Frequently Asked Questions

Do you take x-rays?

Some chiropractic offices will take X-rays on all new patients; however our office policy is to evaluate the condition and gather the necessary information to determine whether an X-ray will assist in the diagnosis or treatment of the patient. In most cases of non-traumatic musculoskeletal conditions causing pain, an X-ray is not needed like in the example of back or neck pain that has developed after repetitive use or from having lifted a heavy object. Many factors are considered when making this decision.

Our office will be more likely to request or send patients out for X-rays in instances of trauma or a suspected fracture, when there is an onset of new symptoms without a clear cause, if a patient is not responding to care as expected, and especially when there are “red flags” that could indicate something more serious may be going on.

How many visits will I need?

Most patients see some progress in a week or two, and many much sooner, but the number of adjustments will vary from patient to patient due to many factors such as the condition they are coming in for, the mechanism of injury, the length of time the condition has existed, the health and age of a patient, or even the physical conditions of their working environment. Generally we try to give our patients an estimate of time we expect that it will take for them to feel better, and from there we re-evaluate the condition and progress along the way to make sure we are on track toward their recovery. Our goal is to get every patient feeling as well as they can as quickly as possible, and we will often times give patients stretches or home care recommendations to help them achieve this.

What does a chiropractic treatment consist of?

The most common kind of chiropractic treatment is referred to as spinal manipulation or a chiropractic adjustment which often elicits a popping noise. Other types of treatments are also used to align the spine and joints including techniques which do not involve any popping. Our treatment generally depends on the presenting condition and patient preference of comfort level with the variety of options we can provide. At times adjustments are followed with a type of modality therapy including electrical muscle stimulation or intersegmental traction which is more commonly referred to as the roller table. Need for a therapy will be dictated by whether the patient’s condition will respond better of faster with the therapy, and will more likely be recommended in instances where there is a lot of muscular involvement or discomfort.

What is the popping noise?

The popping noises are caused by small pockets of air or gas bubbles that form and are trapped within the fluid of the joints. As the joint is stretched, gas exchange occurs and causes this popping noise, as often noticed when someone cracks their knuckles.

Can I get chiropractic care during pregnancy?

Care during pregnancy actually can have a lot of benefits for both the mother and baby, Give the baby room to grow, Relieve back pain. Chiropractor can address the many painful conditions that a pregnant woman experiences during her first, second, and third trimesters, including back pain, sciatica, numbness and tingling, headaches, and limited range of motion.

What does an adjustment feel like?

Generally patients report and adjustment as feeling good, and describe they feel looser or are able to move much better. Occasionally, brief soreness.

Are all people adjusted the same way?

No. Treatments are tailored to individual patient to take into consideration patient presentation, age, muscle tightness, and preference.

What types of conditions do chiropractors treat?

Chiropractors are known for their expertise in caring for patients with back pain, neck pain, and headaches. They also treat sports injuries and other disorders involving muscles, ligaments and joints.

Is chiropractic safe?

Chiropractic care is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of most back and neck problems.

How do you become a chiropractor?

Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) go through a minimum of 4, 200 hours of classroom, lab and clinical internships during their 4-year doctoral graduate school program. Chiropractors are educated as primary contact health care practitioners, with an emphasis on musculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment.

Most professional athlete programs use chiropractors including many HS teams.

Are chiropractors allowed to practice in hospitals or use medical outpatient facilities?

Chiropractors are being recognized to admit and treat patients in hospitals and to use outpatient clinical facilities (such as labs, x-rays, etc.) for their non-hospitalized patients. Hospital privileges were first granted in 1983.

Do insurance plans cover chiropractic?

The majority of all insured American workers have coverage for chiropractic services in their health care plans.

Can kids see chiropractors?

Children can benefit from chiropractic care. Children are very physically active and experience many types of falls and blows from activities of daily living as well as from participating in sports.

What can I expect on my first visit?

The first thing a chiropractor will do is ask you about the health complaints about which you are chiefly concerned. A physical examination will be performed in accordance with your DC’s clinical judgement, and other diagnostic procedures.

Your first visit is mostly about gathering information. As with any healthcare professional, your first visit to the chiropractor involves a lot of learning on your part, and on the part of your chiropractor. They do tests to see what’s going on in your body, so you can work together to find a solution.

Should I use a Chiropractor after an auto injury?

Yes, if needed. Even “fender-benders” can cause hidden injuries that can develop into pain, headaches, and arthritis. Even worse, most people who have been involved in an auto accident may not even know that they’ve been hurt. care to help restore proper motion and position of spinal bones. If caught early enough, inflammation can be reduced and scar tissue can often be minimized.

When should I use ice and when should I use heat?

Ice reduces inflammation and swelling. It is used for acute pain and injuries.  ice is a natural anti-inflammatory. If you applied heat, the swelling would increase and so would the pain. There are four phases to icing:

• Cold
• Burning/pricking
• Aching (which can be more intense than the pain)
• Numbness

You must get through all stages for icing to have a therapeutic effect.

Is it ever Ok to use heat?
Heat tends to be most effective when used on more chronic injuries and aches to keep them flexible and comfortable. Use it on areas of chronic muscle tension, to reduce achiness from chronic arthritis, or as a means of improving body flexibility prior to exercise and activity. Avoid heat in the initial stages of an acute injury or pain flare-up.