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| Q: Can chiropractic help me? |
A: Chiropractic care will benefit almost everyone in some way, just as dental care will benefit almost everyone in some way. The degree of response may vary due to the length of time the condition has existed, the lifestyle of the patient and one's compliance to the care plan.
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| Q: What should I expect after an adjustment? |
| A: Often times after the first adjustment a patient will feel tired. The release of the adjustment to a fixated and inflamed segment is like releasing a great weight from your shoulders. The body says "ahhh" and wants to rest. This is normal. Some patients feel a little general soreness like they "used muscles they didn't know they had". This is because some muscles have been tight or spastic for so long in response to the subluxation that they go unnoticed until they start to relax. Only then do we realize how tense the muscles were. |
About 3-5% of people may experience a sensation like their arms or legs are tingling as the nerves start to work properly after the adjustment. This is a good thing. If this occurs it typically lasts a couple of hours or less and does not occur again. This is similar to your arm or leg "waking up after it falls asleep".
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| Q: How many visits will I need? |
| A: It is impossible to predict exactly how many visits a new patient will need to resolve their initial condition because each injury is different and each individual's healing response is different. We give each patient an estimate on how long their recovery may take after the initial exam and will have an even better idea after 2-3 visits. We do not have the same "3x a week for 6 weeks" approach for every patient. Visits will be spaced out based on the rate of improvement. |
Once we have improved or resolved their initial complaint(s), most patients decide to come in for monthly checkups for maintenence of their spine to reduce future episodes and for better overall health.
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| Q: Does the adjustment hurt? |
A: Typically, no. If one is in so much pain that simply touching the spine hurts, the doctor will apply ice for 15 or 20 minutes and that will reduce the discomfort for the procedure. An adjustment is felt and heard like cracking one's knuckles. There could be some stretching sensation felt when the lower back or pelvis is adjusted in the side posture position and that is normal.
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| Q: Will my doctor give me exercises? |
A: Yes. The doctors will give you exercises specifically for your condition and if they feel you need an evaluation by a therapist or exercise physiologist, they will refer you to the appropriate professional. Exercise is not recommended until the motion of the spine has been restored to at least 50% of its normal movement. Prior to that the muscle will not receive the exercise well and the therapy may even cause pain.
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| Q: Who should be checked for subluxations? |
A: EVERYONE. If you have a spine and a nervous system (which you do), you should be checked. Drs. Sara and Ben have seen patients from 1 day old to over 90 years old.
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| Q: Is chiropractic safe? |
| A: Yes, chiropractic is extremely safe. No significant risk of complications from receiving a Gonstead Method chiropractic adjustment is known to exist... none. Considering that the Gonstead Method has been widely used for over 50 years, this fact is quite impressive. |
In comparison, 16,000 - 20,000 people in the US die each year from complications (bleeding ulcers and heart attacks) caused by over-the-counter pain relievers. Roughly 7 out of 1000 people will die from "routine" neck or back surgery. Many others suffer long lasting side effects of scar tissue build up and structural instability caused by surgery.
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| Q: What if I was told that I need neck or back surgery? |
A: Having surgery is no guarantee that your problem will go away and is a risky undertaking. If you are told that you need orthopedic surgery for any reason other than immediate life-saving need or broken bones, it is in your best interest to see Dr. Ben or Dr. Sara first. If, upon examination, Drs. Ben and Sara feel that you would benefit from either chiropractic care, physical therapy, surgery, or a combination of these, they will tell you. The doctors will review any X-Ray or MRI findings that you may have from other physicians.
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| Q: Do I need a referral from my medical doctor to see a chiropractor? |
| A: No, but we are happy to accept referrals as we work well with medical doctors in the community. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find a medical doctor who does not see the benefit of chiropractic care.
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| Q: Do chiropractors ever refer to medical doctors? |
A: Yes. We know when to refer you to another appropriate provider. Chiropractors are trained in organ systems diagnosis along with musculo-skeletal diagnosis and refer accordingly.
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| Q: Does it matter whether I see Dr. Sara or Dr. Ben? |
A: Which doctor you see is your personal preference as both are skilled Gonstead doctors. It will not offend the doctors in any way if you choose one or the other. Dr. Sara typically handles pediatric and pregnancy cases. Dr. Ben typically handles extremity injuries and sports injuries. Both handle spine injuries and provide general wellness care. If you have a preference between male or female, you may choose that way too.
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| Q: Do Dr. Ben and Dr. Sara have the same last name because they are married? |
| A: Yes. Most people assume this and they are correct!
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