Frequently Asked Questions

Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) are healthcare professionals who provide care to individuals of all age groups and address various health conditions. They are highly recognized for their specialized treatment of back pain, neck pain, and headaches through skillful manipulations known as chiropractic adjustments. Beyond these common issues, DCs also handle a wide array of musculoskeletal injuries and disorders involving muscles, ligaments, and joints. These conditions, which often impact the nervous system, can result in referred pain and dysfunction in areas beyond the initial injury site.

Chiropractic care offers benefits not only for specific ailments but also for overall health, as the body's structure significantly influences its overall function. In addition to hands-on treatments, DCs provide guidance on diet, nutrition, exercise, healthy practices, and modifications to one's lifestyle and occupational routines.

Chiropractic is a safe therapy for muscle and joint issues. Risks are minimal, mostly soreness. Treatment can provide quick relief, especially for neck pain and headaches. Neck adjustments improve neck movement and reduce tension. While some associate neck manipulation with stroke, evidence suggests it can occur spontaneously or from everyday activities. Rarely, neck manipulation causes artery injuries.

When seeing your chiropractor for neck pain or headaches, explain your symptoms clearly. This helps them provide the best and safest care, which might include referring you to another healthcare provider. Understand the risks of common treatments like NSAIDs and painkillers, which can be riskier than chiropractic care. NSAIDs can cause serious stomach issues like bleeding, especially in older adults. Regular use leads to many hospitalizations yearly. Misusing painkillers like oxycodone is a top cause of accidental deaths in the US.

Chiropractors are gaining acknowledgment for their ability to care for patients within hospital settings and utilize external clinical resources, like laboratories and x-rays, to support their treatment of non-hospitalized individuals. This expansion of privileges to include hospital admission was officially established in 1983, marking a significant milestone in the integration of chiropractic care across different healthcare settings.

Doctors of chiropractic undergo extensive education to become primary-contact health care providers, focusing on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal conditions. Their educational requirements are rigorous, including nearly four years of pre-medical undergraduate coursework and four to five years of professional study in accredited chiropractic colleges. These professionals are well-versed in various fields such as orthopedics, neurology, physiology, anatomy, diagnostic imaging, and rehabilitation, making them highly skilled in providing comprehensive care for their patients' overall well-being.

Because chiropractic care includes highly skilled manipulation/adjusting techniques, a significant portion of time is spent in clinical technique training to master these important manipulative procedures. This training is critical to ensure that chiropractors are well-equipped to provide effective care to their patients. In total, the chiropractic college curriculum includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory, and clinical experience. This comprehensive course of study is carefully designed and approved by an accrediting agency that is fully recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, ensuring that chiropractors receive a rigorous and thorough education to deliver high-quality care.

Chiropractic adjustment or manipulation is a specialized manual procedure rooted in the extensive training and skills of a doctor of chiropractic, honed over years of education. Through precise techniques using hands or specialized instruments, chiropractors target joints, especially in the spine, to improve joint function and alleviate inflammation, leading to pain reduction for the patient. This controlled procedure, tailored to individual needs, typically brings about immediate improvements in symptoms for many patients, making it a comfortable and effective treatment option.

The hands-on nature of chiropractic treatment necessitates multiple visits to the chiropractor's office. Unlike medical doctors who prescribe at-home treatments like a course of antibiotics, chiropractors may offer acute, chronic, or preventive care, requiring varying numbers of visits. Your chiropractor will discuss the recommended treatment plan's duration and expected outcomes to ensure you are well-informed about your care.

Adjustment, also known as manipulation, of a joint can lead to the release of a gas bubble between the joints, creating the familiar popping sound. This phenomenon is similar to when you “crack” your knuckles, where the noise originates from the pressure shift inside the joint, causing the release of gas bubbles. Typically, this process is painless, with minimal discomfort experienced.

During pregnancy, chiropractic care is generally considered safe for most individuals. Your chiropractor will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine if any specific concerns exist before proceeding with treatment, ensuring the well-being of both you and your baby. The advantages of chiropractic treatments during pregnancy are abundant, leading to smoother progress, increased comfort, and better overall well-being. Moreover, postpartum chiropractic sessions offer additional benefits that aid in recovery. The primary benefits of seeking chiropractic care before and after pregnancy include enhanced pelvic alignment, improved nervous system function, alleviation of lower back and hip pain, shortened labor duration, reduced reliance on pain medication, quicker physical recuperation, and a lower risk of postpartum depression.

It's important to note that the duration of your initial visit can vary depending on the specific nature and severity of your condition. Typically, initial visits may require up to 30 minutes to ensure a comprehensive evaluation and thorough discussion of your health concerns.

Yes, Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a safe, painless, and drug-free treatment that has been utilized in England, Canada, and Europe for more than two decades without any documented adverse side-effects. Laser therapy, a non-invasive procedure, is held in high regard by numerous physicians due to its proven effectiveness as a treatment option.

The monochromatic coherent and polarized characteristics of the therapeutic light beam allow for deep tissue penetration without impacting healthy cells. This unique quality stimulates the growth of fresh, thriving cells, which work to supplant the ineffective, deteriorating cells, supporting them in reaching their optimal functionality once more.

No. Low Level Laser Therapy is a painless procedure that is widely recognized for its non-invasive nature. Many individuals not only find the treatment pain-free but also report a sense of relaxation during the session.

During a chiropractic treatment session, the duration typically ranges from 5 to 15 minutes. The length of the session is determined by various factors such as the size, depth, and severity of the injury or inflamed area. Additionally, whether the issue is acute or chronic plays a significant role in shaping the course of the treatment session.

This also depends on various factors such as the size, depth, and severity of the injury or inflamed area, as well as whether it is an acute or chronic issue being addressed. As part of our treatment plan, we frequently advise patients to come in for sessions 2-3 times per week.

A patient can possibly start experiencing improvements in their condition after just one treatment session at UPGRADE Chiropractic. While most individuals notice significant results following 3-5 treatment sessions, the actual timeline may vary depending on various factors unique to each person.