Frequently Asked Questions
- What's Wrong With Me?
- Can Chiropractic Help Me?
- How Long Will It Take?
- How Much Will It Cost?
- Do I Have To Keep Coming Back For Treatments?
- Are Chiropractic Treatments Safe and Do They Hurt?
- What is the difference between an MD, a PA and a Nurse Practitioner?
- What age range of patients do you see?
- What conditions do you treat?
What's Wrong With Me?
Accurately identifying the cause of spinal pain or other discomfort almost always requires a thorough consultation and examination. Individuals should not assume their pain stems from the same problem, for example, their neighbor had, and thus what has helped their neighbor will help them. Just as every individual is unique and different from the next, so too are the health conditions they suffer and the treatments they require.
Chiropractic doctors are highly trained in the diagnosis and treatment of soft tissue injuries and abnormalities common to the spine, extremities and rest of body. Rest assured that if you are suffering from back or neck problems, extremity problems or other health related ailments chiropractic can provide you with the effective professional relief you demand. If your condition is out of the chiropractic scope or would be more appropriately managed by another health care specialist, we will gladly and promptly make the necessary referral.
Can Chiropractic Help Me?
Chiropractic has helped millions of people worldwide suffering from all types of problems and not just back and neck ailments. Chiropractic works with the spinal column and it's intimate relationship with the nervous system - the major controller of all bodily functions. By optimizing spinal column structure and biomechanics, irritation and stress are removed and health can once again be achieved.
You may be surprised to learn that research studies have provided scientific evidence showing chiropractic care is not only effective in the treatment of back and neck ailments, but can also provide effective relief with children suffering from ear infections, women suffering from dysmenorrhea (painful menses), and a number of other seemingly "non-spinal" conditions. While it's not prudent to guarantee relief from such conditions or claim to "treat" these conditions, chiropractic has successfully helped millions of individuals with all sorts of health conditions by positively affecting the nervous system.
Of course, doctors of chiropractic are best known for their success in treating back and neck problems. Through the use of chiropractic spinal adjustments and other highly specialized chiropractic techniques, chiropractors have established themselves as the back and neck injury specialists. Many medical experts are now coming to understand the true effectiveness of chiropractic care and are recommending major changes in the way our health care system manages many common spinal problems. According to a recent Ontario Ministry of Health commissioned study on low-back pain,
"A very good case can be made for making chiropractors the gatekeepers for management of low-back pain..."
How Long Will It Take?
While treatment lengths vary somewhat from person to person and from condition to condition, there are a few rules of thumb you can follow.
First, newer injuries, if treated appropriately and immediately, tend to respond to fewer visits assuming that major tissue injury has not occurred. Many of these first time injuries can be effectively managed in as little as 3 to 4 visits. Conditions that have been present for greater than 3 months and recurring conditions are generally more stubborn and difficult to manage. Resolution may require 12 visits or more.
The only sure way to determine how long your treatment will take is to schedule a consultation and/or examination.
For those of you who believe in just waiting for the problem to "go away" on it's own - understand that the longer your condition has been around, the more treatments it will eventually require to resolve.
How Much Will It Cost?
Costs vary and generally depend on the number of treatments required to effectively treat your condition. A number of studies have shown that chiropractic care is extremely cost effective when compared to other "medical" forms of care for similar conditions. According to the 1993 Manga Report,
"There would be highly significant cost savings if more management of low-back pain was transferred from physicians to chiropractors. Users of chiropractic care have substantially lower health care costs, especially inpatient costs, than those who use medical care only."
Do I Have To Keep Coming Back For Treatments?
You may have heard the notion once you go to a chiropractor you have to keep going back. Well, it does not work that way at Midwest Health Center. We may recommend a periodic checkup however that decision is always up to you. You can come in as little or as much as you would like.
Are Chiropractic Treatments Safe and Do They Hurt?
Chiropractic treatments are extremely safe for individuals of all ages - from infants to 100 year olds. Our treatments are safe because we only use natural and noninvasive methods of care. Research consistently shows that care from chiropractors is among the safest care available and is literally light years ahead of traditional medical care in terms of "safeness".
The treatments themselves are generally not painful. In fact, most patients look forward to their treatments as many experience instantaneous relief immediately afterwards. Individuals who present with moderate to severe pain may experience some minor discomfort for obvious reasons, however, care is always gentle, safe and noninvasive.
What is the difference between an MD, a PA and a Nurse Practitioner?
NP: Nurse Practitioner
A Nurse Practitioner can:
- Order, perform and interpret lab work, x-rays, and other diagnostic tests
- Maintain detailed patient records and charts
- Diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions
- Prescribe medication and other treatments
- Manage patients’ overall care
- Counseling and Educating patients and families on disease prevention and positive health and lifestyle choices
- Nurse Practitioners tend to be more patient-centered, tending to have a long-term approach working with patients.
Schooling:
- Registered nurse (RN) with advanced education and clinical training
- Provide a wide range of healthcare services, including the diagnosis and management of common as well as complex medical conditions
- Practice independently or in collaboration with physician, depending on state requirements
MD: Medical Doctor
A Medical Doctor can:
- Order, perform and interpret lab work, x-rays, and other diagnostic tests
- Maintain detailed patient records and charts
- Diagnose and treat acute and chronic conditions
- Prescribe medication and other treatments
- Manage patients’ overall care
- Counseling and Educating patients and families on disease prevention and positive health and lifestyle choices
Schooling:
- Receive a Medical Degree
- Provide a wide range of healthcare services which break down into a variety of specialties.
- Can practice independently
PA: Physician’s Assistant
A Physician’s Assistant can:
- Work under the guidance of a medical doctor. A Physician’s Assistant cannot work independently.
- Take medical history, conduct physical examinations, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive care, assist in surgery, write prescriptions, make rounds in hospitals and nursing homes. A PA is a medical professional with advanced education and clinical training; focused on the medical aspects of healthcare.
Schooling:
- Most students have a bachelor’s degree and about three years of healthcare experience before entering a program.
- Most programs are approximately 26 months (3 academic years) and award master’s degrees.
What age range of patients do you see?
From 2 days to end of life (seniors).
What conditions do you treat?
- Common colds
- Hormone Replacement
- Diabetes
- Hypertension(high blood pressure)
- Wellness Exams
- Thyroid Issues
- Ear Infections
- Sore Throats
- And much, much more.
Feel better. Live Longer. Discover Health.
It’s all within your reach.