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All Rights Reserved by
Las Colinas Chiropractic, P.C. |
Frequently
Asked Questions
(FAQ)
-
What conditions do chiropractors treat?
Chiropractic is a health care profession that
focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system
and the nervous system, and the effects of these
disorders on general health. Chiropractic care is
used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal
complaints, including but not limited to back pain,
neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs,
and headaches.
- Does chiropractic treatment require a
referral from an MD?
No, a patient does not need referral by an MD before
visiting a doctor of chiropractic, unless you are on
an HMO. 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 under
chiropractic care, or refer the patient to the
appropriate health care provider.
- Is chiropractic treatment safe?
Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the
safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available
for the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal
complaints. Although chiropractic has an excellent
safety record, no health treatment is completely
free of potential adverse effects.
The risks associated with chiropractic, however, are
very small. Many patients feel immediate relief
following chiropractic treatment, but some may
experience mild soreness or aching, just as they do
after some forms of exercise. Current literature
shows that minor discomfort or soreness following
spinal manipulation typically fades within 24 hours.
Neck pain and some types of headaches are treated
through precise cervical manipulation. Cervical
manipulation, often called a neck adjustment, works
to improve joint mobility in the neck, restoring
range of motion and reducing muscle spasm, which
helps relieve pressure and tension.
Neck manipulation is a remarkably safe procedure.
While some reports have associated upper
high-velocity neck manipulation with a certain kind
of stroke, or vertebral artery dissection, there is
not yet a clear understanding of the connection. The
occurrence appears to be very rare—1 in 5.85 million
manipulations— based on the clinical reports and
scientific studies to date. If you are visiting your
doctor of chiropractic with upper-neck pain or
headache, be very specific about your symptoms. This
will help your doctor of chiropractic offer the
safest and most effective treatment, even if it
involves 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 manipulation. 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.
- 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. Chiropractic care is always
adapted to the individual patient. It is a highly
skilled treatment, and in the case of children, very
gentle.
- Do insurance plans cover chiropractic?
The majority of all insured American workers have
coverage for chiropractic services in their health
care plans. For example, the federal government’s
Office of Personnel Management offers chiropractic
coverage for federal employees in both the Mail
Handlers and BCBS benefit plans. In addition, there
is a chiropractic benefit in Federal Workers’
Compensation, and chiropractic care is available to
members of the armed forces at more than 40 military
bases, and is available at nearly 30 veterans’
medical facilities.
- 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.
- How is a chiropractic adjustment performed?
Chiropractic adjustment or manipulation is a manual
procedure that utilizes the highly refined skills
developed during the intensive years of chiropractic
education. The chiropractor typically uses his/her
hands to manipulate the joints of the body,
particularly the spine, in order to reduce pain, and
restore or enhance joint function. Chiropractic
manipulation is a highly controlled procedure that
rarely causes discomfort. The chiropractor adapts
the procedure to meet the specific needs of each
patient. Patients often note positive changes in
their symptoms immediately following treatment.
- Is chiropractic treatment ongoing?
The hands-on nature of the chiropractic treatment is
essentially what requires patients to visit the
chiropractor a number of times. To be treated by a
chiropractor, a patient needs to be in his or her
office. In contrast, a course of treatment from
medical doctors often involves a pre-established
plan that is conducted at home (i.e. taking a course
of antibiotics once a day for a couple of weeks). A
chiropractor may provide acute, chronic, and/or
preventive care thus making a certain number of
visits sometimes necessary. Your doctor of
chiropractic should tell you the extent of treatment
recommended and how long you can expect it to last.
- Why is there a popping sound when a joint is
adjusted?
Adjustment of a joint may result in release of a gas
bubble between the joints that makes a popping sound
– it’s exactly the same as when you “crack” your
knuckles. The noise is caused by the change of
pressure within the joint that results in gas
bubbles being released. There is no pain involved.
Source: The American Chiropractic Association |
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