Julet Hutchens, DC, LLC

Healthy Body - Healthy Life

Patient Essentials

 

Chiropractic Information

"Tough times never last, but tough people do."
- Robert Schuller -

Frequently Asked Questions about Chiropractic

Answered by Dr. Hutchens

Many patients have similar questions and concerns regarding Chiropractic and Chiropractic care. I have included many of the most common questions that patients ask. These are my personal responses to these questions. They represent my opinions and beliefs as a Doctor of Chiropractic that I am sharing with you. Just like with my treatments, I take a personal, vested interest in educating you to be a better informed patient.

What is Chiropractic care?

Chiropractic is a specialty health care field that treats health problems by normalizing body structure, joint motion, and nerve function. The Doctor of Chiropractic is able to restore health through effective spinal adjustments to help realign vertebrae, relieve nerve irritation, and most importantly, eliminate pain.

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Will I Be Adjusted My First Visit?

Yes. The typical first Chiropractic visit does include an adjustment. When you arrive at the office, you will fill out the required paperwork. Then you will meet with me (Dr. Hutchens) and I will talk with you regarding your reason for the visit. I will also ask you questions pertaining to your past health history and family history.

Your first visit will furthermore include a physical examination including orthopedic and neurological tests. A determination of whether x-rays are needed will be made. I will adjust you and perform any necessary therapies such as infrared laser therapy, ultrasound or electrical stimulation. At the end of the visit, typically, a follow-up appointment is set up within two days so I can re-evaluate your progress. I will also give you home care instructions to help you with your pain and discomfort.

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Does Insurance Cover Chiropractic Treatments?

Many health insurances provide chiropractic coverage. However, each plan is different, and has different limitations of the number of visits allowed, different copays, and deductibles. If you have questions regarding your health insurance, call the office and we will verify your chiropractic benefits for you. We will also explain your Chiropractic benefits to you so that you are clear on the number of Chiropractic visits that will be covered by your insurance, and you will know upfront what are your financial responsibilities.

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Are X-Rays Necessary To Get Adjusted?

Sometimes. If you already have x-rays of the specific area for which you are seeing me, then definitely bring them with you on the first visit.

Whether x-rays are required, will be decided on a case-by-case basis. X-rays can be taken in her office, so there is no need to be shipped off to another facility to obtain them. X-rays are taken to help me treat you more effectively. They help me rule out any conditions that may not respond to an adjustment or in some cases, should not be adjusted, or should only be adjusted using soft, gentle techniques.

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What Education Do Chiropractic Doctors Receive?

Doctors of Chiropractic are educated in similar schooling institutions as Medical Doctors. Chiropractors receive their Doctorate of Chiropractic (D.C.) after they complete 4 years of their undergraduate degrees, and 4 years of Chiropractic graduate studies. The difference between a Chiropractic and medical education is chiropractors do not prescribe drugs or perform surgery, and medical doctors do not treat with adjustments and therapies. Therefore, part of their education reflects these differences.

After graduating with a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) Degree, each candidate must pass four parts of a National Board Examination. Then, the Chiropractors apply for professional licensing and must pass a state board test before being granted the privilege to practice. A Chiropractor's education, however, never ends. All doctors of Chiropractic are required to complete regular postgraduate instruction for license renewal and to stay current on the latest research and adjustment techniques.

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What Is A Chiropractic Adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment is the art of using a specific force in a precise direction, applied to a joint that is subluxated, "locked up," or not moving properly. The purpose of this safe and natural procedure is to stop pain, reduce inflammation and muscle spasm, eliminate interference to the nervous system, improve spinal function and overall health.

Because there are over 250 Chiropractic techniques, Chiropractic is a facet of healthcare that can adapt to a patient's wants and needs. The type of technique dictates the type of adjustment that is involved, and performed by the Chiropractor. In some techniques, a popping sound can be heard, and in others, there isn't. Since one type of adjusting doesn't work with every person, it is important for your chiropractor to know several Chiropractic techniques.

There are gentle, soft techniques for babies, toddlers and children. These techniques are also used for those adults who respond quickly to a softer technique or have osteoporosis or other disorders that warrant gentleness. There are more aggressive techniques for those patients who want to hear the popping noise, and need to have a more assertive adjustment to make changes in their bodies.

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Why Do I Need Follow-up Care?

Follow up care is necessary to break pain patterns that our bodies have already established. Our body has tremendous "muscle memory." (We can see that when we work out regularly.) If we do not follow up, our bodies will go back to the state of pain it was used to. Follow up treatments "re-teach" our bodies how to have healthy patterns so that we don't continue having pain or so that pain is minimized in the future. Once your healthy patterns have been established, regular spinal checkups are always a good idea, and they promote good health from the inside out.

Another reason why I recommends follow up care is because lack of pain is not an indicator of being healthy. Often, pain is the last symptom that appears when a problem is present and the first symptom to disappear once treatment begins. But that doesn't mean the problem is corrected. It means that the symptom of the problem has temporarily ceased.

Ultimately, follow-up care is up to the patient. If you feel you are better after one adjustment and feel you do not need another adjustment. That is perfectly fine. You are in control of your health. Some patients choose to wait until the next time they experience pain to come back in.

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Do Children Need Chiropractic Care?

Absolutely. These days, it seems kids are carrying around heavier backpacks to school, playing many hours of video games, and sitting at computers. All of these activities can cause postural problems, weak back muscles, and ultimately, pain.

Younger children seem to be more active than adults. Which, in turn, can cause more physical stress to their bodies. In addition, since significant spinal trauma can occur at birth, many parents have their newborns immediately checked for vertebral subluxations or misalignments in the spine.

Naturally, chiropractic adjusting procedures are adapted for the child's spine. Many childhood health complaints that are minimized can be traced to the spine. Having your child's spine checked at an early age can often prevent health problems that emerge in adulthood. Most parents report that their children enjoy their chiropractic adjustments and are healthier than their peers.

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Are All Patients Adjusted The Same Way?

No. Even patients with similar problems are treated differently according to their symptoms, their age, and their response to different techniques. I am unique in that I tailor my treatment style to each patient instead of forcing a particular technique on the patient. Each patient is individually evaluated and an individual course of care is developed. Each chiropractic adjustment builds on the one before. The resulting recommendations are based upon years of training and experience.

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Is Chiropractic Safe?

Yes. With proper evaluation and treatment, Chiropractic has one of the highest safety records when compared with other types of healthcare. Chiropractic is one of the least invasive methods to eliminate pain, reduce muscle and joint stiffness, and increase pain-free living. This is also illustrated through the rate of malpractice insurance premiums when comparing those of Chiropractors versus medical doctors. Chiropractic malpractice premiums are much lower than other healthcare professionals.

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What Causes the Sound During an Adjustment?

Actually, not all adjustments produce a sound. But when a "popping" sound is heard during an adjustment, it is the release of gas from the joint space. I am not breaking bones or cracking bones. It is the same sound you hear when someone pops their knuckles or when your joints crack when you are stretching. The sound is painless and totally harmless.

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Can I Adjust Myself?

Many people think they are helping themselves when they "pop" their own necks or backs. Or they feel better for a short time when they do. The key words are "short time." Self-adjusting does not give long term relief as when a Chiropractor adjusts the neck and back. Since a chiropractic adjustment is a specific force, applied in a specific direction to a specific joint, it is virtually impossible to adjust oneself correctly and accurately. Unfortunately, "self-adjusting" is usually counterproductive, often making an already unstable spine even more unstable. Usually, the person ends up self-adjusting several times a day to create relief, which in turn, creates a vicious cycle of instability and pain.

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I Have Heard That Once You Start Seeing A
Chiropractor, You Have To Continue. Is That True?

You are in control of your healthcare and how many times you see me. Typically, I find that my patients want to come back again because they know how it finally feels to feel good again. And the patients discover that they don't have to be in pain or feel bad all of the time.

I see my role in your health as a guide to your better health and a pain free body. I will offer recommendations to keep you pain free and to help you prevent or minimize future bouts of pain. Sometimes these recommendations can be follow-up adjustments, core strengthening exercises, stretches, nutritional advice, and ergonomically sound lifestyle changes.

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Can A Person Who Had Back Surgery See A
Chiropractor?

Absolutely. Depending on the type of surgery you had will dictate how I would decide to adjust you, as there are many techniques and therapies that I can utilize. As with other spine issues, I would require x-rays before adjusting a person who has had back surgery.

It's an unfortunate fact that up to half of those who had spinal surgery discover a return of their original symptoms months or years later. They may face the prospect of additional surgery. Chiropractic may help prevent repeated back surgeries. In fact, if chiropractic care is initially utilized, back surgery can often be avoided in the first place.

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Does Chiropractic Work For All Types Of Health
Problems?

No, it doesn't. Chiropractic is not a cure-all for all diseases. However, Chiropractic care is more than just a solution for back pain and neck pain. It is successful with a wide variety of health issues because a side benefit of an adjustment is improved nervous system function. If your nervous system is functioning optimally, so will the rest of your body, including your immune system. If you are unsure whether an adjustment would help a problem or health issue (not concerning the back and neck) ask me. I will give you a straight answer on whether Chiropractic would be helpful or not.

The interesting part of Chiropractic is the "side benefits" of the Chiropractic adjustment. Many patients who present with neck and back pain often report back that not only did their back pain go away, but they were able to breath better, or they began using their inhalers less often, or their high blood pressure decreased, or their headaches went away, or they were using less ibuprofen, or they experienced less colds, or their children's ear infections decreased.

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