy in an office holding a clipboard.
Before he would even think about adjusting me, he wanted to know what was going on. Again, normal. Okay. Although I tried to convey that I've been diagnosed and I know what I need, pain relief, he wanted to hear everything. Play sports? Where exactly is the pain? How long has this been going on? When did it start; do you have an exact date? Etc. So, he got my full story of everything that was wrong. Finally, after using the word excruciating at least twice and pointing to a spot on my back, he says we can get some x-rays done. He takes me to the x-ray room next door, but first, he says, FDG is going to come in and discuss billing with me.
She comes in and tells me that the x-rays will be covered and the first visit will be $20. Thereafter, it will be $50 a visit. I tell her that I can't afford this. She then lets me know that I could pay a little bit at a time. I again reiterated that I can't afford $50 a visit. Just because I'm paying $20 now and $30 later doesn't mean I can afford it anymore than I could originally. I ask her if I can just get a relief adjustment and they can have the $20 (what they were asking for in the first place, minus the cancer-causing radiation and whatever that costs them). She says she will ask him. She leaves the room, closes the door behind her, comes back a moment later, and tells me this is not possible.
So, I leave.
After all this time (at least half an hour), other chiropractic places are now closed. And my back is in even more pain.
They know this review is coming because they asked on their paperwork how I was referred. Additionally, FDG asked me while I was filling out said paperwork. And then once I was in his office, Dr. Craig Watson asked me as well.
The only way I can really describe my visit is heartless. He knew I was in pain, and he didn't have the heart to tell me himself that he wouldn't do only a relief adjustment, just long term care. I really should have just said "Okay, but I will do the x-rays next time" and said I didn't have the time. I would have only been out $20 and pain free (Hopefully. I mean I don't know what the actual adjustment is like). And just never come back.