How quickly will my symptoms subside? When one has been tested prior to care to determine how good of a candidate they are for actually being able to "hold," or stabilize a spinal correction, we can then have a good idea of how quickly they will respond to that care. That being said, in our clinical experience, most patients' symptoms will begin to subside within a few days to a few weeks.

Will I need x-rays? If it is determined in one's initial history and examination that spinal imbalances are at the root of your health concerns, we will need to quantify those imbalances and measure how far from ideal balance your are. Since structure determines function (square wheels don't work very well!), a blueprint is needed to see exactly what your spinal structure is, so we can know where we have to go, and the best way to get there. Precision spinal x-rays give us this necessary information.

Does chiropractic care require a referral from a medical physician?
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 and make a determination as to whether or not referrals to any other care providers are necessary. Since our doctors have been in practice since 1982 and 1979, we have excellent referral relationships for just about any conceivable health scenario.

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. Four 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.

Is chiropractic treatment ongoing?
The hands-on nature of chiropractic care is essentially what requires patients to visit us a number of times in the beginning. Making permanent positive structural changes of ones spine requires force over time, similar to braces on a child's teeth or lifting weights at the gym. To institute a spinal correction, a patient needs to be in our office more frequently at the beginning of the care. With a personalized home care program to make the necessary postural and spinal corrections, time in our office is minimized, We will let you know at the outset, what type of time commitment you can expect. Our practice philosophy is to empower you to fix your own spine and not become dependent on us.

Is chiropractic treatment safe? Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the care of neuromusculoskeletal (nerve, muscle and bone) issues. Although chiropractic has a superb safety record, no health treatment is completely free of potential adverse effects. The risks associated with chiropractic however, are extremely small.

Imbalances in the vertebrae of the neck, which may be associated with neck pain, some types of headaches and other symptoms described in our website, often involves realignment of these misaligned vertebrae. Gentle mobilization of the bones of the neck, often called a neck adjustment, works to improve the joint mobility of the neck, restoring range of motion and reducing muscle spasm and irritation to nerves. This helps to relieve pressure and tension in the neck area.

Neck mobilization is a remarkably safe procedure. While some reports have associated high-velocity neck manipulation with a certain kind of stroke, or vertebral artery dissection, there is no clear understanding of any such connection. The occurrence of such is extremely rare: 1 in 5.85 million manipulations based on the clinical reports and scientific studies to date. While being evaluated by us for upper-neck pain or headache, be very specific about your symptoms. This will help us offer the safest and most effective care including if necessary, referral to another health care provider.

It is important for patients to understand the risks associated with some of the most common treatments for musculoskeletal pain -- prescription and over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) -- as these treatments may carry risks significantly greater than those of chiropractic procedures. According to a study from the American Journal of Gastroenterology, approximately one-third of all hospitalizations and deaths related to gastrointestinal bleeding can be attributed to the use of aspirin or NSAID painkillers like ibuprofen.