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Frequently Asked Questions
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What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the muscular system, skeletal system, and nervous system.
Each of these body systems can contribute to pain and dysfunction along with affecting the general health of other body systems.
Chiropractic care is used most often to treat complaints of the above mentioned body systems, including but not limited to:
For specific research articles please visit our RESEARCH tab.
*What type of education and training do chiropractors have?
Educational requirements for doctors of chiropractic are among the most stringent of any of the health care professions.
The typical applicant at a chiropractic college has already acquired nearly four years of pre-medical undergraduate college education, including courses in biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, physics, psychology and related lab work.
Some Chiropractic Colleges now require that all graduating doctors obtain a Bachelors degree prior to admission/ graduation.
Once accepted into an accredited chiropractic college, the requirements become even more demanding - four to five academic years of professional study are the standard.
Because of the hands-on nature of chiropractic, and the intricate adjusting techniques, a significant portion of time is spent in clinical training.
In total, the chiropractic curriculum includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical experience.
The course of study is approved by an accrediting agency that is fully recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
For more information on the board examinations required for doctors of Chiropractic please visit www.nbce.org
Do I need a referral from my Medical Doctor?
No, a referral by a medical doctor before visiting a doctor of chiropractic is not needed.
Chiropractors are primary care physicians, mandated by federal and state regulations.
Doctors of chiropractic will perform a complete health history consultation followed by a physical examination of the involved body region on all new patients.
The doctor of chiropractic is well trained to recognize "red flags" in the history and physical examination which allow them to either start treatment under chiropractic care, or refer the patient to the appropriate health care provider if necessary.
Is chiropractic treatment safe?
Yes, chiropractic treatment is safe and effective.
In order to assure all patients that the doctor of chiropractic administering their treatment is qualified ALL states require that Chiropractors be board-certified, licensed, and regulated according to strict criteria.
Several studies show that risk is substantially lower in chiropractic as opposed to medical care.
For specific research articles please visit our RESEARCH tab.
Do insurance companies cover chiropractic treatment?
Most insurance carriers offer chiropractic benefits to their participants.
The extent of chiropractic coverage varies greatly form policy to policy so individual patients must check with their provider.
According to the ACA (American Chiropractic Association), "The majority of all insured American workers have coverage for chiropractic services in their health care plans."
To view Synaptic Chiropractic Centers insurance policies please visit the INSURANCE tab.
I've heard once you go to a Chiropractor you must return multiple times, is this true?
The fact that chiropractic treatment is preformed via a hands-on approach requires patients to visit the chiropractor multiple times.
Contrasting chiropractic treatment to that of a medical doctor thus will involve more frequent visits to the chiropractic office.
Traditionally, medical doctors often pre-establish plans that are conducted by the patient at home: (i.e. taking a course of antibiotics once a day for a couple of weeks).
A chiropractor may provide acute, chronic, and/or preventive care thus making a certain number of visits sometimes necessary.
At Synaptic Chiropractic Center your duration of care and frequency will be explained to you by your doctor once a diagnosis is rendered.
For more information, please visit our TREATMENT tab under BECOMING A NEW PATIENT.
Why do I hear a "cracking" sound with an adjustment?
Adjustment of a joint may or may not result in a cavitation ("cracking sound").
Cavitation occurs when gas stored between to joint surfaces is released.
This cavitation is exactly the same as when you "crack" your knuckles.
The noise is caused by the change of pressure within the joint due to the release of the gas.
Bones are not actually "CRACKED."
Is it safe to receive chiropractic care if I'm pregnant?
Yes, it is safe for pregnant women to receive chiropractic care throughout their entire pregnancy.
Chiropractic techniques will be modified to accommodate pregnant women.
Some of the benefits of receiving chiropractic care throughout pregnancy are reduction of intrauterine constraint and pain management due to the increased biomechanical stressors of pregnancy.
For specific research articles please visit our RESEARCH tab.
*Is chiropractic treatment appropriate for children?
Yes, children can benefit from chiropractic care.
Children are very physically active and experience many types of falls and blows from activities of daily living as well as from participating in sports.
Injuries such as these may cause many symptoms including back and neck pain, stiffness, soreness or discomfort.
Chiropractic care is always adapted to the individual patient.
It is a highly skilled treatment, and in the case of children, very gentle.
For specific research articles please visit our RESEARCH tab.
*Questions above were adapted from the American Chiropractic Association.
For information on topics not discussed on this page please visit: www.amerchiro.org
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