Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)

Once I see a chiropractor do I have to go for the rest of my life?
Do you have to go to the dentist for the rest of your life? No; but you don’t want your teeth to rot. The same holds true for your spine. The extent to which you choose to benefit from your chiropractic care is ultimately up to you. You are the only person who can make decisions about the quality of your health and well-being. However, we do strongly urge all of our clients to consider regular chiropractic care. The long-term, lasting benefits of chiropractic care are well documented. Just as you would regularly visit the dentist for your oral health, we recommend that you visit your chiropractor on a regular basis to maintain your spinal health.

How much will it cost?
Costs vary and generally depend on the number of treatments required to effectively treat your condition. A number of studies have shown that chiropractic care is extremely cost effective when compared to other “medical” forms of care for similar conditions. Many health benefit plans also cover chiropractic care.

What is a “subluxation” and how do I know if I have one?
A subluxation is a misalignment of the bones that house and protect the spinal cord. Any misalignment puts unnecessary pressure on the nerve system and damages the nerve supply to different parts of the body. Vertebral subluxations that are left undetected and unadjusted for many years can lead to symptoms of pain, diseases and unhealthy expression of life.

It’s not easy to know when you have a subluxation, although a pain of some kind can be an indication. However, pain is usually a late arriving symptom to subluxations and may not present for many years following subluxation. Abnormal posture including one shoulder higher than the other, hips not level or a head forward past the shoulders can also be indicative of a subluxation. Often, the nerves that are negatively affected because of the misalignment in the spine do not carry pain signals. This means that you can suffer from subluxations for years without any painful warning signs. However, allowing subluxations to exist in your body can negatively impact the functions of the organs in your body, which leads to a deterioration of your health.

Do chiropractors treat conditions other than back pain?
Chiropractors provide effective treatment for all types of disorders and not just back and neck ailments. This includes conditions of the joints of the extremities like the ankle, knee and shoulder. What you may not be aware of is chiropractic’s success in treating a number of non-soft tissue conditions like dysmenorrheal (painful menses), ulcers, migraine headaches and ear infections in children. By correcting spinal abnormalities like the vertebral subluxation, chiropractic has helped thousands of individuals overcome these conditions and regain control of their lives.

Does chiropractic hurt? Is it safe?
Under normal circumstances, adjustments don’t hurt. Chiropractic adjustments or manipulations are extremely safe. The risk factor is estimated to be in excess of one million to one.

How does chiropractic care help pregnant women?
Because of the physiological changes taking place in a woman’s body during pregnancy, chiropractic treatment can help relieve pregnancy-related low back, pelvic, leg and should blade pain. It may also reduce incidences of headache and shortness of breath. Ask your chiropractor how much experience he or she has in treating pregnant women.

What can I expect to happen on my first visit?
If you didn’t get a chance to print out our intake forms and fill them out prior to arriving at the clinic, the first order of business is to complete the necessary paperwork. Once completed, you will have a chance to discuss your health concerns with one of the doctors. After your consultation is completed, you and your doctor will decide what procedures will be required for proper diagnosis of your health concerns. First visits typically last 30-40 minutes.

What should I do if I am in an accident?
Seek chiropractic care as soon as possible. Even low-speed automobile accidents can damage your body. The longer you wait to receive treatment, the more difficult it can be to treat your symptoms. Too many people wait until their symptoms are overwhelming. We have found that victims of automobile or work related accidents respond much quicker if they receive care within 5-7 days of the accident.

If I feel fine, do I still need to get adjusted?
Yes. It has been noted that the last symptom of many health problems is pain. (We like to say that pain is the last to come and the first to go.) Therefore, you may be feeling good, but have an underlying problem you are not aware of.