Chiropractic is a healing art, science and philosophy. It is based upon the scientific fact that health can only be achieved when an optimal functioning spine and nervous system exist. The effects of chiropractic are vast and far reaching. Let’s take a few minutes to learn about reaching total health and wellness through chiropractic care!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Health? Health is the optimum function of all areas of the body working toward their maximum. A proper neurological connection between the brain and the body is required to achieve health and wellness or what we call “wholeness.”

What is chiropractic? Chiropractic is a healing art, science and philosophy of treatment that utilizes a conservative, hands on approach to health care exclusively without the use of drugs or surgery in order to restore homeostasis (balance) in the human body. D.D. Palmer delivered the first chiropractic adjustment on September 18, 1895 to Harvey Lillard, which subsequently restored his hearing! Interestingly, he had no lower back pain! Read on.

What does chiropractic treat? Chiropractic does not treat disease per se; it addresses the body as a whole by removing interference between the central nervous system and body connection allowing the person to return to not just wellness, but to wholeness; removing the impediments to true healing allowing the body to heal itself. Chiropractic deals with the energy of the body and a state of the body known as Subluxation. Subluxation is defined as a situation in the body where there is a lack (sub) of life or energy (luxation). This situation arises when there is an interruption in the connection between the brain and the body. Subluxation occurs in the spine, which houses the central nervous system, consisting of the lower brain and the entire spinal cord. Structural shifts and abnormal motion affect the spine creating neurological interference. Chiropractic is about restoring the optimal life and energy of the human body via specific chiropractic adjustments with a balance of all the areas of a person’s life including their nutrition, personal and spiritual relationships.

How does the chiropractic adjustment work? The adjustment works by re-establishing the normal alignment and movement of the spine to restore the neurological connection between the brain and the body. This connection is absolutely necessary for restoration of true health and “wholeness.”

Is chiropractic safe? Chiropractic is very safe for people of all ages. Studies have demonstrated that chiropractic is many times safer than a number of other treatment options. Please realize there are risks with every procedure and endeavor we pursue. What you must understand is that the benefits of chiropractic care and a restoration of your health via a proper brain-body connection so far outweigh the risks that it is not even a consideration.

Does my health insurance cover chiropractic? Yes, in the majority of cases for acute care! We currently accept Aetna, Excellus Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Medicare, No Fault, United Health Care and Worker’s Compensation. It is recommended that you check with your policy to make sure you have coverage, and to see what your out of pocket cost will be at the time of your visit.

What should I expect at my first visit? We ask that you have the paperwork filled out ahead of time which will be emailed, faxed or mailed to you. You may dress however you wish but you should ensure that you are comfortable. We suggest not wearing anything too tight or too short including skirts and dresses. Once you arrive we may have one or two forms for you to fill out and if you are using insurance, we need to make a copy of your health insurance card. Then you will go back with the doctor. Your first visit will take approximately 45 minutes. We will go over your health history. Then we will do a thorough a comprehensive Neurostructural chiropractic exam. In many cases, it will be necessary to acquire radiographs of your spine for evaluation.

Will I receive treatment on the first visit? Please understand that the doctor will have collected a tremendous amount of information about you and you current situation. Time is necessary to evaluate this information before a conclusion and a course of action is determined. In most cases, the Doctor will perform maneuvers that may seem like a treatment but are designed to ask the nervous system and body questions to challenge their connection. This information is very important to determining the extent of your situation.

Is treatment painful? Depending on your condition it is possible that treatment may not always be comfortable. However, pain and tenderness are usually secondary responses by the body as it adapts to its environment. As your body and brain connection become reestablished, the primary causes for these responses will be diminished. This is the process that is followed as you embark on the path to healing.

What will the rest of my visits be like? Your review of findings will occur at your second visit. This will take approximately 30 minutes. Your situation will be reviewed in detail and a plan to restore your health and subsequent wholeness will be discussed. Additional consideration for your nutritional and exercise needs will be discussed. It is our prime focus and intention to help you restore what you have lost, the proper healing connection between your brain and body and the adjustment takes moments to do this.

Is it true you have to keep coming back? Initially, many patients come to us because they have some type of injury and/or have neck pain, lower back pain, headaches or other musculoskeletal issues. During treatment, people begin to realize that their secondary responses are adaptations by the body indicating its status. The first phase of care is to stabilize your body and shift it out of the crisis state. Remember, we are caring for your body, not your pain or disease. Once your body has started to reconnect and is stabilized, our next goal is to correct, strengthen and elevate your nervous system and body’s connection toward achieving and maintaining “wholeness!” To maintain and support this level of health, you will want to continue to do the things that get you there; good nutrition, sound relationships and chiropractic care. This is the third phase of care called protection.

Should I tell my primary care physician or other doctors that I am seeing you? We recommend that all of our patients have open communication with all of their health care professionals. It is recommended that you tell your other physicians you are being seen in our office.

Photo by Foxymoron

When do I pay? Payment is expected at the time of service. If you have a deductible you may opt to wait until your health insurance company has processed your claim. However in most cases we will know what your portion will be able to pay it at your appointment.

What forms of payment do you accept? We accept cash, check and credit (Visa, MasterCard and Discover). At this time we do not accept payments online.

What does DC stand for? D.C. is our official title. It is an abbreviation for Doctor of Chiropractic, which is the degree that we earn.

What do you have to do to become a chiropractor? With few exceptions, chiropractors earn their Bachelors Degree before attending chiropractic college, which must include the basic sciences before enrolling. The US Department of Education and the Council of Chiropractic Excellence (CCE) must accredit all chiropractic colleges. The program is similar to a medical degree, each of which takes five years to complete. Where medical degrees place emphasis on drugs and surgery, chiropractic degrees focus on health support and maintenance through proper spinal structure and nutrition. During chiropractic college there are 4 parts to a national board exam: three written, and one practical that all students must pass. Upon passing the state board exams and receiving your license, you then must apply for and maintain malpractice insurance.

Do chiropractors have to keep taking classes? Yes, most states have some type of continuing education requirement. In New York State we are required to take 12 hours of continuing education each year. Some insurance companies require more however. Dr. Charlie and Dr. Stephanie take between 20 and 40 credits per year to stay current with the latest techniques.