Q: What is special about upper cervical chiropractic?
A: Standard chiropractic is built on a structural model. The idea is that the pelvis is the base of support and each vertebra should be stacked on top of the one below. The doctor looks for any vertebra that is misaligned and puts it into the correct position. Upper cervical chiropractic is based on the fact that the brain controls ALL of the nerves and muscles in the body. A misalignment (subluxation) at the base of the skull can cause dysfunction to the spinal cord. The spinal cord is the connection between the brain and the rest of the nerves. With upper cervical care, we find this misalignment (subluxation), correct the subluxation and then let the brain be in control of correcting any other misalignments.
Q. Do you take my insurance?
A. The way we work with insurance is that the patient pays for services at the time of service. We will electronically bill the insurance, and any reimbursement is then sent to the patient by the insurance company. We are not in-network with any insurance company due to the fact that they will not let us take x-rays for structural analysis. We believe that it is vital to know how a vertebra is misaligned.
Q. Why do I not get adjusted on each visit?
A. On each visit the patient is examined to determine if the previous correction has stayed in place and if there other misalignment’s in the neck need to be addressed. A correction is only made if the subluxation has reoccurred. And the charge is the same whether a correction is necessary or not.
Q. Why does my vertebra not stay in place?
A. There are a variety of factors that determine how well a vertebra stays in place. For a vertebra to subluxate there is usually damage to the ligaments that are designed to stop the movement from going beyond its normal range. There is usually also damage to the muscles that control the movement of each vertebra. There can be congenital abnormalities that make a vertebra unstable. Other factors include the level of trauma to the spine, adaptation to that trauma, degeneration, type of work you do and posture.
Q. Why should I get checked when I feel fine?
A. What is your goal? Do you just want to be out of pain? (Drugs can many times do that.) Do you want to be off pain medication? Do you want to be able to do normal every day activities without pain? Or do you wish to have ALL of the signals traveling along the nerves to and from the brain to do so free of interference? Chiropractic is not about pain relief, but nervous system function. The decision to seek or continue care is always yours, but don’t shortchange your health by having pain be your guide. In most cases slow gradual damage occurs long before the pain starts.
Q. Why do you need to take x-rays?
A. An upper cervical subluxation can create so much harm to the function of your nervous system and therefore your health. Just as a proper correction of that subluxation can do so much good, an improper force introduced can do as much harm. The anatomy of each individual is as unique as you are. To make the most effective correction, it is vital to know the shape of each of the joints being corrected.
Q. Why Should Children Have Chiropractic Care?
A. There are many reasons why children receive chiropractic care. Many spinal problems seen in adults begin as early as birth. Since significant spinal trauma can occur at birth many parents have their newborns checked. Even ‘natural’ birthing methods can stress a developing spine. The resulting irritation to the nerve system caused by spinal and cranial misalignment can be the cause of many newborn health complaints. Colic, breathing problems, nursing difficulties, sleep disturbances, allergic reactions can often be traced to nerve system dysfunction.
An infant, learning to hold up the head, sit, crawl and walk are all activities that affect spinal alignment and are important times to have a child checked by a Doctor of Chiropractic. Because the body is still developing, uncorrected spine and nervous system dysfunction can lead to problems that stay with them for life.