1. What is chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a natural method of healthcare that treats the causes of physical problems rather than just the symptoms. Chiropractic is based on a simple but powerful premise: With a healthy lifestyle and normally functioning nerves, joints and spine, your body is better able to heal itself. That's because the spinal cord, which is protected by the spine, is the main pathway of your nervous system. It controls movement, feeling, and function throughout your body.
2. What are subluxations?
Subluxation occurs when joints in your spine do not move properly. This joint
dysfunction can put pressure on the spinal cord or on nerves that exit from the
spinal cord. Subluxation can happen when you misuse or overuse your spine.
Injury, stress, or poor posture can also cause subluxation. You may have pain
and stiffness in your back, or numbness and tingling in your legs or arms. Or
you may feel no symptoms at all.
A Healthy Joint
The joints in your spine allow the bones (vertebrae) to move. When the joints are aligned, the bones glide smoothly. Discs act as cushions between the bones, and ligaments and muscles connect and support the bones.
An Unhealthy Spinal Joint
An unhealty spinal joint doesn't function properly. Joints can become misaligned or restricted in their range of motion if ligaments and muscles are stretched or torn, or if discs bulge, rupture, or wear down. Then the spinal cord or the nerves that branch from it can become irritated, causing pain.
3. Do chiropractors prescribe drugs or surgical procedures?
Chiropractors don't prescribe drugs, and do not perform surgeries. The doctor focuses on drug-free, non-invasive procedures for restoring proper function as a way of pain relief and bring optimal health.
4. Will my insurance cover chiropractic care?
Most chiropractic care is covered by your insurance company, who recognize the value of chiropractic care. The Journal for Managed Care published stated that chiropractic care was more cost effective than conventional medical therapies in treating low back pain. No matter who is at fault in an auto accident, the responsible insurance company almost certainly will cover 100 % of the cost of chiropractic care. We will defer payment for you treatment until after the insurance company settles your case. Our services are also covered by Workers Compensation Insurance, for those who are injured on the job. Many studies have shown that most on the job injuries, especially those related to lower back injuries, respond quicker with chiropractic care than with any other type of treatment. If you're not sure whether your insurance company will cover treatment by our office, we will be happy to call them for you. Either call our office to make an appointment for your free consultation, or send us an email using the form below.
5. What if I don't have insurance or if my insurance company offers little, or no chiropractic coverage?
Our office proves very affordable, no-interest payment plans that are very low cost and affordable. Following your free consultation, we will provide you a written plan that describes in detail how much our treatment will cost, and how long it will take; it will also describe the various payment options available to you. If you're not happy with the plan that we present, you will be under no further obligation whatsoever.
6. How long does the initial visit take?
The initial exam will take 45-60 minutes, maybe a little more if x-rays or any other diagnostic procedures are necessary.
7. What is an adjustment?
After locating joints in your spine that are misaligned or not functioning
properly, gentle pressure is applied to the joints. By helping restore
alignment, these adjustments can improve range of motion (flexibility) in your
spine, and relieve irritated nerves.
8. Is chiropractic care safe?
Yes. Statistics prove that chiropractic care is one of the safest types of healthcare in the world. You only need to compare the malpractice premiums paid by chiropractors to those paid by medical doctors. Doctors of Chiropractic pay only one-twentieth of what medical doctors pay in malpractice premiums.
9. What causes the "cracking" or "popping" sound made during a chiropractic adjustment?
The sound is caused by the release of pressure between joint surfaces that are
restricted.
10. Should I continue chiropractic care if I don't have any symptoms and I feel better?
This is like asking, Should I continue to strive to maintain good health my whole life? The answer is obvious. Your spine is constantly being subjected to subversive impulsive forces--forces delivered in falls, bumps, and even while sleeping. Even though your last ailment may have disappeared after treatment, there may be symptoms unrecognized by you that are even now doing long-term damage to your body. Just as it is important for you to visit the dentist periodically, even if you don't feel dental pain, so is it important for you to visit the chiropractor periodically.
JA February 2005
