HAVE A QUESTION? MAYBE IT'S ANSWERED BELOW

No, a patient does not need referral by an MD before visiting a doctor of chiropractic. Chiropractors are first contact physicians, and are so defined in federal and state regulations. Following a consultation and examination, the doctor of chiropractic will arrive at a diagnosis under chiropractic care, or refer the patient to the appropriate health care provider.

Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal complaints. Although chiropractic has an excellent safety record, no health treatment is completely free of potential adverse effects.

The risks associated with chiropractic, however, are very small. Many patients feel immediate relief following chiropractic treatment, but some may experience mild soreness or aching, just as they do after some forms of exercise. Current literature shows that minor discomfort or soreness following spinal manipulation typically fades within 24 hours.

Neck pain and some types of headaches are treated through precise cervical manipulation. Cervical manipulation, often called a neck adjustment, works to improve joint mobility in the neck, restoring range of motion and reducing muscle spasm, which helps relieve pressure and tension.

Neck manipulation is a remarkably safe procedure. While some reports have associated upper high-velocity neck manipulation with a certain kind of stroke, or vertebral artery dissection, there is not yet a clear understanding of the connection. The occurrence appears to be very rare—1 in 5.85 million manipulations— based on the clinical reports and scientific studies to date. If you are visiting your doctor of chiropractic with upper-neck pain or headache, be very specific about your symptoms. This will help your doctor of chiropractic offer the safest and most effective treatment, even if it involves referral to another health care provider.

It is important for patients to understand the risks associated with some of the most common treatments for musculoskeletal pain -- prescription and over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) -- as these treatments may carry risks significantly greater than those of chiropractic manipulation. According to a study from the American Journal of Gastroenterology, approximately one-third of all hospitalizations and deaths related to gastrointestinal bleeding can be attributed to the use of aspirin or NSAID painkillers like ibuprofen.

No. We use a very light force. That being said, when an area of your body is not functioning properly, simply touching the area may not feel pleasant. We do work in areas that are irritated, to address the cause of the irritation. Pain is felt differently by each person. Some people can barely feel the treatment, and wonder aloud how a minor movement can make such a big difference. Some people are very sensitive to touch and movement, but tolerate it because they feel so much better after treatment. Almost every initially sensitive client becomes more comfortable with treatment over time. We try to use the least force necessary for healing. Most everyone ends their session feeling relaxed, in less pain, and with less tension. Occasionally our clients find treatment so relaxing, that they fall asleep during sessions.

Our main tools are our hands, but occasionally we use an activator or a set of soft blocks.

We don't think so, but it depends on your perspective. The sad fact is that most people invest more money in their cars than they do in their health. But consider this: compared to anything you own, your body is infinitely more valuable!

If you incorporate chiropractic care as part of your long term health strategy, chiropractic will save you money by keeping your body functioning optimally. This greatly reduces your risk of disease, pain, and the need for surgery or drugs (each of these can be much more expensive than chiropractic care). You either pay for your health today with your time, attention and money, -or- you pay for it tomorrow with pain, dysfunction, lifestyle compromises, and (eventually) a lot more money.

That can only truly be determined by the doctor. Most care can be rendered without the use of x-rays. X-rays are requested in less that 10 percent of people seen in our office and are due to clinical necessity.

Yes, 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. Injuries such as these may cause many symptoms including back and neck pain, stiffness, soreness or discomfort. Chiropractic care is always adapted to the individual patient. It is a highly skilled treatment, and in the case of children, very gentle.

Is chiropractic treatment covered by insurance? The majority of all insured American workers have coverage for chiropractic services in their health care plans. For example, the federal government's Office of Personnel Management offers chiropractic coverage for federal employees in both the Mail Handlers and BCBS benefit plans. In addition, there is a chiropractic benefit in Federal Workers' Compensation, and chiropractic care is available to members of the armed forces at more than 40 military bases, and is available at nearly 30 veterans' medical facilities.

The hands-on nature of the chiropractic treatment is essentially what requires patients to visit the chiropractor a number of times. To be treated by a chiropractor, a patient needs to be in his or her office. In contrast, a course of treatment from medical doctors often involves a pre-established plan that is conducted at home (i.e. taking a course of antibiotics once a day for a couple of weeks). A chiropractor may provide acute, chronic, and/or preventive care thus making a certain number of visits sometimes necessary. Your doctor of chiropractic should tell you the extent of treatment recommended and how long you can expect it to last.

Adjustment of a joint may result in release of a gas bubble between the joints that makes a popping sound – it's exactly the same as when you "crack" your knuckles. The noise is caused by the change of pressure within the joint that results in gas bubbles being released. There is no pain involved.