Advanced Spine & Wellness Center

If you are looking for something that is similar to a gym membership or a band-​Aide to your pain, this is your place. Anything else, seek improvement elsewhere.
On my first visit, I was seen by Andrew (not a chiropractor). Although he was personable, he tried to «reset my chi» to help me feel better with my dislocated disc. He also said acupuncture will help my back and then proceeded to stick a few needles in my back. The last step was to stick a rectangular tape on my lower back. I assure you that none of these «treatments» did anything for my dislocated disc pain. Before I left, they finally took X-​rays of my spine but of course, they refused to say anything about it because it was policy that you had to come back for the discussion of your X-​rays.
2^nd visit, they sat me down with a written agenda of what I should participate in. Just like a gym membership, I forget his name but he tried to get me to commit to the plan that would have costed me over $ 2500. On both visits, I was never once seen by a chiropractor. I totally felt like I was at a gym and all they wanted me to do was sign up and pay them money.
This place is a joke. Go to a real chiropractor office that actually have chiropractors instead of sales people trying coerce you into a payment plan.

This center used to be a lot better. I started coming to the office when they were located in the King Farm area– at the time Dr. Paris would provide a very good personalized adjustment, and then you would get individualized treatment for physical therapy and stretching.
Somehow they morphed into a corporate «get-​em-​in, get ‘em out» treatment factory which de-​personalized your visit and caused a notable turnover rate of staff. The worst of the changes was losing their good chiropractors, which in general is the whole reason you go to a chiropractic office, right?
So, my last few months of going here I experienced their new chiropractor who neither had good bedside manners nor took the time to assess my concerns and work to alleviate them; their decent PT specialist was out more than in; and regrettably I always seemed to be hawked about being screened for sleep apnea, bad knees, nutrition supplements, weight loss, or some other concern besides my aching back.
Yes, I’m sure all these other things make money for ASWC, but it eroded the basic fundamentals of why I initially started coming here– to get a good adjustment. Sadly, after seeing these changes, I left knowing this place was now unrecognizable from the original office, and its mission had gone from being a good chiropractic office to just an ok «wellness center» offering scores of services whether you needed them or not.
They get three stars for still having some good staff and they still do some things better than average, but if you’re looking for a solid chiropractic office that focuses on premium service for your spine and neck, you may want to go elsewhere.

When I came into the facility I was unable to sit longer than 20 minutes without extreme pain. Now I can get through my work day and even exercise afterward. To make such progress without medication or surgery is wonderful and I’m grateful.

I was given these guys as a recommendation from a friend and it hasn’t dissapointed. I had severe lower back pain and within 2 weeks from my initial visit the pain was no longer waking me up at night. I also noticed that I was having a very specific pain after jogging, and one of the staff members pinpointed exactly what she thought the underlying problem was and then tailored my treatment to not only help with the low back pain, but to help me improve posture and technique in other physical activities I do. Everyone is friendly, helpful and I’ve never had any problems with bringing up a concern or question that wasn’t ‘heard’ and addressed to a level that I was satisfied with.

I really like this practice. The chiropractic adjustments from Dr. Mike are just terrific — come in with a headache, get out without one. Andy is the pain whisperer and takes ANY pain away within 5 minutes by using a technique he developed that mixes PT with acupuncture. It really works. Staff is helpful, friendly, and patient, and we really enjoy going there. They hear when you speak (as opposed to other places that encourage you to just push through) and respect your boundaries. I highly recommend this office and I’m sure I’ll be a client for a long time. Can’t wait to see the new location!

I attended a free seminar regarding «Stress Management» which was led on by Dr. Brian Paris from the Advanced Spine & Wellness Center. The seminar started off with some examples on how to indicate stress, anxiety, depression or stressful behavior. Throughout this segment, the information that was given was very relevant and all I could think of is how many people could benefit from doing a basic stress assessment. Dr. Paris also touched on a topic which I was very particularly interested in which included traditional medicine vs holistic strategies when trying to prevent stress. This is important to me because the majority of the traditional techniques (Drugs, Big Pharma) have kept this industry stuck into a «sick-​care» industry instead of a wellness industry. Throughout the entire presentation, Dr. Paris was knowledgeable, personable and attentive. Everything an excellent Doctor should be. He gave great tips on how to manage stress. I think the ASWC deserves 5 stars for increasing awareness in the community by providing valuable health related seminars like this one.

I am a success story as I no longer take pain medicine and I am able to «work» my way out of discomfort. I have had a lot of back pain for years, but now I am down to some very mild stiffness and occasional soreness. With the knowledge I have gained, I’m able to correct most of the problem areas. The team approach is very unique and all of them are true professionals who are very educated in their fields. I really look forward to my appointments and I always leave feeling great and uplifted.

I’ve taken several months to consider what to say about ASWC.
I’ve had both wonderful and awful experiences here…
The bottom line:
I would be very wary of the lumbar MedX system. All of our bodies are different so I’m sure it works for some people but just be aware and protect your own body. The treatment for my initial diagnosis was good, but considering that it cost me a price of severe pain and worse problems elsewhere, I cannot fully endorse ASWC.
The positive review:
I originally came to ASWC with complaints of a stiff neck and sore shoulders. X-​rays revealed that my neck had an inverted curve likely caused by a previous trauma.
From January through June, I diligently followed my treatment plan: 3x/​week for 14 weeks, then 2x/​week for another 10 weeks. During that time, I did see marked improvements to my neck curvature and I do believe that I have a greater range of motion in my neck than before. I loved the treatment I was receiving at the time, and I highly recommended ASWC to friends and family.
When I first started, the staff was pretty stellar. Sarah was ALWAYS ON TOP OF THINGS. Lauren was great with explaining insurance coverage and correctional care plans. Dr. Craig was great with explaining technical medical diagnoses and he was awesome at chiropractic adjustments. In the PT zone, Chris was by far the best tech – he had a knack for understanding what is needed to get the best pull from the CSRU, and he always provided an explanation of what I was trying to target with each assigned exercise.
Over time, I witnessed some shifting in the staff (some of it rather unfortunate). But, the best new hire was Justin; he kept the most efficient flow of patients through the PT corner.
The negative review:
During the first week in March, I noticed a low back pain that felt like a muscle strain. At the time, I thought it was due to the MedX lumbar machine which I was scheduled to use twice a week. I became anxious about using the machine and I had an aversion.
After speaking with the PT, Andy, I was encouraged to continue to use the MedX to improve my lumbar strength to counteract the low back pain. He told me that I should decrease the weight significantly, but to continue allowing for the extension/​flexion movement on the MedX.
Over the course of the next three months, I continued to provide daily updates that my back pain was not going away. Craig helped me with some low back adjustments coupled with some longer low back stretches, but nothing helped. I continued to tell Andy about the pain, and he continued to encourage the MedX machine. He said that he did not see any musculoskeletal anomalies and advised me to ask my gynecologist about pelvic floor issues.
By that time, all of the techs were aware of my low back pain and all of them continued to encourage me to use the MedX machine, increasing my weight by 5 lbs every few sessions. Once I was up to 90 lbs, I began to feel strain/​pain again, during the exercise. The last time I went, the tech posted 90 lbs on the computer screen for me but increased the weight to 100 lbs without my consent. Then, after I was done, he said «I did something sneaky. I added 10 lbs.» [UMMM, WHAT?! I’m pretty sure this is medical malpractice!!]
I reported this immediately; Craig apologized and told me that he would address the situation with the tech; but, Andy came over to tell me that I should never have completed the exercise if I was in that much pain. [My thoughts: I was ALWAYS IN PAIN. There hasn’t been a moment since March that my low back has not been in pain. Having been encouraged over and over again to use the MedX, I just operated at different degrees of pain. I never withheld any information about my consistent back pain throughout this process and, yet, somehow it fell back on me to take part of the responsibility for what the tech had done.]
So, I never went back.
By early July, my back pain was so severe that I could not lean a single degree over my bathroom sink to brush my teeth. I couldn’t sit at work, and I was bedridden on the weekends because sitting and standing hurt so bad.
I went to see an orthopedic surgeon shortly thereafter. Within minutes, he conducted a simple range of motion exam and told me that my pain was entirely muscular. After one session with another PT who conducted the same simple range of motion exam, my pain dropped from a 9 to a 3. It really confounds me that this simple test was never done for me at ASWC when I complained about low back pain 2 – 3 times a week for 4 months. My months of suffering could have been avoided if someone had really listened to what I was saying: «I feel like it is a low back strain from the MedX.»
Unfortunately, I do believe I can take some of the blame simply because «Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.»
Fortunately, I finally did something different and came away with great results!

If you’re looking for a legitimate solution to your orthopedic problems, this is NOT the place for you.
The long:
I recently went for my first visit as part of an AmazonLocal deal. The deal included: 20-​Minute Hydro Massage, Chiropractic and Health-​History Orthopedic/​Neurological Exam, X-​Rays, Posture and Biomechanical Analysis, and One Follow-​Up Visit.
The entire experience felt like one of those «are you punking me?!» moments. They were 55 minutes late taking me in because of some sort of mechanical problem with the x-​ray machine. The solution to the mechanical problem? Some of the «trainers» (20-​somethings in track suits) donned trash bags over their hands, secured with rubber bands, and then disappeared into a utility closet to poke around at stuff.
After I was finally taken to the exam room, a «case manager» came in to talk to me (another of the track-​suit loving 20yr olds). Rather than give me any sort of useful advice, she came only to tell me that a) my insurance wasn’t accepted (something I had asked about specifically when making the appointment), and b) that she had accepted a job in California and today was her last day so I wouldn’t see her again. Thanks. Super helpful.
After that, the doctor (I believe his name was Craig) came in. Him I will actually give a lot of credit to. His health history was thorough and he really seemed engaged in patient care. He gave me the exam and then told me the results would be ready when I came in for my second visit, and at that point they’d present (pitch) a treatment plan.
I left the exam room thinking that perhaps I would at least come back for the second visit to get my results, but I had serious misgivings about returning for any sort of treatment. I booked the appointment and was then ushered out by the receptionist. I asked about the 20 minute «hydro massage» I was supposed to receive and she said «oh right» and handed me off to one of the «trainers» who was standing around. The hydro massage turned out to be one of those electric tables you lie on with water jets shooting up from underneath. I told him I had used a similar machine in the past (the old type with the roller) and that it had worsened my back issues. He shrugged and said it should be okay. I laid down, and he started to walk away. I called him back to see if I was correctly positioned since there was a bit of a ledge at the end of the table and I didn’t know if my hips were supposed to be on it, or on the water-​jet part. He told me to scoot up, and lay there for 20 minutes. I made it 5 before I got a massive muscle spasm in my left shoulder and had get up. I was holding my neck, but the only reaction I got from the trainer was a thumbs up and a nod.
I walked out of there knowing I wouldn’t be returning.
The short:
This place has little to offer someone with serious/​chronic orthopedic issues. It’s basically one of those glossy, quasi-​medical franchises; where the persuasive advertising posters on the wall and trendy-​looking staff are supposed to cover up that fact that it’s little more than a big room with a couple pieces of gym equipment and a $$$ «treatment plan».
The one gem is their chiropractor. I thought he did a great job in his exam and explanations of orthopedic issues, and if he had a private practice I’d sign up in a heartbeat. But unfortunately from what I saw, the time spent with the actual doctors is few and far between. The adjustment (I saw a few while I was there since it’s one big room) lasted under 3 minutes, and had the assembly-​line feel to it as he moved from patient to patient.
Final verdict: I’ll be seeking a refund on the deal I purchased, and looking elsewhere for chiropractic care.

Dr. Paris was the first chiropractor that I ever encountered who gave me an «owners tutorial» for my spine. He actually works to put himself out of business. I know that sounds odd, but he has been the only chiro who took the time to do the appropriate therapies to get my spine back into normal curvature, then taught me simple exercises to keep my spine moving so that I don’t need ongoing chiropractic care. I still see him when I have an «oops» (like missing a stair, ouch) and he gets me back into tip-​top condition in no time.
Dr. Paris always has a smile on his face, and I always feel very welcome at his practice. He has assembled an amazing staff of talented, caring folks.
In short, Dr. Paris rocks.

I went to see Dr Craig and Dr Brian because I was in a great deal of pain in my hip. They recommended a lengthy treatment plan (several months, 3 times per week). It was quite a commitment of my time, and money. They did work with me to get it covered by my insurance and convinced me that it would be worth the $ 60 per week in copayments alone. They were very pushy during my initial consultation. I did notice some improvements in my pain, but certain pain got worse, and I was assured that sometimes it gets worse before it gets better. Then I came in one Monday for my appointment, and was informed that they had decided to no longer accept my insurance starting April 1 (which was two days later.) I was in no position to pay full price (which was extremely high!) and I was furious that they had pushed me into signing up, only to dump me halfway through treatment. They are more used car salespeople then they are doctors, and they care more about money then the wellbeing of their patients.

I recently moved so I came to Unilocal to find a new chiropractor closer to home. I’ve been in the care of another wonderful doctor (Ginger Pellerin) in Odenton with excellent results. I actually call Ginger the «Neck Whisperer»
My first visit here was very odd, I felt like I was almost at a used car dealership with how pushy their sales tactics were. Ok whatever, I shrugged it off.
They took Xrays, and I explained my previous injuries in years past which are extensive. First adjustment + physical therapy left me in an incredible amount of pain. Second visit, worse. Extreme. Pain. I had to go crawling back to my old chiropractor, 30 min in the opposite direction of work, in much more pain then when I left. Ginger said I was over adjusted and the new chiropractors were way too aggressive. Never again. Not to mention the «sales» call I got after I told them I wasn’t coming back.

One of the best chiropractors in the country in our back yard! I am proud to have Dr. Paris as a colleague and my chiropractor.

During my pregnancy– this place was my only relief of the back and pelvis pain. Dr. Craig is wonderful in so many ways. He works magic. I don’t get quite as good an adjustment with Dr. Paris– but its still good. They have equipment you can use after your adjustment to do additional self treatment. When I threw my back out and the back dr told me all I could do is ice it and take advil indefinitely– I went to Dr. Craig and with 3 swift adjustments– my excurciating pain was gone. I mean– I was carried into the office by my husband at a level 10 in pain, left the office at a level 6 and by the time I was home I was pain free.