- What is a chiropractor?
- A chiropractor is a doctor who specializes in correcting health problems as they relate to the spine. By using spinal adjusting techniques, wellness and optimal health are maintained. Top ^ | Learn More >
- What is an adjustment?
- An adjustment is an application of force used to remove vertebral subluxations. Our office uses a hand-held instrument called an Activator. Top ^ | Learn More >
- Do adjustments hurt?
- Not at all, a properly delivered adjustment should actually feel great! Our office specializes in a gentle, low force type of adjustment using an Activator instrument. Top ^ | Learn More >
- What is the Activator?
- The Activator instrument is hand-held and designed to give a very quick, specific, and controlled thrust to various spinal areas. Top ^ | Learn More >
- Will I hear popping and cracking? Should I hear it?
- With the Activator technique of adjusting, rarely will you hear any “popping or cracking.” Our elderly patients with arthritis, osteoporosis, or spinal degeneration are able to be adjusted safely with this technique. Top ^ | Learn More >
- What is the difference between an activator and manipulation?
- An Activator adjustment is actually a type of manipulation. It is however just a low force type of adjustment. Top ^
- How often do I have to be adjusted?
- This depends on the severity and duration of your complaint, age of the patient, and other complicating factors. Our first goal is to stop the pain, and treatment frequency will be geared towards accomplishing this objective. Top ^
- Someone said once I start going to a chiropractor I will need to keep going forever, is this true?
- Not at all, one adjustment may help you. However, chances are that the vertebra that misaligned will return to its previous position until it is “trained” as to it’s proper position. That is why most chiropractors recommend several adjustments at the beginning of your care plan. Top ^
- What will it cost?
- In our office, a new patient completes a health intake form in which we gather information concerning their primary complaint(s), along with basic information. A consultation will explore the patient’s problems and concerns in more detail, and a chiropractic examination will help pinpoint nervous system dysfunction. If warranted, x-rays of the appropriate area will be obtained. Once all this information is obtained, depending on the severity, duration, age, and a multitude of other factors, a plan of action can be implemented with the patients goals being our main concern. Costs will be addressed throughout the treatment process. Before any treatment is started, all fees will be discussed. Top ^
- Do you accept insurance?
- Yes. We accept most major insurance plans. Top ^
- Will my insurance cover my care?
- Our highly trained office staff will contact your insurance company to verify any coverage that you may have for chiropractic. If treatment is started during an evening and we are unable to contact your insurance company, all costs will be discussed prior to treatment. Top ^
- What if I have an HMO?
- We are on many HMO and PPO plans. However, since some HMO’s limit your chiropractic benefits, we accept credit cards and have payment plans available. Top ^
- What education does the doctor have?
- Today’s modern chiropractor must attain a minimum of three years of college and receive a heavy curriculum of biology, chemistry, and physics, before entering a chiropractic college. The chiropractic curriculum adds another 4 ½ years of schooling, in which, the basic sciences are studied (similar to our medical doctor counterparts). We then have many courses on adjusting procedures and x-rays, and our internship is done at the end of college.
- Our total education is at least 7 ½ years of college, and interestingly enough, our classroom hours in chiropractic college generally exceed those of medical school. Top ^ | Learn More >
- Are Chiropractors real doctors and how are they licensed?
- Once you complete your courses at the chiropractic college, you then receive a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree. Before beginning practice you must pass rigorous National Board Examination, and apply to the licensing board of your particular state before being granted the privilege to practice. Top ^
- Is there any post-graduate training?
- A chiropractic education never ends. In the state of Pennsylvania, we must complete many hours of post-graduate instruction for our annual license renewal. Virtually every doctor attends seminars, symposiums, and reads professional journals to stay abreast of the latest research. Top ^
- Does scientific research support chiropractic?
- There are literally hundreds of researched articles—many published in prestigious journals—that support the chiropractic approach to healthcare. It can be best summed up by a study in June 1998 by the U.S. Government Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR). The report states, “It has taken 100 years of self-directed, boot strap efforts utilizing internal funds to bring chiropractic into the mainstream of healthcare…today the scope of chiropractic research now parallels that of medical research.” Top ^