Frequently Asked
Questions
Many people first visit a chiropractor because they are in pain. They may be suffering from sciatica, backpain, neck pain and headaches or whiplash. They return for that relief but also for the whole-body wellness care that comes from an appropriately moving spine, balanced muscle integrity, postural training and what we like to call “grocery store nutrition”. Chiropractic seeks to achieve the above through a variety of adjustive techniques, all aimed at relieving pressure on nerves so that the structures they inform can work better and you can achieve the natural, improved health your body is always trying to work toward.
There are many kinds of techniques available to chiropractors and our patients. At our office, we prefer to tailor the technique(s) to the individual and most of our techniques are on the gentle, but specific side. You’re probably already dealing with plenty of stress so we don’t see the point of adding any when there is a better way to achieve our partnered goals. That being said, there are a lot of techniques and if a technique or even a position doesn’t feel good to you for any reason, please tell us. While we may have favorite techniques, there are many to choose from. Please see our article, “Chiropractic: As Individual as a Handshake.”
That is up to you! We will tell you what we think will work best for you, but you are an adult (or a child who has come for care, accompanied by their custodial adult). We understand that work may take you out of town, things can get complicated at home, cash can be short (we have a few things that can help you get care if that’s the case) or you just plain want to think about it.
On your first visit, we do a detailed history and exam. Please plan on an hour, longer if you haven’t filled out your history form at home. You will get your first adjustment on that day, unless we see a reason to wait. Then, we will usually see you anywhere from 2 days to two weeks later to do a progress exam, going over everything that was positive on your first visit. Sometimes, we’ll ask you to call us about your progress so we can make sure you’re on the right track and to answer any questions you may have come up with. If that’s the case, please remember to call. It’s important re: your care. We don’t do long treatment plans here, we’d rather check in and stay on top of things. Some people come in with raging problems and there are only one or two things that are causing them. They quickly disappear. Some people come in with mild but chronic problems and those problems may take a few more visits. That’s where the shorter plans with more frequent check-ins make sense.
After the first visit, the first progress check/adjustment is scheduled for 30 minutes to give us time to check everything we need to and still get your questions answered. After that, visits are usually scheduled for 15 minutes. We say usually because, again, some people have no questions, their adjustments are holding well and 5 or ten minutes will do well by them. They still have their 15 minutes should they need it. Others will need more than 15 minutes and, within reason, they will get it.
We do ask A: that you come on time, so everyone gets their full appointment time without rolling over into someone else’s. Stuff does happen but your appointments here are very individually tailored and we want to be able to do that. B. If you have had a new incident between your most recent and next appointments (crash, fall, work or family crisis, moved furniture and strained yourself to name a few) please call us and let us know. We may want to give you more time and that might include a minor appointment change. Sometimes we can do what extra checking in we need to do on the phone, but we won’t know until we know you may be coming in with an extra problem and gotten the story on it.
As mentioned above, there are many techniques available for your care. Our major tools come from Diversified (a gentle and extremely specific version of what many people think of as basic chiropractic), and Applied Kinesiology, an even more detailed technique, part adjustment, part additional analysis. Other techniques we may use include but aren’t limited to: SOT and Palmer Upper Cervical. We’d be happy to discuss any and all of these with you during your appointment.
We see all age groups, from infants to seniors. Obviously, we adjust technique for each individual. When a child says “Lady, let’s shake hands” you wouldn’t use the same grip you use on your cousin Bruno, the semi-pro lifter.
Humans are not “finished” when they emerge into the world. They continue to develop. We are here for them to help them develop as well as possible. Sometimes a rough delivery causes problems. Many of these can be fixed or ameliorated through gentle chiropractic care. As children grow and learn to sit up and to walk, they start to develop the natural spinal curves that will be with them, in one way or another, through life. Children play and fall. Some kids are couch potatoes (not good for them!). Here’s the big one… kids are spending a lot of time in front of the TV, staring at a computer screen or adoring their phone. Kids today are involved in so many of the same activities as adults it’s no surprise they start developing problems early, even though they may not be as intensely aware of them. There are many things that can interfere with kids physically, biochemically and emotionally but they have an ace. Their structures have not turned completely to bone yet. This means it is easier to catch these problems early and do even more for kids. Got questions? We’d be happy to discuss them with you.
Yes this is one of those times where gentle techniques, as well as communication with your other providers (when possible), will give you the best choices and results.
Almost every concussion involves spinal trauma, whether from the original injury or from the body trying to adapt and heal. These spinal traumas cause spinal misalignments/restrictions with nerve irritation, also known as vertebral subluxations. These subluxations can aggravate concussion-related problems, including headache, balance and coordination problems, and slow reaction time. Our post-injury evaluation will take both concussion and spinal subluxation into account. We can certainly work with cooperative coaches, school officials, and work supervisors to set up accommodations relevant to the individual’s situation. If symptoms last longer than expected, we can refer you to a specialist for additional evaluation and co-management.
It is not at all unusual for some concussion symptoms to linger for months or years, even after you have recovered sufficiently to go back to your everyday life. Common lingering symptoms include headache and problems with balance and attention span. These problems can be aggravated by vertebral misalignments (subluxations). Chiropractic adjustments address these subluxations, and can play an important role in relieving your lingering concussion-related problems. Please see our video, “Mo’s Concussion” on our You Tube channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UCkEKVboDAUWH4YEJnfrlnPg.
Music is wonderful. Some of the positions and skills necessary to turn out a great performance are not so great in terms of what they require from the performer. Singers can put a lot of strain into their throat, neck and diaphragm. Pianists spend a lot of time sitting and many horns, particularly the bigger ones, can wind the musician into some truly uncomfortable positions. Guitarists usually have a strap pressing on their shoulders and upper trapezii for long periods and violinists play with their heads tilted for the entire performance. Did we digress? No, music is wonderful work and carries its bag of strains with it. It’s real, not your imagination and in most cases we can help.
People often tighten up during stress. They hunch their shoulders, hold their breath and contract their back and lower back muscles. These actions pull the back and extremities out of their normal positions and ranges of motion, put stress on nerve roots and lower the oxygen content of muscles. It can really drain your adrenal function, which helps keep your ligaments taut but flexible. Stress can make you not only emotionally but physically wretched!
We see people of all ages here. If your elderly parent or friend has noticeable memory loss, we’ll ask you to come in with him or her. We do this because we want them to be able to remember what we tell them, even if they need a little boost from a loving family member or buddy. You will be able to help them with any home exercises or recommendations we make. Depending on where the memory gaps are, you can also help them feel more comfortable coming to a new place even if our office is always perceived by them as new. You may also be able to help them follow directions in the office. Otherwise, nothing changes. Technique will be adapted to his or her specific needs and we’ll work together to help them restore and maintain their health.
No. We will do your Medicare paperwork for you for reimbursable visits and they will send your information on to your supplemental insurer if you have one. If you are not yet on Medicare and have insurance you’d like to use, we will give you a form with all the information your insurance company should need to reimburse you.
Why do it this way? We’d rather spend our time helping you get well than curling up with the phone and computer, hoping we’re not talking to a robot.
Yes, we have one day per month set aside during which we have a box on the front counter, into which you put a combination of what you can afford and what you feel our care is worth to you. Unless you choose to use a check or credit card on that day, no one will know what you paid. Your care will be as attentive and detail-oriented as any other day we are seeing patients. Some people who need frequent care use this day to make chiropractic a little more affordable for them. Lost your job? Unexpected expense? Our Chiropractic Independence Days will help you weather the storm without embarrassment or negotiating.
Want an early intervention program? We’ve got you covered. You can buy 6, 12 or 18 pack programs that run on a 14 month year. These are priced to be very affordable and help you get the care you need when you need it.