Hello,

In late June, I have an Appt. In Chicago (I'm in Maine) to go see Dr. Deborah Zelinsky- a highly skilled Nuero Optometrist who seems to be on the cutting edge of the field.
I also am considering trying Chiropratic Nuerology (the Ted Carrick approach) as there is a very well established office here in Portland, which is affiliated with the Carrick Center. My question is whether anyone sees an issue with doing both of those treatments at the same time?
My understanding is that much of what the chiro would do, among other things, is give me a serious of eye excersizes, while the optomotrist is likely to treat me with a type of prism glasses. Personally, I see these two treatments as potentially working together quite well, and am considering doing them both, assuming insurance covers it.
Can anyone who has had experience, or has extensive knowledge of one or both of the treatments weigh in? I will likely be asking this question to the Dr's, but would like to here what anyone here has to say.

many thanks,

Jamie

Due to the individual nature of mTBI and concussion injuries, I doubt others can provide a reliable assessment of either. I agree with the potential of overlap but I see a greater chance of conflict. Since you have a local chiro neuro, it sounds like that would be the first place to try. But, Carrick helps some and is a waste of big money for others.

I doubt insurance will cover chiro neuro. Going out of network for the Chicago neuro-opto may be difficult for insurance coverage.

Both are expensive diagnostics and treatments. I'd suggest getting the insurance questions answered before moving forward.

Thanks Mark,

I've Checked it out, and believe it or not, both are covered by my insurance which is both surprising and fortunate. Thanks for the input- I understand that this is a difficult question to answer, but what sort of potential conflict do you see?

Have you tried vestibular therapy with a really good therapist? I only ask because insurance will probably not cover chiro. neuro. I considered going to a chiro. neuro., but then I found a vestibular therapist that specializes in vestibular issues and only vestibular issues. She by far understood post-concussion more than any other doctor or specialist I have seen. She helped me a lot. I don't know what your specific issues are, but you might consider that as well.

I live in Maine also and my personal experience with the chiro neuro here has been really incredible. (I am pretty sure there is only one so I assume we are talking about the same one) I think you may be surprised at how much is covered by insurance. I only pay my co-pay except for my VNG and CAPS test which was about 100. (Worth a call to them to check?)

I have prev only been a "lurker" on this site trying to learn as much as I can about post concussion syndrome and why I feel the way I do. But when I saw your post I wanted to reply. I feel like they have given me my life back with the therapy I am in there. The therapy they provide is probably not for everyone but in my experience they are really open and honest about what they feel they can do.

The testing they do helps tailor the therapy to your needs...I have eye exercises for gaze stability I do at home and different ones when I am there in the office. I also do balance board, muscle stim, adjustments, stretching etc when I am there. Soon I am moving on to some depth exercises!

Welcome Jenrob.

Jen,

Thanks so much! I think i'll give them a call. Glad to hear they've helped you. How long have you been going to them for?

Also, it's great to know that there are other people going through the same thing I am nearby. Maybe I'll see you there sometime.

Jamie

Wow, Good for you.

It is amazing you have been able to get insurance to cover Chiro neuro. I have fought with various insurance cos and they say they will cover spinal manipulations but not the diagnostics or other treatments. Others have had this same experience.

Some clinics have other specialists who can bill for care other than chiro. Plus, it may be that the tests they are doing use the same ICD and CPT codes as medical providers use. This can get past the gatekeepers at the insurance companies, especially if the invoice does not say chiropractic.

The overlap problem can be two fold. First, if you are following two different treatments, how do you know which treatment is providing benefits ?
Second, there may be treatments that interfere or over work a specific system.

Health care providers do not often like to compete with other providers. It may be ego or lack of understanding what the other provider is doing.

Good luck. I hope you find benefit.

Jenrob,

Which CAPS test did they do ? There are three. Vestibular, PTSD and vocational ability. I'm thinking the vestibular although many clinicians are concerned about PTSD with severe concussions. .

What is a CAPS test?