Chiropractic Care

VIDEO: Jerry Rice & Chiropractic Care

Frequently Asked Questions

What is chiropractic therapy used for?

Back pain ranks among the most common problems that bring people to chiropractors. In fact, one out of every three people who suffer from low back pain seeks chiropractic care, making it the most utilized healthcare practice outside of conventional medicine.

Chiropractic spinal manipulation has now had about three decades of very active research, and hundreds of studies have been published in peer-reviewed medical journals examining its clinical usefulness. Spinal manipulation has been found to be effective in the treatment of low back pain (particularly chronic pain), neck pain, muscle tension headaches, and several other conditions. Performed properly, it can relieve musculoskeletal discomfort with little to no side effects, improve the blood circulation, and relieve stress on the nervous system.

Chiropractic care should be a part of all phases of treatment for back pain. There are three types of care offered at Moyer Total Wellness: acute care, corrective care, and wellness care.  Acute care is used to reduce painful joint conditions, much like a person would use an aspirin. Corrective care and wellness care are combined with massage therapy and home exercises to stretch tight muscles and strengthen weak muscles.  Because Doctors of Chiropractic aim to restore proper joint structure and function, chiropractic is the best choice for corrective care.  Wellness care is any type of care that used to prevent disease.  Much like going to a dentist to prevent tooth decay, getting regular spinal checkups is the best way to prevent joint dysfunction. It is recommended that individuals not in pain see their chiropractor once per month. (Research shows that individuals who see their chiropractor every 2.8 – 4.1 weeks are least likely suffer from early onset of arthritis and other joint related disorders.) Dr. Moyer also uses fitness, nutrition, and stress recommendations as part of his wellness care treatment plans.

What should one expect on a visit to a chiropractor?

Just like any visit to a health care provider, your first visit to Dr. Moyer will begin with a wellness exam to determine the cause of your health problems. After the physical exam, Dr. Moyer will discuss different treatment options for you, possibly including chiropractic manipulation, massage therapy, or health advising incorporating lifestyle changes to help clients eat better, move more, lose weight, and avoid toxins.

Dr. Moyer uses many forms of chiropractic manipulation; all of them focused on correcting structural misalignments in the body to alleviate discomfort and restore balance to the body. The massage therapists also use mobilization techniques such as cranial-sacral massage or trigger point therapy.

When receiving a chiropractic manipulation, patients typically will lie or sit on a table that can be configured in various positions allowing Dr. Moyer to access different parts of the body. The method most commonly used (and by Dr. Moyer) is known as the “dynamic thrust” method: a high speed, low force movement (often accompanied by a popping sound) used to restore motion and proper alignment to the vertebrae.

This method is also quick – typically, a patient can be assessed and treated in less than 15 minutes. Chiropractic treatments yield immediate pain relief, but best results often come from several adjustments over a period of two weeks or more.

Are there any side effects of chiropractic?

There are relatively few side-effects of chiropractic, particularly when compared with pharmaceutical or surgical treatment interventions for the same diagnosis. Proof of this lies in malpractice insurance claims and rates. For example, surgeons often pay over $250,000 a year for malpractice insurance and general family physicians about $25,000 a year. Dr. Moyer pays less than $1,000 per year in malpractice insurance, because his protocols work synergistically with the design of the body.

Is there a governing body that oversees or credentials practitioners in chiropractic therapy?

The typical chiropractic curriculum takes about four and one-half years at a licensed chiropractic school, after completing required undergraduate college pre-requisites. It includes many of the same courses that medical students are required to attend. The medical and chiropractic professions differ in their respective requirements for completing residencies and specialty training.

There are state statutes that govern chiropractic therapy. Each state has a Board of Chiropractic Examiners. In order to practice chiropractic, one must pass a board certification process specific to the state in which he or she will be practicing. Governmental health care programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and Federal and State Worker’s Compensation programs all recognize chiropractic and compensate for treatment. Federal student loan assistance is also available to students of chiropractic.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has taken a leading role in examining chiropractic and other “alternative medicines” through its National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine. Since 1992, this center has continued to fund research showing the efficacy of chiropractic care for a variety of health related disorders.

Chiropractic is the most widely used form of manual medicine in the world and the most popular alternative primary care in the United States. (The word “chiropractic” comes from Greek roots meaning “done by hand.”) Although it was formally introduced in 1895, chiropractic, along with osteopathy, follows the tradition of hands-on manipulation that dates back to ancient systems of treatment in China, India, and Egypt. Originally, chiropractic therapy focused entirely on the spine and on the notion that minor slippages (called subluxations) of vertebrae would put pressure on spinal nerves and lead to a variety of health problems. This theory has recently been proven and when it comes to headache, neck, and back pain chiropractic care is considered evidence-based medicine. Today’s chiropractors still concentrate on spinal manipulation as a means of relieving pain, but usually incorporate preventive health protocols such as lifestyle consultations to help improve in areas such as nutrition, fitness, stress management, or avoiding toxins.

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