Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your nervous system, consisting of your brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves of your body, controls and regulates every cell, tissue, organ, and system of your body. Interference, compromise, or distortion to nerve messages between the brain and body can produce pain locally at the spine and affect organs and tissues peripheral to the spine.
Chiropractors find areas of nerve interference along the spine from misaligned vertebrae called vertebral subluxation and use a series of precise chiropractic adjustments to bring spinal bones into proper alignment, reducing nerve interference. When correcting spinal subluxations, the body's self-healing capacity restores, symptoms diminish, and health returns.
Here are 10 of the most common questions about chiropractic care:
1. When should I start going to the chiropractor?
There’s no better time than the present. Chiropractic care is prevention for irreversible disc degeneration. Getting started now on a regular schedule of chiropractic care will enable you to not only feel your best, but you will perform at your best as well.
2. Should I schedule chiropractor visits for my children?
Yes. Chiropractic care is safe for children and has been shown to reduce the symptoms of nerve interference that can be related to ear infections, seasonal allergies, constipation, asthma, colic, and much more.
3. How often should I schedule appointments for myself?
It depends on whether you’re visiting Southeast Integrative Health for relief, corrective, or wellness care. If you are seeking relief or corrective care, visits will be scheduled according to the severity of your condition and how long you have been suffering. Wellness care may be advised on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis depending upon the underlying health of your spine and your desired activity level.
4. What exactly do chiropractors do?
Chiropractors correct subluxations, which are misalignments of the spine or extremities that can prevent your body from functioning at its optimal level. Subluxations can occur from the physical, mental or chemical stressors that our body is exposed to on a daily basis.
5. How long does an appointment take?
A typical visit to Southeast Integrative Health will take 15-30 minutes. If your visit requires therapy, x-rays, exercise instruction, or massage therapy, your visit may last up to one hour.
6. Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor?
It’s common to assume that you’ll need a referral to see someone who specializes in any particular area of medicine. However, this is not typically the case with chiropractic. Most patients are able to schedule their own appointment with the chiropractor of their choice. However, there are some insurance plans that may have referral requirements. It is best to check with your health insurance provider before scheduling your appointment.
7. Are chiropractors really doctors?
This is a question that is more common than you think. Don't worry, we aren't offended. Yes, chiropractors are absolutely real doctors with a diverse knowledge of healthcare education. In fact, the requirements to become a doctor of chiropractic medicine are among the most stringent. By the time a chiropractor is able to practice, he or she will have completed an undergraduate degree with courses in chemistry, psychology, biology, and more, followed by four years at an accredited chiropractic college. By the time your chiropractor is able to treat you, they have been thoroughly educated in anatomy, physiology, neurology, imaging, orthopedics, nutrition, and more. In total, they’ve devoted roughly 4,200 hours to become the best physician possible.
8. How else can I prevent injuries?
Some injuries are simply unavoidable. Try doing daily stretches before and after bed and do your best to lift properly when moving heavy objects. Our chiropractor can advise you on which exercises are best for your condition and can also offer health and nutrition tips that are specific to your body.
9. Do insurance plans cover chiropractic?
Yes. Chiropractic care is included in most health insurance plans, including major medical plans, workers’ compensation, Medicare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans for federal employees, among others.
10. Is chiropractic treatment ongoing?
Our goal is to not only get you pain-free, but to find out what is causing your pain, and to educate you in the proper home care to prevent it from coming back. The hands-on nature of the chiropractic treatment is essentially what requires patients to visit the chiropractor a number of times. To be treated by a chiropractor, a patient needs to be in his or her office. A chiropractor may provide acute, chronic, and/or preventive care thus making a certain number of visits sometimes necessary. Your doctor of chiropractic should tell you the extent of treatment recommended and how long you can expect it to last.
If you haven’t yet seen a chiropractor or are searching for chiropractic care in your area, reach out to us at Southeast Integrative Health. Our chiropractor has the knowledge and expertise to design a specific plan for you. To contact Southeast Integrative Health and schedule your appointment call (828) 382-8005. We look forward to helping you to become a healthier version of you!