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What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a unique form of health care which stresses an overall body wellness. The focus of chiropractic is to locate and help correct spinal problems that are disrupting the controlling nerve impulses between the brain and every cell, tissue, organ, and system of your body. Spinal bones which have lost their normal motion are restored by a series of carefully directed spinal adjustments. Because the adjustments help restore the function of the nervous system, they can have a profound effect to your overall health without drugs or surgery.
How long does an average visit take?
The initial visit may take 30 minutes to 1 hour for the history, exam and adjustment depending on your case. The average appointment time after that is 15 minutes.
Do you accept insurance?
No, I do not accept any insurance in this office. I do offer you a superbill which you can submit to your insurance carrier.
Why do you not accept insurance?
First, practitioners who sign HMO contracts often discover that they can't deliver optimum care. Instead, care is rationed. Patients must be dismissed before muscles and soft tissues are fully healed. Limiting care is profitable for the HMO, but it can compromise patient satisfaction - and our reputation.
To maximize profit, HMOs hire people to review my recommendations. Most of these reviewers lack even a working knowledge of chiropractic! It may even amount to "practicing chiropractic without a license."
Worse, most HMOs seem more interested in paper than patients. Huge amounts of paperwork are often required. It's time-consuming, raises costs and takes me away from my primary mission of helping our patients get well.
What is a superbill?
The Superbill is a receipt for you of your visit. It can be used for income tax purposes or to submit to your insurance company.
What does a patient visit cost?
For Adults the cost of a visit is:
New Patient Exam $45.00
Office Visit $40.00
For a total of $85.00 on the first visit and $40.00 each additional visit.
For Children the cost is:
New Patient Exam $35.00
Office Visit $25.00
For a total of $60.00 on the first visit and $25.00 each additional visit
There is also a Pre-payment Plan. If you pay for 10 visits in advance, you get two visits FREE making a total of 12 visits for $400.00 ($250 for children).
Do you accept credit cards?
Yes, I accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover.
What is Cranial Sacral therapy?
Cranial Sacral Therapy is light – touch manual therapy that addresses restriction in the in the craniosacral system – the membranes and fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. This vital system extends from the bones of your skull, face and mouth, which make up the cranium, down to the sacrum, or tailbone area.
I've heard once you go to a Chiropractor, you have to go for the rest of your life. Is this true?
No. Like regular exercise, good nutrition, etc., many of our practice members choose to get checked for vertebral subluxation regularly as a healthy way of life and to improve their performance and abilities in life.
Does chiropractic treatment require a referral from an MD?
No, a patient does not need referral by an MD before visiting a doctor of chiropractic. Chiropractors are first contact physicians, and are so defined in federal and state regulations. Following a consultation and examination, the doctor of chiropractic will arrive at a diagnosis under chiropractic care, or refer the patient to the appropriate health care provider.
What type of education and training do chiropractors have?
Chiropractors are educated as primary contact health care practitioners, with an emphasis on musculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment. Educational requirements for doctors of chiropractic are among the most stringent of any of the health care professions. The typical applicant at a chiropractic college has already acquired nearly four years 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 — three and a half to five academic years of professional study are the standard. Because of the hands-on nature of chiropractic, and the intricate adjusting techniques, a significant portion of time is spent in clinical training. In total, the chiropractic curriculum includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical experience. The course of study is approved by an accrediting agency that is fully recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
How is a chiropractic adjustment performed?
Chiropractic adjustment or manipulation is a manual procedure that utilizes the highly refined skills developed during the intensive years of chiropractic education. The chiropractor typically uses his/her hands to manipulate the joints of the body, particularly the spine, in order to reduce pain, and restore or enhance joint function.
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.
Does an adjustment have to make a noise to be effective?
No. While it's true that patients often hear a "pop" during an adjustment, similar to the sound you'd hear cracking your knuckles, it's not related to the treatment's effectiveness. Instead, the explanation lies in a lubricant called synovial fluid that's found in every joint. That fluid contains dissolved gases. Separating joints creates pressure, which forces the gases to rapidly escape, creating a "pop."
How does chiropractic care help pregnant women?
Pregnancy places additional weight and stress on women's bodies. Chiropractic treatment can help relieve pregnancy-related low back, leg and shoulder blade pain. It may also reduce incidences of headache and nausea. Ask your chiropractor how much experience he or she has in treating pregnant women.
How old should a person be before receiving chiropractic care?
While every chiropractor has his or her own preference, people of all ages are candidates for chiropractic treatment. Even babies can have subluxations, due to the rigors of birth. In general, it's best to treat children's subluxations early, as they interfere with nerves that control developing muscles and organs. With an early checkup, your chiropractor can detect these problems while they're easy to correct.
Should I go to a chiropractor if I feel fine?
Your chiropractor can recognize and detect problem areas in your spine before they develop into problem conditions. Chiropractic adjustments may help to maintain or support a healthy spine, and maintenance spinal care programs, which may include advice on posture, nutrition and exercise, can effectively prevent pain. Regular checkups will also ensure that small stresses on the spine don't become major misalignments.
Is it true that chiropractors do not prescribe medication or perform surgery?
Yes. Chiropractors don't prescribe medication or perform invasive procedures. They believe the body has the ability to heal itself, and therefore focus on providing it with the right elements for self-restoration. This makes chiropractic one of the safest of all treatments.
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