Frequently Asked Questions in Idaho Falls

Chiropractors can treat pain anywhere in the body: in the head and jaws, the shoulders, the elbows and wrists, the hips and pelvis, and the knees and ankles. They look at the whole musculoskeletal system and treat the root of the problem. Chiropractors make sure not only that the joints are moving properly, but also that surrounding muscles are functioning well. Chiropractors treat problems in people of all ages. Depending on the patient, the intensity and force of treatments vary. All patients are screened to ensure that they are good candidates for chiropractic care. For example, many older patients have some thinning or softening of the bones that would rule out joint manipulation. If chiropractic care is too risky for a patient, they will guide them to the right people and resources.

Let me share a few ways that chiropractic can help. Chiropractic improves joint mobility, function and health. It makes tight muscles loose and loose muscles tight and improves the contractibility (thereby strength) of the muscle. It decreases degeneration of the joint and connective tissues (arthritis), decreases the on-¬-going inflammatory process associated with the subluxation, and improves circulation taking stagnant blood out and bringing new blood in. It speeds up the recovery process and improves nerve system function and the individual nerve’s ability to carry nerve impulses more efficiently. It strengthens the immune system and improves individual organ system function (heart, lung, sinuses, digestive, etc). It improves a person’s disposition (they’re more FUN to be around) and calms a hyperactive mind and energizes a depressed mind. It increases energy, vitality and improves sleep, relieves/Improves Prenatal Discomfort and decreases length of labor and associated back pain. It decreases the adverse effects of stress and improves athletic performance (for ANY sport). It improves Quality of Life by enhancing the enjoyment/fulfillment of a person’s Key Values. It helps in the prevention ability for sickness, disease and pain. It improves overall health and wellness for infants and children and improves cognitive ability (ability to THINK more clearly). Oh…and it DECREASES PAIN! The more we study the effects of chiropractic care the more we learn about it’s benefits to the human body.

This is a common misconception known throughout the chiropractic community. Many patients want to hear that cavitation or “pop” and often feel like without sound the adjustment didn’t work. For an adjustment to be effective does not require a sound. Often times I adjust patients with no cavitation at all and yet they get fantastic results. Many people misinterpret the cavitation as bones crunching or popping. That is not the case. That “pop” is simply a nitrogen gas that is often released from a joint capsule when a joint is moved or adjusted. It is simply not an indication that the adjustment was effective nor ineffective.

Most insurance plan do cover Chiropractic visits including Medicare and Medicaid. It is important to understand what your current policy covers. A simple call or click can help you determine what coverage you have. Often times people get confused because they have a plan that covers Chiropractic visits but they also have a high deductible. It’s not uncommon to see a $2000 or even a $5000 deductible. It’s important to understand that until your deductible is met your insurance will not pay for your Chiropractic visits.

Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest nondrug, noninvasive forms of health care 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, stiffness or aching, just as they do after some forms of exercise. Current research 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, when performed by a skilled and well-educated professional such as a doctor of chiropractic, is a remarkably safe procedure. Some reports have associated high-velocity upper neck manipulation with a certain rare kind of stroke, or vertebral artery dissection. However, evidence suggests that this type of arterial injury often takes place spontaneously in patients who have pre-existing arterial disease. These dissections have been associated with everyday activities such as turning the head while driving, swimming, or having a shampoo in a hair salon. Patients with this condition may experience neck pain and headache that leads them to seek professional care at the office of a doctor of chiropractic or family physician, but that care is not the cause of the injury. The best evidence indicates that the incidence of artery injuries associated with high-velocity upper neck manipulation is extremely rare—about one to three cases in 100,000 patients who get treated with a course of care. This is similar to the incidence of this type of stroke among the general population. 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 healthcare provider. When discussing the risks of any healthcare procedure, it is important to look at that risk in comparison to other treatments available for the same condition. In this regard, the risks of serious complications from spinal manipulation for conditions such as neck pain and headache compare very favorably with even the most conservative care options. For example, the risks associated with some of the most common treatments for musculoskeletal pain (i.e. over-the-counter or prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and prescription painkillers) are significantly greater than those of chiropractic manipulation. Moreover, the (CDC) has reported that overuse and abuse of prescription opioid pain medications is among the leading causes of accidental death in the United States. Doctors of chiropractic are well trained professionals who provide patients with safe, effective care for a variety of common conditions. Their extensive education prepares them to identify patients who have special risk factors and to ensure those patients receive the most appropriate care, even if that requires referral to a medical specialist.

There are no known contraindications to chiropractic care throughout pregnancy. All chiropractors are trained to work with women who are pregnant. Investing in the fertility and pregnancy wellness of women who are pregnant or trying to conceive is routine care for most chiropractors. Some chiropractors like the one in this office take a specific interest in prenatal and postnatal care and seek additional training. Our Chiropractic tables are specially designed to accommodate pregnancy and to ensure that the adjustment is comfortable for both mom and baby.

This is one of the common misconceptions about going to a chiropractor. Some people have the impression that once you start getting adjustments, something happens to your spine, making you dependent on it for the rest of your life. In reality, chiropractic is not addictive or habit forming. There are no effects on neurotransmitters in your brain, which is how addiction to drugs occurs. Also, adjustments do not change your physiology to make you dependent on continued treatment. You usually feel better following an adjustment, able to move more freely and with better posture. Feeling free from muscle aching and pain can be addicting. However, the goal of a good chiropractor is to get you feeling better, and to allow your body to work properly, so you don’t need constant adjusting to feel your best.

Chiropractors generally perform safe, non-invasive, and medication-free treatment, making it perfectly safe for kids. Adverse events linked with chiropractic care is rare, and there are no reported deaths associated with chiropractic treatment for children. In fact, experts dub it one of the safest forms of treatment available for a broad range of conditions and pain management. The Chiropractor in this office has undergone specific extra training revolving around treating children and infants. We use gentle but very effective techniques.

Typically, a chiropractor will have about 8 years of schooling. In Most cases it requires a bachelor’s degree in a pre-medical field in order to get accepted in to a chiropractic college. From there it is another 4 years to receive your Doctorate in Chiropractic.

Many patients have undergone spinal surgery and still don’t find relief. Often time they find that chiropractic care is the only form of relief they get even after a surgery. In most cases having a spinal surgery does not limit or prohibit a person from receiving chiropractic care. It is important to inform the chiropractor of previous surgeries so that your adjustments can be catered to your specific needs.

This is another common misconception that can leave you frustrated if you don’t understand how Chiropractic care works. Many people think they can get adjusted once or twice and be miraculously healed and go on with their life. Although this has happened on rare occasion most of the time it takes consistent care with patience and a willingness to change bad habits before Chiropractic care really becomes effective. Most people have lived for years with ongoing problems and it usually takes time for the body to change and heal. It’s important to listen to your doctor and follow a treatment plan and as you do so will maximize the benefits of Chiropractic care in your life!