dr. gerstin answers

• When is the right time to consult a Chiropractic Physician?
• Do insurance plans cover chiropractic care?
• Could I be hurt by chiropractic care? Is it really safe?
• Do I have to see my medical doctor before I see a chiropractor?
• Is it OK to see a chiropractor if I'm pregnant?
• Do children need chiropractic care?
• Can a person who has had back surgery visit a chiropractor?
• What causes the sound during an adjustment?
• Do I have to continue with it for the rest of my life?
• Are chiropractor´s educated as well medical doctors (MDs) and osteopaths (DOs)?

• When is the right time to consult a Chiropractic Physician?
• The sooner you get examined by a trained professional, the sooner you can return to a state of optimal balance and function. Postponing a check can worsen your symptoms. It is especially important for children to be checked in order to ensure proper growth without nervous system interference.
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• Do insurance plans cover chiropractic care?
• The majority of all insured have coverage for chiropractic services in their health care plans. During your first visit, we will happily find out how and if your insurance company will participate in your care. If you want more information on your insurance benefits click here.
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• Could I be hurt by chiropractic care? Is it really safe?
• The process of chiropractic adjustment is a safe, efficient procedure which is performed nearly one million times every working day in the United States.
  
  Chiropractic care is non-invasive and pain free, therefore, the body's response to chiropractic care is far more predictable than its reactions to drug treatments or surgical procedures. Of the nearly one million adjustments given every day in this country, complications are exceedingly rare. Perhaps the best summary statement on the subject of safety was published in 1979 by the Government of New Zealand which established a special commission to study chiropractic. They found:
  
  "The conspicuous lack of evidence that chiropractors cause harm or allow harm to occur through neglect of medical referral can be taken to mean only one thing: that chiropractors have on the whole an impressive safety record."
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• Do I have to see my medical doctor before I see a chiropractor?
• No. Doctors of Chiropractic are primary health care providers. According to the Center for Studies in Health Policy, "The DC can provide all three levels of primary care interventions and therefore is a primary care provider, as are MDs and DOs. The doctor of chiropractic is a gatekeeper to the health care system and an independent practitioner who provides primary care services. The DC's office is a direct access portal of entry to the full scope of service." Our doctors will look to contact your other physicians to discuss your case and be sure your program of care is appropriate.
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• Is it OK to see a chiropractor if I'm pregnant?
• Pregnant mothers find that chiropractic adjustments reduce their pregnancy pain and make delivery easier for themselves and their baby. Adjusting methods are always adapted to a patient´s size, weight, age, and condition of health.
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• Do children need chiropractic care?
• Since significant spinal trauma can occur at birth, many parents have their newborns checked. Naturally, chiropractic adjusting procedures are adapted for the child's spine. Many childhood health complaints that are brushed off can be traced to the spine. Health problems that emerge in adulthood could often be prevented by having your children's spine checked by a chiropractor early. Most parents report that their children enjoy their chiropractic adjustments and are healthier than their peers.
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• Can a person who has had back surgery visit a chiropractor?
• Yes. It's an unfortunate fact that up to half of those who had spinal surgery discover a return of their original symptoms months or years later. They then face the prospect of additional surgery. This too common occurrence is known as "Failed Back Surgery Syndrome." Chiropractic may help prevent repeated back surgeries. In fact, if chiropractic care is initially utilized back surgery can often be avoided in the first place.
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• What causes the sound during an adjustment?
• Actually, adjustments do not always produce a sound. Often, however, adjustments do create the sound of a spinal "release," or "popping" sound. The sound is caused by gas rushing in to fill the partial vacuum created when the joints are slightly separated. This sound is painless and totally harmless.
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• Do I have to continue with it for the rest of my life?
• You may have heard the notion that once you go to a chiropractor you have to keep going back. Before we answer that question, ask yourself how many times you have visited a dentist? Like most people, you've probably gone dozens of times. Why? Quite simply, to prevent your teeth from literally rotting out of your head. Once chiropractic care eliminates your pain and rehabilitates the injured tissues we do recommend that you maintain a schedule of periodic spinal checkups. Like your dentist and like many of the medical experts are now recognizing, prevention is the key to reducing recurrences of existing health conditions and minimizing new injuries in the future. So the answer is yes, we want you to keep coming back, but just periodically. Periodic chiropractic care minimizes spinal and nerve stresses, reduces recurrences of old injuries, prevents new injuries from developing and minimizes degenerative processes, which enhances overall health and wellness.
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• Are chiropractor´s educated like medical doctors (MDs) and osteopaths (DOs)?
• To receive the doctor of chiropractic degree, candidates must complete extensive undergraduate prerequisites and four years of graduate-level instruction and internship at an accredited chiropractic institution. Comprehensive knowledge of all systems of the body and diagnostic procedures enable the DC to thoroughly evaluate a patient, address disorders relating to the spine and determine the need for referral to another health care provider.
  
  A Doctor of Chiropractic´s course work is a rigorous four year program that has a minimum number of hours that exceeds most Medical programs. You can see below the difference in focus on the curriculum. Additionally, Doctors of Chiropractic must pass a series of national board exams to receive state licenses and become recognized by insurance companies.

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