What is chiropractic?
Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your body is a self-regulating, self healing organism. The brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves of the body control these important functions. Chiropractic is the science of locating areas of the nervous system that are functioning at less than the optimum potential, adjusting the spinal structures that correspond to that area of the nervous system and improving both the message from the brain to the body as well as improving the function of the brain and nervous system itself. It is the philosophy of all things natural.
How long will I need chiropractic care?
Spinal problems neglected from early childhood may require ongoing supportive care for optimum spinal function. These, long standing problems are often associated with muscle weakness, soft tissue damage, and degenerative changes to the spine. Most patients find that periodic chiropractic checkups help keep them in tip-top shape.
Those who are active, have stressful jobs, or want to be their very best, find that having a schedule of preventive visits are helpful in maintenance of good health and reduction of brain stress. Some patients seek chiropractic only when their ache or pain becomes unbearable. While this style of “crisis management” is usually more costly and time consuming, our office is ready to help all our patients, regardless of their health goals. How long you decide to benefit from chiropractic care is always up to you.
Is chiropractic treatment appropriate for children?
Yes, children can benefit from chiropractic care. Children are very physically active and experience many types of falls and blows from activities of daily living as well as from participating in sports. Injuries such as these may cause many symptoms including back and neck pain, stiffness, soreness or discomfort. However, in children, injuries may NOT cause symptoms. We think of kids as being highly resilient – however every incident compounds with the next one creating adults with aches and pains that are more difficult to reduce. Chiropractic care enhances the immune system and brain function – every child has a greater potential for health and wellness and a life lived to its fullest with chiropractic! Chiropractic care is always adapted to the individual patient. It is a highly skilled treatment, and in the case of children, very gentle.
I am pregnant. Is it safe to get adjusted?
Yes! It is important have to a healthy nervous system when pregnant, and chiropractic adjustments have been known to improve the pregnancy and make delivery easier for the mom and baby. All chiropractors are trained to work with pregnant women, however, Dr Viki has completed extensive post graduate work focusing on prenatal and postnatal chiropractic care.
Can I adjust myself?
Since a chiropractic adjustment is a specific force, applied in a specific direction, to a specific spinal joint, it is virtually impossible to adjust oneself. It is possible to turn or bend or twist in certain ways to create a popping sound, like the sound that sometimes accompanies a chiropractic adjustment. Unfortunately, this type of joint manipulation is usually counterproductive, often making an already unstable area of the spine even more unsteady. The best way to enjoy the healthful benefits of chiropractic is to receive adjustments from a doctor of chiropractic. Even your doctor must seek out services of another colleague to help restore and maintain proper spinal function.
What is the benefit of having both a medical doctor and a chiropractor in one office?
Two minds looking at the same condition from slightly different angles makes your diagnosis and plan of care much more complete.
Medicare covers all the services found in our office, from exams to x-rays to physical therapy under our medical oversight whereas with only a chiropractor Medicare covers only the adjustment.
Why so much attention to exercise?
We believe that movement is the key to staying young. Everything from brain health and vitality to strength and flexibility is improved with movement. This is why we offer Pilates and other fitness opportunities in our office. Never fear! The exercise we do will be tailored to your particular condition and health.
The second best thing we do in this office (after the adjustment of course) is teach you to move and breathe with proper body mechanics, so you become stronger and more mobile quickly. We also use exercise as a learning a tool that will help you improve faster and feel better at home on your own.
Does insurance cover all this stuff?
Many of the therapies are covered by most insurance companies: adjustments, x-rays, ultrasound, and rehabilitative exercises are usually covered.
“We call your insurance individually and will help you to understand your individual coverage and what your out of pocket expense will be before you get the care or the bill gets too high.”