A Chiropractor's Nightmare

Based on a true story....

It was just another day at the office. The KOST was playing "Cool Operator" by Sade, and everyone was enjoying the serene, healing atmosphere of the clinic. The soothing trickle of the waterfall in the corner could be heard and the children were occupied by the office-supplied Nintendo DS units. It was "prime-time" which is the time most people get off work. The waiting room was full and every therapy table was taken.

Suddenly, there was a loud crashing sound as metal hit the glass doors and a writhing twisted man in a wheel barrel came barreling into the clinic lobby pushed by two husky sweaty construction workers. The injured man's painful screams drowned Sade's singing and the tranquil environment took on the atmosphere of the trauma ward of an emergency room. His name was Bentley*, a lead construction worker for a nearby construction site. He stood six-foot-four and weight about two-hundred-and-eighty pounds. With tears of pain in his eyes, disheveled hair, and his obvious lack of mobility, his massive frame was reduced to the look of a wounded bird. He was immediately rolled to a treatment room so Dr. Fred could evaluate and treat him. After a lumbar x-ray, and thorough exam, Bentley was given therapy to help manage his pain. After about twenty minutes, everything seemed fine. But it was only the calm before the storm. The real drama hadn't even begun to start.Eventually Bentley was able to lie on his stomach where he was given ice, electrical stimulation and ultrasound. A pillow was placed under his hips to make him more comfortable. After twenty more minutes the patient, laying in the prone position, was smiling and cracking jokes. Without the chiropactor touching him he was already feeling much better. That's when everything went to Hades in a hand basket.

As Bentley tried to get up, BAM! The pain in his back returned with a vengeance. So did the screaming. Only this time he directed all his pain and frustration at the doctor. "What did you do to me??!!!" "I can't even walk now" "I'm gonna sue" "Call 911!!!"Seven minutes later, Dr. Fred's peaceful healing environment turned into a major rescue scene. Not only did the police show up, there was a fire engine, paramedic and an ambulance. To make matters worse, there was one of those giant ladder fire trucks in the area that showed up as well. About ten men in blue surrounded Bentley. They took his vitals, placed him on a gurney and hauled him away. All the while Bentley was screaming profanities and threats to the poor chiropractor. As the last siren faded in the background one could here a pin drop in the office. The thirty smiling patients that were once in the office were reduced to three.

They say even bad publicity means your name is getting out there. But not in this case. It took my friend's practice weeks to rebuild from that event.

Bentley apologized. Even at the time, he knew the doctor did nothing that would have caused his pain. The patient had a severe problem with his lumbar disc from a lifting injury which resulted in muscle spasms. His weak abdominal muscles, distended abdomen, and lack of proper lifting technique was a recipe for his eminent disaster. After getting over the initial pain at the E.R., he came back to see Dr. Fred. He received chiropractic care and learned how to maintain his spinal health. He eventually became a great advocate of chiropractic care.

Taking care of our spines is like taking care of our teeth. If you brush your teeth floss, and see your dentist every six months, your teeth will last a lifetime. The same principle is true with chiropractic. In order to avoid a crisis like Bentley's, it is important to learn how to maintain and strengthen your spine. For more information about how to keep your back healthy, visit my website at www.UnitedPhysiciansHealthInstitute.comIn my sixteen years of clinical practice, I have not had the pleasure of having a patient like Bentley. But I have had my own share of very interesting and bizarre cases that perhaps one day I will share with you.

__________________________________________________________________________________ David M. Salse, D.C. is a chiropractor in Monrovia, California. You can learn more about him at http://www.unitedphysicianshealthinstitute.com/, ChiroCareOnline.com, Facebook.com/drsalse, Twitter.com/davidsase, MySpace.com/drsalse, and linkedin.com/davidsalse*For HIPPA: Bentley is a fictitious name.