Disabled People Are Different, They Are Not Aliens To Interrogate

"Tom McParland" (tommcparland) 03/10/2016 at 18:45 • Filed to: dipshits

9

46

I know this is my second personal post this week, but I’m pissed so I need to share. (Alfa for your time)

My wife was having some back pain and needed to see a chiropractor. Now we moved so our old chiro, who is awesome, is an hour away. Making that appointment and managing the logistics with two kids wasn’t happening, so she needs a local person. Her mom recommended a guy that is about 10 mins away from us. Of course that guy was not available today, but his partner was.

She comes out from her appointment a bit confused and uncomfortable about the whole thing. Apparently the guy was fascinated by the fact that she “didn’t give up on life after being disabled...” We have heard that before, it’s annoying but we give people a pass. But seriously WTF is up with people assuming that people should “give up” after being disabled? What the hell does that even mean?

Then she tells me that the good doctor was confused as to how her back could hurt below her injury. She had to explain to him...(edit- a medical proffesional), that the nervous system is kind of like an electrical system and even if one line doesn’t work energy can still flow and move around the other lines. Beside the point, that question has never been asked by other chiros, because it doesn’t fucking matter...her back hurts, find away to fix it. Like everyone else does.

Once the appointment is over he drops this bomb “Can ask you a personal question?”

She says “Sure.”

“So when you have sex with your husband, do you feel it?”

Now she is relaying all this to me and I’m furious. I get this guy is older, but in all the years he has been practicing medicine has he not once encountered a disabled person? That line of questioning is totally inappropriate and not at all relevant to her treatment. She said that she felt like she was in some kind of science experiment with that appointment.

I told her next time he asks something like that to say “Does your dick work without Viagra?

Some people...

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Tom McParland 03/10/2016 at 18:47

0

Oh jesus.

AM3R shamefully returns > Tom McParland 03/10/2016 at 18:48

0

Definitely find a new chiropractor.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > Tom McParland 03/10/2016 at 18:48

0

facepalm

iSureWilll > Tom McParland 03/10/2016 at 18:50

0

That last question.... Just. Wow.

For Sweden > Tom McParland 03/10/2016 at 18:51

3

Biggus Dickus (RevsBro) > Tom McParland 03/10/2016 at 18:52

0

SMH. I’m embarrassed just reading this.

Cé hé sin > Tom McParland 03/10/2016 at 18:56

0

Chiropractors aren’t real doctors though are they? My sister, a real doctor, describes them as quacks.

ttyymmnn > Tom McParland 03/10/2016 at 18:59

4

Is chiropractic really a degree in medicine? I don’t think it is. Either way, you should report this lech to whatever board governs and licenses chiropractors. That sort of question is beyond unprofessional, and may well be legally actionable.

I’m sorry your wife had to go through that. It’s reprehensible.

HammerheadFistpunch > Tom McParland 03/10/2016 at 19:01

3

I work in healthcare and I’m pretty sure I’ve watched compliance training videos that cover this kind of interaction...the kind where this question would give you a big red crossed out circle on it and send you back to the learning course...

jjhats > ttyymmnn 03/10/2016 at 19:01

0

This. And to clarify chiropractors are kinda sorta maybe doctors. It is rey controversial whether to consider the practice a true medical practice or not. Most of what they do is let me try this and see if it works vs doctors know how to fix stuff and can tell what is working and what isn't. I suggest you find another doctor as that question is out of line

ttyymmnn > jjhats 03/10/2016 at 19:03

0

My mother used to work for a law firm, and they tried a case where a chiropractor paralyzed somebody by bursting nerves in their spine. I will NEVER go to one. Ever.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Tom McParland 03/10/2016 at 19:07

0

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Tom McParland 03/10/2016 at 19:07

0

As someone in the medical field he was completely out of line and it’s your right to file a complaint against him. Who knows what he asks other people

jjhats > ttyymmnn 03/10/2016 at 19:08

1

I went to one for 3 months then switched to physical therapy. At times I felt better after and others not. I will admit it is a very scary process and I was terrified something bad like what you described would happen. Idk living with back pain sucks ass and mine doesn't seem to be going anywhere

Chariotoflove > Tom McParland 03/10/2016 at 19:09

5

Okay, a few things that come to mind: First, there should not be a next time with this guy. Of course it’s her call, but my creepy meter is pinging. Second, I just want to point out that a chiropractor does not have a medical degree. He has a degree to treat ailments of the musculoskeletal system. You would think that he would know more about other areas of physiology, but apparently not. My advice, not that you asked for it but I feel kinda strongly about these things and can’t help it, would be to find a good orthopedist (an M.D.) and see a chiropractor that he/she recommends, if he/she does. I’d be more likely to trust that referral.

And third, yeah man, people pat us on the back like we’re so brave or something (no really, sometimes they actually pat us on the back; I hate that part) for living. I just tell them it’s as simple as being too bored not to. You can only watch so many Gilligan’s Island reruns before you have to get up and do something with yourself.

Anyway, please tell your wife that she has the sympathy of at least one other person out here who knows exactly what it’s like. Good luck on her search for treatment!

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Tom McParland 03/10/2016 at 19:09

1

What. in. the. actual. fuck. I’d have gone in there and ripped that douchebag a new asshole for talking to my wife like that. I applaud your restraint.

You seriously need to complain to the practice about him. Also can your wife go to a physical therapist instead? I feel they have better medical training than a chiropractor.

Chariotoflove > HammerheadFistpunch 03/10/2016 at 19:10

1

I am most certain I have. In fact, that reminds me, I’m overdue for my online training update. Excuse me...

Chariotoflove > Cé hé sin 03/10/2016 at 19:14

0

Well they are if they have a doctorate in chiropractic from an accredited institution, but they’re not M.D.s, and not all chiropractors has a doctorate.

Tom McParland > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. 03/10/2016 at 19:17

3

Yeah...jail time is not on my list of things to get.

PT is good but sometimes she needs an adjustment. Our previous chiro was the best and she always felt better.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > Tom McParland 03/10/2016 at 19:17

5

Tom, I respect your advice on automotive stuff but chiropractic is not actually medicine . They aren’t actually governed by any medical licensing board and they don’t have the same standards of care that doctors have to follow.

Leave the chiropractor and find a good physical therapist in your area. Or ask her orthopedic doctor who to see. You'll spend less money and get better results.

HammerheadFistpunch > Chariotoflove 03/10/2016 at 19:17

1

Yup, me too

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Tom McParland 03/10/2016 at 19:19

0

I’d tell someone about this. Someone that works higher up at that clinic.

Tom McParland > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 03/10/2016 at 19:20

2

Fair enough... I should have said “medical professional"

Tom McParland > Chariotoflove 03/10/2016 at 19:22

3

I’ve heard horror stories about chiros , but our last guy was so good we figures that would be the case this time. Nope

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Tom McParland 03/10/2016 at 19:28

0

Gotcha.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > Tom McParland 03/10/2016 at 19:33

3

What I’m saying is find an actual doctor or a good physical therapist who has decent knowledge of patients with paralysis.

Chiropractic operates on the assumption that the alignment of the spine controls all sorts of body functions. That’s been shown to be patently false. The only time it’s really effective is reduction of pain caused by subluxation of the spine. That condition is actually pretty rare because of how our bodies are put together. Beyond that, conventional methods - like massage therapy, physical therapy and pain mitigation - have been shown in double-blind studies to be more effective anyway.

Seriously. Chiropractic actually has almost zero medical science supporting it. You’d be better off going to a licensed massage therapist and a physical therapist.

RallyWrench > Tom McParland 03/10/2016 at 19:44

0

Wow, I’m sorry your wife had to endure that. What a quack. What a week, for that matter. Sorry man.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Tom McParland 03/10/2016 at 19:54

0

That’s fucked up, man

MarquetteLa > Tom McParland 03/10/2016 at 20:11

1

I work in the wheelchair industry and I’m appalled at how often this exact sort of thing happens. I’m so sorry.

Tom McParland > MarquetteLa 03/10/2016 at 20:14

1

What company do you work for?...just curious.

LongbowMkII > Tom McParland 03/10/2016 at 20:33

1

What makes you think he has a medical degree?

Chariotoflove > Tom McParland 03/10/2016 at 20:43

1

Same with any practitioner. That's why referrals are so valuable. I wonder how useful modern reviews like Yelp are with finding people? I still go with the old fashioned way.

Tom McParland > LongbowMkII 03/10/2016 at 20:57

0

Ok fair enough...but he does have Dr. in front of his name and that level of education has to come from somewhere. As to whether or not it is a legit medical practice is up for debate.

MarquetteLa > Tom McParland 03/10/2016 at 21:06

1

I work in Boulder, CO. Sorry for being obtuse.

TheOnelectronic > Tom McParland 03/10/2016 at 21:41

0

To be fair I can get a Dr. in front of my name over the internet.

E92M3 > Tom McParland 03/10/2016 at 22:33

1

I don’t think I would want this guy working on me. Did she even feel any relief afterwards? I’m picturing him just doing a standard routine.

Tom McParland > E92M3 03/10/2016 at 22:52

0

She did feel a little better, but we are going to find another provider.

Nibbles > MarquetteLa 03/11/2016 at 00:35

0

I know who you work for (I used to work for them)

MarquetteLa > Nibbles 03/11/2016 at 08:25

0

What a coincidence! How was your experience?

Nibbles > MarquetteLa 03/11/2016 at 09:05

0

I liked the place. I didn’t work there full time as I was an employee of the MSP company that manages their infrastructure, but I did spend a good deal at the office fixing stuff. Everyone was nice there, except for that one time we had to do an emergency upgrade of their mail servers.

MarquetteLa > Nibbles 03/11/2016 at 10:05

0

Aha! Emergency mail server upgrades don’t particularly sound fun for anyone.

thebigbossyboss > Tom McParland 03/11/2016 at 23:37

0

He should read “What do you do if you don’t die” by Steven Fletcher. It chronicles his life before and after his car accident where he became a parapalegic, Steven hit a moose as he drove to work in the dark morning in Manitoba. A fate all too common in this country.

None > Tom McParland 03/13/2016 at 12:43

1

Appalling, but I know a couple chiro’s; they are doctors of the witch variety...

Ike > Tom McParland 03/13/2016 at 14:10

0

These are the sorts of questions you expect form a bar drunk regular on a Wednesday night, not from a medical professional. Strange and sad. I have a poor filter for stupid bull shit questions (ie I put my foot in my mouth.... ALOT) and I wouldn't ask these questions especially in a work place environment

DavidHH > Tom McParland 03/14/2016 at 03:42

0

Tom,

Thanks to a habitual drunk driver, I broke L1, L3, L4 & L5. Your wife would probably call me a lucky bastard, at least that is the usual reaction from those in a chair. Personally I’ve run into ignorance myself, from MDs and ODs.

Usually it’s either of the:

We have this great non-opioid based solution we think you should try like the Tems machine, which does not actually work on nerve root damage like I have on L4 on the left.

Or it’s of the:

You are not really hurt like that variety, and has resulted in additional damage, as you don’t use traction on a patent that needed emergency back surgery. Or they just can’t understand why I shred my left shoe from dragging it, and still drive, a car with three pedals no less.

Part of the problem is that due to shortages in medical schools, we give the 4.00 undergraduates the top positions. And anyone with a 4.00 GPA is likely a Dbag, cheater, and / or grade whiner.

And part of the problem is not understanding that part of the reason for listening to your patients is they do know something you don’t. Sometimes writing your patent history helps, and often they don’t actually bother to read it.

Lastly, there is one thing that may be helpful. I once looked into having the damaged nerve root burned in Central Europe, which would result in some paralysis, but might reduce the Chronic Pain.

Unfortunately that procedure would have likely resulted in phantom pain, as often as it worked. If your wife has phantom pain, it’s real, but mostly caused by the nervous system itself, which we humans really don’t understand that well. Yet it’s still very real, and can be increased by the more obvious damage, like the reasons your wife is seeing a chiropractor.

But when faced with something you can’t solve, getting more information is about the best solution. And by the way, Christofer Reeves did have an area with a little sensation, despite being a quadriplegic, and many paralysis patients have these.

David

PS Nice work on the Alfa.

DavidHH > For Sweden 03/14/2016 at 03:44

0

You woke it up. Run Run Run.