CHIROPRACTIC
FAQs
Is Chiropractic Medicine safe?
YES. Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive healthcare practices available for the treatment of neuromuscular-skeletal conditions. As a result, chiropractors have one of the lowest malpractice rates of all healthcare professionals…
How long do Doctors of Chiropractic Medicine go to school?
Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine is a professional degree just like Medical Doctors and Attorneys degree. The course of study includes 10 trimesters with each trimester being 15 weeks long. Before students are enrolled they are required to have completed a Bachelors in Science degree with minimum of 60 credits in basic and clinical sciences.
The degree requires at least 3 trimesters of Anatomy (human body dissection lab), Physiology, Pathology, Microbiology, Histology and Histopathology, General Diagnosis, Functional Blood Chemistry, Clinical Nutrition and many other medical science classes. Upon graduation Doctors of Chiropractic Medicine have to pass 4 National Board Exams in order to be able to receive licensure in their respective state.
What can I expect to happen on my first visit?
The doctor will take a case history, ask about your present condition, and then perform an examination to evaluate the nature of your problem. The exam generally includes a series of basic orthopedic tests and neurological examination to determine the integrity of your musculo-skeletal and nervous system and if indicated certain advanced imaging of lab work may be recommended. Upon completion of the analysis, the doctor will explain your condition and devise an appropriate plan of action with you. Any questions or concerns you may have will also be addressed appropriately. The recommended treatment plan will only be implemented with your signed informed consent.
Is it safe to receive Chiropractic care when I am pregnant?
Pregnant women find that chiropractic care greatly improves the course of the pregnancy and makes the delivery easier for them and the baby. Adjusting methods are always adapted to a patient size, weight, age, and condition of health.
Does Chiropractic work for all types of medical conditions?
No. However chiropractic care is successful with a wide variety of health problems not necessarily considered “back” problems because of improved nerve system function. With a normal nerve supply the body’s natural healing capacity can improve a variety of health problems.
What is a chiropractic manipulation and is it painful to receive it?
Chiropractic manipulations come in many forms and techniques and which one your doctor will use for you depends on factors like- age, physical fitness, patient preference, preexisting health concerns etc. For the most part manipulations are not painful, but with certain conditions depending on chronicity they can cause mild discomfort during or after the manipulation. The reason for that is that injured or chronically stressed areas accumulate significant amount of connective tissue over the muscles and ligaments. Those areas are in particular need of chiropractic therapy because after a period of time that connective tissue build up can cause major biomechanical dysfunctions.
What is the cracking sounds that I hear when I get adjusted?
Certain joints in the human body have a lining on the inside called synovial membrane. The membrane on both surfaces of the joints can accumulate Nitric Oxide gas when mechanical pressure or tension is applied for a period of time. After synovial joint has been manipulated the Nitric Oxide is released rapidly in the surrounding tissues, which creates the audible sound that patients can both hear and feel. Nitric Oxide is a potent vasodilator (opens small arteries locally), which explains the local muscle relaxation that patients feel after the manipulation.
Is it true that once I begin Chiropractic Care I have to have it for life?
Certain unscrupulous doctors tell patients that if they don’t get treated every week or every two weeks they will get horrible, incapacitating illnesses like cardio-vascular events or cancer. Nothing can be further from the truth.
Chiropractic manipulative therapy is a great tool in helping patients recover from numerous conditions, but by no means anybody is required to continue see a Chiropractor for life. Ultimately it is always the patient choice and the doctor can only make recommendations. Receiving Chiropractic care on a regular bases can keep human body biomechanics in great operating condition, but the decision to do so belongs to nobody but the patient.
How is Truecare different from any other Chiropractic clinic in El Paso?
Dr. Cynthia and Dr. Kris are graduates from National University of Health Sciences (NUHS) Lombard, IL. The focus of NUHS is not based on the subluxation model like the majority of the other chiropractic schools in the country. NUHS puts a great deal of effort into educating its students to practice clinical thinking. The subluxation theory can easily justify chiropractic therapy for pretty much any condition, but research shows that much more has to be taken in consideration in matters regarding patient care. Internal organ dysfunctions can manifest themselves with musculo-skeletal symptomatology and if the doctor fails to address that possibility that can lead to serious health consequences for the patient. All NUHS graduates are trained to rule out serious internal conditions first even if the case looks simple in nature. Chiropractic protocols are but ONE of many protocols Dr. Cynthia and Dr. Kris are proficient to use. We don’t necessarily adjust every patient, but consider each patient’s needs and desires. We use a wide variety of techniques, therapies and protocols to insure the best patient care and quickest resolution. Patients are always in great hands with NUHS graduates.