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Kathleen Pendergast-McGee - Pendergast.McGee@comcast.net
Posted 2007-01-14
I have had a "messed-up" tailbone for as long as I can remember. It was just something that I had learned to live with - and after 38 years, I felt I had done a pretty good job of it. I had modified my behavior over the years unconsciously; by sitting on one cheek and switching back and forth and avoiding activities that would aggravate the pain, discomfort or numbness in that area and my lower back.
Over the years I had seen several orthopedic surgeons and "spine specialists" in California. I have seen doctors in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Jose and San Francisco, and they have all given me different and conflicting "solutions" to my problem. One doctor suggested surgery to remove the coccyx, another said he had heard of massage techniques but "didn't think there was any merit to it", one "expert" told me: [quote] "if you would put some more meat on your bones you wouldn't notice it so much" (FYI: I am a woman of healthy weight with an athletic body-type – I thought that was a VERY strange suggestion considering the United States' current obesity crisis…) and another said "there is nothing that can be done, you just have to live with it."
Considering the options, I consulted with a couple of friends of mine who are massage therapists. They both had heard of massage for coccyx pain, but neither of them did that type of practice or knew anyone with experience who did. Which led me to the internet and coccyx.org where I found the website for Dr. Chris Kemper, and the Kemper Spine Center.
After checking out the website and seeing what he had to say about the reasons for this pain, and what his former patients had to say about the treatments offered there, I decided to give it a shot. (My logic was to start with the non-surgical treatment first before I was going to start cutting things off - or start eating brownies by the plateful, tempting as that is…)
I feel like I made exactly the right decision. Dr. Kemper aligned my neck and spine and with just 2 treatments for my tailbone I was able to bend over and touch the floor - after years of yoga I was never able to do that - I always just figured that my hamstrings were too tight! I also had total relief of lower back pain and tailbone discomfort. In fact, I actually responded so well that I was released from the FastTrack program a day early! I guess it paid off to be healthy and in good shape after all!
More than anything though, Dr. Kemper made me a part of this process - really teaching me about my body and my spine and it's health. He answered dozens of my questions, and wanted me to REALLY UNDERSTAND what was going on and what he was doing to treat my problem. I really respect that. I hate doctors that sit up on their pedestal and treat you like you are an idiot because you are not a doctor and therefore you couldn't possibly understand your treatment or have an intelligent question. Dr. Kemper and his staff (shout-out to Obie!) went out of their way to educate me and empower me as well as treat me - and that was an awesome experience.
Before you and your doctor get caught up in the idea of lopping-off important body parts, I sincerely suggest you give Dr. Kemper and his staff a try first. (And once someone educates you about your body you will realize that your coccyx IS an important body part…) Besides, if it doesn't work for you, then you still have the option of having surgery. Of course you can have the surgery first, but once your tailbone has been removed and you STILL have pain, like so many people on this site, what are your choices then?
Good luck and be well,
Kathleen Pendergast-McGee
Update, 2009-08-09
I have had several people contact me for more information regarding my experience with Dr. Kemper, so here is an update answering the questions I usually get:
First I suggest you call the Spine Center and talk with them there. They were really great and helpful for me and you can have a phone consultation with Dr. Kemper himself before you make your decision to go there. Obviously there are no guarantees in medicine, but I believe that the science behind his treatment is sound and can assure you that the office at Dr. Kemper's was 100% professional, sympathetic, comforting, motivating and helpful during my treatment there.
Long Term Results?
Looking back after more than 3 years, my experience there remains beneficial. The FastTrack program was great for me and I found it to be very comprehensive, it includes physical therapy, water therapy, massage and exercise to get you healthy - and keep you that way. Dr. Kemper is not the kind of doctor who wants you to come back again and again, in his opinion, if he has done his job (and you have done yours) then he'll never need to see you again. And that has been the case with me. I will say though, that I did go to see him about 2 years ago, as I was pregnant and was concerned about childbirth (I wanted to do it naturally). We concluded that I did not need any additional treatments and was fine to give birth. I'm happy to say he was correct in his analysis and that the birth of my daughter went perfectly - my tailbone was not an issue at all! (And I was one of the few pregnant women I knew who had NO lower back pain while I was pregnant!)
What are the manipulations like?
I cannot say how different Dr. Kemper's manipulations are from other doctors who use this technique, but they involve changing positions during the manipulation (bending forward, arching back, etc.). For me I found them to be very uncomfortable, but bearable, and I did not need sedation. Also, keep in mind that the manipulations are only part of the treatment, and are used in conjunction with physical therapy, water therapy, massage and exercises tailored specifically to you and your case.
Regarding Insurance and Payment?
I cannot remember the exact cost to me and what my insurance paid since it was more than 3 years ago, but I can say that his treatment is still effective and I have not received treatment from him since completing the FastTrack program in 2006. Because of that, for me, my out-of-pocket cost has been worth it. I can recall that my insurance (Blue Cross) paid a portion of the expense, but I still was out of pocket some money. (Maybe $1500 - $2000?)
Is going to Dr. Kemper the right choice?
I know it's a big decision to fly out here to California, so I advise you to do as much research as you can. Ask as many questions as you can think of when you have him on the phone. I haven't been to coccyx.org in a long time, but I know there are other doctors out there who do successful manual manipulation of the coccyx. While I went to Dr. Kemper and can personally vouch for the effectiveness of his treatment, I also know people who have been to other qualified practitioners of manual coccyx manipulation and treatment in other states/countries, and they have also had success.
That's my best advice. Good luck and be well,
Katee.