frequently asked questions
Need some questions answered about chiropractics? Listed below are some common questions and we've provided answers to help you understand the benefits of chiropractics.
- Are chiropractors real doctors?
- Is chiropractic safe?
- Is chiropractic safe during pregnancy?
- Can I be adjusted following back surgery?
- I've heard that once I start going to a chiropractor, I'll have to continue for the rest of my life. Is that true?
- How much care will I need? / When will I be better?
- Why won't my medical doctor refer me to a chiropractor? I think it would help!
- What is the cracking sound?
- Does an adjustment hurt?
- Do I have to see my medical doctor before I see a chiropractor?
- How large is the chiropractic profession?
- How much will chiropractic care cost me?
- Must I have X-rays?
Are chiropractors real doctors?
YES. Like all primary care providers, chiropractors must complete rigorous academic coursework and extensive clinical work before becoming a licensed professional. Undergraduate degree requirements for admission to chiropractic schools have a strong emphasis in the core sciences. Anatomy, physiology, organic chemistry and physics are a handful of the courses students have mastered before entering the professional program. Students then complete a five year academic program including microbiology, pathology, neurology, biomechanics, embryology, histology, nutrition, immunology, toxicology, pediatrics and geriatrics, as well as several courses in radiology.
Side by side comparisons of the education of a Doctor of Chiropractic as compared to a Medical Doctor reveal that chiropractors have more classroom hours in biochemistry, microbiology and pathology than do medical doctors, and have significantly more classroom hours in anatomy and physiology. The only core curriculum where medical doctors have had more training than chiropractors is public health1, which is largely allopathic in scope and therefore irrelevant to chiropractic. Chiropractic students complete more overall contact hours in their doctoral program than medical doctors and the percentage of chiropractic education devoted to clinical education is very close to that of a medical education – 70% versus 74%, respectively.2
Before earning the right to practice as a Doctor of Chiropractic, graduate doctors must pass National and State board exams. Doctors of Chiropractic are commissioned as health care officers in the U.S. Armed Forces. Chiropractic is accepted by Medicare and most insurance plans. Chiropractic schools receive federal and state funding, and chiropractic is recognized by the American Medical Association as a specialty to which medical doctors may refer their patients for examination and treatment.3
Is chiropractic safe?
YES. In short, chiropractic is non-invasive and drug-free, which automatically reduces much of the risk commonly associated with health care. Despite occasional criticism that certain adjusting techniques are risky, data to support these claims is wholly lacking and so research continues to support the safety and efficacy of chiropractic. As a result, chiropractors enjoy the lowest malpractice premiums of any health care provider in America. That fact alone speaks volumes.
Just for comparison, consider the fact that the risk of any complication associated with spinal adjustment is 1 in 500,000 or roughly 0.0002 percent, whereas the risk of being hospitalized, becoming permanently disabled, or dying from a drug prescribed and administered by your doctor while in the hospital is 6.7 percent!4 Please ask our office for more data supporting the safety of chiropractic. We are more than happy to provide you with numerous scientific and medical references.
Is chiropractic safe during pregnancy?
ABSOLUTELY! We can't think of a better time to ensure that your nervous system is functioning at its optimal state. Many women find that chiropractic care throughout pregnancy makes maternity and labor and delivery easier for themselves and their baby. Adjusting methods are easily adapted to consider mom's size, shape and comfort level.
Can I be adjusted following back surgery?
YES. Sadly, nearly half of all patients who have had spinal surgery report a return of their symptoms within months or a year. Chiropractic may help prevent repeated back surgeries, and if initially utilized, back surgery can often be avoided in the first place.
I've heard that once I start going to a chiropractor, I'll have to continue for the rest of my life. Is that true?
Before we answer this question, ask yourself: How many times have you visited a dentist?
Asking this question about chiropractic indicates a misunderstanding of what chiropractic is all about – preventive maintenance and wellness. Sure, you go to the dentist when you have a toothache, but you also likely go for routine cleanings and check-ups. Likewise, many people consult a chiropractor for the first time in response to an ache or pain. But countless patients are returning on a regular basis because they find the response in their overall health and wellness to be overwhelming.
How much care will I need? / When will I be better?
The number of visits recommended for you will be based upon your condition and your goals.
Some things to be taken into consideration are:
- The severity of your condition
- How long it has been present
- Your health history and current fitness level
- Lifestyle (work, diet, sleep)
- Stress and toxins
- How well you adhere to doctor recommendations
Children tend to respond to treatment more quickly. Adults and seniors may respond more slowly. A good rule of thumb is that the longer the spine has not been working properly, the more extensive the recommendations for treatment may be.
The choice to continue chiropractic care is always up to you. Many people first consult a chiropractor as a result of an injury or accident, or in response to ongoing pain. However, patients often see amazing results in their health while under initial intensive care, including (to name a few):
- Greater flexibility and freedom of movement
- Better sleeping patterns
- Improved sense of well being
- Stress reduction
- Less complicated menstrual periods
- Decrease in or absence of migraine headaches
- Improved immune function
Whether your primary goal is pain relief, or you would like to use chiropractic as part of a preventive health care routine, the doctor will design a set of recommendations for care to help you meet your goals. How far you progress into the three phases of care, and how much you choose to benefit from chiropractic care, is entirely up to you.
The three phases of care:
- Initial Intensive Care – The primary goal is symptom or pain relief. Depending on your condition(s), you maybe treated as little as once a week or as often as daily.
- Reconstructive Care – The focus is now on correcting the source of your problem(s) and stabilizing the spine to minimize the likelihood of relapse. Treatment frequency will begin to decrease and you will be advised on self care and lifestyle changes which can benefit your healing. You will notice improvement in your condition(s), but also benefits to your overall strength, flexibility, vitality and general health.
- Wellness Care – You have now returned to your pre-injury or pre-illness state. Knowing that life wears on the body, you are choosing to partake in regular maintenance and check-ups to maintain the integrity of your nervous system.
Remember, you are in charge of your own health care. The decision is yours.
Why won't my medical doctor refer me to a chiropractor? I think it would help!
Find another doctor who will! The relationship between the medical and chiropractic professions has vastly improved in the past decade, but a few staunch medical doctors still refuse to acknowledge the proven benefits of chiropractic care.
What is the cracking sound?
Chiropractic treatment involves the manipulation of joints, with the goal of improving movement and function within that joint. When a joint is adjusted, there is a natural change in the internal pressure of that joint. This change results in the release of gas normally dissolved in the fluid which lubricates the joint. The release of this gas may produce a "crack" or "pop" sound similar to that produced when you open a can of soda.
The sound, or lack of one, in no way indicates an effective adjustment.
Does an adjustment hurt?
Sometimes adjustments cause minor discomfort, but it is not usually considered painful. Most often, discomfort will not be an issue after a few adjustments, and is often a function of how long you waited to seek treatment. The sooner a subluxation is adjusted, the less discomfort will be felt and the faster healing can take place. Chiropractic care is gentle and non-invasive. If you are concerned about being adjusted, please talk frankly about this in your initial consultation or at any visit. Dr. Kolbus always values feedback and will work with you to ensure that your care is beneficial.
Do I have to see my medical doctor before I see a chiropractor?
NO. Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) are primary health care providers. According to the Center for Studies in Health Policy, "The DC can provide all three levels of primary care interventions and therefore is a primary care provider, as are MDs and DOs. The doctor of chiropractic is a gatekeeper to the health care system and an independent practitioner who provides primary care services. The DC's office is a direct access portal of entry to the full scope of service."
How large is the chiropractic profession?
Chiropractic is the fastest-growing and second-largest primary health care profession. According to Federation of Chiropractic Licensing Boards there are approximately 81,000 doctors of chiropractic (DCs) in active practice in the United States, spread from rural areas to inner cities. More than 10,000 students are currently enrolled in chiropractic educational programs accredited by a federally-recognized body (the CCE). The ratio of DCs to the general population, based on the Bureau of the Census figures is estimated to be one doctor of chiropractic for every 5,100 citizens, or about one tenth of the ratio of citizens to medical doctors.
How much will chiropractic care cost me?
Chiropractic is one of the most cost-effective forms of health care available to you. Many people consider chiropractic care to BE health insurance. When participating in a wellness care and a wellness lifestyle, patients often find their need to use other medical services becomes slim to none. If you are curious about how investing in wellness care for your family matches up to what you are spending in medical insurance and expenses, please ask Dr. Kolbus. He can help you develop a side by side cost analysis tailored to your family.
In the meantime, nearly all insurance companies have plans which cover chiropractic. It's just a matter of finding the plan with the best level of coverage for your family. In order to verify what benefits are covered by your plan, or if you just have questions about your coverage, please see Steffanie at the front desk. She will take some basic information from you and get back to you within 24 hours with detailed information.
The overall out-of-pocket expense of chiropractic care will vary depending on whether or not you have insurance covering chiropractic, your underlying condition(s), and your overall health goals.
At Munising Family Chiropractic, our primary goal is to actively help you and your family take responsibility for your health and wellness. To help you reach your goals, we can create a customized family plan for you. The last thing we want is for you to arrive at our wellness center in crisis. We encourage you to invest in and take your health seriously.
Must I have X-rays?
Dr. Kolbus feels that X-rays are an invaluable tool for diagnosis. They enable him to rule out serious pathologies and treat you most effectively. He also feels that it is irresponsible to expose patients to more radiation than is necessary for effective treatment. For these reasons, Dr. Kolbus will determine whether X-rays will be necessary in your case after he completes your exam, consultation and reviewing your health history and other pertinent records.
Footnotes:
- Center for Studies in Health Policy, Inc., Washington, DC.
- Coulter I, Adams A, Coggan P, Wilkes M, Gonyea M. A comparative study of chiropractic and medical education.
- American Medical Association Ethics Code E-3.00.
- Journal of the American Medical Association, 1998 Apr 15;279(15):1200-5.