I invested nearly $4,000 out of pocket in care at New Life, genuinely hoping to improve my health…read more While I did experience improvement in the numbness and tingling in my lower left leg, most of the issues I sought help for did not improve, and my knee problems worsened.
My biggest advice to anyone considering this clinic is to ask careful questions before committing to a treatment package that costs thousands of dollars. Make sure you understand exactly what the treatment involves, how individualized it will be, how progress will be evaluated, and what options you have to exit the plan if it isn't helping.
One thing I wish I had understood beforehand was the clinic's appointment structure. Rather than having a dedicated appointment time with a chiropractor, the process is more like a shared, high-volume, community clinic. In a large open area, Patients check in, complete prescribed warm-up exercises, take a number, and wait for a treatment stall to become available. Once in a stall, you wait again for a chiropractor to come and perform the adjustment. The actual time with the chiropractor was generally only about 5-10 minutes. Occasionally, I would see a Dr spend more time with someone else and it felt unfair.
Although appointments are scheduled for specific times, arriving at your scheduled time doesn't necessarily mean you'll be seen then. There were times when I had to wait after arriving, and on one occasion I waited a full hour for an adjustment that took only a few minutes. A few times, I even fell asleep while waiting on the treatment table. I understand that this model may work well for some patients, but I found that the brief interactions left little time for meaningful conversations about my ongoing symptoms and whether a different approach was needed.
Throughout my treatment, I repeatedly expressed concerns about my knees and shared that I wasn't seeing improvement. I continued following the doctors' recommendations because I trusted their guidance and believed the treatment would help. I also purchased their recommended custom orthotics for $325, but they caused significant foot pain, and I ultimately had to stop wearing them. I tried an additional exercise program, at an additional cost, recommended by the doctor for nearly two months, but my knee problems only worsened.
My biggest disappointment is that, despite my ongoing concerns and lack of progress, I don't feel my treatment approach was adequately reassessed or that I was encouraged to seek a different type of care sooner. I wish someone had sat down with me and had an honest conversation about whether the program was truly right for my particular needs, along with a clear discussion of my alternatives because it wasn't working. I felt I was continuing to invest time and money without seeing the results I had hoped for, and I didn't feel I had been given enough opportunity and support in reassessing my options along the way.
As someone without health insurance who worked hard to pay for this care, the financial impact has been significant. When I shared my concerns with the doctor, he acknowledged my experience and offered a refund for the orthotics, but declined my request for a partial refund for the overall treatment program.
I recognize that New Life is a busy clinic and that its approach may be beneficial for other people. I did experience some improvement in one symptom, and I don't want to dismiss that. However, my overall experience left me disappointed, both with my results and with how my lack of progress was handled.
Before purchasing a plan/package, I encourage prospective patients to ask what happens if their symptoms aren't improving, whether the treatment plan can be adjusted or discontinued, and what cancellation options are available. Make sure you feel comfortable with the answers before committing. Be your own advocate. Healthcare should involve ongoing communication, individualized consideration, and the ability to revisit decisions when something isn't working. I wish I had received this for my investment but I didn't.
