A chiropractic adjustment, also known as spinal or joint manipulation, is a procedure in which a chiropractor uses their hands or a small instrument and a specialized table to apply specific and controlled pressure to a specific area of the body. Chiropractic adjustments are highly targeted, allowing for the focus on a single or few vertebra (bones of the spine) at a time. The goal of the adjustments include, but are not limited to: correct spinal alignment, alleviate pain, improve range of motion, prevent future flare-ups of pain, and improve the body’s functionality.

A common misconception about chiropractic care is that it is only for pain relief or more specifically, when someone has back or neck pain. The fact is: everyone can benefit from chiropractic care. Of course, those suffering from back and neck discomfort, joint pain, headaches, or any type of chronic pain can benefit. However, chiropractic care is a holistic and non-pharmaceutical method of working towards wellness, benefiting those who are suffering digestive issues, have problems sleeping, are attempting to lose weight, and so on. Furthermore, regular chiropractic care enhances the functionality of all of the body’s systems, but most specifically the nervous system, which aids in injury prevention for the future.

In the state of Florida, chiropractic physicians are listed as a primary care physician, which means that you do not need a referral to see a chiropractor. That being said, some health insurance plans have specific referral requirements in order to cover certain services rendered. While most plans allow you to just call and schedule an appointment, you may want to contact your insurance provider to determine if you have any referral requirements.

Yes, chiropractors are considered real doctors. While a chiropractor is not a medical doctor (MD), they are licensed practitioners. Chiropractors complete and obtain a four-year Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree, which is considered a professional or doctorate degree. This means that chiropractors are considered subject matter experts, but are not classified as medical professionals. Chiropractors do not have medical licensing to practice the full scope of the medical field, which includes prescribing medications or performing surgery. However, chiropractors are trained to identify the root source of pain and adjust the body so that its systems can work together to heal any damage or trauma. They are experts on the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, specifically the spine and its part on the aforementioned systems.

On your first chiropractic visit, our aim is to identify the source of your pain or ailment. As such, you will be asked to fill out some questionnaires and forms that will help detail your pain and discomfort to better assist the doctor decipher the root cause for your ailment. The forms can either be filled out ahead of time via a link sent to you or in our office prior to your initial appointment time. On the day of your 1st visit, you will be greeted by our friendly staff, who will ask you to sign some forms giving us consent to see you as a patient for examination, x-rays, therapy and treatment. After signing the consent forms, your chiropractor will do a full consultation with you, asking you a series of questions to gain a better understanding of your pain and ailments, as well as health history, followed by a physical examination to help determine the the root cause of your pain as well as imbalances in the body. This process typically calls for x-rays of the spine, which will give your chiropractor insight to the unique structure of your anatomy. After the x-rays are obtained, you will be given some passive therapy to help relax your body and ease your pain as the chiropractor reviews your x-rays. After the therapy, your chiropractor will perform your first chiropractic adjustment as well as other treatments he sees fit to aid in the treatment of the root causes of your pain. This normally takes place on a table specifically designed for chiropractic treatments. You will then be advised on at-home therapies to implore prior to your next visit. On your second visit, your chiropractor will run you through his or her report of findings, which will include going over your x-rays together and discussing your goals for treatment in our office. This is when you and your chiropractor will work together to draft an effective treatment plan for your needs.

Symptoms of back pain vary depending on the area of the spine and the underlying cause. Common symptoms include muscle spasms, joint dysfunction, muscle weakness, dull aching sensation, decreased range of motion, numbness, and difficulty standing straight without pain.

Back pain can result from various factors including chronic conditions like sciatica, osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, or traumatic injuries like fractures, herniated discs, sprains, and strains.

The pain experienced during specific movements depends on the underlying cause of back pain and the affected area of the spine. Generally, more mobile areas like the cervical and lumbar spine are more susceptible to pain.

If back pain persists for more than 2 days or is accompanied by numbness, weakness, or loss of motion, it's advisable to seek medical attention promptly to avoid chronic discomfort or further complications.

Maintaining proper spinal alignment through good posture, regular exercise, and preventive care can help prevent back pain. A healthy lifestyle including a balanced diet and stress management also contributes to overall spinal health.

• Occupational Stress: Those with a sedentary occupation, such as desk workers who sit at computers daily, are at risk of developing neck pain. Those whose occupation calls for repeated motion that could overwork the structures of the neck are also at risk.
• Age-Related Wear and Tear: Conditions such as arthritis or disc degeneration often occur naturally with age, causing pain symptoms.
• Traumatic Injury: Slip and falls, contact sports injuries, and auto accidents can all inflict trauma on the neck which can result in neck pain.
• Poor Posture: Poor posture when standing, sitting, sleeping and even completing activities such as weight lifting can affect the bones that make up the neck, shifting them out of alignment and causing pain.

In addition, infection, damage to the spinal discs, and pinched nerves can cause neck pain.

Text neck is the name for the pain felt in the neck after prolonged or repetitive sessions of looking down at tech devices, such as smartphones. This constant downward posture of the head strains the muscles and places extreme pressure on the cervical spine, which is responsible for keeping the head upright. As the head weighs nearly as much as a bowling ball, keeping it lowered at this unnatural angle can result in neck pain and stiffness.

Yes. Trauma does not need to be present for the neck to hurt. Improper posture and misalignments within the spine can create uneven weight distribution in the surrounding structures, straining soft tissue. Age-related conditions can also affect spinal discs and vertebrae, and, as a result, impinge nerve roots, cause muscle stiffness, and limit range of motion of the neck.

Chiropractic adjustments, during which a doctor administers spinal manipulations, gently force the vertebrae and facet joints of the neck back into their natural alignment within the cervical spine. Once these structures are in their proper position, joint stress and nerve compression are alleviated, muscle strain is relieved, and neck mobility is restored.

• Regular chiropractic adjustments to remain aligned.
• Massage and physical therapy to soothe and restore health to the muscles.
• Active lifestyle changes to improve overall health.

Equally as important is posture. Maintaining proper posture can help reduce neck pain and reduce your chance of injury. Working with our trusted chiropractor allows you to maintain overall wellness to prevent neck pain.

Typically no: A chiropractor specializing in sports rehab will implement more than chiropractic adjustments depending on the root cause of the diagnosed ailment. In many cases, soft tissue manipulation, such as Graston or Active Release Technique (A.R.T.) as well as postural rehab exercises will be employed in addition to joint manipulations (adjustments) to help reduce pain and restore proper functionality to the affected joint.

No- a chiropractic physician can help assess the root cause of your injury or pain and determine when to add physical therapy to the co-management of your treatment plan. Furthermore, the same is true vice-versa- for co-management of an ailment via a combination of chiropractic and physical therapy can many times serve as the best option for efficient pain relief and long-term restoration of optimal function of the joints of the body.

No- it is always wise to get an assessment and examination first, to determine the proper imaging necessary, if applicable, for your specific sports injury or ailment. See your chiropractor for a thorough examination to determine the best imaging and corresponding treatment protocol thereafter.

Unless you are experiencing extreme pain or instability of the afflicted joint, getting ‘pre-hab’ on your injured or painful joint/sports injury is advantageous whether you decide to get surgery or not. In many cases, conservative chiropractic and sports rehab care can alleviate the pain and restore proper function and mechanics to the sports injury. Worse case scenario: you decide to go forth with surgical intervention after attempting conservative care, research shows your post-surgery rehab is greatly reduced in both time and frequency of care required.

Absolutely! Every major sports team and organization, from the NBA to NFL to MLB to the Olympics, employ a sports chiropractor to help manage and treatment their athletes for both injury recovery and enhanced sports performance. Furthermore, fitness competitors of all tiers, from professional bodybuilders to marathon runners to your average gym-goer, have seen improvements in their workout regimens and fitness goals with the addition of chiropractic care to the health and wellness routine.

PIP (Personal Injury Protection) insurance should cover you if you’re injured as a passenger in another car or as a pedestrian. Read through your insurance policy or ask your insurer if you are covered as a passenger and if your own passengers are covered by your policy.

Yes, in the state of Florida, PIP (Personal Injury Protection) insurance plans cover chiropractor visits. If you are injured in an accident, the medical benefits you are entitled to from your insurer cover these visits and the corresponding therapies and treatments that one receives with their chiropractor.

Yes, not only can they receive care following an accident, but it is HIGHLY recommended that they do. Many times, children do not express their ailments as adults do, so their injuries go unassessed and treated, leading to problems in the future that could have been prevented if the child had received the proper care the time of the accident. Furthermore, children can benefit from chiropractic care post-accident. If you have any specific questions about your child’s treatment plan, speak with your chiropractor right away.

Florida law states that you must have a minimum of $10,000 in personal injury protection. This means that you could be eligible for at least $10,000 in medical benefits. Keep in mind, your insurance policy could allow for more coverage.

No. Chiropractors may also use other forms of therapy, such as hot/cold therapy, rehab exercises, soft tissue therapy, and passive therapies such as electric stimulation and ultrasound, to help treat your injuries and ailments.