Frequently Asked Questions
What is chiropractic? How does chiropractic work? What can a chiropractor help? Who should see a doctor of chiropractic? Is chiropractic safe? How are doctors of chiropractic educated? What can I expect on my first visit? How does chiropractic correct my spinal problems? How much chiropractic care will I need? Is chiropractic care expensive? Will my insurance cover it?Answers
What is chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a natural method of health care with the proven ability to relieve pain, increase vitality, and promote well-being. For over a century, doctors of chiropractic have successfully helped millions of individuals recover from spine-related health problems. As a result, chiropractic has earned its place as the largest drugless and non-surgical health care profession in the United States.
How does chiropractic work?
The human body possesses a natural ability to restore itself. This ability depends on a healthy nervous system. Life's events such as automobile accidents, sports injuries, repetitive work, and home stress are just some of the factors that can overwhelm the body's ability to adapt. The joints of the body 'lock up' when these sorts of events occur, limiting range of motion. Joint restriction and/or misalignment can result in irritation to the nerves and can lead to pain, spasms, swelling, numbnness, tingling, and burning. Chiropractic care can correct these structural distortions, known as subluxations, thereby relieving symptoms and restoring the body to its optimal form and function. Local symptoms of subluxations may include pain, tenderness, swelling, tingling, numbness, or spasm around the joints of the spine, back, and neck.
Impaired nerve coordination causes the whole body to suffer. Vital instructions flow between the brain and the body by way of spinal nerves. These instructions inform and direct the body as to when, where, and how it needs to heal itself. By irritating nerves, subluxations interfere with the essential brain/body exchange; thereby compromising the normal function of the body's organs and tissues. Chiropractic care clears the path for the body to maintain its own health.
What can a chiropractor help?
Doctors of chiropractic are specially trained in the evaluation and treatment of joint conditions, which is why an increasing number of pain sufferers are turning to them for fast, effective, and reliable care. Similarly, more and more hospitals and private practices are now working closely with doctors of chiropractic in order to ensure the best quality of care for patients who suffer from joint-related injuries and dysfunction.
Chiropractic care has repeatedly been shown to benefit people who suffer neck and back pain. In addition, chiropractic has proven itself useful in reducing headaches, jaw pain, sciatica, carpel tunnel syndrome, shoulder/elbow/wrist pain, and hip/knee/ankle/foot pain. People under chiropractic care report better health and well-being and many families have realized the benefits of chiropractic care for their children.
Who should see a doctor of chiropractic?
Nerve interference can affect anyone, which is why people of all ages experience relief and improved health through chiropractic care. A qualified doctor of chiropractic will best determine the appropriateness of care for you or your family.
No method of health care has proven itself to be more effective than chiropractic in helping those who suffer from back and neck pain. Doctors of chiropractic are the most highly qualified professionals in evaluating and caring for these, as well as many other health problems.
Is chiropractic safe?
YES. This non-surgical, drug-free approach to health is among the safest of all health care practices. Remember, chiropractic takes nothing out of the body and puts nothing in. As a result, chiropractors enjoy one of the lowest malpractice rates of all health care professionals.
How are doctors of chiropractic educated?
Like all primary health care providers, doctors of chiropractic undergo extensive education and training before becoming licensed professionals. Students begin by fulfilling undergraduate degree requirements, with a strong emphasis on the core sciences such as chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and physics.
The professional program leading to the Doctor of Chiropractic degree is very demanding. Chiropractic students continue their study of the sciences, including pathology and biochemistry, at a highly detailed level.
Their education continues into the advanced clinical sciences including orthopedics, neurology, examination procedures, differential diagnosis, and X-ray interpretation. During this entire process, aspiring doctors of chiropractic gain knowledge of the philosophy and practice of health care and chiropractic.
Doctors of chiropractic refine their technical adjusting skills in technique classes. During clinical internships student doctors perfect these skills.
Finally, all doctors of chiropractic must pass the rigorous national board exams and state exams before entering the field.
What can I expect on my first visit?
Your initial visit will begin with a consultation. Your doctor will take a case history and ask about your present condition.
Next, the doctor will perform an examination to evaluate the nature of your problem. This examination generally includes a series of basic physical tests, as well as a specialized chiropractic evaluation of the involved area(s) of complaint.
If necessary, your doctor may recommend X-rays or diagnostic tests to obtain further information about the mechanics of your spine and the details of your condition.
After completing the evaluation process and any diagnostic testing, you and your doctor will decide together if chiropractic treatment is the best option for your condition. If so, a treatment plan will be provided and treatment would typically begin at that point. If not, then we will work with you to provide an appropriate referral to a provider better suited for your condition.
Over the course of your care, your doctor will monitor your individual response and may also recommend changes to your lifestyle, work environment, dietary, and exercise patterns. If at any time the doctor feels that progress is not observed as expected, an appropriate referral to another health care specialist will be provided without hesitation.
How does chiropractic correct my spinal problems?
Your program of care will be designed and customized to your specific needs. This program is centered around the chiropractic adjustment, a method of treatment unique to chiropractic, which corrects spinal subluxations and dysfunction. The primary goal of an adjustment is to improve joint alignment and motion, thereby relieving nerve irritation and the symptoms associated with it.
You may feel immediate improvement after an adjustment, although most people experience gradual, progressive relief of symptoms over time. Since adjustments restore motion to previously locked joints, you may experience some initial soreness similar to what you might experience after starting a new exercise routine. Rest assured that any increased symptoms in the first few treatments will be short-lived and you will soon be seeing consistent benefits from your chiropractic visits.
How much chiropractic care will I need?
The number of visits you make to your chiropractor depends on the nature of your condition and your personal goals. Many people use chiropractic as part of a preventive health care routine, scheduling chiropractic appointments on a regular basis to keep their bodies functioning at their best. Others seek care and treatment for specific conditions with pain relief as the primary goal of treatment. It is important for you to discuss your objectives with your chiropractor in order to develop a treatment plan that works best for you.
Keep in mind, healing rates vary from person to person. Children tend to respond more quickly to treatment, whereas adults and seniors may respond more slowly. A good rule of thumb is that the longer the spine has not been working properly, the more extensive the care plan may need to be to achieve desired results.
Is chiropractic care expensive? Will my insurance cover it?
Chiropractic has demonstrated itself to be one of the most cost-effective forms of care in all of the health care market. As with any product or service, fees vary by provider and location.
Many health care plans provide coverage for chiropractic care. The friendly office staff at ActiveLife would be happy to help you determine if care would be covered by your health plan at this office. Please call or e-mail if you have any questions.
Our office strives to keep our fees affordable. Please speak with us if finances are a concern. We offer several payment options and plans for those seeking the quality care we offer.