Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is based on the idea that the body is a self-healing organism. This means the body has an innate intelligence that recognizes when something is wrong and the brain send the proper messages to the body to heal it. These messages are sent through the nervous system but when that system is not functioning fully, the body is unable to perform and heal maximally. Chiropractic adjustments realign the spine and fix the CAUSE of your problem instead of covering up the symptoms with drugs or medicine.
What is Subluxation?
When a vertebrae becomes misaligned or moves out of its normal position, this is referred to in the chiropractic profession as a subluxation. Subluxations can be caused by a wide range of issues ranging from a minor slip or bump to a car accident or any sudden trauma. When a vertebrae is subluxated, it begins to put pressure on nerves, blood vessels and everything around it. This pressure comes with a price. The subluxation interrupts the natural pathways that the messages sent from the brain need to be clear in order to be completed properly.
What is a chiropractic adjustment? Is it safe?
Adjustments, or manipulation as they're sometimes referred to is the minor movement of vertebrae in the spine. The objective of this movement is to realign vertebrae that have moved out of place for a number of reasons ranging from normal daily activity to trauma such as a car accident.
When these vertebrae are out of place, it has an overall systemic effect from muscular to the central nervous system. Without proper alignment and flow of all nerves and systems in the body from the brain, we can't function at our peak.
An adjustment is often a pressure from the chiropractor utilizing the hands or an instrument to move a vertebrae back into place. This happens with a quick movement and is often without discomfort. You may hear a noise that sounds like you're cracking your knuckles referred to as joint cavitation. It is the release of gases such as oxygen and nitrogen from the joint.
Are chiropractic adjustments safe for children? Why would children need an adjustment anyways?
Children can benefit from chiropractic care for a variety of reasons. A large reason is because children are physically active and can experience many types of falls and injuries from sports as well as daily activities. These incidents may not result in pain, stiffness or soreness, but that does not mean that vertebrae haven’t been shifted out of alignment. (Similar to the way there may be a cavity without a tooth ache.) Chiropractic adjustments are a skilled maneuver and are adapted to the individual patient. In children, it is very gentle and as a result, very safe.
I’ve heard that once you go to a chiropractor, you have to keep going back. Is that true?
I like to answer this question with another question. Do you plan on seeing a dentist periodically for cleanings for the rest of your life? How about changing the oil in your car every 3,000 miles? Many people apply the saying, “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” to chiropractic care, but not to the maintenance of their teeth or cars. Vertebral misalignments may be present whether you feel symptoms or not. After you have resolved injuries, it is important to maintain the alignment you just achieved. These adjustments are called maintenance adjustments and the frequency is 100% determined by your own body. Many patients like to be seen once a week for “tune ups” after a stressful week or weekend while other patients only need to be adjusted every couple months if they hold their adjustments well. You only have one spine, take care of it!
What results can I expect from treatment?
Chiropractic is based on the idea of removing imbalances both structural and postural in an effort to allow our body to heal itself. For this to happen the network of nerves and signals from your brain, down your spinal cord, to the network of nerves must be allowed to flow freely without any interruption. Chiropractors have the ability and skill to remove these interruptions or misalignments and allow the body to perform as it was meant to.
If you've ever been in a car accident, played a sport, fell down or just bumped into something too hard, it's very possible that you are not functioning at your best due to a misalignment. While there are many potential mechanical or structural causes for misalignment, there are also chemical reasons. For instance, if you smoke or drink excessively or even just have a poor diet, the chemical issues in your body can eventually cause underlying conditions and disease to appear.
Allowing a chiropractor to get you back on track both chemically and structurally will bring your body back to the proper state it should be in to perform at its peak.
Do you accept insurance?
The overall health and well-being of our patients is our #1 priority and is the reason why we go to great lengths to make routine chiropractic care convenient and affordable for all. We offer multiple plans that are both affordable and convenient without the hassles of insurance billing, copays, deductibles, or declined reimbursements.
How long will my 1st visit take?
You can expect your first visit and evaluation to take approximately 45 minutes.
I have MRI/ X-rays, should I bring them?
Yes, if you have them feel free to bring them. The doctors would be happy to look at any previous studies you’ve had. They may help the doctors better understand the cause of your health concerns.
Will I need X-rays?
Every person and case is different and it depends on your health history and the outcome of your initial assessments. We do believe that to see is to know, therefore X-rays are a very important tool to see the health of your spine. Diagnostic tools like X-rays also help as to understand any limitations and expectations for your results and healing.