Chiropractor in Houston - Chiropractic FAQ, Frequent Questions

What Exactly Does a Chiropractor Do? Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Sometimes people experiencing neck, back, leg, or nerve pain may hear the advice that they ought to see a chiropractor. Sometimes individuals are not exactly clear about what chiropractors do and how these medical professionals can help to alleviate their pain. People looking for a chiropractor in Houston, Texas, particularly those who are unfamiliar with chiropractic medicine, may have some of the following chiropractic frequently asked questions:

Chiropractic FAQ:

1. What do chiropractors actually treat? Chiropractors focus on musculoskeletal and nervous system disorders, and these professionals address the ways that these types of disorders affect general health. Some chiropractors have particular specialties, such as scoliosis, but most treat all types of back, neck, joint and headache pain.


2. Is chiropractic treatment safe? Yes. In fact, chiropractic medicine is widely lauded as one of the safest, least-invasive types of treatment for neuromusculoskeletal disorders. As with any health treatment, there are some potential risks to these treatments, including mild soreness and aching. It may be surprising to note that chiropractic treatment has a better safety record than even some over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen, which carries the risk of causing gastrointestinal bleeding. Even the chiropractic treatment known as cervical manipulation, or neck adjustment, carries a stroke risk of 1 in 5.85 million manipulations.


3. What about that popping sound during the chiropractic adjustment? This is perhaps the most popular chiropractic frequently asked question. The popping sound that often accompanies a joint adjustment is caused by the release of a gas bubble between joints—just as when you crack your knuckles. There is normally no pain involved.


4. How is chiropractic adjustment performed? Chiropractic manipulation is a manual procedure that uses the chiropractor’s refined skills to manipulate the joints of the body, particularly the spine, to reduce pain and to restore joint function. Patients often notice an immediate improvement in their comfort level after an adjustment. Due to the hands-on nature of chiropractic medicine, this type of treatment is often ongoing and requires regular adjustments in order to maintain.


5. Do chiropractors have hospital or medical outpatient facility privileges? Does insurance cover chiropractic treatment? Yes to both of these chiropractic FAQ. Since 1983, chiropractors have been recognized to admit and treat their patients in hospitals, as well as to use outpatient clinical facilities such as labs and x-ray equipment for their regular patients. Further, the majority of health insurance companies cover chiropractic treatments. Your particular chiropractor in Houston, Texas can give you information on their office’s insurance claims procedures.


6. What type of education and medical training do chiropractors have? Besides training as primary contact health practitioners, chiropractors receive some of the most stringent of any health care professionals. Chiropractic school lasts four to five years and includes a demanding clinical training schedule in order to learn the intricate adjustment techniques required for the hands-on nature of chiropractic medicine. The curriculum consists of approximately 4,200 hours of classroom instruction, laboratory and clinical experience, in total. In other words, a typical chiropractor in Houston, Texas is supremely qualified to treat their patients.

If you would like answers to these or any other chiropractic frequently asked questions, call the professionals at 1960 West Chiropractic. Dr. Karen S. Thomason is an experienced, compassionate chiropractor in Houston, Texas who can help you achieve the freedom from pain you deserve; call her today at (281) 580-1961.