How do I know if I need chiropractic care?
The best way to determine if you would benefit from chiropractic care is to have your spine assessed. We use specialized technology called the Insight Subluxation to precisely measure for any abnormalities in the function of your spine. It is so sensitive it can detect problems even before they cause symptoms. These tests along with a thorough examination let us know for sure whether you would benefit from care.
You can also try these tests at home:
- Turn your head all the way to the side and touch your chin to your shoulder on both sides.
- Close your eyes and try to stand on one foot for more than 15 seconds.
- Close your eyes and try to walk heel to toe in a straight line.
If you have trouble with any of these tests you definitely have subluxations in your spine and would benefit from Chiropractic care.
Is a good work-out the same as getting adjusted?
No. Exercise is an important part of good health, yet without normal spinal function a physical workout will actually put additional wear and tear on improperly functioning spinal joints.
Is stretching or yoga the same as getting adjusted?
No. Stretching and yoga help to stretch the spine and we highly recommend both. However, neither can identify and/or correct individual misalignments/subluxations in the spine.
Why do chiropractors take x-rays?
Chiropractors take x-rays to reveal the internal structure and alignment of the spine. We are also concerned about underlying disease processes and disorders of the spine such as arthritis of the spine, spinal decay, abnormal development, bone spurs, disc disorders, tumors and spinal curvature. X-rays also provide a blueprint for correcting the spine back to optimal health and alignment.
Is it OK to see a chiropractor if I’m pregnant?
Chiropractic care is especially recommended for pregnant moms to be. Pregnant moms find that chiropractic adjustments help make their pregnancy more comfortable and make their delivery easier, safer, and less painful for themselves and their baby. Adjusting methods are always adapted to a patient’s size, weight, age, and condition of health.
Is chiropractic care addictive?
No. If only it were, there would be a lot more healthy people around. Chiropractic care does not have any negative effects that would create any additional need for future treatments. However, there is a good chance that you enjoy having less pain, feeling more balanced, less stressed, and more energetic as a result of regular chiropractic care. After seeing the improvements that occur, most people agree that ongoing chiropractic adjustments make sense to help maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Can I adjust myself?
No. Since a chiropractic adjustment is a specific force, applied in a specific direction to a specific joint, it is virtually impossible to adjust oneself correctly and accurately. It is possible to turn or bend or twist in certain ways to create a “popping” sound that sometimes accompanies a chiropractic adjustment. Unfortunately, this type of joint manipulation is usually counterproductive, often making an already unstable spine even more unstable, and can sometimes be dangerous. Adjusting the spine is not for amateurs!
Is chiropractic safe?
Yes. Chiropractic has an excellent safety record. It is the result of a conservative and natural approach to health that avoids invasive procedures or addictive drugs. As proof, one merely has to compare malpractice rates between chiropractors and other health care professionals. Chiropractors’ malpractice premiums are a small fraction of those for medical doctors.
What type of education do chiropractic doctors receive?
Doctors of Chiropractic are well educated. Chiropractic education and medical education are similar in many respects and different in others because chiropractors do not prescribe drugs or perform surgery, and medical doctors do not correct vertebral subluxations. After graduating with a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) Degree, each candidate passes the demanding four part National Board Examinations. Then, doctors apply to a governmental or professional licensing board before being granted the privilege to practice.
Will my insurance cover it?
In our experience, most insurance policies cover chiropractic. However, it will most likely not cover all the necessary care to restore your health and maintain it. Your level of coverage depends on your individual plan. Your benefits are typically the same as if you were to see your family physician.
Does chiropractic hurt?
Chiropractic care is one of the safest and painless treatments around. Our office also has a distinct advantage in providing pain free care. The Arthrostim is one of the most painless ways to treat the spine. It allows us to treat the spine using very little force, and does not require any twisting or cracking. Most treatments actually result in rapid reduction of pain and stiffness. However, adjustments can occasionally cause some muscle soreness. Usually like what it feels like when you workout for the first time in a few months.