Frequently-asked questions

Chiropractic is an approach to healthcare that has, as its goal, the achievement and maintenance of health not the management of disease.

The name 'Chiropractic' was coined about a hundred years ago by combining two ancient Greek words. 'Chiro-' comes from the word that meant 'hand.' 'Practic' comes from the word that meant 'to do.' Chiropractic means to do (or practice) by hand. More modern renditions might be 'manual medicine' or 'manual therapy.'

Chiropractic is a safe way to receive care and participate in your own treatment. It does this by correcting the problems that cause you pain, not merely getting rid the pain.

In addition to using their knowledge of health and injury chiropractors rely on their hands to make you better. Chiropractors are the specialists in manual therapy.

Chiropractors believe that pain has a purpose. It indicates that something is wrong. We are trained to be able to find what's making you hurt and fix the problem at the source. When the reason for the pain is addressed the pain will go away.

Although all pain has a cause, certain painful conditions are more effectively treated by hand than others. The simplest rule (rule number one) is: If the pain worsens or gets better with movement, a chiropractor should be able to help you. This is a general rule.

Some conditions that respond to chiropractic, like headache, can be caused by muscle spasm or irritated spinal nerves without being affected by movement. Other conditions, like fractures, require special treatment beyond manual therapy and will be referred to the appropriate specialist.

Your medical GP treats everything. If you present with pain caused or alleviated by movement s/he will most likely prescribe medication which will manage pain, reduce inflammation and/or relax muscles.

This is a non-specific treatment. It does not require knowledge of your condition. The goal of medical treatment is to heal injury, alleviate sickness and to treat symptoms that cause pain.

A Chiropractor is a specialist in treating injuries of the muscles and joints. He or she is trained to diagnose, assess and treat the root cause of these injuries whether they resulted from a specific event or developed gradually over time. When the root cause is treated the pain will go away.

Because the goal of Chiropractic treatment is to restore mobility and normal (painfree) use, it is remarkably safe and has minimal side effects. In addition you will learn how to take care of yourself to avoid recurrences.

Like other chiropractors achieving health, not managing disease, is my treatment goal. I have found the best account of what health is can be found in the underlying principles of Chinese medicine. According to these principles the basis of health is the abundant, balanced and focused flow of vitality which the Chinese named 'qi' ('chee').

This is a non-specific treatment. It does not require knowledge of your condition. The goal of medical treatment is to heal injury, alleviate sickness and to treat symptoms that cause pain.

In my practice I integrate this understanding of the nature of life and health with manual medicine techniques such as chiropractic, acupressure, myofascial massage and Graston Technique.

I also utilize this knowledge in the instructions I give my patients both while I am treating them and when they perform exercises that they can do at home or at the gym.

Cost is determined by two factors. First, how long you treat (see next question). Second, what insurance, if any, you have. We participate in most plans. However, coverage benefits vary greatly. We will be glad to verify and determine the specifics of your plan before you incur costs.

If you do not have insurance or we do not participate in your plan, call and ask us about 'community supported chiropractic.'

This depends of course on a number of factors. But rule number two is: You should continue treating until you have something better to do with your time and money. This means that you have a voice in deciding when and how much your goals are achieved.

Conditions that started recently typically require less treatment than chronic problems. For both kinds you should know that you are getting the treatment you need within six visits. More often than not relief begins with the first treatment. Acute problems, those that started recently, often resolve by or before the sixth visit.

No. In fact most people have chronic problems that have developed with years of misuse. Frequently these problems 'get better' but don't go away completely. In these cases remember rule number two. The strategy is to accomplish as much correction as can be reasonably expected then increase focus on things you can do to continue or maintain your progress.