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Our patients should expect their initial visit with the chiropractor to be approximately one hour so that the chiropractor can perform a thorough history and exam. If x-rays or other diagnostic tests are medically necessary, they may order them. Depending upon the severity of your injury or complaint, follow-up visits will range anywhere from one day to six months later, or you may simply call us the next time you are in need of an appointment. Follow-up visits are usually 20 minutes. We believe in using multiple disciplines in order to best treat our patients. Also, we offer different services such as Physical Therapy, Massage Therapy, Clinical Nutrition, Aquatic Therapy, and more, to be useful in conjunction with Chiropractic Care.

This is a very common question, and unfortunately, there is no one simple answer to this because the amount of time needed for recovery is variable, not only for each different condition but also for each individual patient. Generally speaking, conditions that have been present for a longer period of time will logically require somewhat longer recovery time, although there are always exceptions. Our approach is such that the immediate goals are to help you get relief from pain and disability as quickly as possible, while at the same time, addressing the underlying dysfunctions that create the pain. Teaching you strategies to manage and reduce any future episodes that may occur is also important. In this way, we attempt to help you expeditiously reduce pain and return to normal function. Typically, within six visits we expect at minimum 30-50% improvement. If these goals are not being met treatment strategies will modify and further diagnostic testing or referral may be scheduled.

Often when a joint is manipulated, it makes a “popping” sound. There is fluid inside all joints, and within this fluid, there is dissolved gas. When manipulation is performed, the gas in the fluid forms a bubble and pops, producing an audible sound. Although this is not necessary for manipulation to be effective, it is simply the sound of the joint suddenly releasing from its restricted state.

Not necessarily. Manipulation is a technique that is useful to correct joint dysfunction, which is a condition in which there is loss of normal movement of a joint – a common cause of spinal pain and dysfunction. So if you do not have joint dysfunction then there is no need for manipulation. Even if you do have joint dysfunction, if you’d prefer, there are “non-cracking” techniques that can be useful to correct it, which are often equally effective.

Most of the time, manipulation is very comfortable. Slight to moderate discomfort has been reported in about 1/3 of patients, with 10% reporting more noticeable discomfort. In the majority of cases, any discomfort that does occur is gone within 24 hours.

Although there are certain uncommon instances in which regular, periodic treatment may be suggested, this is the exception rather than the rule. There will likely be certain exercises that are given to you to do regularly, that have been shown to prevent re-occurrences of back pain. Chiropractors at The Hetrick Center place much emphasis on teaching patients self-care strategies so that they can manage conditions themselves, only needing to return to the doctor if these strategies are not successful.

Chiropractic treatment for children and adolescents is not uncommon.  Adjustments for children of all ages are gentle, safe, and effective. Restoring and maintaining function is crucial throughout the child’s developmental years.