Diary of a NJ Chiropractor

The Medicare advantage plans meant to curb Medicare spending is actually costing us more.

Posted on by bill
The Medicare Advantage plans meant to curb Medicare spending is actually costing us more. I have warned patients for years about Medicare Advantage plans which are private insurers taking your Medicare coverage and privatizing it. Promoted as wildly popular due to the heavy marketing and bait-and-switch tactics boiler rooms are using to switch patients to these plans before they even sign up for Medicare. Talking to their experts who are commissioned salespeople results in your signing up for an inferior plan that often gives participants a free gym membership for members. Traditional Medicare offers a low deductible and coverage in Read More »

New mammogram recommendations according to a US panel.

Posted on by bill
New mammogram recommendations according to a US panel. The recommendations for screening for breast cancer have again changed. Younger women and black women are having an increased incidence of breast cancer diagnosis and mortality rates of black women diagnosed with the disease are increasing. The main change according to the NY Times is that women of generally low risk and good health should be screened at 40 years of age, instead of 50  as previously recommended, by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. It is unclear why more younger people are now being diagnosed, however, as I have always said Read More »

The risks of medical procedures in elderly patients doctors may not help you fully understand.

Posted on by bill
The risks of medical procedures in elderly patients doctors may not help you fully understand. The heart valve replacement that is 92-year-old results in a stroke, hundreds of thousands in medical and care costs, and a horrible end of life. The partial knee replacement in a mid 80’s patient where they never wake up. The colonoscopy in the mid 80’s patient that perforated the colon resulted in a horrible menagerie of medical procedures, and costs to correct a procedure that was inappropriate in the first place based on her age. The endoscopy on the patient who is a well-known comedian Read More »

Why your doctor wants to hear about your “and by the way” symptoms.

Posted on by bill
Why your doctor wants to hear about your “and by the way” symptoms. And by the way doctor, my knee has never straightened out fully. And by the way, my hip pops when I do this.  Is that normal? And by the way, my hand goes numb when I lay on my right side. And by the way, my toes usually hurt when I wear shoes but are fine in sandals. And by the way, I could never do this exercise on the left arm for the tricep. What your doctor should be thinking. “And by the way”, comments are Read More »

Primary spine care and chiropractic; why this chiropractic model of musculoskeletal care should be your first choice.

Posted on by bill
Primary spine care and chiropractic; why this chiropractic model of musculoskeletal care should be your first choice. Our office has always taken a primary care approach to the musculoskeletal system. The model of primary spine care (1) is that model and more chiropractors are recognizing that organized medicine in many ways fails to safely help many of those who suffer from pain by using a model of care that is inappropriate and over time has proven ineffective. Primary spine care will reduce cost and risk if you choose it first. Scientists have for years understood that who you choose to Read More »