FAQs
We are here to answer all of your questions regarding chiropractic care. Here are some of the most common questions and answers as compiled by the American Chiropractic Association. If you find that you have questions that are not covered here, feel free to contact our office at any time.
What conditions do chiropractors treat?
A: Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) care for patients of all ages, with a variety of health conditions. DCs are especially well known for their expertise in caring for patients with back pain, neck pain and headaches…particularly with their highly skilled manipulations or chiropractic adjustments. They also care for patients with a wide range of injuries and disorders of the musculoskeletal system, involving the muscles, ligaments and joints. These painful conditions often involve or impact the nervous system, which can cause referred pain and dysfunction distant to the region of injury. DCs also counsel patients on diet, nutrition, exercise, healthy habits, and occupational and lifestyle modification.
Is chiropractic treatment ongoing?
The hands-on nature of the chiropractic treatment is essentially what requires patients to visit the chiropractor a number of times. To be treated by a chiropractor, a patient needs to be in his or her office. In contrast, a course of treatment from medical doctors often involves a pre-established plan that is conducted at home (i.e. taking a course of antibiotics once a day for a couple of weeks). A chiropractor may provide acute, chronic, and/or preventive care thus making a certain number of visits sometimes necessary. Your doctor of chiropractic should tell you the extent of treatment recommended and how long you can expect it to last.
Does chiropractic treatment require a referral from an MD?
A referral is usually not needed to see a doctor of chiropractic (DC); however, your health plan may have specific referral requirements. You may want to contact your employer’s human resources department—or the insurance plan directly—to find out if there are any referral requirements. Most plans allow you to just call and schedule an appointment with a DC.
Note: If your insurance plan requires a referral from your primary care doctor, you must obtain that referral PRIOR to your visit with us. If you do not have a referral for your visit, you are responsible for payment in full at time of service.
Is chiropractic treatment appropriate for children?
Yes, children can benefit from chiropractic care. Children are very physically active and experience many types of falls and blows from activities of daily living as well as from participating in sports. Injuries such as these may cause many symptoms including back and neck pain, stiffness, soreness or discomfort. Chiropractic care is always adapted to the individual patient. It is a highly skilled treatment, and in the case of children, very gentle.
COMMON INSURANCE TERMS
Co-payment (co-pay): a cost-sharing arrangement in which a member (the patient) pays a specified charge for a covered service, such as $30 for an office visit. The patient is responsible for payment of the co-pay at the time the health care is rendered. Co-pays are distinguished from co-insurance as flat dollar amounts rather than percentages of the charges for services rendered.
Deductible: the portion of the eligible charges you incur during a benefit period, unless otherwise specified, that you must pay each calendar year before your insurance company will begin to provide benefit payment. This amount is always the patient's responsibility.
Co-insurance: the percent that you (as the patient) must pay for a covered service per calendar year in addition to the deductible and co-pay (if any).