|
|
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is the third-largest doctoral-level health care profession in the
western world after medicine and dentistry. Its approach to human health is
based on the premise that the relationship between structure and function in the
human body is a significant health factor and that relationships between the
spinal column and the nervous system are important to the health and well-being
of the individual. |
|
|
What is a doctor of chiropractic?
Doctors of chiropractic, also known as chiropractors are licensed physicians who
give special attention to the interaction between the musculoskeletal system,
nervous system, and a patient's lifestyle. |
|
|
How is
chiropractic different from traditional medicine?
Chiropractic treats the whole person, not just the symptoms. By using a holistic
approach and examining the lifestyle of the individual, chiropractic physicians
not only address the problem, but the cause as well. Chiropractic avoids
high-risk solutions such as prescription drugs and surgery. Instead,
chiropractic care involves a more natural, conservative approach that promotes
self-healing and helps to strengthen the body's natural defense systems. |
|
|
What is a chiropractic adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment is the art of using a specific gentle pressure in a
precise direction, applied to a joint that is subluxated or not moving properly.
The purpose of this safe and natural procedure is to eliminate interference to
the nervous system, improving spinal function and overall health. |
|
|
Can I tell if my spine is
not in alignment?
Not always. A subluxation is as hidden and silent as a dental cavity or cancer.
Subluxations unknowingly appear long before the symptoms do. That's why periodic
spinal checkups are so important so that these misalignments can be detected
early and corrected. |
|
|
Are all patients adjusted the
same way?
No. Dr. Levine evaluates each patient's unique spinal problem and develops an
individual course of care. Each chiropractic adjustment builds on the one
before. The resulting recommendations are based upon years of training and
experience. Each patient's care is uniquely different from every other patient. |
|
|
Can I adjust myself?
No. Since a chiropractic adjustment is a specific gentle pressure, applied in a
specific direction to a specific joint, it is virtually impossible to adjust
oneself correctly and accurately. It is possible to turn or bend or twist in
certain ways to create a "popping" sound that sometimes accompanies a
chiropractic adjustment. Unfortunately, this type of joint manipulation is
usually counterproductive, often making an already unstable spine even more
unstable negatively effecting the ligaments and muscles. |
|
|
Can a person who had back surgery see a chiropractor?
Yes. It's an unfortunate fact that up to half of those who had spinal surgery
discover a return of the same or similar symptoms months or years later. They
then face the prospect of another surgery. This too common occurrence is known
as "Failed Back Surgery Syndrome." Chiropractic may help prevent repeated back
surgeries by conservative non-invasive treatment. In fact, if chiropractic care
is initially utilized, there is a high probability back surgery can often be
avoided in the first place. |
|
|
Does chiropractic work for all types of health problems?
No, however chiropractic care is successful with a very wide variety of health
problems not necessarily considered "back" problems because of improved nerve
system function. With a normal nerve supply, improved communication between the
brain and the body's natural healing mechanisms can improve a variety of health
problems. |
|
|
Are chiropractic adjustments effective?
Yes! While there are millions of individual case experiences to support
chiropractic's benefits, there are also numerous published studies that
demonstrate the effectiveness of spinal manipulation. |
|
|
Are chiropractic adjustments safe?
Yes! It is one of the safest drugless, non-surgical and effective treatments
available when administered by a qualified chiropractic physician who is
well-trained and experienced in the use of manipulation. |
|
|
Does an adjustment hurt?
Some people fear that treatment is painful or will cause harm. In reality, most
patients find that the adjustment actually feels good and delivers immediate
pain relief. Many patients report a greater sense of relaxation, improved
movement and an overall feeling of well being. |
|
|
What is a typical chiropractic treatment?
Treatment in our office consists of gentle manipulation (adjustments) to the
spine or extremities. Physiotherapy such as ultrasound, electrical muscle
stimulation, hot/cold therapy or manual trigger point therapy may also be used.
Soft tissue massage may also be incorporated to stretch tight muscles and reduce
spasm. Additionally, personalized exercises are given to increase flexibility,
build strength and develop positive postural patterns. |
|
|
Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor?
No referral is needed to make an appointment in our office unless required by
your insurance company. As licensed physicians, Chiropractors are direct access
providers often referring patients for a wide variety of diagnostic tests to
determine the nature of a patient's complaint including: X-rays, MRI, CT scans,
blood tests, urinalyses, and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) testing. If based
on your examination findings it is determined the condition is not within the
scope of care, the patient is immediately referred to the most appropriate
specialty. Many patients are also co-managed by medical and chiropractic
providers to receive the best medical and complimentary care available. |
|
|
Does insurance cover chiropractic care?
Most insurance companies provide some chiropractic coverage. Every person's
insurance coverage and plan is different. We recommend calling the customer
service number on the back of your insurance card to verify your benefits prior
to coming in for treatment. We participate with most insurance plans regardless
if there is in network or out of network benefits. |
|
|
Is it OK to go to a chiropractor when I am pregnant?
A large percent of all pregnant women experience back discomfort/pain during
pregnancy. This is due to the rapid growth of the baby and changes to your
body's normal structure. Pre-existing unnoticed imbalances in your spine and
pelvis become overtaxed and very apparent during these times. Chiropractic care
throughout pregnancy can relieve and even prevent the common discomforts
experienced in pregnancy. Specific adjustments eliminate these stresses in your
spine, restore balance to your pelvis and result in greater comfort and
lifestyle improvements.
As your baby develops, your uterus enlarges to accommodate the rapid growth. So
long as the pelvis is in a balanced state, the ligaments connected to the uterus
maintain an equalized, supportive suspension for the uterus. If your pelvis is
out of balance in any way, these ligaments become torqued and twisted causing a
condition known as constraint to your uterus. This constraint limits the space
of the developing baby. If the woman's uterus is constrained as birth
approaches, the baby is prevented from getting into the best possible position
for birth.
Even if the baby is in the desirable head down position, often times constraint
to  the uterus affects the baby's head from moving into the ideal presentation
for delivery. The head may be slightly tilted off to one side or even more
traumatically, present in the posterior position.
Any baby position even slightly off during birth will slow down labor, and add
pain to both the mother and baby.
Published studies have indicated that chiropractic care does in fact reduce
labor time.
Doctors of Chiropractic work specifically with your pelvis throughout pregnancy
restoring a state of balance and creating an environment for an easier safer
delivery. |
|
|
Can newborns get adjustments?
Yes! Birthing process is a strenuous process, for both the mother and child,
even in natural childbirth. Since significant spinal trauma can occur at birth,
many parents have their newborns checked right away. If a baby is checked for
subluxations at birth, then many signs of spinal distress may not occur, like
colic, unusual crying, poor appetite, ear infections, nursing difficulties,
erratic sleeping patterns, allergic reactions and chronic infections. Pediatric
adjustments are gentle and safe. |
|
|
Would my children benefit from Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractors understand the developing needs of children. Chiropractors check
the spine for scoliosis, vertebral subluxations and nerve pressure caused by
misaligned vertebrae. These misalignments cause interference in the flow of
information from the brain to the various systems of the body. This nerve
interference, if left uncorrected, insidiously and negatively effects a child's
health.
The following is a list of childhood ailments commonly treated in our office:
ear infections allergies wheezing constipation attention deficit syndrome
poor concentration coughs colds sinus problems acid reflux stomach ache
Getting adjusted regularly helps to prevent problems while promoting a lifetime
of good health. |
|
|
Can Chiropractic help me be a better athlete?
Professional and amateur sports involve large numbers of talented athletes.
Chiropractors aid in instructing athletes in the prevention of injuries. If they
do experience an injury they are also experts in the treatment of those
injuries. Many pros, top amateurs and famous champions in professional,
intercollegiate and Olympic sports loyally turn to their chiropractors for
assessment, adjustment, advice and treatment to improve their strength,
flexibility and endurance. Lance Armstrong, Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, Michael
Jordan, Charles Barkley, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Wayne Gretzky, Mary Lou Retton,
Joe Montana, Evander Holyfield, Emmit Smith, Bruce Jenner, Dan O'Brien, Martina
Navratilova and Tiger Woods are among the few, who use chiropractic care to
enhance their performance. |
|
|
How long will I need chiropractic care?
 As long as you want to be healthy. People sometimes say, "Once you start seeing
a Chiropractor, you have to go for the rest of your life." You don't always have
to go, only as long as you want to be healthy. You wouldn't go to the gym once
and be in great shape or brush your teeth once and have healthy teeth. It's a
commitment to your health and health is about lowering your risk to things and
preventing problems. It's easier to stay well, stay in great shape or have a
great smile if you do it regularly. After all, you get your teeth, eyes and your
hearing checked regularly, why not your spine? It only takes a short time, feels
great and your whole body will thank you for it. |
|
|
