When you hear the word chiropractor you often think of back pain and alignment. Chiropractors offer so much more and expand past just your back; they benefit head to toe, young and old. If you have been curious about seeking a chiropractic appointment but haven’t been sure if you can benefit from the care or you aren’t sure how to find the right provider for your needs, then this is the article for you. See some of the top common questions that patients ask before their visits.
Q: Is a sports chiropractor for me? Do I have to be an athlete for this to make sense?
A: Sports chiropractic is a subspecialty of chiropractic medicine. Sport Chiropractors focus on assessments and treatments specific to sports and exercise. A sports chiropractor has a CCSP (Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician) certification. From recreational runners to competitive cyclists, professional athletes, and very active people may have special health needs. Generally speaking, only dedicated athletes would need the services of sports chiropractic specialist. Sports chiropractors are ideal if you spend a significant amount of time playing sports (makes sense, right?). Casual exercisers can typically get the care that they need from a general chiropractic doctor. They must have extensive knowledge of sports, exercise, and sports-related injuries. A few ways a sports chiropractor helps athletes:
- Prevent sports-related injuries
- Speed rehabilitation from sports injuries and musculoskeletal injuries
- Improve mobility, range of motion, and function
- Provide a non-invasive approach to healing and medical care
- Promote good health and wellness
Q: Do I need to see a chiropractor after a car accident?
A: Yes, you should always see a chiropractor or physician after any car accident. It is essential for your health and well-being to be evaluated after an auto accident as even the smallest of a crash can result in significant injuries. Oftentimes, you may not recognize or feel an injury right away and can be unaware of the damage done to your body. If you plan to peruse a lawsuit following your auto accident you will also be required to have a professional medical diagnosis along with documentation for all visits, diagnoses, and treatments.
Q: How do I pick the right chiropractor?
A: Using the following series of steps can help you select the perfect chiropractor for not only your personal needs but also your happiness and comfort level:
- Try to get a referral. Friends, neighbors, family, and especially your primary medical doctor may recommend a chiropractor.
- Check if any of the recommended chiropractors are covered by your insurance plan. If you receive a strong recommendation for someone not on that list, you might consider out of network benefits or even private payment.
- Do a quality check for credentials by accessing your state licensing board's website to confirm qualifications and any possible disciplinary action.
- Research the condition(s) for which you are seeking treatment. There are any number of credible websites and library resources offering information on conditions like back pain, sciatica, herniated discs, and other musculoskeletal conditions commonly treated by chiropractors.
- Visit the practice website. Many chiropractors have websites, and these can be informative. Are they patient-oriented? Are they consistent with the scientific evidence you have learned about your condition? Read your doctor's resume. Don't pay a lot of attention to marketing tools, such as testimonials.
- Finally, you may want to make a few phone calls, perhaps starting with the chiropractic office closest to you. Ask about appointment availability, insurance coverage, hours, etc. This is to see if you are treated with patience, courtesy and respect by the doctor's office.
Q: Is chiropractic care safe for someone with scoliosis?
A: Yes, a chiropractor is an excellent member of your spinal support team. Chiropractic care can help halt or diminish further degeneration of the spine. Patients with scoliosis often experience other spinal issues due to dysfunction caused by the abnormal curvatures in their spine. Chiropractors can help not only with pain from the abnormalities but also help to realign your spine and muscles and joints attached.
Q: Is there an age limit on chiropractic care?
A: No, there is not only no age limit, but also it is highly recommended for patients of all ages (young and old) to seek chiropractic care. Chiropractors often check babies who are just moments old for spinal misalignments caused by the birthing process. As children become older, parents may seek chiropractic care to encourage a healthy nervous system and assist with a range of problems, from behavioral disorders and sleeping problems to allergies and asthma.
It’s helpful for seniors, as well. Chiropractic care can provide pain relief from arthritis and other conditions while also decreasing joint degeneration and increasing range of motion, balance and coordination.
Q: What causes the sound during an adjustment?
A: Sometimes, the vertebrae make a popping sound during adjustments. Some patients assume it means the adjustment worked, while others might interpret it more negatively. In truth, the sound is meaningless, painless, and harmless.
When the joints are separated slightly during manipulation, it creates a partial vacuum. As gas rushes in to fill the space it can make a sound—much like when you pop the cork on a bottle of champagne.
Q: Can chiropractic care help with fibromyalgia?
A: Chiropractic care can help with fibromyalgia pain by improving the functioning of the nervous system, which in turn boosts the immune system. It can also relieve compression of the upper spine, which often accompanies the condition and can amplify pain across the entire body.
Doctors don’t know what causes fibromyalgia—a condition marked by body-wide pain, tingling, and exhaustion—but they believe it has to do with repeated nerve stimulation, which causes the brain’s pain receptors to become more sensitive. Patients with this condition often seek chiropractic treatment for relief from their neck, back, and leg pain.
Chiropractic care helps all ages from head to toe and from any walk of life with any job from super active to those who are couch potatoes. Seeking care at the right time can help prevent further injury or an injury from progressing into something more serious. If you have more questions about chiropractic care or would like to schedule your visit today please call Dr. Duncan, with Duncan Chiropractic.