Chiropractic care is primarily focused on two things: pain reduction and pain prevention. The first, pain reduction, is achieved by utilizing passive modalities. These could include: ultrasound, soft tissue work, traction, electrical muscle stimulation, kinesiology taping, manipulation, and others. Once pain reduction is achieved the primary focus switches to pain prevention. During this phase the goal is to allow the patient to go about their daily activities without the pain returning. This usually means a little homework for the patient. A lot of times chiropractors will give specific exercises, advice on how to set up your workstation ergonomically, nutritional advice, or other lifestyle modifications. These are all ways to help with the long term success of pain prevention.
Chiropractors have Doctorate of Chiropractic degrees. They go to school for 8 years – the same as a typical medical doctor. But instead of spending time learning about pharmacy, drugs, and surgery, chiropractic students spend that time learning more about anatomy, physiology, and adjusting techniques, becoming specialists of the spine!
Chiropractic care is extremely safe for people of all ages as each treatment is specific to each individual. This means that patients who are 6 months old are of course treated by much more gentle techniques than what would be used on a 25 year old. This is also true of elderly patients whose bone density is oftentimes significantly lower than when they were in the 40’s or 50’s. In all cases it is extremely safe and very beneficial. However, mild adverse effects are sometimes experienced. These usually consist of mild soreness or stiffness that lasts 24 hours or less. As with any form of health care, more significant adverse effects are possible but in the case of chiropractic they are extremely rare.
An adjustment is what the doctor does to align the spine. Using his hands or an instrument, the doctor checks each vertebra for movement. He then adds motion to the joint to relieve pressure and remove nerve interference. After your first adjustment, it’s normal to feel a little sore, but not hurt. Most of our patients feel relief after their adjustments.
No. Our doctors have many different techniques and ways of adjusting, including the Activator Method. The Activator Method chiropractic technique uses a spring-loaded, hand-held mechanical instrument called the Activator adjusting instrument. This instrument allows chiropractors to provide a quick, low-force impulse at specific points
As each patient is different, each adjustment is different, too. The goal is the same – align the spine and remove nerve interference to help the body heal, decrease pain, and increase movement. But the method is specific for each patient.
Chiropractors are skilled at treating all types of musculoskeletal conditions. While oftentimes most of the emphasis is put on low back or headache type problems they are also very proficient at treating problems involving all of the other joints in the body. This includes anything from carpal tunnel to rotator cuff problems to knee pain, sports injuries, plantar fasciitis and anything in between.
That’s called self-adjusting, and it’s not a good idea. What you’re doing is over-adjusting the healthy joints, which will make them wear out faster. You feel the need for an adjustment because you have joints that are stuck. You can’t do these yourself! You need a doctor to relieve the pressure off those joints for you.
We do not. The chiropractic process removes nerve interference so the body can heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery. Call us today to set up your complimentary consultation with the doctor!
This is different for each patient. The doctor will make recommendations based on your complaints and treatment goals. Patients usually come frequently in the beginning of their treatment plans so that we can retrain the spine to stay in its proper position, and the frequency of visits decreases over time. The goal is to get you to wellness care, which is one adjustment every four weeks to keep your spine healthy and its alignment maintained.
The short answer is no. But consider this. The more you use something, and the longer you have it, the more you need to do to take care of it, right? You only get one body, and you need to take care of it! Will you keep getting your oil changed as long as you keep driving your car? Will you keep brushing your teeth so they don’t fall out? Just like you keep brushing your teeth and going to the dentist to keep your teeth healthy, you need to get regular adjustments to keep your spine healthy! The difference, though, is that if your teeth fall out, you can get a new set of those. Your back doesn’t work like that.
Some insurance policies may require a referral from your primary care physician. At your first visit, our insurance specialist will review your benefits. If she sees that a referral is necessary for you, we will let you know so that you can contact your doctor for the referral.
We do accept walk-in patients. However, we recommend that you make an appointment, simply because we want to reduce the time any patient has to wait in the office.
Reschedules are no problem! Contact us so our staff can help you find a better time.
For your first two visits, we ask that you plan about 45 minutes. After that, our goal is to have you out in less than 30 minutes.
For almost all of our patients, we do want to see x-rays before we adjust. Children do not usually need x-rays unless there is a problem, and, of course, we do not x-ray pregnant patients. If you have a recent set of x-rays, bring them with you! Our doctor can read them at your visit. If you don’t, that’s ok, too. We have an x-ray machine in our office, and the cost is less than you might think!
The cost of chiropractic care can be different for each patient, depending on whether you have health insurance and what your specific plan covers. Our insurance specialist will verify your insurance benefits for you during your first visit.
We accept most insurance. Our insurance specialist will verify your plan’s benefits and explain the coverage to you.
Our self-pay rates are quite affordable! An adjustment is just $50, and we offer time of service discounts on therapy. Our financial specialist will discuss your options with you!
Absolutely! We accept all payment accounts associated with your insurance, as well as CareCredit. If you don’t have a CareCredit account already, we can help you set one up.
Just contact us! We will connect you to our financial specialist who will answer any questions you may have.
Yes, it is extremely safe to see a chiropractor when you are pregnant. There are lots of women who experience back pain and other joint pain during their pregnancy and chiropractic is one of the few treatment options that are safe for both mother and baby. There is even a specific chiropractic technique that is designed to optimize pelvic alignment. This technique has been shown to encourage babies who are positioned breech to turn head down. It is called the Webster technique and in a study published in 2002 in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics it showed an 82% success rate of baby’s turning vertex with the use of this technique. In addition, chiropractic care can be very beneficial at helping maintain a pain free and healthy pregnancy.
We can start seeing infants as soon as they are born! Being born is hard and can cause tremendous pressure on a baby’s nervous system. The sooner we can remove that pressure, the healthier the baby will be! Adjustments for baby can also help prevent or reduce ear infections, colic, sleeping issues!
Yes! Every fall puts pressure on a child’s nervous system. Reducing the pressure on the nervous system will increase function of the nervous system, let the brain communicate with the rest of the body, and help the child develop to his potential. Adjustments can address problems such as sleeping issues, bedwetting, and ear infections for children, too!
Chiropractic care after a surgery is just as important as before! We can actually prolong the time until your next surgery! The discs above and below a fusion have a lot more work to do now and will wear out faster. Regular adjustments will make your discs healthier and last longer!!
If you have pain, come see us! Our doctors work on the whole body! They’ve been known to adjust ribs, wrists, feet, and even sinuses!
Usually, yes. Call our office for a complimentary consultation! Our doctor will sit down with you, talk about your condition, and address all your concerns.
Simply call our office for a complimentary consultation! Our doctor will sit down with you and address all your concerns. If we determine that chiropractic is not for you, we will refer you to a doctor who can better help you.
