top of page

Can Chiropractic Help Me?

People have been turning to chiropractic health care for over a century. They have sought treatment for a wide variety of ailments, from headaches to low back pain. The following is a brief summary of circumstances where chiropractic may be an appropriate health-care choice.

I've been in an accident:

Trauma can cause spinal misalignment's in the body which can in turn distort your structure and irritate your nerves, bones, ligaments and discs. Any accident, no matter how minor, can create nerve-damaging misalignments. We can give you a spinal check-up to ensure that your spine is free from these health-compromising changes and to prevent any long-term damage.

I've suffered a sports- or work-related injury:

When a spinal misalignment has been caused by repetitive stress or overuse at work or play, spinal nerves may be impeded. This may in turn negatively affect one's range of motion, strength, reflexes, endurance, and, ultimately, performance. Chiropractic can help your body restore normal nerve function and help you get back to your peak in both play and work.

I'm simply in pain:

Interruption of proper nerve flow, for whatever reason, can eventually lead to pain, disability, and an overall decrease in the quality of life. You don't need to live with it— we can help you get to the root of the problem, set your body up to heal, and restore your health.

I'm pregnant, can I receive Chiropractic Care?

The additional weight and stress on the framework of the body during pregnancy can cause pain in almost any part of the body. Because pregnant women are often reluctant to take any over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers, they often turn to chiropractic care to help alleviate pains associated with pregnancy.

You have a young child at home:

Babies and children grow quickly, and their muscles, ligaments, and bones develop rapidly. A jump, tumble, or fall can jar the body, affect the spine (and possibly the nervous system), and then go undetected for years. Even simple factors, such as a heavy backpack or an ill-fitting car seat, can have negative effects on a child's health.

With these things in mind, it's evident that babies and children have much to gain from chiropractic care. Regular spinal exams can provide corrective and preventive care for "little ones," as well as peace of mind for the parent.

Parents of small children also have much to gain. We can offer advice regarding how to pick up and carry a child and, for post-partum mothers, an assessment of any structural changes that may have occurred during pregnancy, labor, and/or delivery.

You have a teenager at home:

Teenagers' bodies are also growing at a rapid rate. This, combined with the fact that teenagers often think they are invincible, sets them up for a wide range of physical problems. Imagine your teenager hearing from someone other than you the benefits of proper diet, exercise, posture, and other good lifestyle habits! With regular visits to your doctor of chiropractic, your teen will have a body that is structurally and functionally sound, and a head start on a life of good health.

You are in your "Golden Years":

There are numerous physical problems associated with aging, and drugs and surgery are often prescribed to treat these problems. There is little, if any, attention paid to actually fixing these problems— and little or no emphasis on preventing them.

But you need not succumb. Chiropractors understand the effects of aging and have been helping folks deal with the aches and pains associated with aging for decades. As with other patients, we diagnose the ailment, determine what's causing it, and then choose from a variety of gentle therapeutic techniques to alleviate it.

We can also guide you through simple changes in your lifestyle (e.g., diet, exercise, stress management) that can greatly improve the quality of your life. Old habits are hard to break, but it's never too late to start healthy habits.

You feel fine:

Even if you feel as though you're operating at 100% or better, chiropractic can help you maintain your desired level of health and fitness. You may currently have spinal irregularities that exhibit no symptoms whatsoever. However, problems may arise in the future. Just as regular maintenance visits are recommended for your car, and regular dental cleanings and check-ups are recommended for your teeth, regular chiropractic check-ups can help detect and prevent spinal stress or joint disorders.

In short, chiropractic health care is a smart choice for most everyone, at any time-you'll stay healthier longer, and the time and energy (and money!) saved due to your preventive efforts can be spent on things that are fun to do.

A better quality of life awaits you.

Call today to schedule your appointment:

(480) 839 - BACK (2225) 

Other Frequently Asked Questions

1. What kind of doctor should I see for treatment of my whiplash injuries?

The appropriate doctor to treat whiplash injuries depends on the nature of your injuries, and could include a chiropractor, an orthopedist, or a neurosurgeon to name a few. It is very important to seek treatment from a doctor who understands the complexities of whiplash injuries and who knows how to treat the condition properly. All too often patients are told that they only need to take pain medications for a short period of time and their symptoms will go away on their own. Often this is not the case, and, unfortunately, the patient does not get proper care right after their injury, when the right treatment is most critical.  

A chiropractic physician is the best option for treatment of acute or chronic whiplash trauma. The chiropractic approach appropriately addresses the damage that occurs to the tissues, and is more likely to result in a good outcome. A qualified chiropractic doctor will refer you to any specialists that may be needed.

2. How are Doctors of Chiropractic licensed?

Graduates of a college of chiropractic from any of the 16 chiropractic colleges accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education must take a licensing examination in all 50 States. There are 50 different legislative bodies involved in the licensing process of chiropractic physicians, creating a variety of testing and licensing procedures and a variation in scope of practice from State to State.

3. What subjects does a chiropractic physician study?

4. Do chiropractic physicians (like MD's) take national board exams? State board exams?

The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE), established in 1963, functions similarly to the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). Part I of the NBCE covers the basic sciences and may be taken after the first year of chiropractic college education. Part II covers clinical sciences and is administered when a student is in his/her senior year of chiropractic college. Part III is a written clinical competency examination that requires an examinee to have passed Part I and be within 8 months of graduation (if taken while still in school). The optional NBCE Physiotherapy Examination may be taken following the completion of 120 hours of physiotherapy coursework.

All States, except five, require passing scores on all or part of the NBCE tests as well as on one State-administered test. The content and format of the State-administered examinations vary considerably. Approximately one in three States require one State-administered evaluation. This may involve written questions regarding State regulations and statutes, an interview, or a practical examination covering diagnostic and management procedures.

5. Are Doctors of Chiropractic considered primary health care providers?

Yes, chiropractic physicians’ practices include several characteristics considered to be consistent with a primary care role. They are directly accessed by patients, frequently coordinate care with other providers, may obtain special studies, develop continuing relationships with patients, and emphasize prevention strategies, especially related to injury prevention. Chiropractic is licensed and regulated in every State, and within these legal boundaries individual practitioners may practice as they wish. Providing care for musculoskeletal conditions using manipulation as a primary intervention is within the legal scope of chiropractic practice in all 50 States. The legal right to use other procedures including modalities, myofascial work, acupuncture, and nutritional therapy varies from State to State.

6. Is the Council on Chiropractic Education recognized by the U.S. Dept. of Education?

Federal recognition of the Council on chiropractic Education (CCE) as the accrediting body for chiropractic colleges in 1974 was a landmark event in the history of chiropractic education. The CCE regulates pre-professional requirements for admission to chiropractic colleges as well as educational requirements for graduation from chiropractic colleges.

7. Is Chiropractic covered by Medicare and/or private insurance or Workers' compensation?

The Federal Medicare program has provided chiropractic benefits since 1972. The Medicare chiropractic benefit allows for 12 visits annually and covers manipulation of the spine by a chiropractor. More than 80 percent of American workers in conventional insurance plans, preferred provider organizations, and point-of-service plans now have health insurance that covers at least part of the cost of chiropractic care . Overall, 75 percent of workers receive chiropractic coverage under their plan. Automobile insurance and some types of homeowners' insurance typically incorporate Personal injury protection (PIP) insurance coverage. This form of insurance, in most States, permits chiropractors access to reimbursement on par with all other providers. Chiropractic physicians are explicitly recognized by regulation or statute as "attending providers" (i.e., providers whom workers may access directly and who can oversee management of the case) in the workers' compensation systems of 39 States and the District of Columbia.

8. Why is spinal manipulation so important?

In a 1996 study by Woodward et. al., published in the journal “Injury,” Chiropractic treatment was able to help relieve the pain for 93% of patients with chronic whiplash injuries. Chronic whiplash injuries are notoriously resistant to any form of treatment, making their conclusions particularly significant in the field of whiplash treatment. Guidelines published by the Federal Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) concluded that spinal manipulation was one of only three treatments for acute low back pain for which there was at least moderate research-based evidence of effectiveness. In addition, patients seeking care for back pain from chiropractic physicians tend to be more satisfied than patients treated by medical doctors.

9. Why don't chiropractors use drugs? Surgery?

All States currently exclude prescribing drugs and performing major surgery from chiropractic practice. This is because chiropractic was developed to be a drug-less healing art, and one of its objectives is to help patients avoid unnecessary drugs, if possible. Chiropractic is noninvasive, and emphasizes the patient's inherent recuperative abilities, also recognizing the dynamics between lifestyle and a return to health.

bottom of page