Are you ready to take your practice to the next level? Then I suggest you go buy the pro-adjuster right now, in fact buy two of them and tell all your friends. Just kidding:
* Comment: Of course. Do you know of any other profess... (oops!...I mean business...) that makes up this kind of stuff AND then openly sells the brainwashing tools to other chiros?
2. Expansion: "The average practice expands 27% in the first 12 weeks."
* Comment: Pure practice building. Nothing about getting people well, but only about making more people think they're getting well.
3. Retention: "The average improvement in retention is 30% in 12 weeks."
* Comment: Rather nonsensical. Why retain people in treatment, if they are getting better faster? They should be discharged faster. But "wellness" care is all about getting asymptomatic people to fear impending illness if they miss their appointments. Such patients become good compliers. The PVA (patient visit average) of such chiros is quite high, while the ethical chiros have a low PVA. They get their patients better faster, and don't retain them.
Report of findings:
* "People relate the progress of their care with symptoms."
* "Unmatched patient compliance beyond symptoms."
Translation:
* "Report of findings" = a brainwashing tool."
* Patient compliance" = faithful adherance to *all* chiro recommendations, regardless of how ridiculous or inconvenient
* "Beyond symptoms" = so-called "wellness" care, continuing treatment in the absence of symtoms.
Intended purpose:
Thus we see that the intended purpose of the "report of findings" is to brainwash people into *not* relating "the progress of their care with their symptoms", but with the claims made by their chiropractor. They are then brainwashed into believing that they should continue their care, even in the absence of symptoms. No wonder many insurance companies specifically exclude "wellness" "maintenance" care from coverage. How do these chiros then get payment? They transform their practices into cash practices, which are gradually becoming the norm in chiropractic. In fact, a cash practice is often a quack practice. It's a red flag. Beware!"
Re: pro-adjuster « Reply #2 on Aug 10, 2005, 10:03am »
Quote:
"With a traditional chiropractic evaluation, it is sometimes difficult to determine the level of biomechanical improvement," said Mathre. "Compared to the 98 percent reproducibility we get with the Pro-Adjuster, the reproducibility of motion palpation, the most accepted method of determining joint mobility used by chiropractors until now, is under 50 percent."
Every new technique says the same thing about itself.
The Battle of the Chiropractic Techniques. Give me a break, its still "adjusting subluxations". Anyone with half a brain could debate that this instrument lacks the tactile and sensory input from human touch and therefore is not as good as with "hands only". How are they going to measure and compare? What they are saying is someting about reproducability, but that's not even qualified. What happens an hour or two or a day or two after an adjustment with one of these things?
But it doesn't really matter in the end, its still all the same thing. Well, actually, HVLA might actually do something, like take the joint past normal physiological ROM and cavitate, producing some effects. I don't see how this thing can even do that.
Quote:
The chiropractor evaluates and adjusts patients with the Pro-Adjuster while patients are seated and their spine is in mild flexion, a position allowing the joints between the vertebra to open up so each can be individually analyzed and adjusted. Unlike other types of chiropractic adjustments, there is no torquing or twisting of the spine. According to information available on the Pro-Adjuster, "The potential for humans to end pain and achieve their peak nervous system enhancement has never been greater."
This paragraph clearly identifies chiropractics problem. They consistently tear each other down. This technique suggests that because it is now available "the potential for humans to end pain and achieve their peak nervous system enhancement has never been greater.
The negativity towards other chiro-techniques reflects the selling technique of putting down medicine to make chiropractic look better
Quote:
Unlike other types of chiropractic adjustments, there is no torquing or twisting of the spine.
And to really make the point right off the bat about other techniques they say
Quote:
"Not only are the results excellent, but the element of fear is removed from the mind of many patients."
inferring that other techniques have less than excellent results and patients are afraid of them.
The "Pro Adjuster, on the other hand lets
Quote:
the chiropractor evaluates and adjusts patients with the Pro-Adjuster while patients are seated and their spine is in mild flexion, a position allowing the joints between the vertebra to open up so each can be individually analyzed and adjusted.
Re: pro-adjuster « Reply #3 on Aug 10, 2005, 11:24am »
Thanks for your input. I have had the opportunity to use this "instrument" on some patients as well as have it used on myself. The developer of this instrument claims that they use the same piezioelectric sensors that NASA uses for the tiles on the space shuttle. He then takes this technology and attempts to apply it to the human spine. It is indeed very gentle and it may be a good step towards accurately identifying problems in the spine. However, much like the activator I am afraid that it accomplishes little in the way of actually making biomechanical changes in the patient. Another downfall, I saw was just like anything else you can take the readings that you get and pretty much "manipulate" them to work in your best interest.
Joined: Mar 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 5,939 Location: USA
Re: pro-adjuster « Reply #4 on Aug 10, 2005, 7:55pm »
>However, much like the activator I am afraid that it accomplishes little in the way of actually making biomechanical changes in the patient. Another downfall, I saw was just like anything else you can take the readings that you get and pretty much "manipulate" them to work in your best interest.
After reading the research on their website this seems to be a moot point. I don't think they want to accomplish biomechanical corrections, rather they discuss pure nerve stimulation-which is a plausible explanation for how adjustments work. Unfortunately, like you say, this is sets up the patient for dependency as the real causes of their problems go unaddressed-continuing the usual chiropractic wild goose chase.
"In God we trust, all others bring data" -W. Edwards Deming
greer Guest
Re: pro-adjuster « Reply #5 on Aug 11, 2005, 4:37am »
Here is an article that demonstrates my point about chiropractors using the sales tactic of saying their technique is better as it appies to themselves and even other professions. Interesting that the author states that chiropractors have to quickly learn better technique once they are out of school, since only the basics are taught in school now (for over a hundred grand, at this point!) and that PTs are learning the same methods (for a lot less money and a lot more access!)
here's a sample:
Quote:
With all due respect to those who teach technique in chiropractic schools - it is precisely the teaching of technique by those who are poorly or incompletely schooled in their subject that is responsible for the plain vanilla techniques that are taught today. It is time for those of us in the field to demand better.
From: Better techniques, like CBP® (sourced 8/11/05) Its John’s Opinion Where are we Going, Anyway? By John Gantner, DC
To those who aren‘t paying close attention it would appear that all that is necessary for the growth of every chiropractic practice is greater government recognition in Medicare and better state laws. If it were only so simple! While legislative accomplishments are important, even necessary, they remain, as always, the cart behind the horse.
Chiropractic’s real growth has come about since day one not from legislation but from superior clinical outcomes. Without this, there would never have been any reason for American citizens to press the state legislatures for licensure. And it was our consistent clinical results backed by a real service concept that caused these same citizens to turn to their legislatures once again to include chiropractic in workers’ compensation and other insurance programs. Later, in the 70's, in the face of an AMA orchestrated "White Paper" campaign against it, these same citizens prevailed upon Congress to include chiropractic services in Medicare. Somehow, those whom we entrust to lead our profession either refuse to recognize or simply fail to remember this critical fact.
The increasing literature supporting the value of spinal manipulation has caused a predictable result: strong interest by other branches of the healing arts, specifically the orthopedic community and physical therapists. They approach "spinal manipulation" as an extra modality that can be added to their historic clinical protocols. This guarantees that whatever spinal manipulation they do will be fairly basic when compared with those techniques available to the average chiropractor. They will do lumbar rolls and posterior dorsals and perhaps a few cervical rotaries or breaks. These, as we all know, represent fairly basic chiropractic adjusting procedures. And while these may sometimes be remarkably effective, they remain basic chiropractic techniques. Many of these basic chiropractic techniques are now taught in physical therapy schools. They are used generically, never with any thought of correcting a specific subluxation. They are applied primarily to decrease pain and increase ROM.
The question to us is simple: Is that what chiropractors do - decrease pain and increase ROM? To believe that is to have a shallow view of our work. Every chiropractor has been trained to adjust with the goal of improving health, not just treating symptoms. We are interested in reducing, and hopefully eliminating the subluxation(s) involved. We seek to establish a state where the clinical problem either never returns - or if it returns, it is less severe and goes away sooner. We seek to change the patient to a more healthy state, not simply to treat his/her symptoms. Physical therapists are now using basic chiropractic techniques. And they are successfully handling many of the easy cases - those that respond to simple techniques. Things like posterior dorsals, cervical breaks and the thoughtless variety of lumbar rolls - you know the ones you do on one side , then the other.
In view of these facts, it becomes clear that in some measure at least, the physical therapist is capable of doing the same thing a chiropractor does. In fact, some smart PR firms can make a case that because a physical therapist works with post stroke and post fracture cases, the physical therapist can do more than the DC. Where are the chiropractors in this picture?
So today, more than at any other time, it is essential that we offer a better service. In order to maintain and grow our market share we still need a chiropractic service that is superior to any spinal (extremity) manipulative service available elsewhere. Is there such a thing? Thankfully, yes. But the record shows that the better variety of chiropractic is practiced by a minority of chiropractors. That is because in order to learn the best chiropractic techniques a doctor must do so pretty much on his/her own - and at extra expense. This is because the best chiropractic techniques are not part of the core curriculum of our schools. In today’s health care market nothing less than clearly superior chiropractic service will cause any patient to opt out of restrictive HMO allowances or to quit seeing employer/carrier selected doctors. This underscores the need for a better chiropractic service. But instead of concentrating on the chiropractic clinical skills essential to developing a successful practice our schools tend to follow either of two courses: 1.) a primary concern with the basic sciences (which really isn’t worth too much when you are facing an antalgic patient with a hot Sciatica or a Thoracic Outlet Syndrome) or, 2.) remaining primarily concerned with the subluxation and with our "Principle" (which can be "adjusted" by any type of force at any point the doctor chooses. This is a veritable never-never land! Do whatever you want doctor, and if your intention is clear and you are "on purpose" the patient will get better.)
With respect, the chiropractic clinical work that the doctor does (and the quality of the clinical outcomes that got us here in the first place) is not given the priority it deserves in our schools. Every new doctor quickly discovers that compared to philosophy or basic science data, his/her ability to deliver a good chiropractic clinical outcome is of the greatest importance to his/her future. More than a few feel a clear inability to grasp and effectively manage the clinical situation.
In today’s competitive health care environment, the bottom line is still outcomes, not belief systems or personal preferences. If that is true - and I believe it is - then it is time that all chiropractors become aware of the wide array of excellent chiropractic analysis/adjusting/treatment techniques available today. Most chiropractic schools teach a "plain vanilla" technique that is generic and safe. It is also less effective. This puts new graduates at a clear disadvantage to their more experienced peers. History shows that by and large, our schools have stubbornly resisted the introduction of newer techniques unless discovered or invented by the school itself. Better techniques are available but are usually taught in hotel rooms by their discoverers. There are many reasons for this, running from strong egos and bigotry to simple ignorance. The best chiropractic techniques are not taught as part of the core curriculum in most of our schools. A few offer some elective courses in things like AK, CBP® or Activator. But because students must pay extra for it few take advantage of these electives.
They say that Major DeJarnette once told BJ Palmer to call him up when he wanted a better way to adjust an Atlas. He never got that call. Clarence Gonstead was a PCC alumnus with a history of having one of the largest and most successful practices in America for over thirty years. He was an old man before he was invited to the Palmer campus to speak. Most pioneers in chiropractic technique have had to go it alone teaching their work on the road. People like Nimmo, Mears, DeJarnette, Goodheart, Cox, Fuhr and Harrison have all experienced this lack of acceptance by their peers in the chiropractic educational community. It continues to this day in spite of the real clinical value of their ideas and work. Given this, it is time for practicing chiropractors themselves to become thoroughly familiar with leading techniques in the profession, taught by certified instructors, not some doc who took a single class or was once adjusted by one of these individuals. With all due respect to those who teach technique in chiropractic schools - it is precisely the teaching of technique by those who are poorly or incompletely schooled in their subject that is responsible for the plain vanilla techniques that are taught today. It is time for those of us in the field to demand better.
Better techniques, like CBP®, are available but are not supported commensurate with their clinical contribution or literature base. Physical therapy schools teach the literature that supports what they do. Why don’t we? Our new grads should have a clear working familiarity with all well accepted techniques that offer reasonable literature support. Such chiropractic techniques should be added to the core curriculum and taught by the most competent instructors. Failing that, these too will be "discovered" by some PT and taught at their schools. Where does that leave us?
If you agree that superior clinical outcomes are essential to the success of every chiropractic practice it is time to speak up. Write to your college and state the issue. In today’s healthcare marketplace a better chiropractic technique - one clearly superior to that taught in any physical therapy school - is a basic requirement. Ask your Alma Mater to give this the attention it deserves. Judging from what we see here on the street, they still do not know how important it is.
Long live the underdogs « Reply #6 on Aug 11, 2005, 9:11am »
Have you ever noticed that the majority of chiropractic writing and speeches focus on defending chiropractic from it's "enemies". What would chiropractors have to write about or say about themselves if they couldn't contantly be playing the role of the underdog who has been kicked around and kept down by "the man" for the past 110 years. Maybe if the thrust of what chiropractors did wasn't always the same (complain about being oppressed) they might have actually found time to actually prove/disprove that subluxations exist. But that isn't as lucrative as being a technique vendor/practice building guru feeding off the fears and insecurities of struggling chiropractors in a saturated market. Of course chiropractic research has been grossly underfunded, yet another thing they can happily b*tch and complain about while trying to rally the troups together to fight the good fight, and blow smoke up more people's butts.
Re: pro-adjuster « Reply #7 on Aug 11, 2005, 9:34am »
Quote:
Of course chiropractic research has been grossly underfunded, yet another thing they can happily b*tch and complain about while trying to rally the troups together to fight the good fight, and blow smoke up more people's butts.
The wierd thing about chiropractic research is I can't figure out what it's supposed to prove?
Subluxations exist?
Chiropractic works?
Medicine sucks?
Spending more hours in the classroom and spending more money than your really should spend on something that isn't even worth funding for research is something they should start doing research on.
Space-age technology is now being used in a Dickson chiropractic office to treat painful health problems, and some patients are saying the results are out of this world.
The program is called The Creating Wellness System and it uses computer analysis, customized health plans and a painless electronic device to cure people suffering from nerve-related pain.
The device, called the Pro-Adjuster, incorporates technology used by NASA to test how well rivets in space shuttle wings sustain vibrations during takeoff and landing.
Can anyone explain how a space shuttle is relevant to a human body? This just blows my mind
Tyler Durden: You are not special. You are not a beautiful or unique snowflake. You're the same decaying organic matter as everything else.
"You may fool all the people some of the time; you can even fool some of the people all the time; but you cant fool all of the people all the time." -Abraham Lincoln
The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.
rulerboyz Guest
Re: pro-adjuster « Reply #10 on Jun 5, 2006, 4:17pm »
Marley,
The spaceshuttle has often been referred to as being the most advanced vehicle that has ever been designed by man. It is a wonderful example of one of mankind's finest accomplishments. That being said, who wouldn't want to be able to associate the name NASA with their own product? I have one of those memory foam pillows that is based on some kind of NASA technology. The word NASA was probably definitely a factor in making me want to buy the pillow. I'd definitely would rather hop into a spaceshuttle in order to get to the corner store than the Hindenburg (pictured above).
Tyler Durden: You are not special. You are not a beautiful or unique snowflake. You're the same decaying organic matter as everything else.
"You may fool all the people some of the time; you can even fool some of the people all the time; but you cant fool all of the people all the time." -Abraham Lincoln
The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist.
Joined: May 2006 Gender: Male Posts: 2,202 Location: CA
Re: pro-adjuster « Reply #13 on Dec 18, 2007, 2:21am »
Quote:
Good luck with customer service and even getting someone to answer you back from the company. Very unprofessional practices.
One might think that an MD would have greater concerns about this product than the customer service.
Nonetheless, why don't you try my little clicker which is based on technology out of Fermilab, the Tevatron II. It has the advantage of beeing a String Theory based clicker and the customer service is sensational.
Joined: Mar 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 5,939 Location: USA
Re: pro-adjuster « Reply #14 on Dec 18, 2007, 7:14am »
I don't see the relevance of posting an article on CBP in a thread about the Pro-adjustor. CBP's biggest flaws appears to be assuming correlation equals causation, the opposition of real diagnosis in favor of a boilerplate posture analysis, treatment of lower extremity biomechanical problems following upper, overly simplistic traction set ups, the assumption of ligament contractures without validated analysis to prove this and over reliance on mirror image adjusting as a proprioceptive exercise. Even worse, they've allied themselves with the most anti-science faction of chiropractic-the ICA.
But I do think the author is probably right about one thing. Physical therapy will eventually decide to start treating ligament contractures using traction and exercise-all they have to do is start seeing some data supporting this. If the mirror image adjustments are proven not to be superior and new home traction methods could be developed that would eliminate the need for prolonged in office care-eliminating the CBP model.
Re: pro-adjuster « Reply #15 on Dec 18, 2007, 2:40pm »
The guy that I used to talk to said that a doctor cannot rely on a patient to do the exercises and traction at home. That's the reason for daily treatment for a year in CBP. Pettibon assumes that the patient will do the stuff at home and expects the patient to conform to the model in about 90 days. With weekly follow up treatment for a year.
Responding to numerous complaints against ProAdjuster, the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA) has recruited nationally known attorney Carlos F. Negrete to investigate claims and explore the possible need for a mass civil lawsuit. ProAdjuster markets a complex computerized system to provide mechanical adjustments.
"At this point, we are gathering information from field doctors and possible victims," Negrete stated. "We have received disturbing and alarming reports that raise questions about the company, even though our investigation is not complete. We are gathering more information from doctors who have used the equipment before making a final determination of how to proceed."
Many of the complaints involve alleged failure of ProAdjuster to honor the terms of its sales and lease agreements. Several doctors claimed they were hit with inflated leases saddled them with excessive and burdensome monthly payments. The lease contract includes the equipment as well as supporting materials such as marketing tools, DVDs, etc., which -- according to some users -- were never provided. "The majority of the DCs never got their associate or the total marketing materials," stated one doctor who contacted Negrete, who requested that the identity of all doctors providing information be kept confidential.
In many cases, the leasing companies threatened collection actions or even lawsuits if the doctors stopped making their lease payments, even though they felt they were victims and were disputing the charges.
According to more than one report, the leases were supposed to have no prepayment penalty, yet a number of doctors who tried to pay off the lease early were hit with large penalty charges. "
One key was that he (Dr. Maurice A. Pisciottano, President and CEO) promised we could pay off the $90,000 investment early without penalty. After one year of being in the program, I tried to pay it off only to find my $90,000 lease would now take $135,000 to pay off," one doctor explained.
According to other reports, buyers were allegedly told that the lease interest rate was to be 10 percent but later discovered it was 19 percent, with penalties for prepayment and thousands of dollars in hidden charges.
Still others complained that the company greatly inflated the cost of the program by upselling the equipment to include consulting services. "(Dr. Pisciottano) bundled his consulting services (lifetime) into the lease. Pro-adjusters sell used for less than $15,000 but Dr. Moe sells them new with his consulting services for $85,000+. Our lawyer tells us that it is illegal to bundle consulting services with a physical item and then pass off liability to a leasing company."
The current spate of complaints goes far beyond the general criticism leveled against the company for its continued claims for the superiority of mechanical adjustments over manual adjustments. The company marketing material states that "instead of utilizing the doctor's judgment as to what areas are hyper-mobile or hypo-mobile, the ProAdjuster measures precise levels of motion."
"Telling the public that a doctor's judgment is not to be trusted is harmful to our entire profession," stated World Chiropractic Alliance founder and CEO Terry A. Rondberg, DC. "There are ways to promote one's product without calling into question the ability of a chiropractor to detect and correct subluxations without the use of a machine."
The WCA is assisting Negrete in gathering information on ProAdjuster. "Before anyone makes any accusations or contemplates legal actions, it's important to get the facts. Since the WCA's newspaper, The Chiropractic Journal, reaches all licensed DCs in the country, we believe we are in a unique position to help gather these facts."
Negrete is asking doctors who have purchased the ProAdjuster equipment to provide the following:
1. Are you satisfied with your purchase of the ProAdjuster package or do you regret your decision? Why?
2. Were any promises (such as being able to return your equipment) made to you at the time you decided to purchase the packaged that were not kept?
3. How much did you pay for your ProAdjuster package?
4. What are the payment terms of your lease?
5. What leasing company leased your equipment?
6. Did they receive the training support you were promised?
7. Did you receive all the magazines and other support material you were promised?
8. Were you told that you would have a trained ProAdjuster employee/associate placed in your office? If so, was it provided?
9. Were you told that there would be no prepayment penalty in your lease?
10. Did you attempt to prepay your lease and discover that there was a penalty?
You are encouraged to participate in this investigation and provide information or documents that you may have. The WCA will continue to report on the investigation and developments.
If you have information, or would like to contact Mr. Negrete concerning the ProAdjuster litigation you can contact victimrelief@proadjusterlitigation.com or write to the Law Offices of Carlos F. Negrete, 27422 Calle Arroyo, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. Your identity and information will be kept confidential.
Re: pro-adjuster « Reply #19 on Aug 12, 2009, 1:17pm »
Someone I know was injured by the proadjuster and I'm trying to find out if it even comes with warnings about who it should not be used on. Does anyone know if chiropractors who order the device receive any literature containing warnings and contraindications with it?
Joined: May 2006 Gender: Male Posts: 2,202 Location: CA
Re: pro-adjuster « Reply #20 on Aug 30, 2009, 11:25pm »
PUBLIC NOTICE REGARDING PROADJUSTER AND CHIROPRACTIC LEADERSHIP ALLIANCE The Chiropractic Journal wants you to know your rights:
PRO-ADJUSTER AND SUBLUXATION STATION OWNERS
If you have purchased a ProAdjuster or a Subluxation Station based on information that you believe was misinformation please let The Chiropractic Journal know.
Hundreds of doctors have asked if they can take legal action to force these companies to refund their money after purchasing equipment under false pretense.
The Chiropractic Jounral, has launched a full investigation regarding the sales practices of both ProAdjuster and Chiropractic Leadership Alliance (CLA).
We are very concerned that doctors have been misled by these companies and that the companies have violated laws by using misinformation to sell their equipment to doctors of chiropractic.
If you would like more information regarding what legal actions are being considered please e-mail your request to consumerprotection@thechiropracticjournal.com.
The Chiropractic Journal has 23- year history of representing doctors of chiropractic and watching their backs. We will not sit by and see doctors taken advantage of by charismatic salesmen concerned and motivated purely by profit.
If you are tired of making payments to leasing companies when you believe you were lied to by representatives of either CLA or ProAdjuster, let us know now so you can participate in our investigation.
If you feel that you were influenced to purchase a ProAdjuster or a Subluxation Station based on potentially false NASA/Space Foundation claims, or other misleading claims, you should find out your rights today. Not only may be putting yourself and your practice at risk for making similar claims, you may be entitled to a refund and/or damages.
Learn your rights and protect yourself by contacting us today at consumerprotection@thechiropracticjournal.com. All inquiries can remain anonymous.
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