FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a non-invasive, natural healing method that allows the body to repair
itself without medications or surgeries. This is done by correcting subluxations through
spinal manipulation. A subluxation is the term that describes the spinal bone loosing
its normal range of motion and alignment, thus causing spinal bone and tissue decay,
degeneration and creating unhealthy neurological pathways (The Stress Response).
Chiropractic Care comprises the second largest health care field in
the United States and the leading natural healing art in the world.
Are Doctors of Chiropractic licensed by the government?
Yes. Chiropractors are licensed as primary physicians in all 50 states,
the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Additionally, Chiropractic is recognized by governmental health care programs, including
Medicare, Medicaid, Federal Employees Health
Care Benefits Programs, Federal Workers' Compensation and all state workers' compensation
programs. Chiropractors are are even commis-sioned as health care officers
in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Does Insurance Cover Chiropractic?
Yes. Wilson Family Chiropractic accepts most all insurances, including Medicare
and Medicaid. We also have affordable plans for those without insurance.
How are Doctors of Chiropractic educated?
The education process for a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) is much like that of medical
doctors (M.D.), dentists (D.D.S.) and osteopaths (D.O.). The Doctor of Chiropractic
must earn their 4 year undergraduate degree followed by 4 and-a-half to 5 years of chiropractic
education at an accredited university. After graduating, chiropractors must
pass four parts of the national board exam, then take a state exam in the state they
choose to practice in.
Is chiropractic safe?
Yes. The process of chiropractic adjustment is a safe, efficient procedure which is performed
nearly one million times a day in the United States alone.
Because chiropractic is non-invasive, the body's response to treatment is far more
predictable than its reactions to medications or surgical procedures. Complications are
exceedingly rare, particularly compared to problems resulting from conventional medicine.
Does the adjustment hurt?
Under normal circumstances, chiropractic treatments are very relaxing.
In cases of recent trauma, such as whiplash, mild discomfort may be experienced due
to inflammation. A patient can also feel a brief sensation in the extremities immediately
following an adjustment due to the sudden decompression of the affected nerve root.
What is a subluxation?
A subluxation means a slight dislocation (misalignment) or biomechanical malfunctioning
of the vertebrae (bones of the spine). These disturbances may irritate
nerve roots and blood vessels which branch off from the spinal cord
between each of the vertebrae. This irritation may cause pain and dysfunction
in muscle, lymphatic and organ tissue as well as imbalance in the
normal body processes. Therefore, subluxation has been labeled the
silent killer due
to the long-term detrimental effects.
What causes a subluxation?
The most common cause of subluxation is just being born! Pregnancy and the birthing
process cause the spine to be twisted, tugged and stretched. Other causes include a
sudden jar, trauma, poor posture, occupational hazards, incorrect lifting, lack of rest
and exercise, poor sleeping habits, and stress.
In short, for most of us, everyday life can cause subluxations!
How is a subluxation corrected?
Following a comprehensive health history and examination, we will design a care plan
that will best fit the patient’s needs. Treatments consist of spinal adjustments to correct
misaligned vertebrae and relieve nerve pressure, trigger point therapy to reduce muscle
spasms and electrical-stem as needed, to reduce pain and swelling of the joints.
At Wilson Family Chiropractic, we utilize numerous techniques for the greatest ease
and comfort to the patient. Below is a short list of the techniques we use:
Thompson Drop
Full-Spine Diversified
Activator Methods
Trigger Point Therapy
How will the adjustment help me?
Chiropractic adjustments by themselves do not actually heal the body. When any of the
24 moveable spinal vertebrae become misaligned, a basic imbalance or disruption can
occur in the nervous and blood vascular systems, which may contribute to stress in the
body.
Chiropractic adjustments eliminate imbalances and nerve interference, so the body
can function at its true potential.
Should I go to a Chiropractor if I feel fine?
Yes. In most cases, by the time you feel symptoms, the detrimental effects of subluxation
have already caused damage. Using how you feel as your health barometer can
be unpredictable and even dangerous. Regular spinal checkups can detect and prevent
subluxations before they cause harm and help your body maintain its optimal
health.
Who needs Chiropractic Care?
A common misconception about chiropractors is that they only help
patients with bad backs or those who have sustained an injury. The
fact of the matter is subluxations (misalignments in spinal bones which interfere
with the normal flow of nerve energy) can affect children and adults of all
ages, and occur through normal, daily activities. Subluxations left untreated can
cause numerous health problems and greatly compromise overall health.
Chiropractors correct subluxations, restoring the bones to their proper positions.
Once this happens, the body is able to heal itself and therefore becomes
more resistant to common sickness and disease.
Everyone needs to make sure their bodies are free from subluxations and able to
function at peak performance. That's why we ALL need regular chiropractic visits.
Can pregnant woman go to a Chiropractor?
Yes. Chiropractic adjustments can reduce the incidence of pain in the low back, legs,
and between the shoulder blades due to pregnancy. In some cases, fewer headaches
and problems with nausea and elimination may also result.
Dr. Wilson is certified through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association in
pediatric and prenatal adjusting. Pregnant Women and Infants can benefit from chiropractic
care, for a more comfortable pregnancy and a healthier baby, free of subluxations.
Can children be treated by Chiropractors?
Yes. Children of all ages from infant through teens greatly benefit from Chiropractic
Care. The fact is that chiropractor's kids are some of the healthiest children that mature
into very healthy adults. Read more at
www.icpa4kids.com.
Who else should go to a Chiropractor?
Everyone from infants to the elderly, from all walks of life, can benefit from chiropractic
care.
Auto Accident Victims: Often accident victims don't realize the extent of their injuries.
The majority of the detrimental effects of post-traumatic/motor vehicle accidents
manifest later and with greater degrees of severity. If these problems are identified and
treated properly in the early stages, the potential for long-term pain and suffering is
greatly reduced.
Athletes: Chiropractic helps athletes operate at peak performance, have safer workouts,
increase flexibility and stamina, and recover more quickly from training and injury.
Most professional sports teams have chiropractors on staff and many other people
whose profession depends on fitness regularly utilize chiropractors.
One such example is Athlete/Actor/Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has spoken
about his being a patient and how while shooting movies, the whole set depended
on chiropractors to help them get through the long hours and physical demands of their
various jobs.
The Elderly: For more mobility, greater energy, to help decrease the process of degeneration
and to help prevent drug dependence.
Office Workers: To treat the headaches, neck and shoulder aches, TMJ and wrist
problems from working with computers all day.
Blue Collar Workers: For those constantly lifting heavy weight, bending and using
repetitive movements.
To insure optimal health, we ALL need regular chiropractic visits.
How Long Until I Feel Better?
Some patients experience almost instant relief, while others discover it can take several
weeks. Many factors affect the healing process. Within a week or so, most patients
see enough progress to encourage them to complete the treatment plan.
More important than pain management, however, is that following chiropractic treatment,
the body's healing process now operates at peak efficiency.
Do I Have a Slipped Disc?
A disc cannot slip because of the way it attaches to the spinal bone above and below
it. However, a disc can bulge, tear, herniate, thin, dry out or collapse causing an irritation
of nearby tissue. One of the primary causes of disc problems is spinal bone subluxation.
Chiropractic, therefore, has a high degree of success in the management of
disc problems.
Do I Have a Pinched Nerve?
It is more or likely that a spinal bone (vertebrae) is rubbing, stretching or chafing a
nerve. These subluxations can distort the nerve messages between the brain and the
body producing unhealthy changes to affected organs and tissues.
Why go to a Chiropractor?
To get healthy and to stay healthy! Doctors of chiropractic provide effective, low-cost
treatment for a wide range of conditions, and offer preventative and wellness care.
Care Costs and Coverage
We accept all PPOs and are participating providers in many
managed care programs, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Crescent,
and Medcost. As part of our service, we will verify your coverage at no cost to
you. Please call us with your insurance information.
We participate in Medicare, Medicaid, Auto and Workman's Compensation
insurance policies.
We offer affordable cash plans.
