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Can I expect some sort or relief on my first visit to the chiropractor?

The Doctors will do everything they can to help you feel better. We take the time to carefully analyze all of your exam findings together with the information from your consultation and any x-rays taken to formulate a treatment program designed not only to help you feel better but to correct the cause of the problems.

Is a chiropractor really a doctor?

Yes, Chiropractors earn their Doctorate of Chiropractic (D.C.) upon completion of their curriculum which includes basic sciences, clinical sciences, and clinical practice. Doctors of Chiropractic can then only practice once they are licensed, having successfully completed and passed all four parts of their national board exams, including any state-specific examinations required by law. Both Dr. Flood and Dr. James are Board Certified Chiropractors with Physical Therapy privileges in the state of Maryland.

What conditions do chiropractors treat?

In our office, we treat a wide variety of conditions. Many problems, other than back pain, neck pain, numbness and tingling or even headaches, can be related back to the spine. We’ve helped people with asthma, stomach issues, constipation, IBS, tennis elbow, shoulder problems, Hip problems, knee issues, etc.

Do you require a referral?

No, you do not need a referral to be seen at our office.

Do you take insurance?

While we don’t participate with most insurance companies, our office will gladly file any claims on your behalf. Any payment by the insurance company will be sent directly to the patient.

Is it true that once you visit a chiropractor you have to go back consistently or you will always be in pain?

FALSE. Once you’ve experienced relief from your back pain, we recommend you continue with your treatment to help correct the underlying cause of your problem. Once a correction has been made, you shouldn’t have problems anymore. Many of our patients choose to have their spine checked on a periodic basis to help prevent problems in the future. No one has to continue one a correction has been made.

Is chiropractic treatment appropriate for children?

YES Children are subject to the same bumps and bruises as adults, sometimes much more. Children don’t experience pain the same way we do as adults. Pain and symptoms might not manifest in kids until the problem has been there for years. Kids should have their spine checked on a periodic basis to make sure they are not developing more serious problems.

I crack my back often. Is this a bad thing to do?

If you hear a cracking sound while you are stretching, you generally have nothing to worry about. If you find yourself trying to crack your back or your neck on a regular basis, your body id telling you that there is a problem. While you might experience temporary relief, you are not fixing anything and may be making a problem worse.

Can a chiropractor help with problems in my knees and feet?

In many cases, problems in the knees and feet can be helped by chiropractic. The nerves that control the muscles around the knees and in the feet have their origins in the lower back. If the nerves in the lower back are irritated, the symptoms could manifest as knee or foot pain. A thorough examination will help determine if its a joint problem or a problem stemming from the lower spine.

How much does a typical chiropractic treatment cost without insurance?

With or without insurance, our fee for a chiropractic adjustment is only $70.

What should I wear to my chiropractic visit?

For the first visit and exam, we will provide you with a gown and shorts. Subsequent treatments only require you to wear comfortable clothing.

How does chiropractic treatment different from chiropractor to chiropractor?

While most chiropractors use their hands to gently manipulate the segments of the spine to reduce nerve irritation, some choose to use adjusting instruments to move the bones. In our office, we prefer the hands on technique to relieve any pressure on the nerves.

Why do adjustments sometimes make a popping sound?

The popping is a release of the normal gas bubbles that accumulate within the joints of the spine. It is normal.

Do chiropractic adjustments / manipulations hurt?

No. As a matter of fact, most patients look forward their adjustments because they help the patients feel better.

Are chiropractic adjustments / manipulations safe?

Yes. Since we don’t prescribe drugs or do surgery, Chiropractic is one of the safest forms of healthcare.

How long do you have to go to school to be a chiropractor?

Most Chiropractic programs are a rigorous ten-trimester curriculum which can be completed in three years and four months without break. Students that have been accepted into the Chiropractic program have also obtained an undergraduate degree along with their completed prerequisites for the curriculum.

Do chiropractors really help?

Absolutely! Chiropractors treat the underlying cause of your symptoms, allowing your body to use its natural ability to heal itself. There have been many success stories of people who elected to try Chiropractic as a last resort before surgery. Like many, they were unsure, but the results spoke for themselves as they did not have to undergo unnecessary spinal surgery.

What are the benefits of going to a chiropractor?

As Chiropractors, we work with the nervous system. The brain controls every function of the human body. It communicates with the rest of the body through the spinal cord, and from there the nerves which come from the spinal cord. The nerves are what lets us know that we are perceiving pain. Most people come to us because of some sort of pain, or a nagging issue that’s hasn’t resolved itself. Others come just to stay healthy as more of a preventative approach. Using headaches as an example let’s say we have one, then adjusted by our Chiropractor. What happens? It allows the nerves that cause the headaches, to be less irritated. So, what’s the benefit of that? Less headaches! Let’s use a healthy golfer for another example. If they’re healthy, then why would they need to see a Chiropractor? With the spine in proper alignment after an adjustment, there’s proper communication between their brain and body. Their hips and legs are balanced, they’re able to produce a more powerful swing, and they have better rotation throughout their spine… You get the idea. Then what other benefits can we expect from a Chiropractic adjustment? Less pain, improved posture, better mobility, more productivity… The list can go on.

What can I expect during my first appointment?

We advise new patients to allow an hour for their first appointment. This allows sufficient time to complete required examinations, any x-rays the patient may need, and the checkout process.  During your initial appointment, the doctor will sit down with you to discuss the reason for your visit as well as any other health concerns you may have. A thorough examination will be performed, and x-rays may be taken to determine the extent of your injury or concern. A second appointment will then be scheduled during the checkout process for your report of findings. At this time, the doctor will go over the results of your tests and any x-rays so that you are able to make an informed decision about treatment, based on the facts.

How long does it take to get an adjustment at the chiropractor?

An adjustment in our office is typically no more than a few minutes long. You can expect to be in and out within twenty minutes.

Do you take Walk-Ins?

We ask that if you would like to be seen at your earliest convenience, to please call ahead that day to schedule your first appointment. As our appointments tend to fill quickly, this will allow us to schedule you at a time that works best for both you and our clinic where we can properly identify the reason for your visit.

Is it normal to be sore after a chiropractic adjustment?

As most people respond differently to care, some may experience soreness after their first adjustment just as someone may experience soreness after working out for the first time. Your body is reacting to movement which is beyond what it normally knows, on top of the changes your body is experiencing due to the effect on the nervous system.

Adjustments, or any type of manual therapy, move structures in your body which may have lacked movement for a certain amount of time. Pain is rarely reported, although it is not uncommon to experience some soreness sometime after your first adjustment.

Like working out for the first time, you may feel sore the next day or the day after that. But as you continue to work out, your body adapts, and the soreness may still be there, but not as intense as after the first time you worked out.

What are the risks of chiropractic treatment?

As with any treatment option, there are risks involved. For patients in our office, they are aware that they may experience soreness, bruising, or worsening of symptoms after their initial adjustment.

Why do I feel tired after a chiropractic adjustment?

Your body adapts to pain by increasing what we call the “Fight or Flight” response. With neck pain for example, there are structures which are agitated therefore increasing the body’s “Fight” response throughout the body. With this heightened response, your body is unable to relax and find its balance in the nervous system. Once you receive a chiropractic adjustment, the immediate area as well as the nerves calm down and your body can now relax. This is why people tend to feel relaxed after their adjustment.

Why do you need to drink water after a chiropractic adjustment?

Our bodies are 70% water. Even more in our brain. When we are deprived of water, or not getting enough water throughout our day, it takes a toll on your brain’s ability to function and your body’s ability to move and perform well. Drinking water after a chiropractic adjustment allows proper hydration of tissue structures such as tendons and ligaments – the structures which allow your spine to move. Proper hydration also allows for lubrication of joints and flushing out the body’s toxins. Without proper hydration, tendons and ligaments are not as flexible. This causes the adjustments you receive in the office to not hold quite as long and well as they should. This is why it’s recommended to drink adequate amounts of water throughout the day – to keep your body moving well and to get the most benefit from your chiropractic adjustment!

Is it OK to exercise after a chiropractic adjustment?

Absolutely. Chiropractic allows your body to perform at its best. With your nervous system optimized, joints allowing full range of motion along with better mechanics, and muscles that can communicate better with your brain, we encourage all of our patients to participate in activities which promote movement and a healthy lifestyle.

Can sciatica pain go away?

Yes. Sciatic nerve pain can be resolved with Chiropractic care. If you or anyone you know is suffering with Sciatica, please schedule a consultation with one of our doctor’s so we can help correct the problem.