LAKE TAHOE, CA (KGO) -- A south Lake Tahoe chiropractor claims he has discovered the cause of a painful, chronic condition. He charges patients thousands of dollars for his cure. But the I-Team has uncovered serious questions about whether it works and whether the treatment is perhaps even dangerous.

A retired investigator for the state chiropractic board tells us this is the one case that he could not forget -- the one that got away, in his words. And he is frustrated that the board has been taking no action.

"It actually doesn't hurt, it actually feels -- feels good," says chiropractor Paul Whitcomb.

For a small town chiropractor, Whitcomb has a sophisticated marketing operation.

He posts videos on the Internet to promote his treatment for fibromyalgia. The symptoms include chronic muscle pain, fatigue, headaches and depression.

Medical experts we talked to say there is no single known cause for fibromyalgia, and no cure. But Whitcomb claims to have discovered the root of the problem -- a misalignment between the first vertebra and the skull. After six days of treatment, one patient makes what appears to be a miraculous recovery.

"I have no pain. I feel fantastic. I'm able to climb stairs," says Joan.

Then, there are the appearances on local TV, like a religious show in New Mexico, his book and a telemarketing center that his son runs out of Orange County.

All this self-promotion has helped build Whitcomb's fibromyalgia relief center in South Lake Tahoe into a thriving business, drawing patients from around the country and the world.

"Just like that. And that's enough. It's that simple," says Whitcomb.

He calls his treatment "The Whitcomb Method," a quick neck manipulation, three times a day, five days a week, for at least two months. The cost -- $7,000 and up. Whitcomb claims a remarkable success rate.

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