Shaker Spine & Sport Institute

Reviews 4

CO

Cooper Cruz

Patient beware. I went in today for a $200 chiropractic appointment, but the service I was to receive was misrepresented, and I was charged $650 for that 30-minute session. I consider that a pretty horrific rip-off. I have a bad lower back and was in pain, and I agreed up front to the fee of $200 for chiro. The receptionist had me fill out patient paperwork. Then she took me into an office room to show me Shakers certificates from his post-graduate courses, and told me about a $600 "Trigenics" treatment that was available. I made clear that I wasnt interested in it, just the chiro. She said that Shaker would probably tell me about it during my session if he thought I was a candidate for it. My impression of "Trigenics" is that it was similar to Rolfing, addressing neuromuscular relationships in the body, as well as fascia. I did not consent to try it. She however handed me a treatment waiver, and suggested that I sign it to save myself time on my next appointment if I decided to try "Trigenics" on my next visit. Im in the habit of trusting people, so I signed it. I was shown to a treatment room and waited. Shaker was very polite in getting to know me and my back pain. Hes an athlete, and I sensed he had a great understanding of sports injuries and how to address them. For about 5 minutes he worked to loosen up my hamstrings by having me straighten my legs while he pressed on the hamstrings with a tool. He had me stand to see my posture. Then he asked if his receptionist had explained "Trigenics." I said, Not really. And he said, Cause thats what Im doing on you. Meaning he was already giving me a treatment under this name "Trigenics" that may not be snake oil but its really just a copyright of intellectual property (look it up). I was stunned, because Id only agreed to the $200 chiro. Here I was in the office, very much in pain, and Im torn between walking out or trusting that this guy can fix me. He pointed to the treatment waiver his receptionist had me sign and said, You signed the form, when I see that someones signed the form, I do the "Trigenics" treatment. My opinion (I cant prove it) is that they misrepresent services like this regularly, telling chiro patients mid-treatment that theyre getting a "Trigenics" treatment to make them feel obligated to follow through with it. I felt like I had been tricked. I felt like the receptionist absolutely knew what she was doing when she asked me to sign the treatment waiver for a later date and leaving it in the room. I was in pain and desperate to be helped, and I basically said screw it, if this guy can get my back right, Ill pay it off, but I also felt obligated to continue. Shaker had me lay on the bench, and he adjusted my mid to upper back, and I did experience relief in that area of my torso. But my lower back was and is no different. Shaker had me stand, walk around the office, and told me I should feel better. Wanting to be optimistic, I said that I did, but my low back still hurt. And that was it. The receptionist Monica presented me with a bill for $650, and I put it on my credit card and left very politely because I did not want to lose my temper in their office in front of other patients, but I was furious. The back adjustment he gave me wasnt anything a good chiro cant do. And whatever services he provided that might be termed "Trigenics" remains a mystery, probably because its just a way to upsell people in pain who are desperate to get better. I would like to warn anyone seeking chiro treatments to do your research on who youre seeing. And above all do not let any healer take advantage of people who are in pain by bait/switching you mid session. Even $200 was too much money for the chiro treatment Shaker delivered. If anyone can recommend a good chiro in Tampa, I would love to know who I should see. I apologize for the long post, but I hope it helps someone out there avoid being scammed. Take care.

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Mike A

I started seeing Dr. Shaker about 3 months ago when my back pain reached a level that was unbearable. At 30 years of age I was struggling to do a lot of normal daily activities, including putting my socks on in the morning and sleeping at night. Being an ex-college baseball player who still enjoys playing sports and being active it was frustrating and reached a point where I needed to do something. Not knowing the source/cause of the injury I wasnt really sure where to start - so I did a Google search and read some of these reviews on Dr. Shaker. With his background in athletics it seemed like he might be able to help me understand my injury and refer to me what my next move should be (at the time I wasnt convinced chiropractics was going to be the answer). In my first visit I remember him telling me that I was going to feel better after just one treatment and that I was actually going to be able to sleep that night - I had my doubts. The first thing I noticed after I left his office was the increased range of motion in my neck and how easy it was to get in my car, which was previously a task. That night I didnt have to sleep with two pillows under my knees, one under each arm and three on an incline under my back and head. I was actually able to get comfortable which I havent been able to do in I cant remember how long. To say the least I was impressed with the progress after just one visit. Over the next couple of months Dr. Shaker took the time to explain my injury and how my athletic career played a role in it. Being able to give his patients the understand of whats going on with their body is a big part of what, in my opinion, puts him on another level. I am very thankful for his help and hope this post helps others find him as I did.

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Bruna Tarabillo

have been an active power lifter for over 3 years, which has caused me to suffer from various injuries. On October of 2016, i suffered a serious hamstring injury doing a sumo deadlift. I did physical therapy and saw various doctors, including 2 chiropractors who all gave me the same diagnosis, I felt defeated and discouraged because I was not able to train to full potential. Five months later, I came across an article who featured Dr. Richard Shaker, and his use of the TRIGENICS treatment. After my first session I was already out of complete pain! Nothing I have ever experienced before. Now Im back to training how I used to and its all thanks to him. His office is beautiful and very clean. He is extremely professional and takes his time, he also gives extraordinary feedback on how to alleviate pain and train properly avoiding future injuries. He is definitely a pro at what he does, some of his past patients include Dave Mathews, Tim Tebow, and super bowl MVP D Jackson.

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Deborah Alberti

Dr. Shaker literally gave me my life back!! As a competitive amateur ballroom dancer, I had been sidelined for almost a year due to increasingly agonizing and immobilizing sciatic pain. I had tried traditional chiropractic care, therapeutic massage, acupuncture and pain management injections none of which provided a solution for me. I had even been referred to a neurosurgeon and was so desperate for relief that I was actually considering surgery. Thank goodness I heard about Dr. Shaker before meeting with the surgeon! Under Dr. Shakers care, I was back on the dance floor within weeks, feeling so much better and, once again, enjoying the freedom of movement - pain free. His knowledge of Trigenics, expertise in the body mind connection and experience in treating all types of injuries put him in a league of his own. I have and will continue to recommend him to anyone seeking real answers for quick, true and lasting pain relief. Dr. Shaker, you ROCK!!!

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