Frequently Asked Questions

  • Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) care for patients of all ages, with a variety of health conditions. They are especially well known for their expertise in caring for patients with back pain, neck pain and headaches using their highly skilled manipulations or chiropractic adjustments.

    DCs also care for patients with a wide range of injuries and disorders of the musculoskeletal system, which includes the muscles, ligaments and joints. These painful conditions may involve or impact the nervous system, which can cause referred pain and dysfunction distant to the region of injury.

    In addition, chiropractors offer advice to patients on diet, nutrition, exercise, healthy habits, and occupational and lifestyle modification.

  • Yes.

    Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest nondrug, noninvasive forms of health care 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, stiffness or aching, just as they do after some forms of exercise. Current research 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, when performed by a skilled and well educated professional such as a doctor of chiropractic, is a remarkably safe procedure.

    When discussing the risks of any healthcare procedure, it is important to look at that risk in comparison to other treatments available for the same condition. In this regard, the risks of serious complications from spinal manipulation for conditions such as neck pain and headache compare very favorably with even the most conservative care options. For example, the risks associated with some of the most common treatments for musculoskeletal pain (i.e. over-the-counter or prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and prescription painkillers) are significantly greater than those of chiropractic manipulation.

    Moreover, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that overuse and abuse of prescription opioid pain medications is among the leading causes of accidental death in the United States.

    Doctors of chiropractic are well trained professionals who provide patients with safe, effective care for a variety of common conditions. Their extensive education prepares them to identify patients who have special risk factors and to ensure those patients receive the most appropriate care, even if that requires referral to a medical specialist.

  • Chiropractic adjustment or manipulation is a manual procedure that utilizes the highly refined skills developed during the doctor of chiropractic’s intensive years of chiropractic education.

    The chiropractic physician typically uses his or her hands or an instrument to manipulate the joints of the body, particularly the spine, in order to restore or enhance joint function. This often helps resolve joint inflammation and reduces the patient’s pain.

    Chiropractic manipulation is a highly controlled procedure that rarely causes discomfort.

    The chiropractor adapts the procedure to meet the specific needs of each patient. Patients often note positive changes in their symptoms immediately following treatment.

  • No you do not need a referral.

  • Yes. Children can benefit from chiropractic care.

    Children are very physically active and experience many types of falls and afflictions 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. If these injuries are left untreated it can effect the growth and development of your child, eventually effecting their health and reducing their quality of life.

    Chiropractic care is always adapted to the individual patient. In the case of children, it is very gentle.

  • Yes.

    Chiropractic care is completely safe during pregnancy when performed by a skilled, experienced chiropractor. It's also been shown to relieve back pain in 70% of pregnant patients as well as reduce labor time and pain.

  • No, but you might want to.

    Chiropractic care, initially sought for specific issues like back pain, aims to provide relief and restore spinal function. While some may find relief quickly and choose to discontinue care, the recommendation for ongoing chiropractic visits stems from the understanding that underlying spinal imbalances may persist even after symptoms subside. Similar to regular dental check-ups, periodic chiropractic adjustments serve as a proactive approach to maintaining spinal health, addressing lifestyle factors that impact the spine. The decision to continue care is individual, emphasizing a collaborative effort in achieving and sustaining optimal spinal well-being.

  • We do not accept insurance.

    We are not in network with any insurance providers at this time. We are not currently accepting Medicare patients.

    We do accept HSA and FSA cards.

    If you want to pay with insurance, your insurance provider can reimburse you.

    Call your insurance provider to see if your current plan covers out of network chiropractic treatment. If you’re covered, then: Request a superbill from us. Submit it to your insurance company. Your carrier will reimburse you for the amount they cover.

  • Yes. Chiropractic care is healthcare, and therefore is covered by HSA and FSA.

  • Doctors of chiropractic are educated as primary-contact healthcare providers, with an emphasis on diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to the musculoskeletal system (the muscles, ligaments and joints of the spine and extremities) and the nerves that supply them.

    Educational requirements for doctors of chiropractic are among the most stringent of any of the healthcare professions. The typical applicant for chiropractic college is required to have a 4 year undergraduate degree that consists of pre-medical undergraduate college education, including courses in biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, physics, psychology and related lab work.

    Once accepted into an accredited chiropractic college, the requirements become even more demanding — four to five academic years of professional study are the standard. Doctors of chiropractic are educated in orthopedics, neurology, physiology, human anatomy, clinical diagnosis including laboratory procedures, diagnostic imaging, exercise, nutrition rehabilitation and more.

    Because chiropractic care includes highly skilled manipulation and adjusting techniques, a significant portion of time is spent in clinical technique training to master these important manipulative procedures. In total, the chiropractic college curriculum includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical experience.

    The course of study is approved by the Council on Chiropractic Education, an accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

  • Yes.

    A chiropractor, like a Dentist or Physical Therapist, is a legitimate doctor with a Doctoral degree in Chiropractic.

    While not an MD, Chiropractors excel in resolving general aches and pains. This creates confusion with the overlapping treatments provided by medical doctors who also treat aches and pains.

    While MDs can help with addressing pain, they also manage sickness, emergencies, and conduct surgeries. Considering the medication and surgery aspects of MD practices, chiropractic offers an excellent alternative for pain resolution, serving as a proactive step before opting for medications and surgeries, which may entail lasting side effects.

  • It’s extremely unlikely.

    Some reports have associated high-velocity upper neck manipulation with a certain rare kind of stroke, or vertebral artery dissection. However, evidence suggests that this type of arterial injury often takes place spontaneously in patients who have pre-existing arterial disease.

    These dissections have been associated with everyday activities such as turning the head while driving, swimming, or having a shampoo in a hair salon. Patients with this condition may experience neck pain and headache that leads them to seek professional care at the office of a doctor of chiropractic or family physician, but that care is not the cause of the injury.

    The best evidence indicates that the incidence of artery injuries associated with high-velocity upper neck manipulation is extremely rare - Similar to the incidence of this type of stroke among the general population. It is actually more likely to have a stroke after going to your family physician. The reason for this, is because of the previously mentioned pre-existing conditions that cause people to go to the doctors office in the first place.

  • You really shouldn’t.

    Distinguishing between professional chiropractic adjustments and the potential risks of self-administered joint cracking is crucial for understanding the potential pitfalls of the latter. While chiropractic adjustments, guided by trained professionals, prioritize expertise, individualized care, and targeted precision, attempting to crack joints at home carries significant risks. DIY joint popping lacks the necessary knowledge, often leading to unintended consequences such as improper alignment, potential addiction to self-adjustment, and the risk of causing strain or injury to surrounding tissues. The importance of controlled force in professional chiropractic care underscores the potential for harm when individuals engage in unguided, abrupt movements that may not offer the therapeutic benefits of a professionally administered adjustment. Opting for expert chiropractic care ensures a safer and more effective journey toward joint relief and overall well-being, steering clear of the potential negative consequences associated with DIY attempts.