Business ProfileforQC Kinetix

On August 25, 2022, BBB sent correspondence to the company, seeking substantiation of several health claims that have been advertised on the company's website and through advertising. Section 34 of BBB's Code of Advertising addresses the use of claimed results:

34. Claimed Results

Claims relating to performance, energy savings, safety, efficacy or results for a product or service should be based on recent and competent testing or other objective data. Overall, health related claims should be backed up by scientific data that supports the claimed results.

BBB asked the company to provide documentation that shows QC Kinetix has completed clinical trials for the regenerative treatments being advertised, and the results of those trials support the claimed results shared in radio spots and other advertising. 

On September 6, 2022, Scott McLeod, Franchise Owner for QC Kinetix in Chattanooga responded to BBB's request, stating: "QC Kinetix is a franchised company based out of Charlotte, North Carolina.  All of our advertising, products, and procedures are authorized and approved by the parent company.  General Counsel for QC Kinetix is copied on this email response to you.  He will address your letter, and provide the needed information as appropriate." 

In the meantime, BBB serving Southern Piedmont & Western Carolina (BBB Charlotte) also had requested information from the company, submitting their original request on June 7, 2022. In addition to citing Section 31 of BBB's Code of Advertising, BBB asked for the company to substantiate several advertised claims with regards to the following section of the Code of Advertising:

 

1. Basic Principles of the Code
1.1 The primary responsibility for truthful and non-deceptive advertising rests with the advertiser. Advertisers should be prepared to substantiate any objective claims or offers made before publication or broadcast. Upon request, they should present such substantiation promptly to the advertising medium or BBB.
1.3 An advertisement as a whole may be misleading by implication, although every sentence separately considered may be literally true.
1.4 Misrepresentation may result not only from direct statements, but by omitting or obscuring a material fact.

30. Testimonials and Endorsements
30.1 In general, advertising which uses testimonials or endorsements is likely to mislead or confuse if:
30.1.3 It contains representations or statements which would be misleading if made directly by the advertiser;
30.1.4 While literally true, it creates deceptive implications;
30.1.11 A consumer’s experience represented in an advertisement is not the typical experience of those using the product or service, unless the advertisement clearly and conspicuously discloses what the expected results will be.

 

BBB received a response from General Counsel for QC Kinetix Franchise Group on Thursday, September 22, 2022. The letter was submitted to address both the advertising claims that were submitted by BBB serving Southeast TN & Northwest GA, as well as those submitted by BBB Charlotte.

BBB in Charlotte, NC reports that after reviewing the information provided on September 22, 2022, BBB determined that the claims listed below were not substantiated and requested that the business modify its advertising claims to provide clearer messaging for consumers and to discontinue advertising unsubstantiated claims.

Advertised statements BBB asked the company to provide substantiation for in the Southeast TN and Northwest GA market include:

 

"Learn more about the natural pain treatments available at QC Kinetix. We use regenerative medicine to help our patients find relief from chronic pain due to injury, arthritis, and other musculoskeletal conditions. Have you been told you need a total hip replacement or knee replacement surgery? If you’re looking for a more natural alternative, you’ve come to the right place.” 

 

"Constant pain from arthritis or injury? Pain in your knees, hips, shoulders, or lower back. Don’t assume steroids, pain meds and surgery are your only options. Regenerative, restorative, natural solutions are now available. Call QC Kinetix now for a free consultation and learn how regenerative medicine can repair and restore damaged joint tissue."

 

"Ready to get lasting relief from your joint pain? Call QC Kinetix to learn more about how natural biologic treatments can get you lasting results.” 

 

Advertised statements from the company's website that BBB serving Southern Piedmont and Western Carolina (Charlotte, NC area) requested substantiation for include:

 

On the home page:

“Do you suffer from pain? Have you been told surgery is your only option? There is a better alternative…”

In the video on the home page, it is indicated that the treatments provided by QC Kinetix can cure the root cause of pain and/or offer permanent relief.

“Avoid Surgery with Our Local Alternative Pain Treatments”

“we are dedicated to maximizing your body's ability to help heal and repair itself “from the inside out for vastly improved function and overall quality of life.

 

On the QC Knee page, advertising indicates the following:

treatments can help knee joints to heal and repair without surgery; reduce pain with few side effects; have “little-to-no recovery time” and avoids “having to go under the knife”

a “vast majority of our patients have success with regenerative medicine for their knees.”

On the QC 2M page:

“If you have joint pain due to arthritis, you may not need to have a joint replacement or surgery to treat the condition.Our biologic therapies have proven to be amongst the safest and most effective alternatives to knee replacement surgery for pain due to arthritis, providing long-term relief.”

On the QC Injury page, it states:

“not only will you recover faster, but you’ll also find that you’re less prone to re-injury.”
Regenerative therapy can help to strengthen existing tendons, ligaments, and even cartilage

On the QC Medical page, it claims:

“speeding up recovery and lessening inflammation and pain”
Safer, more practical, and effective remedy for musculoskeletal pain.

On the QC Hair page it claims that treatment can:

“Restore hair follicle density and improve hair thickness” or “restoring and improving hair follicle density and thickness”

Through the use various video testimonials, your company allows consumers to make claims about your treatments that require substantiation such as:

Treatments are an alternative to or superior than surgery, painkillers, steroid or gel injections

Patients discontinue prescription or over the counter pain medication

Pain was decreased 50-100%

Patients avoid joint replacement

Patients see improvement from the first treatment

Patients are completely healed

Patients see a significant improvement in their range of motion

Patients experience no limitations or recovery after treatments

Treatments allow patients to beat personal activity records