Frequently Asked Questions in Urbandale

Yes. A New Zealand government study found that adjustments are "remarkably safe." By using chiropractic carem you can avoid drugs and risky surgeries. A thorough exam can identify the rare person for whom chiropractic care might be unsuited. If you were to compare the statistics, adjustments are safer than taking an over-the-counter pain reliever.

The number of adjustments varies with each patient and their individual health goals. Many patients sense progress within a week or two of frequent visits. Visits become less often as your spine stabilizes. In chronic cases, complete healing can take months or even years.

Your health affects everything you do. It is your most valuable possession. While it's definitely convenient when an insurance company or third party helps pay the bill, please be careful. Don’t allow the profit motive of a huge corporation to make the decision for you. We have options to help make your chiropractic care affordable.

A pinched nerve is rare. It is more likely that an adjacent spinal bone irritates, stretches, rubs or chafes a nerve. These "subluxations" distort the nerve messages sent between the brain and the body. This can produce unhealthy alterations to the organs and tissues connected by the affected nerves.

The three basic causes of subluxations are physical, emotional, and chemical. Physical causes include slips and falls, accidents, repetitive motions and improper lifting. Emotions, such as grief, anger and fear can cause subluxations. Alcohol, drugs, pollution, or a poor diet could all be chemical causes for subluxations.

It is true that you can have subluxations and not be aware. Similar to the early stages of tooth decay or cancer, subluxations can be present before warning signs appear. The results of a thorough examination can show the location and severity of subluxations you may have.

This is highly unlikely. A chiropractic adjustment is very unique. It has the right amount of energy, delivered to an exact spot, at a precise angle, at just the right time. The intent is to get a "stuck" spinal joint moving again while helping reduce nerve interference. Years of training, practice and experience make chiropractic adjustments specific and safe.

No. Each patient’s spine and care plan is unique. There are many different spinal patterns (with 24 moving bones in the spine (that can each move in seven different directions!). We tailor each patient’s care for their age, condition and health goals.

An infant's spine can be affected even when born "naturally". Things like colic, unusual crying, poor appetite, ear infections, or erratic sleeping habits can be signs of spinal distress based on preliminary studies. Pediatric adjustments are very gentle. Knowing exactly where to adjust, the doctor applies no more pressure than you’d use to test the ripeness of a tomato.