Hetrick Center Pc

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1. What kind of training do chiropractors receive? Generally, chiropractors have completed a Bachelor’s degree at a 4 year college/university. They then complete their 5 year Doctor of Chiropractic program, which consists of lengthy basic science studies (eg. Anatomy/Physiology), chiropractic philosophy, diagnosis, radiology, chiropractic techniques and much more. The first two years of chiropractic school are actually quite similar to the first two years of medical school. Medical students traditionally go on to study drugs and surgery; however, chiropractic students move on in their studies, focusing on radiology, diagnostics, orthopedics, neurology and chiropractic adjusting techniques. Throughout their course of study, they must pass a four-part series of National Boards to become licensed. 2. Is it true that the medical profession and the chiropractic profession do not get along? While the two professions do have different philosophies, the majority of chiropractors and medical doctors work together with the patient’s best interest in mind. The professions have confidence in making referrals to one another and frequently join together for seminars/conferences. It is becoming more common for chiropractors and medical doctors to work together in the same clinics and facilities. 3. How does a chiropractor’s philosophy differ from a medical doctor’s philosophy? There are two types of ailments that you can have in the healthcare arena. One is a physical problem and one is a chemical problem. Physical problems usually need some sort of physical treatment (eg. Chiropractic, Physical Therapy, Surgery, etc.). Chemical problems generally need a chemical treatment (eg. Drugs). Chiropractors typically use a physical treatment to address an underlying problem. They utilize adjusting techniques to allow the human body to function at its optimum. This is referred to as inside-out approach. In other words…the human body has the ability to heal itself as long as there is no interference. 4. Do all chiropractors use the same technique? No, chiropractors are trained in a variety of techniques. Chiropractors are very specific is their technique approach the best adjusting technique for the patient’s needs. This is the art of the chiropractic profession. Doctors of chiropractic can also utilize low-force techniques if the patient wishes or their condition requires this type of chiropractic adjustment. 5. Do chiropractors only work with the spine? No, many chiropractors adjust the extremities, to return proper motion to the joints and decrease overall symptoms. Chiropractors are trained to perform detailed orthopedic evaluations before working on extremities. They have the ability to secure any necessary diagnostic tests before working on an injured area. 6. Do chiropractors only treat low back and neck pain? While chiropractors are quite good at working with back and neck pain, they are also skilled in working with a variety of other conditions. Chiropractors have had great success in working with a variety of other orthopedic and neurologic conditions. Chiropractors address issues in the human body that keep people from functioning at their optimum. By doing this, the human body has the ability to heal itself. 7. Why should I go to a chiropractor if my low back and neck don’t even hurt? Often times, chiropractors can find underlying problems that have yet to manifest themselves as active symptoms. Chiropractors can keep people feeling their best and help people achieve optimum wellness. 8. Is chiropractic safe? There are many myths and misconceptions in the public arena regarding chiropractic care. Chiropractic is absolutely safe and it is one of the lowest risk healthcare professions. Doctors of Chiropractic do very thorough examinations before rendering any treatment. After their examination, they will initiate the safest, most effective treatment on the patient. 9. Can people of all ages get adjusted? Absolutely! Chiropractors have had overwhelming success in treating infants, children, adults and elderly individuals. Their technique is adapted to meet the patient’s needs. Often times, chiropractors will even have more in-depth training in working with certain age groups. 10. Does it hurt to get adjusted by a chiropractor? Sometimes there is some discomfort when an individual is in a great deal of pain, but there is not a lot of discomfort associated with chiropractic treatments. Chiropractors adapt there techniques to meet the patient’s level of comfort. Doctors of Chiropractic can even use low force, non-painful, methods of treatment if the patient is concerned about hurting after a chiropractic adjustment. 11. What is that loud “popping” and “cracking” sound that is heard when a chiropractor adjusts me? Chiropractors utilize specific methods to find out what needs to be corrected in your body. Chiropractors want to help you, not hurt you. The “popping” and “cracking” sound is actually gas release from the joint when it is put back in place. The sound is quite similar to the sound created when you open up a bottle or can of soda. It is not the sound of bones breaking. 12. Is it true that “once you go to a chiropractor, you have to keep going for the rest of your life”? There are 3 Phases of chiropractic care. Typically, patients present to chiropractic offices in some kind of pain. As a result, Phase 1 of care is spent getting the patient out of pain. Many patients choose to discontinue care at the end of Phase 1. Once their symptoms have disappeared, they are ready to quit seeking treatment. These patients are usually the ones that keep coming in time after time throughout their life for the same problem. Phase 2 of care is spent trying to actually correct the underlying problem. There is usually some rehabilitation incorporated into this phase of care. The main goal for Phase 2 of chiropractic care is to prevent the problem from returning in the future. Some patients wish to discontinue care at this point. Most patients realize the benefits of the 3rd Phase of care, once they have completed the first two phases. Phase 3 is a scheduled treatment plan, which is similar to going to the dentist regularly, to make sure that their body has the ability to function at its best. Many patients choose to continue care as a form of preventative care. Nonetheless, there is one simple truth about the 3 phases of chiropractic care…The is ALWAYS the person that makes the CHOICE regarding their course of care. 13. Is chiropractic cost effective? Yes. There have been several studies performed regarding the cost-effectiveness of chiropractic care. Certainly, chiropractic care is much less expensive than many of the drug therapies or surgical procedures that are out there. While there is certainly a need for drugs and surgery in the healthcare arena, sometimes chiropractic makes more sense for a patient’s problem due to its cost-effectiveness. You cannot put a price tag on your health; however, the relatively little amount of money that it costs to undergo chiropractic care is a wise investment into your health. 14. If chiropractors just “pop” and “crack” necks/backs, can’t I just do that myself? While many people do attempt to “pop” or “crack” themselves, they are actually not doing themselves any benefit. These people are simply getting some good, healthy, freely-movable segments to make a little noise. Doctors of Chiropractic are trained to specifically adjust bad, non-healthy segments with abnormal motion. Chiropractors use the term “adjustment”, as opposed to the term “manipulation”, to describe the procedure used to help a patient function at their optimum. The adjustment has a powerful effect on more than just a non-freely moving joint. The adjustment also allows proper function of the nervous system, muscles and tissues. 15. How do I choose a chiropractor that is right for me? What can I expect during my first visit with a chiropractor? There are many chiropractors out there. Each chiropractor has a unique philosophy and many of the doctors have a variety of different training backgrounds. Just because a chiropractor has the biggest yellow page ad, doesn’t mean that they are the right chiropractor for you. Chiropractors that offer you a free exam might not give you the time or detail necessary to get a good handle on your condition. Find a chiropractor who is willing to listen to your problem during a thorough case history. A good chiropractor will then perform a detailed orthopedic, neurologic and chiropractic examination. If the examination warrants the need for x-rays, these will usually be secured. Once the chiropractor has collected all necessary information pertinent to your case, it is essential that they educate you on your condition. Make sure they let you know exactly what is going on and that it is explained to you in a way that you can understand. A good chiropractor will not initiate treatment until all of the necessary diagnostic testing has been performed. For example, a Doctor of Chiropractic’s exam could reveal the need for an MRI. If this is the case, you would be referred out for the study before initiating treatment. If the chiropractor thinks that he/she can help you, they will outline a treatment plan necessary for resolution and stability of your condition. Treatment techniques needed for your condition will be chosen. If the Doctor of Chiropractic feels as if your condition is not appropriate for their scope of practice, they will find someone who can help you. A good chiropractor will typically give your condition two weeks to make a change in the positive direction. If the chiropractor is not making progress at the time of their re-evaluation in two weeks, they will change their treatment plan or refer you to someone else. 16. What can I expect during a subsequent visit, to a Doctor of Chiropractic’s office? The treatments will vary based on where you are in your course of care. Typically, you will receive an adjustment from the chiropractor. Sometimes, therapies (such as electric muscle stimulation, ultrasound and ice/heat) are utilized in conjunction with the chiropractic adjustment. Active care rehabilitation in the form of exercise, stretching, strengthening and stabilization can be used in the course of treatment as well. If the doctor feels that massage therapy and soft tissue work is needed, they might refer you to a massage therapist. Nutrition can also be incorporated into your treatment protocol. Your subsequent visits to a chiropractor will be unique and specific to your condition. There is not a “cookie cutter” type of treatment plan. 17. What can The Hetrick Center offer me that other chiropractic offices cannot provide? The Hetrick Center has a unique multidisciplinary approach to healthcare. We strive to be the leaders of the wellness revolution of the 21st century. We have a team approach to helping our patients and our number one value is communication. Our staff consists of Chiropractors, Physical Therapists, Nutritionists, Massage Therapists, Aquatic Therapists and more! Our team holds regular meetings to discuss cases and provide insight that will help progress patients and make their treatment at The Hetrick Center second to none! 18. What is chiropractic? Chiropractic, from its early beginnings, has endorsed the idea of wellness. It is a total, preventive approach to health that deals with addressing the cause of the problem rather than just the symptoms. Chiropractic considers all aspects of the patient's life: family history; work; lifestyle and environment; diet; exercise regimen; the attention to prevention; and the patient's physical and emotional stress factors. 19. Why does chiropractic work? Chiropractic works by restoring a human being’s inborn ability to be healthy. When under the proper control of your nervous system, all the cells, tissues and organs of a person's body are designed to resist disease and ill health. The chiropractic approach to better health is to locate and remove interferences to a human being's natural state of being healthy. An accessible interface with the nervous system is the system of 24 moving bones of the spinal column. A loss of normal motion or position of these bones can irritate or impair the function of the nervous system. This can disrupt the transmission of controlling nerve impulses. With improved spinal function, there may be improved nervous system function. Your chiropractor can help remove interferences that may be impairing normal health. 20. What is the definition of chiropractic? Chiropractic is the clinical science that is based upon a law of biology that there is born in living things an ability to be healthy, and secondly draws on the theory of physiology that there's a system in the body, the nervous system by name, that controls and coordinates all other organs and structures and relates the organism to its environment. Chiropractic clinical science hypothesizes an association between that system and health in the body, and chiropractic was originally conjectured by its founder as that science that was going to investigate how the framework could interfere with the integrity of the nervous system and its ability to control and coordinate all other organs and structures. 21. What is the chiropractic adjustment? The intent of a spinal adjustment is to restore normal motion and function of the framework in order to restore normal function of the nerves. Chiropractors use several adjusting techniques to accomplish that, many characterized by a precise, specific thrust. The chiropractic adjustment generally differs from spinal manipulation practiced by a physical therapist or an osteopath because the chiropractic adjustment is more specific. It is done not just to mobilize a joint but to remove a subluxation. Indeed, the technique of chiropractic adjusting is a manual art requiring considerable knowledge and dexterity. Mastery of the art of adjusting takes extensive training and practice as does any other art.

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