Is it good to crack my neck?
Is there research to back up chiropractic?
Why does computer work cause neck and shoulder pain?
Is it true that once you start chiropractic, it never ends?
Does insurance cover chiro?
Can my insurance pay for massage therapy?
I was in a car accident; should I see a chiropractor?
Can chiropractic straighten out scoliosis?
What can be done about disc bulges?
My medical doctor won't refer me to a chiropractor...
Should I ice or heat my low back pain?
San Francisco Chiropractor - Monday, 9:00 PM - October 8, 2007
Is it true that once you start chiropractic, you have to go forever?
Speaking for myself, the answer is "no." The best way to address this common question is to examine your expectations from chiropractic treatment.. People go to chiropractors for different reasons. Obviously, most go because they want to have some sort of painful condition treated and resolved. Some go for periodic "tune-ups" in a proactive effort to prevent the onset of poor posture or back pain. Conceptually, this is the same as going to the dentist twice a year for prophylactic care (teeth cleaning) to prevent gum disease and tooth decay; or visiting your primary care physician for a general check up. And some seek periodic spinal adjustments because they believe in the organic connection between the spinal column and health. Chiropractic health models suggest that nerve interference due to spinal segment misalignments can actually lead to organic conditions like asthma and gastrointestinal disorders (nerves that help regulate the internal organs originate in the spine). There is anectodal evidence to support such a connection, but the issue remains unresolved and controversial in the research community.
Some patients are startled when I tell them that it may take 12-24 chiropractic treatments to resolve their condition, at a treatment frequency of 2-3x/week. But you must understand that in most non-traumatic cases of pain, by the time pain is felt, the soft tissues and joints have undergone morphological changes that take time to heal. In actuality, a 12-visit treatment prescription is not long at all, from a therapeutic standpoint. Most pharmaceutical prescriptions require several administrations in a single day, for several weeks. So, an antibiotic regimen of 2x/day for four weeks is 56 treatments!
Now, I am quite familiar with those chiropractors who recommend "lifetime" care with no particular goal in mind. While this is not the approach I take, I wouldn't go so far to say that no one should get "lifetime" care. It just may benefit some people. My advice: use your judgment. If you are in good health, have no major problems with posture or flexibility, and relatively pain-free, you don't need ongoing adjustments. But if you have a condition that flares up from time to time, or are in an occupation or activity that results in repetitive trauma to your back (construction workers, football players, runners, data entry, etc.), regular chiropractic treatment can be a godsend.
San Francisco Chiropractor - Tuesday, 8:00 PM - October 9, 2007
Does my health insurance cover chiropractic care?
Some do, some don't. If you have a PPO plan, there is likely to be some coverage for chiropractic. Most health insurance plans have a deductible and co-pay. The deductible is the amount that the patient/policy holder has to come up with out of pocket before coverage takes effect. For example, a policy with a $250 annual deductible will cover treatment after the first $250 of charges of a year. The co-pay is what the patient pays on each office visit. There is also a maximum number of visits or maximum dollar limit each year for chiropractic coverage. If you would like us to check your benefits, you can request it online by clicking here.
Can I use my health insurance to cover massage therapy?
Depends on the plan. Also, In order for you to get massage therapy covered, you must be diagnosed with a musculoskeletal condition that will respond to massage therapy. Since massage therapists by law cannot diagnose conditions, you will need to be seen by a chiropractor. If massage therapy is indicated, then it may be covered. However, your treatment would need to be managed by the doctor. This may or may not include chiropractic adjustments.
San Francisco Chiropractor - Wednesday, 10:46 PM - October 10, 2007
I was in a car accident and my neck hurts a lot. Should I see a chiropractor?
Yes, but only one who is experienced in diagnosing and treating soft-tissue trauma. I have treated many car accident victims over the years. The first priority is to rule out "red flags"; i.e. conditons that require immediate medical intervention. This includes hematomas (bleeding around the brain), concussions, vertebral fractures, ligament ruptures, and internal organ damage. Most people in low-speed car accidents (rear-end collisions) will have injuries limited to soft-tissue trauma and can be seen by a chiropractor. My treatment approach to treating car accident-induced whiplash is to reduce the rate of swelling by using ice and lymphatic massage, and doing passive range of motion stretches to prevent scar tissue adhesions, which, if allowed to take place can limit neck flexibility. Interactive electric stim is used to reduce pain, and light therapy is used to enhance tissue repair. Oftentimes following a car accident, one or several cervical (neck) vertebrae may be nudged out of alignment. This can cause problems in the future and must be corrected. As pain decreases, gentle chiropractic spinal manipulation is done to restore proper vertebral alignment and joint function. This will help ensure a return to normal functional capacity.