CHIROPRACTIC CARE: Q&A’S

Chiropractic Elkhorn NE Chiropractic Commonly Asked Questions

At our Papillion chiropractic clinicMillard chiropractic clinic, Elkhorn chiropractic clinic, and West Omaha clinic we understand that many of our new patients have questions about what we do. Please take a look at this article if you are looking to learn more about chiropractic care.

HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC HELP?

Chiropractic protects the integrity of the nervous system and protects the body’s natural healing ability. If your nervous system is functioning properly then all cells, organs, and tissues of your body will function at their max potential as well. The human body is designed to resist and fight disease and illness. The chiropractic lifestyle is about preventing bad things before they happen to your body. Chiropractic exams find and eliminate misalignments and subluxations.

I DIDN’T HEAR A SOUND. DOES THAT MEAN THE ADJUSTMENT DIDN’T WORK?

No. Adjustments do not always create a sound. It is a myth that it is the bones that create the sound. The sound is being produced by the synovial fluid which is a lubricant that is found in all joints throughout the body. Synovial fluid contains dissolved gases and during an adjustment, the slight movement causes a release of pressure. This release of pressure is kind of like the pressure that is released when a bottle of champagne is opened and just like with champagne, a popping sound occurs. It is not important to hear a sound when you get adjusted. It’s important that there was movement and the movement was in the right direction.

DOES INSURANCE COVER CHIROPRACTIC?

Every insurance company and policy is different. Call your insurance company to verify your benefits. We will also verify insurance eligibility and benefits for you!

CAN’T I JUST ADJUST MYSELF?

Absolutely not. Trying to do such a thing may cause more damage. A chiropractic adjustment is a specific and low force thrust that is applied in a specific direction to a particular joint(s). If you twist, turn, or bend in a particular way then you might produce a similar popping noise but that does not mean that you adjusted yourself. By attempting to adjust, you could worsen your condition and make more work for yourself. Not even the world’s best chiropractor can adjust him or herself.

HOW SAFE IS CHIROPRACTIC?

Chiropractic in Papillion, Millard, Elkhorn, and West Omaha is recognized as the safest drug-free, non-invasive form of care. All research and studies are evidence that chiropractic adjustments hold an extremely small risk. This is because chiropractic works using the body’s natural healing process and doesn’t interfere with using drugs or surgery. The proof lies in the difference a medical doctor pays in malpractice insurance in comparison to a chiropractor.

IS CHIROPRACTIC SAFE WHILE I’M PREGNANT?

YES! You are now not only caring for yourself but the life of your child. Pregnancy puts a lot of stress on a woman’s body creating nausea, vomiting, back pain, hip pain, etc. Getting adjusted throughout pregnancy helps alleviate all these symptoms but the benefits don’t stop there. Getting regular chiropractic care during pregnancy has been shown to reduce labor time by up to 50%. There is also decreased likelihood of the need for drugs during delivery.

IS CHIROPRACTIC ADDICTING?

No. If it was there probably would be a lot more healthy people in the world. It is likely that people just enjoy being free of pain, getting sick less, and are unable to remember their last headache. Chiropractic adjustments themselves are not addictive like drugs but being healthy can be.

SHOULD I GET MY CHILD(REN) ADJUSTED?

For a child growing in the womb the birthing process is a very physically traumatic experience. In Germany a medical study found that, due to this physical stress, 82% of all children are born with subluxations in their neck. Later, another exam was performed on the same children and it was discovered that 96% of all health conditions in the children were eliminated after the children received chiropractic adjustments. It has been learned that if given the opportunity, most parents will choose to have their children examined for subluxations. Studies have also found that many health problems that develop in adulthood have the potential to be avoided with early chiropractic care. Ridding the body of nerve interference has decrease or possibly eliminate a child’s chances of being colicky, developing allergies, asthma, ADD/ADHD, or ear infections.

SO WHAT IS AN ADJUSTMENT?

It can be defined as a precise low force thrust in an exact direction to remove a subluxation or restore movement and nervous function. Chiropractic is the product of hundreds of years of careful research and is a safe, natural procedure.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM CHIROPRACTIC CARE?

Depending on what you’re getting treated for can determine what you can expect. If you are compliant with care and follow your doctor’s instructions then at the very least you can expect to have a better quality of life without drugs or surgery.

HOW MUCH SCHOOLING AND TRAINING DOES A CHIROPRACTOR HAVE?

Believe it or not it is very likely that your chiropractor has more education than your family physician. There are many similarities to the medical and chiropractic curriculum but chiropractors are able to focus more on anatomy, physiology, diagnosis, and radiology because they do not prescribe medications or perform surgeries. After receiving a bachelor’s degree and graduate from grad school as a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.), chiropractors must pass four national board examinations in order to be required to practice. After passing national boards, chiropractors have to apply for a license in the state they practice in and often have to take a state board exam. After completing this rigorous process, chiropractors are required to have yearly continuing education in order to keep their license.

CAN I GET ADJUSTED IF I HAVE HAD BACK SURGERY?

Absolutely. It is a sad fact that back surgery only has a 15% success rate and only 50% of spinal fusions are considered successful. Most also have to return for more surgery because the symptoms return within the first year post-surgery. Chiropractic can help prevent one back surgery but has the potential to prevent continuous surgeries.

HOW FREQUENTLY SHOULD I GET ADJUSTED?

It is hard to give a specific number since everyone is so different. Call Sarpy Chiropractic in Papillion, Millard, Elkhorn, or West Omaha and we would be more than happy to discuss a plan that will work best for you!

DOES EVERYONE RECEIVE THE SAME ADJUSTMENT?

Sarpy Chiropractic provides personalized care based on what we find during your examination. Since we are all different, no two people are adjusted the same. Also, after every adjustment, your body slightly changes so no two adjustments are the same.

WHEN WILL I START TO GET BETTER?

It is a good rule of thumb that the longer the problem has been there, the longer it is going to take to recover. There are also many other variables to consider such as age, medical history, pre-existing conditions, etc. Children do heal quicker so it is always good to start care as early as possible. Please keep in mind that lifestyle plays a large role in how quickly your body heals.

IS IT REALLY NECESSARY TO COME BACK THIS OFTEN?

When a chiropractor is working on restoring the structure to your spine they are doing a lot more than you think. They are combating your lifestyle (diet, posture, stress, etc.) and retraining the musculature that connects and surrounds your spine. Surgery can perform quicker results but there are a lot of consequences such as financial costs, recovery time, anesthesia, medications, etc. Getting chiropractic care is safe and natural and relies on your body to do the healing. So, patience is a virtue.

Our Papillion, Millard, Elkhorn, and West Omaha chiropractic teams at Sarpy Chiropractic are here to help you. Please feel free to call us with any questions that you have.