John
Waterloo,#2Consumer Suggestion
Wed, June 27, 2007
My name is John, I am a chiropractor working in Waterloo and in Ohsweken, the native reserve near Brantford. Recently one of our patients had an unsatisfactory experience with this individual. The account below is what she related to us, and we haven't verified its accuracy, but we have no reason to doubt her statement, in view of the complaint above. According to her, she went to see him to get a replacement for a pair of custom made orthotics that she had obtained a few years before from another source. Mr. Shackelton apparently took her old orthotics and kept them, and set her up with 2 pairs of his own making. She paid for one pair, and was waiting for her insurance to refund her before she went to get the other one. While she was waiting she started noticing new pains in her arches, so she went back to his office. Instead of making the necessary changes to her orthotics, he proceeded to give her a chiropractic adjustment, without her consent (oral or written), and in spite of her telling him that she was already under my care. She brought to our office literature from his clinic listing chiropractic treatment as one of the services he offered. I have verified that the man is NOT a licensed chiropractor. He is apparently treating patients without insurance (which is irresponsible), without a license (which is illegal) and without consent (which may constitute assault). Anyone having had similar experience is encouraged to contact me, and to place a formal complaint to: - the College of Chiropractors of Ontario - 130 Bloor St. West, Suite 902 - Toronto, ON M5S 1N5 - Tel.: 416-922-6355 - Fax: 416-925-9610 - E-mail: [email protected]. - Website: cco.on.ca When she went back to complain again and ask for her old orthotics back, she was told that he didn't have them, and refused to give her money back for the pair she had gotten from him. Her insurance will not refund her because his method of fabrication is NOT custom-made. She brought one pair of these orthotics to our office and they are clearly off-the-shelf models, with a "made in china" impression underneath. She claims that he warmed them up "to soften them up", then press them to her feet in order to mold them to shape. Having cast and fitted orthotics for patients for 25 years, I have never heard of this method before. I would question whether plastic sufficiently warmed to make it "moldable" could be pressed against a patient's sole without causing a severe burn. In my opinion, the method used in her case is incapable of producing a custom and lasting impression of a patient's feet. For anyone wishing quality orthotics done, I would give the following advice: - see a licensed practitioner: in Ontario, chiropodists, chiropractors, physiotherapists and other practitioners are answerable to regulated standards that protect the public against fraud and incompetence. Inquire and when in doubt verify. - for the same reason, don't get your orthotics from trade show booths. you wouldn't buy dentures or glasses at the Home and Garden show, would you? - shop around. call 3 places before you decide. ask about prices and guarantees. - verify in advance what your insurance will pay and under what conditions; - keep your old pair. A reputable orthotics craftsman does not need it to make a new one. - be weary of flashy gadgetry, or hoaky methods. the standard used in the industry is either plaster or foam cast impression. Ink pressure pads, plastic molding or computer graphics generated by pads on which you walk or step, do not accurately reproduce the unique shape of your foot.