Chiropractic FAQs

How does chiropractic work?

You are a self-healing, self-regulating organism, controlled by your nervous system. Every moment, millions of bits of information flow from your brain, down your spinal cord and out to every organ and tissue in your body, then back up to the brain. Various types of stress can cause inflammation and force spinal bones out of their proper alignment, which interferes with the transmission of information through sensitive nerve fibers. Chiropractors refer to this as subluxation. Subluxation can cause pain, and can also prevent parts of the body from working properly. Adjusting, which removes the subluxation, can improve pain and improve function of the body.

How do you get subluxations?

There are three causes of subluxation: physical, chemical and mental/emotional physical causes include slips and falls, accidents, repetitive motions, bad posture and improper lifting. Overwhelming emotions, such as anger, grief and fear can cause subluxation by creating excessive muscle tension, inflammation and bad postures. Chemical causes can include excessive alcohol consumption, drugs (both prescription and recreational), pollutions, contaminants and poor diet.

How do I know if I have subluxations?

Many people have subluxation and don’t know it. Like the early stages of tooth decay or cancer, subluxation can be present before warning signs or pain appear. A thorough examination by a trained chiropractor can reveal the location and severity of subluxations in your spine.

What is an adjustment?

Chiropractic adjustments usually involve a quick, gentle thrust to help restore proper alignment and motion to stuck spinal joints, thereby removing subluxation. Some methods involve the doctor delivering the adjustment by hand, others include using a special instrument, or a special table. Some methods are very gentle and some use slightly more force. There are many ways to adjust the spine, and most patients feel an immediate sense of relief following the adjustment.

Can Subluxations clear up on their own?

Sometimes. Today’s hectic lifestyles are a constant source of subluxations. Fortunately, our bodies have the ability to self-correct many of these problems as we bend, stretch or sleep at night. Often we develop a subluxation that won’t self-correct, and then it is important to see a chiropractor right away. Some subluxations are present since birth and present no pain, while some show up and cause symptoms right away. The only way to be sure you are subluxation-free is to see a chiropractor.

Are adjustments safe?

When performed by a trained chiropractor, adjustments are perfectly safe. Chiropractors enjoy one of the lowest malpractice insurance rates of any health care practitioner, due entirely to the fact that adjustments are safe and effective.

Can I adjust myself?

No. Occasionally when moving or stretching, you may feel joints pop, however this is not an adjustment. Worse pain or damage can occur if you over stretch your joints, or try to force them to pop. Learning how to properly adjust the spine takes years of training, and even your chiropractor must consult with another colleague to get adjusted.

What is the noise I sometimes hear during an adjustment?

Some adjustments are accompanied by a popping noise. The sound is caused by gasses inside of the joint shifting around, similar to removing a suction cup, or opening a bottle of champagne. The sound is interesting, but is not a guide to the quality or value of the adjustment

I’ve heard once you start getting adjusted, you have to go the rest of your life. Is that true?

No. The frequency and duration of your care depends upon what you wish to achieve. Much like eating right or exercise, some patients choose to continue their chiropractic care on a regular basis because they have observed a change in their health and want the benefits to continue as long as possible.

Are there any health conditions that would prevent me from getting chiropractic care?

No. Certain spinal conditions dictate that the doctor alter the treatments so as not to harm the body, but the techniques that Dr. Powell uses are safe regardless of the condition you have. It is very important to let your chiropractor know about any health conditions before you begin care, and that is why most chiropractors perform a obtain detailed health history before administering treatments.

How long till I feel better?

Some patients experience instant relief, while it takes longer for more long term or more severe conditions. A conservative estimate is two to four weeks, but there are other factors that can influence your length of recovery: Are you keeping your appointments? Are you getting enough rest? Enough nutritional support? Proper activity levels, including exercises and stretches? Since each person and condition is different, Dr. Powell will give you written recommendations on your second visit on how to achieve the best results.

How often will I need chiropractic care?

After patients obtain their initial goals, most choose to continue with care on a periodic basis. We’ve found that patients who continue to have regular check-ups experience less relapses and overall better health.

Will my insurance cover chiropractic care?

Most plans do allow for a certain amount of coverage for chiropractic care, but since each one is different our staff will verify your particular plan before you come in to tell you exactly how much you will be responsible for. Our office also accepts insurance from auto accidents and workers compensation (job injuries).

What if my insurance plan does not cover chiropractic, or if I do not have insurance coverage?

No problem. We have very affordable fees per visit, and also offer unlimited monthly plans to ensure that you can afford the care you need. We also offer payment plans to spread the cost out over a longer period of time. In some cases, our fee per visit is LESS than an insurance copay!

At what age does a person need chiropractic care?

Chiropractic involves optimizing the nervous system and helping the body process and adapt to stress. People of all ages should get their spines checked for subluxation, since the first subluxations often begin during the birth process from the extreme amount of physical stress to the baby. Our techniques are safe, gentle and effective, and we’ve treated patient well into their nineties. Our youngest patient was just minutes old and our oldest was 94 years of age!

If you have any questions that have not been addressed here, or would like to expand further on any of these questions, please feel free to call or send us an email.