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Home >
For M.D.s and Professionals
> FAQ
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What's wrong?
Can we help?
How long will it take?
How much will it cost?
Does the Chiropractic adjustment hurt?
Why does it take more than one adjustment
if the bone is simply "out of place"?
What is Chiropractic?
What conditions benefit from Chiropractic
care?
Is there any research demonstrating the
effectiveness of Chiropractic?
Do Chiropractors believe in other forms
of healthcare?
My [friend, spouse, physician, etc...]
does not believe in Chiropractic. What can I tell them?
Is it true that once you begin care,
you have to keep going for the rest of your life?
What is the benefit of "maintenance"
care?
How safe is Chiropractic care?
I heard that an adjustment to the neck
can cause a stroke or paralysis?
Do Chiropractors believe in drugs?
How educated is your doctor of Chiropractic?
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What's
Wrong?
You have both the right, and need, to know what is causing your
problem. Before any treatment is provided we will first obtain
a thorough history, then perform a complete orthopedic/neurological
examination, followed by x-rays if necessary (we do not x-ray
every patient), to properly diagnose your condition. Only after
we are satisfied that you are a chiropractic candidate will
you be accepted for treatment. |
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Can
We Help?
Our office policy/mission statement is a simple one:
If we can help you we will tell you. If we cannot help you,
we will tell you that as well and make the appropriate referral.
After we form the diagnosis and agree to accept you as a new
patient, we will fully explain your condition in a "Report
of Findings" (ROF). The ROF is typically done on the second
visit, which gives us time to thoroughly analyze your examination
and x-rays. Once we are satisfied we can effectively and safely
treat you, your condition is explained in a way you understand,
and you agree to treatment; you will be given your first chiropractic
adjustment, a safe gentle manipulation of the spine. If you
present with a non-spinal related condition, other treatment
provided at this office will be discussed (ex. Nutrition,
fibromyalgia treatment, extremity treatment, etc.) If it is
not a condition we normally treat or if a second opinion or
further testing is necessary, we will make a referral to the
appropriate health care specialist. |
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How
Long Will It Take?
This is a very good question. Your schedule of care will be
determined based on what you need to recover from your condition,
so it will vary from person to person. Many factors affect the
treatment schedule. The most common are; compliance with treatment
schedule and recommended exercise, severity, how long the condition
has been present, job duties, lifestyle, age and pre-existing
arthritic conditions, delayed treatment, previous episodes/injury,
disc involvement, etc. Simple cases may take days to treat.
Complicated cases may take weeks, even months. You will be given
only the treatment you need, nothing more, and nothing less. |
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How
Much Will It Cost?
We understand that the cost of health care is on the rise. It
is our goal to make Chiropractic care affordable to everyone.
If you have been injured at work or as result of a motor vehicle
accident those costs are usually covered 100% by an insurance
carrier. We are on the panels of most large insurance carriers.
If you do not have insurance, we offer other options for payment
as well. Our mission is to take the mystery out of insurance/work
comp/personal injury, and make it as easy as possible on you
financially to be able to afford care. Our staff is on your
side! |
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Does
the Chiropractic adjustment hurt?
Under normal circumstances, adjustments don't hurt. Any discomfort
felt during the adjustment lasts only seconds. Chiropractic
adjustments are safe, gentle, and effective movements of the
spine used to stop the pain-spasm cycle. |
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Why
does it take more than one adjustment if the bone is simply
"out of place"?
Because bones do not move out of place. That is a very, very
old theory. When you feel "out", you are in reality simply "tight".
Joints tighten for one of three reasons: (1) major trauma, like
a car accident, (2) minor trauma, like bad posture daily at
your computer screen, and (3) stress…although stress won't cause
your problem, it will definitely make an existing problem worse.
When joints of the spine tighten, they produce pain due to neurological
interference. A well-placed adjustment loosens those stiff painful
joints, thus blocking the pain signal traveling to your head,
thus breaking the pain-spasm cycle. Bottom line: Loose joints
are healthy joints, and like getting in shape, it is a "process"
to restore normal spinal mobility. |
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What
is chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a clinical science based on the following:
Law of Biology/Homeostasis: The body is always
attempting to return to "normal". The body has the power to
heal itself if given the chance. The power that made the body
can heal the body. If you get cut, you heal. If you break a
bone, you heal. The body "innately" knows what to do.
Theory of the Nervous System: There is a system
in your body comprised of the brain and spinal cord (central
nervous system), special sensory organs (eyes, etc) and spinal
nerves (peripheral nervous system) that functions to control
and coordinate all the other organs, tissues, and cells in the
body and related to the internal and external environments.
Premise of the Relationship between the musculoskeletal
and nervous systems: The musculoskeletal system, comprised
of 24 movable vertebrae and six layers of muscle, functions
to protect the delicate spinal cord and spinal nerves. "Dysfunction"
of the spine can result in irritation of the nervous system.
Hypothesis of the Relationship between nervous system
and health: The nerves, joints, and discs, are all so close
together, that dysfunction of the spine, can cause irritation
to the nerves, which cause ill health in the body. Remember,
the nerves control and coordinate all organs, tissues, and cells
of the body. If the nerves don't work right, you don't work
right!
"Chiropractic" comes from the Greek word chiropraktikos,
meaning "effective treatment by hand." |
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What conditions benefit from chiropractic
care?
80% of the patients who consult our office present with
low back pain, herniated or bulging discs, neck pain, or headaches.
However, we commonly treat other conditions such as arm and
leg pain, thoracic pain, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee,
and ankle pain, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, work
injuries, and automobile injuries (whiplash).
If you suffer any of the following "medical" symptoms, realize
they are quite often associated with neuromusculoskeletal
dysfunction that may be helped through chiropractic care:
Neck problems can cause…..Blurred vision, double vision,
dizziness, ringing in the ears, difficulty sleeping, depression,
irritability, migraine headache, chest pain.
Low back problems can cause….constipation, diarrhea,
gas, bloating, menstrual pain, impotence, stomach upset or
reflux, irritable bowel, cramps, swelling.
Dysfunction in a child's spine can cause……ear infection,
colic, rashes, bedwetting, asthma, allergies
Some of these symptoms we can help, and some we cannot
help-thus the need for a thorough examination, proper testing
procedures, and a proper referral to another physician when
it becomes necessary. No doctor can help everything!
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Is there
any research demonstrating the effectiveness of chiropractic?
A wealth of research exists pertaining to issues surrounding
chiropractic healthcare. The bottom line: Chiropractic has been
proven to be cost effective, treatment effective, reduce time
loss for injured workers, in addition to being an extremely
safe form of treatment. Patient satisfaction studies are extremely
favorable to chiropractic. Our office houses a large database
of research. Simply inform the front desk or any of the doctors
what you are interested in and we will be happy to pull specific
literature for your review. |
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Do
Chiropractor's believe in other forms of healthcare?
No physician can cure everything. We believe in a team approach
to healthcare. As such we maintain an extensive referral list
of other physicians, including: orthopedic and neurosurgeons,
neurologists, pain management specialists, physical therapists,
dentist, OB/GYNs, family practice physicians, personal trainers,
dieticians, podiatrists, psychologists, Christian counselors,
and many others. If we cannot help you, we will make every effort
to find someone who can! |
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My
[friend, spouse, physician, etc...] does not "believe" in chiropractic.
What can I tell them?
The best response to anyone expressing an archaic view of the
chiropractic profession is to ask questions. Remember, chiropractic
is NOT a religion, or a belief, therefore there is nothing to
"believe". Chiropractic is based on sound scientific principles.
Ask the following:
"Forget about the word "chiropractic" and let's talk about what
a chiropractic physician actually does when you visit the office:
Do you believe in performing a Consultation?
Do you believe in performing an Examination?
Do you believe in X-rays, MRI, CT Scans, etc.?
Do you believe in an accurate Diagnosis?
Do you believe in Treatment such as ice, heat, ultrasound, electric
stim, rehabilitation?
Do you believe in Exercise?
Do you believe in proper Nutrition?
Well then, if you believe in all that, what is there not to
believe about Chiropractic? I just described the practice of
chiropractic!
The only item not mentioned above is "manipulation". And there
is more research on manipulation than any other treatment available
for back pain treatment?" |
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"I
heard that once you begin care, you have to keep going for the
rest of your life."
If that were true every chiropractor would be so busy they could
never accept any new patients. The majority of patients come
in, get treated, get well, and it's over. Once you improve it
remains your sole decision to either re-visit the office for
future acute episodes of pain, or place yourself on a maintenance
program with four proactive goals in mind: (1) minimize your
pain, (2) maximize spinal function, (3) decrease reliance on
drugs/medication, (4) and keep you employed….a favorite goal
of most employers! |
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"What
is the benefit of "maintenance" care?"
Maintenance care is no different than periodic visits to your
dentist. Once you start eating right, do you always have to
eat right? Once you start exercising, do you always have to
exercise? Answer: It totally depends upon your personal goals.
The care of your spine and nervous system is no different. We
will help you meet whatever goals you set for yourself and help
you understand the merits of your choice. Remember, your doctor
works for you. It is not the other way around. |
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"How
safe is Chiropractic care?"
Unequivocally, Chiropractic care is one of the safest forms
of health care available for the treatment of spinal conditions.
Compared to the risks of taking medication and the complications
of surgery, risks associated with Chiropractic care are minimal.
Are you aware that approximately 16,500 people in this country
die every year from the side effects of aspirin and other non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)? Add another 20,000 deaths
due to Tylenol. Tylenol mixed with alcohol can produce a deadly
cocktail. Chiropractic is safer and more effective than most
all forms of healthcare! |
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"I
heard that an adjustment to the neck can cause a stroke or paralysis?"
Again, Chiropractic care is one of the safest forms of health
care available for the treatment of spinal conditions, including
the neck. According to the most recent studies, you have less
than a 1 per 5 million (one study even says 1 per 8 million)
chance of experiencing a stroke due to an adjustment to the
neck. Paralysis is even more rare. Serious risks of spinal adjustments
are so rare that researchers have a difficult time even predicting
the odds. An aspirin is more dangerous. Despite the low risk,
we perform tests to even further minimize the risks to you before
we ever perform that first adjustment. |
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"Do
chiropractor's believe in drugs?"
Of course we do. We simply do not believe in drug abuse
and misuse. We believe in Chiropractic first, drugs second,
surgery last. When it comes to spinal care, with the exception
of a rare neurological emergency, Chiropractic should be your
first choice, not your last choice. In complicated or difficult
cases we often recommend that the patient return to their medical
physician for any medication they deem appropriate to assist
in the recovery. We maintain an extensive referral list of medical
physicians who work cooperatively with our office. In fact,
our office receives a large number of referrals from medical
doctors all around the Westerville and Columbus metropolitan
areas. |
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"How
educated is your doctor of chiropractic?"
You may be surprised to know that like medicine it generally
takes 8 years of college after high school to receive a degree
in chiropractic (4 years undergraduate and 4 years graduate).
A chiropractic degree from an accredited chiropractic college,
followed by passage of the state boards (until 1975 MDs and
DCs in Ohio sat in the same room and took the same test to become
licensed), ensures the public that the chiropractor is well
rounded in knowledge and scope. Since chiropractic physicians
neither prescribe drugs nor perform surgery, chiropractic college
places heavy emphasis on neuromusculoskeletal diagnosis and
treatment. Therefore while we are responsible to be able to
diagnosis and/or recognize general medical conditions, our background
provides a clear advantage in the diagnosis and treatment of
neuromusculoskeletal problems compared to most medical physicians.
If you suffer heart or kidney disease, your medical physician
is the appropriate choice. It is to your benefit to explore
both natural and allopathic (drugs and surgery) approaches and
choose your best option, or team. Bottom line: No physician
can adequately treat everything. Medical doctors, chiropractic
physicians, and other health professionals all have a place
in the healthcare delivery system. |
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