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Frequently Asked Questions
Is chiropractic treatment safe?
Yes, chiropractic treatment is safe and effective. While any form of health treatment contains a degree of inherent risk, there is little danger in chiropractic care when administered by a licensed practitioner. To assure competency, all states require that DCs be board-qualified, licensed, and regulated according to stringent criteria. Statistics show that patient risk is substantially lower in chiropractic as opposed to medical care, where the use of prescription drugs and surgery pose a greater risk.
Is chiropractic treatment ongoing?
The hands-on nature of the chiropractic treatment is essentially what requires patients to visit the chiropractor a number of times. To be treated by Dr. Schofield, a patient needs to be in his office. In contrast, a course of treatment from medical doctors often involves a pre-established plan that is conducted at home (i.e. taking a course of antibiotics once a day for a couple of weeks). A chiropractor may provide acute, chronic, and/or preventive care thus making a certain number of visits sometimes necessary.
What is the popping sound made by my back when I get adjusted?
If you've ever laced your fingers together, turned your palms away from you and bent your fingers back, you know what knuckle-popping sounds like. Joints produce that CRACK when bubbles burst in the fluid surrounding the joint.
Joints are the meeting points of two separate bones, held together and in place by connective tissues and ligaments. All of the joints in our bodies are surrounded by synovial fluid, a thick, clear liquid. When you stretch or bend your finger to pop the knuckle, you are causing the bones of the joint to pull apart. As they do, the connective tissue capsule that surrounds the joint is stretched. By stretching this capsule, you increase its volume. And as we know from chemistry class, with an increase in volume comes a decrease in pressure. So as the pressure of the synovial fluid drops, gases dissolved in the fluid become less soluble, forming bubbles through a process called cavitation. When the joint is stretched far enough, the pressure in the capsule drops so low that these bubbles burst, producing the pop that we associate with knuckle cracking.
It takes about 25-30 minutes for the gas to redissolve into the joint fluid. During this period of time, your knuckles will not crack. Once the gas is redissolved, cavitation is once again possible, and you can start popping your knuckles again.
Does my health insurance cover chiropractic care?
The majority of all insured American workers have coverage for chiropractic services in their health care plans. To see if your particular plan covers chiropractic care, it is best to check with your particular policy. This can be done by calling your insurance company and asking them to verify benefits for chiropractic care.
Why do I need an exam and x-rays before being treated by a chiropractor?
In order to properly assess your condition, an exam must be performed. Dr. Schofield does a thorough exam and history in order to determine the cause of a particular problem. x-rays are sometimes indicated in order to properly assess and diagnose certain conditions. Dr. Schofield does not x-ray every new patient. It is only done if necessary.
Is it OK to see a chiropractor if I’m pregnant?
Yes. Certain precautions are taken, especially in the later stages of pregnancy, for the comfort of the mother-to-be. Chiropractic care is a safe, effective method of treatment for many of the typical aches and pains expectant mothers often have.
Is it safe to treat young children or infants?
Yes, children can benefit from chiropractic care. Children are very physically active and experience many types of falls and blows from activities of daily living as well as from participating in sports. Injuries such as these may cause many symptoms including back and neck pain, stiffness, soreness or discomfort. Chiropractic care is always adapted to the individual patient. It is a highly skilled treatment, and in the case of children, very gentle.
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