What is Chiropractic?
Are Doctors of Chiropractic licensed by the government?
Does Insurance Cover Chiropractic?
How are Doctors of Chiropractic educated?
Is chiropractic safe?
Does the adjustment hurt?
What is a subluxation?
What causes a subluxation?
How is a subluxation corrected?
How will the adjustment help me?
Should I go to a Chiropractor if I feel fine?
Can pregnant woman go to a Chiropractor?
Can children be treated by Chiropractors?
Who else should go to a Chiropractor?
How Long Until I Feel Better?
Do I Have a Slipped Disc?
Do I Have a Pinched Nerve?
Why go to a Chiropractor?
Chiropractic is a non-invasive, natural healing method that allows the body to repair itself without medications or surgeries. This is done by correcting subluxations (misalignments of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems) through spinal manipulation. Chiropractic Care comprises the second largest health care field in the United States and the leading natural healing art in the world.
Yes. Chiropractors are licensed as primary physicians in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Additionally, Chiropractic is recognized by governmental health care programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, Federal Employees Health Care Benefits Programs, Federal Workers' Compensation and all state workers' compensation programs. Chiropractors are even commissioned as health care officers in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Yes. At Mark Pierce Chiropractic Clinic, we also have affordable plans for those without insurance. Learn more about our coverage here.
The education process for a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) is much like that of medical doctors (M.D.), dentists (D.D.S.) and osteopaths (D.O.). The Doctor of Chiropractic must earn their 4 year undergraduate degree followed by 4 and-a-half to 5 years of chiropractic education at an accredited university. After graduating, chiropractors must pass a national board exam and then take a state exam in the state they choose to practice in. Dr. Pierce has additional training and certification in the highly specialized Atlas Orthogonal Technique.
Yes. The process of chiropractic adjustment is a safe, efficient procedure which is performed nearly one million times a day in the United States alone. Because chiropractic is non-invasive, the body's response to treatment is far more predictable than its reactions to medications or surgical procedures. Complications are exceedingly rare, particularly compared to problems resulting from conventional medicine.
Under normal circumstances, chiropractic treatments are very relaxing. In cases of recent trauma, such as whiplash, mild discomfort may be experienced due to inflammation. A patient can also feel a brief sensation in the extremities immediately following an adjustment due to the sudden decompression of the affected nerve root. Mark Pierce Chiropractic Clinic specializes in low force techniques for optimal comfort for our patients.
A subluxation means a slight dislocation (misalignment) or biomechanical malfunctioning of the vertebrae (bones of the spine). These disturbances may irritate nerve roots and blood vessels which branch off from the spinal cord between each of the vertebrae. This irritation may cause pain and dysfunction in muscle, lymphatic and organ tissue as well as imbalance in the normal body processes. Therefore, subluxation has been labeled the "silent killer" due to the long-term detrimental effects.
Following a comprehensive health history and examination, we will design a rehabilitation program that best fits the patient’s needs. Treatments consist of spinal adjustments to correct misaligned vertebrae and relieve nerve pressure, and a variety of physiotherapies, as needed, to reduce pain and swelling of the joints.
At Mark Pierce Chiropractic Clinic, we utilize numerous treatment methods, including instrument adjustment, where minimal force is applied for the greatest ease and comfort to the patient. Below is a short list of the treatments we offer:
- Atlas Orthogonal Technique
- Activator Adjustment Method
- Cox Flexion-Distraction
- Sacral Occipital Technique (S.O.T.)
- Massage Therapy
- Various Pain Management modalities
- Rehabilitation programs utilizing state-of-the-art equipment
Chiropractic adjustments by themselves do not actually heal the body. When any of the 24 moveable spinal vertebrae become misaligned, a basic imbalance or disruption can occur in the nervous and blood vascular systems, which may contribute to stress in the body. Chiropractic adjustments eliminate imbalances and nerve interference, so the body can function at its true potential.
Should I go to a Chiropractor if I feel fine?
Yes. In most cases, by the time you feel symptoms, the detrimental effects of subluxation have already caused damage. Using how you feel as your health barometer can be unpredictable and even dangerous. Regular spinal checkups can detect and prevent subluxations before they cause harm and help your body maintain its optimal health.
Yes. Chiropractic adjustments can reduce the incidence of pain in the low back, legs, and between the shoulder blades due to pregnancy. In some cases, fewer headaches and problems with nausea and elimination may also result. Pregnant Women and Infants can benefit from chiropractic care, for a more comfortable pregnancy and a healthier baby, free of subluxations.
Yes. Children of all ages from infant through teens greatly benefit from Chiropractic Care. The fact is that chiropractor's kids are some of the healthiest children that mature into very healthy adults.
Everyone from infants to the elderly, from all walks of life, can benefit from chiropractic care.
- Auto Accident Victims: Often accident victims don't realize the extent of their injuries. The majority of the detrimental effects of post-traumatic/motor vehicle accidents manifest later and with greater degrees of severity. If these problems are identified and treated properly in the early stages, the potential for long-term pain and suffering is greatly reduced.
- Athletes: Chiropractic helps athletes operate at peak performance, have safer workouts, increase flexibility and stamina, and recover more quickly from training and injury. Most professional sports teams have chiropractors on staff and many other people whose profession depends on fitness regularly utilize chiropractors.
- The Elderly: For more mobility, greater energy, and to help prevent drug dependence.
- Office Workers: To treat the headaches, neck and shoulder aches, TMJ and wrist problems from working with computers all day.
- Blue Collar Workers: For those constantly lifting heavy weight, bending and using repetitive movements.
Some patients experience almost instant relief, while others discover it can take several weeks. Many factors affect the healing process. Within a week or so, most patients see enough progress to encourage them to complete the treatment plan. More important than pain management, however, is that following chiropractic treatment, the body's healing process now operates at peak efficiency.
A disc cannot slip because of the way it attaches to the spinal bone above and below it. However, a disc can bulge, tear, herniate, thin, dry out or collapse causing an irritation of nearby tissue. One of the primary causes of disc problems is spinal bone subluxation. Chiropractic, therefore, has a high degree of success in the management of disc problems.
It is more or likely that a spinal bone (vertebrae) is rubbing, stretching or chafing a nerve. These subluxations can distort the nerve messages between the brain and the body producing unhealthy changes to affected organs and tissues.
To get healthy and to stay healthy! Doctors of chiropractic provide effective, low-cost treatment for a wide range of conditions, and offer preventative and wellness care.
To learn more, please schedule your personal consultation by calling us at 645-0777.