What happens if we send a patient who is not a good candidate for chiropractic treatment?

If it is deemed that the patient is not a good candidate for chiropractic treatment the patient will be sent back to the referring doctor. However, just because a patient may not be a good candidate for spinal manipulation there are many other beneficial modalities or treatments that a chiropractor can provide.

For example, massage, moist heat, gentle stretching, gentle joint mobilization, traction, electrical therapies (such as interferential, therastim, high volt, iontophoresis, ultrasound, exercise, and postural correction may be indicated for patients who are not good candidates for manipulation.

What can I expect if I refer a patient to your office?

You can be sure that your patient will only receive the treatment necessary to heal and correct his or her condition. If your patient is a candidate for chiropractic care he/she will begin a two week trial period, if there is no change in the condition, your patient will be referred back to you. However, if there is a change in condition then additional care may be recommended.

After a medical release has been obtained you will receive a report outlining the patient’s findings, recommendations and treatment records.

I’ve heard that chiropractors think they can heal cancer and other organic conditions. Is this your belief structure?

No. Although there can be overall benefits to ones’ health with chiropractic care, our focus is primarily musculoskeletal based.

Is it true that chiropractic patients need to keep coming back forever?

No. Most conditions seen by chiropractors will respond favorably within a relatively short period of time. Obviously, in certain situations longer treatment may be recommended. After the pain syndrome has been resolved it may be necessary for the patient to return from time to time for supportive care.

Our goal is to return the patient to a pre-injury status and to return them to the activities they were doing prior to their injury. However, some conditions which have been present for years may take longer to heal and correct. Unfortunately, some patients have neglected their health and ailments for months and or years which may result in a longer duration of treatment.

How is chiropractic treatment different from physical therapy?

One major factor that sets apart the chiropractor from a physical therapist is spinal manipulation or the chiropractic adjustment. To further understand the difference you must have some baseline knowledge of joint receptors and muscle fibers and how they work.

Golgi tendon organs (GTOs) are high threshold receptors and their input is inhibitory. This means that when they are activated, muscles relax. They have a higher threshold than muscle spindles. Recent studies show that fast stretch force of sufficient magnitude will primarily fire GTOs causing inhibition of alpha motor neurons ipsilaterally. Speed appears to be the critical factor. Insufficient speed will primarily fire low threshold muscle spindles resulting in excitation of alpha motor neurons and can perpetuate increased muscle tone, spasm and pain. Fast stretch that fires GTOs activates inhibition of alpha motor neurons. Joint cavitation adds sufficient speed to result in high threshold GTO discharge. Skill of the practitioner is therefore very important. Murphy, DC, DABCO. Am. Journal of Clinical Chiropractic 1997; 7(2):23-24.

Passive stretching, exercise and massage alone are unable to achieve the effects of a spinal manipulation because they do not activate the golgi tendon organ and hence the inhibitory effect to the muscles and joint receptors is never achieved.

Spinal manipulation and the skills necessary to determine if manipulation is warranted cannot be learned from a weekend seminar. Furthermore, individuals with limited training do not possess the speed and skills necessary to activate the golgi tendon organs to stimulate the inhibitory effect. And, unfortunately less trained individuals produce less favorable results and often cause additional pain and splinting of the involved muscles.

Do you sell vitamins based from a hair analysis?

No. Although we believe in proper nutrition and supplemental vitamins our focus is primarily on musculoskeletal conditions. Your patient will receive the necessary care needed through spinal manipulation and or supportive therapies if indicated.