FAQ

Are Chiropractors “Real” Doctors?

Yes.  Chiropractors are portal-of-entry doctors, meaning that they are seen without referral and possess themselves the power to refer to other health care providers. Chiropractors must complete a four-year pre-medical degree before entering the chiropractic graduate program.  Once accepted, Doctors of Chiropractic undergo another rigorous four to five year program of study at an accredited chiropractic college to become a primary health care provider.  The complete graduate curriculum includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory, and clinical experience.

This medical education spans from anatomy with human dissection, pathology, neuroanatomy, biochemistry, and endocrinology, to clinical studies including physical diagnosis, neurology, x-ray analysis, physical therapy, and therapeutic techniques.  The last year and half of Chiropractic College requires a hands-on internship and clinical preceptorship.

Is Chiropractic Safe?

Chiropractic is one of the safest forms of healthcare and is an excellent alternative to drugs and surgery.  Research shows Chiropractic adjustments are about 100x safer than over the counter pain medication.

What's an Adjustment?

An adjustment is a quick and gentle thrust into a specific joint that isn't moving properly.  This can be done with the doctor's hands, a special table, or an adjusting instrument.

What If I Don’t Like Being “Popped”?

There are many ways to adjust patients, and the pop is not the adjustment. In fact, Dr. Ken prefers to avoid diversified adjustments that often result in popping, except when necessary.

Can I Adjust Myself?

No.  Some people can 'pop' themselves, but this is not an adjustment!  This popping can cause further damage to an area by mobilizing a joint that is already destabilized.  Over years, this can aggravate current pain and stiffness, leading to chronic weakened ligaments and joints vulnerable to severe injury.

An adjustment is specific and must be thoroughly diagnosed.  Even your Chiropractor must consult a colleague to get adjusted.

How Long Will I Need Chiropractic Care?

We do not sell 20-treatment packages or convince our patients to come in 3 times a week for their entire lives.  Our goal is to put our patient's health in their hands.  After patients obtain relief from their initial complaints, we encourage them to live well and make conscious decisions for their health, only coming into the office for periodic checkups.  Similar to seeing a dentist to prevent tooth decay, spinal checkups help prevent neuromuscular and skeletal degeneration.

What if Chiropractic Doesn't Work For Me?

We make every effort during your initial consultation to determine if Chiropractic is right for you before initiating care.  If we are unable to correct a particular health problem however, we will communicate that and refer you to another specialists who may be able to help.  Your health is our goal.

Should Children and Infants Get Adjusted?

Definitely.  Birth trauma often causes distortion to an infant's soft skull and spine.  Colic, gastro-intestinal distress, ear infections, excessive crying, and poor sleeping may be signs that your infant is experiencing discomfort due to spinal distress.

Toddlers learning to walk and crawl also benefit from Chiropractic care.  Bumps and falls are a big part of growing up and your child will appreciate being patched up along the way!

Why Don’t You Accept Insurance?

Health insurance carriers recognize the cost-effectiveness of Chiropractic and most plans now include Chiropractic care in their health coverage.  Insurance companies, however, have a disproportionate control over patient care.  When it comes to our patients, we believe that we can offer happier, higher quality care if we don't spend our time defending our diagnosis and treatment to a third-party payer.  Doctors and hospitals are forced to inflate their prices to recuperate a fraction of the costs involved.

Our choice revolves around ethical care, a choice that allows us to provide superior care than the average insurance practice.

Is Chiropractic Cost Effective?

Medical studies show that Chiropractic care is cost effective, reducing hospital admissions, hospital stays, outpatient surgeries, and pharmaceutical costs.

Refer to:  http://www.chiro.org/LINKS/Cost_Effectiveness.shtml for more information.