Consumer Guide to Steamboat Bodyworks-Chiropractic

Action Chiropractic
Dr. Kristen Van De Carr, FCBP


Dr. Kristen Van De Carr's name appears in an unusual manner as chiropractors normally list their credentials, DC (Doctor of Chiropractic), after their name. However, it is acceptable to place Dr. in front of the name instead of DC after a name, it just makes it a little more confusing to consumers to readily make a distinction about what kind of doctor an individual is. Dr. Kristen Van De Carr is licensed through the State of Colorado as a chiropractor, CHR.0005578, and as a chiropractor who is qualified to use electrotherapy, EL.2771176.

The credentials after Dr. Kristen Van De Carr's name, FCBP, stand for Fellow of Chiropractic BioPhysics, which is the practice of correcting postural deviations. CBP is not well accepted within the chiropractic industry. Concerns with this treatment start with the validity of correcting postural deviations. While the accepted knowledge of the human musculoskeletal system accounts for variability and adaptability capacities, CBP is based on an unproven notion of an ideal spine, with no deviations from an ideal mathematical form, in which certain degrees of spinal curvature are considered abnormal, in opposition to chiropractic research studies that conclude them to be normal. Further studies show that deviations in spinal structure do not necessarily cause symptoms or the development of pain, degeneration, or disability. To date, there are no studies that demonstrate patients treated with CBP felt or functioned better as a result of CBP treatment.

CBP treatments and techniques consist of the frequent use of x-rays, followed by "mirror image adjustments", which is moving an abnormal spine to normal and then past normal to the mirror image of the initial state. Treatment methods include forced hyperextension, which can cause pain that was not there previously.

CBP equipment includes traction for neck curvature, a lumbar traction unit, a standing sagittal traction unit and an electrically powered mallet used to apply force to the spine. In addition, CBP techniques are advocated for use on children, even beginning at birth. And typical CBP treatment duration can be long:

Relief Care-1 to 12 months

Rehabilitative Care-Weekly adjustments for 6 to 12 months

After that-Monthly visits for life


Consumers need to evaluate insurance coverage in determining whether a particular practice is a good choice for their health care.

Insurance companies generally regard CBP as theoretical, experimental, not scientifically, anatomically, physiologically supported, and with no evaluated effectiveness. For consumers, this means insurance companies will not cover CBP treatment.


Consumer considerations for CBP

Costly

Long term care program

Unproven

Ineffective

Non-beneficial

Dangerous

High exposure to x-rays

Questionable false-positive diagnoses

And not covered by insurance