Answering your 10 common questions about chiropractic.

Chiropractic care is one of the fastest growing medical sciences in the world, with about one out of every four people seeing a Doctor of Chiropractic at some point in their lives. It’s also seen as a safe, natural, and effective way to treat a variety of conditions, including common back and neck pain, while avoiding risky surgeries and dangerous prescription painkillers.

But there is still a lack of familiarity with chiropractic care among the general public, so education is paramount for potential patients who are looking for relief.

In this blog, I’ll give you a snapshot of the ten most common questions about chiropractic care, and I’ll follow up with an additional ten common questions in part two!

How does chiropractic care work?
Chiropractic care features an adjustment or manipulation to the joints in your spine, ensuring that there’s correct spacing between the vertebrae for proper nerve function. This spinal manipulation also frees up the motion of the joints. By alleviating the pressure on your spinal cord, often caused by swelling and/or bulging or herniated discs, the nerves are able to communicate effectively with the rest of the body resulting in relief from many symptoms/conditions.

Does an appointment with the chiropractor always include a spinal adjustment?
No, as each patient has different needs and treatment options based on their circumstances and conditions. For instance, many patients come in for Active Release Therapy to treat their muscle, tendon, or ligament issues, which doesn’t include any spinal manipulation.

Is chiropractic care expensive?
You’ll find that visiting the chiropractor on a regular basis is reasonably affordable. Furthermore, it’s a lot less expensive than other options (like NOT getting treatment) or even than traditional medical care in a hospital setting. In fact, a recent study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics illustrated that back pain treated by a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) is about 20% less costly than when starting with a medical doctor. Additionally, starting your treatment with a visit to a DC may help avoid extremely expensive (and risky) surgeries.

Can chiropractic help with more than just back pain?
While back pain is a chief reason why many people make an appointment, there are far more conditions and injuries that I treat. Chiropractic care usually includes an adjustment (spinal manipulation) of the vertebrae, as well as the adjusting of your back and joints to reintroduce the proper motion to those areas, relieving pain and pressure. For instance, I specialize in treating conditions due to auto accidents as well as sports injuries, including administering Active Release Therapy (ART) and electrical muscle stimulation (EMS).

Does getting adjusted hurt?
Spinal manipulation is gentle and administered cautiously. If there is any slight discomfort experienced by patients, it’s because the DC is relieving pressure, which will help reduce pain – not cause it. But most patients feel no pain, are soon able to relax and even enjoy visiting the chiropractor.

What other issues can chiropractic care help?
Aside from just back or neck pain, chiropractic care may be useful to a wide variety of conditions, including headaches, allergies, herniated discs, Sciatica, digestive trouble, asthma, and more, although more conclusive research is needed. Additionally, chiropractic care will improve range of motion, boost athletic recovery and performance, and treat trauma suffered in an auto accident, such as whiplash.

Is chiropractic care safe for me?
Chiropractic care is very safe when administered correctly, and overall, has an exemplary record. In fact, chiropractic is a natural and healthy way to treat conditions, pain, and improve wellness without risky surgeries and dangerous, highly-addictive painkillers.

What kind of education does it take to become a chiropractor?
To become a Doctor of Chiropractic, you need to attend an accredited university or college and complete at least 4,200 hours of study in the field, including classroom, laboratory, and clinical experience. Upon graduation, they then must pass a stringent National Board Examination, and then apply with state, national, and professional licensing boards. Therefore, becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic is comparable to earning a M.D. designation.

Will my insurance plan cover chiropractic care?
The good news is that most major health insurance plans cover the cost of chiropractic appointments, including worker’s compensation, Medicare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and other plans. If you have questions about payment and making sure your health plan covers chiropractic appointments, simply contact your health insurance provider or call my office if you need some help.

Who trusts chiropractic care?
These days, chiropractic care is widely popular around the world. For instance, about 30 million people will go visit their chiropractor this year in the U.S. alone. One of the fastest-growing users of chiropractic is the sports community, as professional athletes all the way down to weekend warriors utilize this care to boost performance and treat injuries, including just about every team in major pro sports. Even the armed forces offer chiropractic treatment to active duty members at 60 military bases and for U.S. veterans at medical facilities across the country.

In fact, Medical Doctors often refer patients to chiropractors now when they think this treatment would be beneficial.

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