Chiropractic Care

Most chiropractic colleges require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree with a curriculum including physics, general chemistry, organic chemistry, math and biology, prior to enrollment. Once enrolled, chiropractic college takes four years to complete and involves over 4500 hours in gross anatomy, physiology, pathology, microbiology, biochemistry, neurology, orthopedics, nutrition, rehabilitation, biomechanics, radiology and chiropractic techniques. This demanding curriculum is accompanied by extensive hours in the anatomy, microbiology and physiology labs and is completed with a 2-year clinical internship involving patients from the general public. Before becoming licensed to practice, all states require students to pass a series of written and oral national board exams prior to licensing.

Chiropractic is based on the scientific principle that the body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism. These functions are ultimately controlled by the powerhouse of the body which includes the brain and spinal cord. These delicate structures are protected by the skull and bony structures of the spine, also known as vertebrae. Unfortunately from birth into adulthood we experience accidents, poor posture, stress, illness, environmental pollution and poor nutrition, all of which affect the mobility and health of the spine and nervous system. The main goal of chiropractic is to diagnose and locate ‘vertebral subluxations’ (areas of decreased motion or nerve function), and thus, maximize the capacity of the nervous system to heal the body and keep it functioning at its optimal levels.

A chiropractic adjustment is the use of a specific force, delivered by hand or by a specially designed instrument, to a joint that is not moving properly. This restores motion to the joint, helping the bones, muscles, ligaments and tendons return to a more normal state of function. Because spinal fixations do not occur over night, one adjustment is not a cure all and may not prevent the area from getting stuck again. Just like wearing braces on the teeth, poor posture and misalignments of the spine cannot be fixed overnight.

Since a healthy spine means a healthy nervous system and ultimately a healthy body, chiropractic care is useful for all ages. Many of our chiropractic patients report increased immunity and energy when they receive regular chiropractic care. In our younger patients, parents often report a decreased frequency of ear infections, asthma and seasonal illnesses.

Learning to walk and other childhood activities result in falls and bumps which can cause unseen problems with the spine. As we move into adolescence, sports and other activities may bring on repetitive joint pains or soft tissue injuries that can cause long term problems. As adults, lifting and carrying children and items around the house, long hours at the office, and those weekend warrior activities, all lead to actual complaints about the back or joints. All of these life activities can eventually lead to osteoarthritis, disc herniations and chronic pain within the spine and elsewhere in the body.

Regular visits to the chiropractor will allow him/her to find these problem areas and fix them BEFORE they start creating pain and degeneration.

Many of our patients come in with serious spinal or joint conditions. In these cases, we need to see a patient more often in the early stages of care, and then we can usually taper this off over a period of 4-6 weeks. Depending on your individual case, we will recommend a specific course of care unique to your condition. Once we have reached a stage where you are out of pain, we typically recommend regular once-a-month preventative maintenance care. We prefer that our patients do not wait until they have pain before they schedule an appointment. We have found that this saves time and money in the long run.

Due to the varied needs of different populations, many different spinal adjusting techniques are necessary. For acute injuries, for children, and for the elderly, lower force techniques are often preferred. These techniques are gentle and equally as effective as the more commonly used high force techniques. Some people, on the other hand, prefer to hear and feel a release in the spine. Depending on the condition and individual preference, our office uses both low and high force techniques so that we may accommodate all types of patients.

In many cases no x-rays are required however, depending on your history and our findings, we may refer you for a site specific X-ray, MRI or CT. We care about your health and we do not use unnecessary testing as a tool to sell you on chiropractic care.

Your first visit will involve a comprehensive exam and systems review specific to your physical concern. If the doctor feels a more in depth, analysis is required, you may be referred for further studies. Some treatment will occur in the first session.

The second visit is the report of findings visit where you will be given a diagnosis and treatment plan. The doctor will let you know exactly what steps need to be taken to improve your health.

We accept most forms of health insurance, however, covered services vary between plans. When you call in for an appointment, our staff will verify what types of coverage you may have and whether or not you have chiropractic benefits. Most insurance companies cover between 60-80% of your care after your deductible has been met; however, you are responsible for those fees which your insurance policy may not cover. A time of service discount is offered to cash paying patients and those who want to file their own claims.

We are currently providers for Blue Cross Blue Shield and United Health.

Fees vary according to patient needs. Please contact us if you have specific questions regarding your treatment and cost.