Frequently Asked Questions in Renton WA

A chiropractor is a licensed practitioner that practices chiropractic care.

Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health.

A doctor is a person who holds a doctorate. Chiropractors are Doctors of Chiropractic. They are not, and are not intended to be, a Doctor of Medicine.

30-40 million people per year or more seek help from a chiropractor. Chiropractic has been around since 1895, has survived a blatant attack to destroy the profession by the American Medical Association and continues to help people get well to this day despite a medically oriented society.

Chiropractic would not be around today if it did not help people get well. The only reason chiropractic is still around, and the majority of chiropractors make a great living, is because of its results.

Chiropractic is one of, if not the safest form of health care in the world. Proof of this is found in the low-rate chiropractors pay for malpractice insurance compared to other health care professionals.

All procedures have side effects. The most common negative side effect is initial soreness if too much force is used for that particular individual. The only side effect of a properly performed spinal adjustment (with no predisposed anatomical weakness) is an improvement in health and function. Although extremely rare, an improperly performed adjustment or an adjustment of an area that has a predisposed anatomical weakness has been associated with more serious complications like disc herniation and stroke.

The number of sessions depends on the condition of the spine and the health of the individual. Clinical research suggests the average person can expect 25% improvement of their condition after 6 sessions, 50% after 12 sessions and 80% or more improvement after 18-24 sessions. Persons outside of average can expect less than or more than these percentages.

Chiropractic is affordable for most people if they really want it. Cost per visit can range from as low as $22/visit in a self-pay membership type office to hundreds of dollars per visit in a multi-modality type setting.

Our office offers both traditional and corrective chiropractic care. The focus of traditional care is to help provide relief and healing through improved spinal and nervous system function. The focus of corrective care includes that of traditional care but also focuses on improving posture, spinal structure and other requirements of healing like eating, moving and thinking. This often results in more effective and long-lasting health benefits. We also incorporate an anti-inflammatory diet protocol and weight loss program for those that need or want to lose fat and weight rapidly, naturally and on a long-term basis.

A referral from a friend or family member is the best way to find a chiropractor. The next best way would be to meet the doctor at an event like a talk or a screening. The best way online is to read reviews and study the website content and pictures of the doctor or practice.

There are many different chiropractic techniques and there are different modalities to deliver an adjustive force. I am a fellow in chiropractic biophysics which is the most advanced technique in healthcare, outside of surgery, to correct postural and spinal structural deformities. For traditional care I use diversified and syntropy by hand adjustments. I also incorporate the use of a drop table and an instrument to deliver faster, less forceful adjustments.

A pure chiropractor does not "treat" any symptoms, sickness or disease. Chiropractors detect and correct structural and functional disorders of the spine that disrupt normal neurological function and may cause pain. Correction of these disorders typically lessens pain and improves neurological function resulting in improved function, health and healing. The most common symptoms of spine and nervous system issues are headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain and pain, weakness, numbness, and/or tingling in the extremities. Other symptoms may include anxiety, depression, memory loss, dizziness, loss of balance, insomnia, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, difficulty breathing, fatigue, indigestion, abnormal bowel and reproductive function. The spine houses and protects the nervous system (the master control system of the body). Spine problems can affect the function of the nervous system. This then can alter the function of any of the cells, tissues, organs, and systems of the body.

Chiropractic care during pregnancy is both safe and effective.

A chiropractic adjustment should never hurt and never needs to be forceful. It just needs to be effective.

The popping sound of an adjustment is from the joint opening and gas is released from the joint.

All patients are different and should not be adjusted the exact same way. Each patient should also not be adjusted the same way each visit unless the objective findings of the visit are the exact same as the previous visit.

True healing is the replacement of damaged or sick cells with new healthy cells. If the back pain is caused by a structural or functional disorder, that disorder is corrected and the body is able to replace the damaged or sick cells with new healthy cells then yes, theoretically a series of adjustments will completely remove the back pain. This same scenario could theoretically apply to any symptom, sickness or disease.

Not without a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. You can learn to manipulate yourself without a degree.

The majority of chiropractic techniques do not require the removal of clothing except for some examination procedures and x-rays.

Chiropractic care is appropriate, safe and effective for children. Techniques are modified with less force used for children than for adults.

Chiropractors must complete a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree program and pass the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) exam to become licensed in all states. The DC program is a postgraduate program that usually takes four or more years to complete and includes graduate-level study in subjects such as anatomy, radiology, microbiology, and chiropractic care principles. The program also includes a minimum of 4,200 instructional hours of classroom instruction and clinical training. Typically, chiropractors are required to have completed undergraduate pre-medical studies and obtained a bachelor's degree prior to admission to a post graduate chiropractic college.