Questions and Answers
Below is a list of frequently asked questions which we hope you will find to be informative.
General Chiropractic F.A.Q.
Click on a question below to "jump" to the answer.
Are Chiropractic Adjustments Safe?
Will Adjustments Make My Spine Too Loose?
Can The Bones Move Too Much?
What Makes The Sound During The Adjustment?
How Many Adjustments Will I Need?
Why Do Newborns Get Adjustments?
Can I Have Chiropractic Care After Back Surgery?
Can Patients With Osteoporosis Get Chiropractic Care?
How Long Until I'll Feel Better?
Will I Receive Any Medication For My Pain?
Why Don't Medical Practitioners & Chiropractic Doctors Get Along?
What If My Health Insurance Doesn't Cover Chiropractic?
Will I Ever Be Normal Again?
What If Chiropractic Doesn't Work?
How Do I Know If I Have A Subluxation?
Can Subluxations Clear Up On Their Own?
Decompression Technology F.A.Q.
Click on a question below to "jump" to the answer.
Can Spinal Decompression Therapy Help My Pain?
Will Spinal Decompression Treatments Hurt? Is it Safe?
Is Spinal Decompression Therapy New?
How Long Will My Treatment Program Be?
Why is Spinal Decompression more successful Than Other Treatment Options?
Why the Need for Exercises and Other Therapies?
Will My Pain Go Away For Good?
How Much Will it Cost?
General Chiropractic F.A.Q.
1. Are Chiropractic Adjustments Safe?
New Zealand government study found that adjustments are "remarkably safe." By avoiding drugs and risky surgery, chiropractic care enjoys and excellent track record. A thorough exam can identify the rare person for whom chiropractic care might be unsuited.
2. Will Adjustments Make My Spine Too Loose?
No. Only the spinal joints that are "locked up" receive adjustments. This allows the muscles and ligaments to stabilise and heal.
3. Can The Bones Move Too Much?
Highly unlikely. A chiropractic adjustment is special. It has the right amount of energy, delivered to an exact spot, at a precise angle, at just the right time. The intent is to get a "stuck" spinal joint moving again, helping reduce nerve interference. Years of training, practice and experience make chiropractic adjustments specific and safe.
4. What Makes The Sound During The Adjustment?
Lubricating fluids separate the bones of each spinal joint. Some adjusting methods can produce a sound when the gas and fluids in the joint shift. It's much like opening a bottle of champagne or removing a suction cup. The sound is interesting, but it isn't a guide to the quality or value of the adjustment.
5. How Many Adjustments Will I Need?
The number of adjustments varies with each patient and their individual health goals. Many patients sense progress within a week or two of frequent visits. Visits become less often as your spine stabilises. In chronic cases, complete healing can take months or even years.
6. Why Do Newborns Get Adjustments?
Even today's "natural" childbirth methods can affect an infant's spine. Preliminary studies suggested that colic, unusual crying, poor appetite, ear infections or erratic sleeping habits can be signs of spinal distress. Paediatric adjustments are gentle. Knowing exactly where to adjust, the doctor applies no more pressure than you'd use to test the ripeness of a tomato.
7. Can I Have Chiropractic Care After Back Surgery?
Yes. Rest assured that your chiropractic doctor will avoid the surgically modified areas of your spine. Surgery often causes instability above or below the involved level. These areas will be the focus of your chiropractic care.
8. Can Patients With Osteoporosis Get Chiropractic Care?
Of course. When developing a care plan, your chiropractic doctor considers the unique circumstances of each patient. There are many ways to adjust the spine. The method selected will be suited to your age, size and condition.
9. How Long Until I'll Feel Better?
Some patients experience almost instant relief. Others discover it can take many weeks or months. Many factors can affect the healing process. How long have you had your problem? Are you keeping your appointments? Are you getting the proper rest, exercise and nutrition? Do you smoke? Are you in otherwise good condition? Within a short period of time, most patients sense enough progress to fully carry out their doctor's recommendations.
10. Will I Receive Any Medication For My Pain?
No. Chiropractic doctors don't dispense drugs. Because we rely on natural methods, we can show you how to use ice and/or heat packs to control painful symptoms. When properly applied, ice/heat can have an analgesic effect without the side effects of pain medications.
11. Why Don't Medical Practitioners & Chiropractic Doctors Get Along?
That's changing. Years of prejudice and bias are giving way to research showing the benefits of chiropractic care. Attitudes are slow to change. However, as the public demands alternatives to drugs and surgery, more and more medical practitioners are referring their patients to our office.
12. What If My Health Insurance Doesn't Cover Chiropractic?
Your health affects everything you do and everyone you know. It is your most valuable possession. Yet, each of us is free to place a different value on our health. It's convenient when an insurance company or third party helps pay the bill. But be careful! Don't allow the profit motive of a huge corporation to make the decision for you. Find out how we make chiropractic care affordable for just about anyone.
13. Will I Ever Be Normal Again?
Patient results vary. Many report improved spinal curves and the total resumption of their normal lifestyle. Those who neglect or delayed seeking care often see slower progress. After improvements, many patients discover that periodic chiropractic checkups can help avoid a relapse.
14. What If Chiropractic Doesn't Work?
If we're unable to find and correct the cause of your particular health problem, we will refer you to another specialist who may be able to help. Your health is our primary goal.
15. How Do I Know If I Have A Subluxation?
You can have subluxations and not even know about it. Like the early stages of tooth decay or cancer, subluxations can be present before the warning signs appear. The results of a thorough examination can show the location and severity of subluxations you may have.
16. Can Subluxations Clear Up On Their Own?
Sometimes. Today's hectic lifestyles are a constant source of subluxations. Fortunately, our bodies have the ability to self-correct many of these problems as we bend and stretch, or when we sleep at night. When subluxations don't resolve, you need to see a chiropractic doctor!
Decompression Technology F.A.Q.
1. Can Spinal Decompression Therapy Help My Pain?
Though each patient is different and no doctor can guarantee success, the clinical results of this type of therapy have been effective in 86% of patients treated. The common problems of many back conditions are damaged discs and poor spinal muscle control. Our treatment program addresses both of these core problems. The specially designed spinal decompression table creates a controlled unloading of the vertebra to decrease disc pressure thus increasing blood and nutrient exchange. This exchange of fluids is something the damaged disc desperately needs to help it heal from the inside out. Muscle strength, control and endurance can all be improved with other facets of spinal decompression therapy that include specific controlled exercises.
2. Will Spinal Decompression Treatments Hurt? Is it Safe?
Spinal Decompression Therapy treatments are one of the most gentle and comfortable therapies available. The treatments utilize FDA cleared equipment with proven safety and efficacy and have never been reported to cause injury. Most patients report a mild sense of stretch on their back or hips, and often fall asleep during treatment sessions. The spinal decompression system is produced by the world's largest manufacturer of hospital based rehabilitation equipment, with over 58 years of experience.
3. Is Spinal Decompression Therapy New?
Although traction therapy has been around for thousands of years, Decompressive Traction is relatively new. Advances in equipment and procedures have dramatically improved effectiveness. Spinal decompression therapy is the most comprehensive program available, allowing the safe delivery of this previously hospital based therapy in our office. Continual improvements in the delivery system and regular updates in protocol keep spinal decompression in the forefront of non-invasive disc therapy. Each year over 50,000 patients are treated with spinal decompression therapy and that number is growing. For a complete comparison of spinal decompression with traction and other surgical options, check out "How does spinal decompression stack up?"
4. How Long Will My Treatment Program Be?
It depends on the complexity and extent of the rehabilitation needed, however we typically treat 3 times a week for 1 month, transitioning from passive to active treatments as you respond. The treatment is administered over a reasonable timeframe and your response is continually evaluated. Further treatments may be necessary or a reduced frequency may be recommended at that time. The rehabilitative phase may include additional spinal decompression treatments, with spinal adjustments to enhance the results. Most patents are released from treatments after 8-12 weeks.
5. Why is Spinal Decompression Therapy More Successful Than Other Treatment Options?
Spinal Decompression therapy is a comprehensive program of the newest traction techniques and targeted "core" stabilization exercises with Biofeedback. In addition, we use other adjunctive treatments that have proven effectiveness in back care. It is this multi-faceted approach that makes the overall treatment so effective. Additionally, discs have been shown to be a predominate site of pain, so treating it as directly as possible makes sense. The blending of focused traction of the site, rehabilitation to the supporting structures, and overall strengthening of global musculature makes the treatment unique. Spinal decompression therapy affects the disc as directly as possible without surgery. For a complete comparison of spinal decompression with traction and other surgical options, check out "How does spinal decompression stack up?"
6. Why the Need for Exercises and Other Therapies?
Along with the damage in the disc, we also need to treat the supporting spinal muscles. A complete program targeting the function of the stabilization muscles is a vital part of spinal decompression therapy. Heat, muscle stimulation, and cold laser therapy can offer additional benefits for inflammation and spasm reduction. Our hope is not only to help heal the disc but enhance muscle control and support of the low back. A gradual breakdown of the foundational support of your back is what puts undue stresses on the discs and leads to pain and loss of function. Exercise and adjunctive therapies will assist in rehabilitating these structures.
7. Will My Pain Go Away For Good?
Although it is difficult to predict the future, our experience is that most patients do find long-term relief or effective management of their pain when they complete the entire program of treatments. Regular home exercise and periodic visits to our clinic will help in maintaining your spinal health and reduce the probability of reoccurrence. As with any comprehensive rehabilitation program, your continued home care exercises and discretion in some daily activities is the key to long-term relief.
8. How Much Will it Cost?
Our office visits vary as to the extent of care needed. However we promise to only do those procedures necessary for your fullest recovery. You always have the choice as to the extent of care. Our staff will review all costs, payment options and insurance coverage up front. We want to help and believe finances shouldn't stand in the way of you and good health.