Question 1

How to prepare for my first Chiropractic Visit?

Accepted Answer

In preparation for your first chiropractic consultation, we ask you to fill out the Patient Intake Form. (https://noterro.com/clinicForms/completeNow/ef9495f0-cc36-44df-a116-6c458796483f)This will provide us with background information about your symptoms and condition. The Patient Intake Form will also provide us with information on family medical history, any pre-existing medical conditions or prior injuries, and previous and current health providers and treatments.

Question 2

What to expect during my fist Chiropractic Visit?

Accepted Answer

Please plan to spend about 90 min for your first Chiropractic Visit. You will have a thorough chiropractic exam, including general tests such as blood pressure, pulse, and reflexes, as well as specific orthopedic and neurological tests. This will allow us to assess range of motion of the affected part, muscle strength and neurological integrity. Based upon your medical history and the results of the chiropractic exam, it will be determined if it may be helpful to order additional diagnostic studies, such as X-ray images, a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan, or other laboratory tests.

Once your diagnosis is established, your chiropractor will determine if the condition will respond to chiropractic care. The chiropractor will explain your diagnosed condition, develop an individualized chiropractic treatment plan (sometimes in combination with massage therapy or other treatments), and discuss with you the anticipated length of needed chiropractic care.

Question 3

What is Chiropractic?

Accepted Answer

Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractic care is used most often to address neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches.

Doctors of Chiropractic – often referred to as chiropractors or chiropractic physicians – practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling. They may assess patients through clinical examination, laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging and other diagnostic tests to determine when chiropractic treatment is appropriate or when it is not appropriate.

Question 4

Once I start going to a Chiropractor, do I have to go for the rest of my life?

Accepted Answer

Since chiropractic care plays an important role throughout the lifetime, many chiropractors see patients for routine maintenance care. This is no different than the routine check ups most patients have with their dentist or general practitioner. That being said, how long a patient chooses to benefit from chiropractic care is always up to him or her.

Question 5

Does Chiropractic Care require many repeat visits?

Accepted Answer

Each patient presents with a different condition that requires an individual treatment plan. While some may require a treatment plan that is frontloaded with multiple visits in a week, many do not. As a condition improves, the frequency of visits greatly decreases. For comparison, most medications are taken multiple times a day for a period of time, if not for life. Due to the nature of chiropractic care as a hands-on treatment that requires a cumulative effect, it, too, requires multiple “doses”. As the condition improves, the frequency of treatments is greatly reduced.

Question 6

Do Chiropractic Adjustments hurt?

Accepted Answer

Chiropractic adjustments are usually not painful. For certain conditions, such as a malaligned rib or a meniscoid entrapment, adjustments can be uncomfortable. The occasional discomfort resolves almost immediately. Contrary to this, chiropractic adjustments often relieve pain by reducing irritation to joints, muscles, and nerves. Some patients, about 1/3 of those new to chiropractic, may experience mild soreness (similar to the tender muscle sensation that is felt after a new exercise program) for 24-48 hours after an adjustment. This soreness subsides with each subsequent adjustment.

Question 7

Is it true that Chiropractic Adjustments crack bones?

Accepted Answer

The audible sound that is sometimes heard during a chiropractic adjustment is not a “cracking” of the bones. A capsule filled with a lubricating fluid, called synovial fluid, surrounds joints. When the joint is gapped and the capsule is stretched during an adjustment, a momentary air pocket forms in the synovial fluid. With a quick change in pressure, the bubble is released and creates a popping sound. No bones are cracked or damaged!

Question 8

Is it true that Chiropractors aren't actually Doctors?

Accepted Answer

Chiropractors are actually doctors. Each chiropractor has to complete a minimum of 7 years of accredited university level training as well as a series of national and provincial board examinations. While three years of undergraduate prerequisite courses are required, Dr. Laub holds bachelor degrees in biology and radiation therapy. Following undergraduate studies, chiropractors attend four years of doctorate training with a classroom education that is more than comparable to a medical education. After graduation, chiropractors must complete yearly continuing education to stay up to date and well informed.

Question 9

Does Chiropractic Care cause Arthritis?

Accepted Answer

Chiropractic adjustments deliver specific and deliberate motion into dysfunctional joints. When joints are not moving properly, the fluid around them becomes stagnant and does not properly lubricate, which can eventually lead to arthritis. Chiropractic care restores proper movement and relieves irritation, helping to prevent osteoarthritis (the most common form of arthritis).

Question 10

I don't need a Chiropractor; I can crack my own back.

Accepted Answer

When someone cracks his or her own back, he or she is likely moving hypermobile joints (or joints that are moving too much to compensate for a lack of movement elsewhere), while the hypomobile joint remains dysfunctional. Proper positioning, setup, and thrust are essential for a successful adjustment and for restoring proper movement.

Question 11

Is Chiropractic Care only effective for back pain?

Accepted Answer

During their schooling, chiropractors are trained to effectively treat the spine, but also the extremities (ankles, knees, shoulders, elbows, and wrists), the temporomadiblar joint (TMJ), headaches, some forms of vertigo, and more. Chiropractors also treat soft tissue ailments such as tendonopathies, sprains, and strains.

Question 12

Will my Chiropractor refer me to other health care providers if necessary?

Accepted Answer

Chiropractors will readily refer patients to the appropriate health care provider when chiropractic care is not suitable for the patient’s condition, or the condition warrants co-management in conjunction with other members of the health care team.

Question 13

Can children benefit from a chiropractor visit?

Accepted Answer

Childhood is the best time to begin a program of Chiropractic Care. During the growing years a child’s body experiences rapid changes. That’s why it is important to keep an eye on physical and emotional health. Many health problems can be corrected if detected early. A child suffers many smaller musculoskeletal injuries; in early childhood due to falls and later with increased athletic type of activities. In addition, recent research shows that the increased use of mobile devices and computers exposes kids and teenagers to an increased risk of micro-trauma resulting in headaches, back and neck pain.

It is time to re-think the concept of having annual visits only with a pediatrician and the dentist. A child should also have regular spinal check ups to prevent minor spinal misalignment from becoming an issue. Spinal or extremity adjustment can increase function. This leads to improved health.

Question 14

Is Pediatric Chiropractic safe?

Accepted Answer

Pediatric Chiropractic is safe and can be effective with a variety of symptoms, such as: bedwetting, colic, asthma, sports injuries, ear infection, headaches, allergies, some learning disabilities, neck pain, scoliosis, migraines, and back pain. For more information of the safety and efficacy of chiropractic care, visit the American Chiropractic Association Council on Chiropractic Pediatrics website.

Question 15

What is the Webster Technique?

Accepted Answer

During pregnancy a woman's body encounters many changes in preparation for the developing baby. The quickly growing and protruding abdomen and changes in hormones put a lot of stress on the spinal and pelvic areas, causing misalignments and therefore discomfort or pain. Chiropractic adjustments correct misalignments in the spine and joint dysfunctions that disrupt the proper performance of the nervous system.

The Webster Technique is one of the most effective techniques to achieve this goal. The aim of the Webster Technique is to decrease the effects of misalignments in the sacrum and pelvis through a specific chiropractic analysis and adjustment, in order to improve neuro-biomechanical functioning to the sacral-pelvic region.

Question 16

Is there Scientific Proof supporting Chiropractic Care?

Accepted Answer

Research has repeatedly confirmed the efficacy of chiropractic care. As integrative care is becoming more of the norm, more research is being conducted on the broad scope of chiropractic care. Research is an ever evolving process and the safety, efficacy, and affordability of chiropractic care is continually illuminated through the scientific data.