A: Most insurances
DO cover chiropractic care and are often just a co-pay. We will
be happy to verify your chiropractic benefits and let you know your
coverage before treatment begins so you know what your financial obligations
will be. We will also file the insurance claims for you in our
office.
Q: Once I start chiropractic
care to I have to keep going forever?
A: Chiropractic
is excellent for treating many conditions that cause pain and discomfort.
Once the initial symptoms have been corrected, it is important and recommended
to get a check-up/tune-up to make sure the spine and muscles are maintaining
well. Think of it as a preventative measure to KEEP yourself healthy
and help maintain the work that has already been completed. It
is NOT required but certainly recommended and studies have routinely
shown the benefits of chiropractic not just for pain but also for overall
health. Like a dentist once told me…you don’t have to brush
and floss all your teeth, just the ones you want to keep. Same
thing applies with your spine….You don’t have to keep all your vertebrae
moving and positioned well, just the ones you want to last!
Q: Am I too old (or
is my child too young) to be under chiropractic care?
A: No matter what
the age is, nobody is too young or too old to be under chiropractic
care. I have treated babies as young as 3 days old or torticolis,
and ear infections, and elderly patients as old as 93 years. There
are several gentle techniques that are perfect for the most fragile
structures such as those in undeveloped babies, or osteoporosis/osteopenia
in elderly patients. Chiropractic is no long just the “rough
and tough stuff” like some people think. I firmly believe
that for a baby to fully develop in a healthy fashion they must have
a healthy spine to allow their fresh nervous system to communicate with
the rest of the body.
Q:
Can you/chiropractic help with my disc problem? Is it safe?
A: Actually chiropractic
care is one of the best and safest forms of treatment for disc issues
including bulging and herniations. The disc is simply the cartilage
cushion between two vertebrae and when those vertebrae become subluxated
(out of place and not moving well) the disc begins to swell and squeeze
and can even start to have small tears in the fibers. If the joints
continue to not function properly the disc will continue to wear and
tear to the point that surgery may be the only option left.
By getting chiropractic care we will focus not just on the disc pain
and symptoms but the actual problem and figure out WHY is that disc
having problems and to change the structure that’s leading to those
problems.
Q: How long does it
take to get better?
A: Well depending
on the person and the case, of course there is a little variance from
person to person. In an average case the pain begins to decrease
usually within the first week or two. During phase 1 of our care
(relief phase) it may take about 3-5 weeks most if not all of the pain
to subside and feel normal. This often times creates a
false sense of security and can lead to a relapse of the condition if
it is not strengthened to help hold the treatment long term. During
phase 2 of treatment (corrective phase) which is typically another 2-4
weeks we focus on a custom set of exercises and stretches to help strengthen
the weak damaged muscles that often come along with spinal injuries.
As you can see a typical case may be around 5-8 weeks to make a good
recovery. Of course factors like degeneration, time frame between
symptoms and treatment, lifestyle, and compliance with the care plan
all factor in to determine if things are quicker to recover or if they
require more time.
Q: Will it hurt to
be adjusted?
A: The chiropractic
adjustment is a very gentle and safe form of treatment for spinal injuries
and also to help maintain a healthy active lifestyle. There are
several different techniques that can be utilized ranging from hands
on to table assisted to hand held tools. They are all proven effective
forms of treatment and can be controlled and gentle on any size or age
patient. If you have never been to a chiropractor or went 20 years
ago, I can assure you the worst part is what is built up in stories
or in your mind. Chiropractic is one of the safest and well tolerated
forms of treatment on the market. In fact 89% of chiropractic
patients rate their experience as satisfied to very satisfied!
Q: Can Chiropractic
help with pregnancy?
A: Many pregnant women
get tremendous results with chiropractic care. It is safe to be
adjusted in a controlled fashion from the first day of pregnancy to
the day of delivery! Symptoms such as sciatica, low back pain,
hip pain, fatigue, headaches, etc. all respond very well and make the
pregnancy not just tolerable but enjoyable. There are several
different styles of treatment that can be utilized so that the mother
does not have to lay on her stomach and can minimize discomfort.
Q: How long does it
take to become a chiropractor?
A: Chiropractic
school is now as long and rigorous as medical school! Both have
over 5000 hrs. of classroom hours. Once a 4 year bachelors degree
is obtained at an undergraduate school, chiropractic school is anywhere
between 3-4 years more depending on the school. Once schooling
is completed, there are several levels of state and national board exams
that ensure the doctor is proficient and capable of practicing correctly
and safely.