FAQ

HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC HELP?
Chiropractic protects the integrity of the nervous system and protects the body’s natural healing ability. If your nervous system is functioning properly, then all cells, organs, and tissues of your body will function at their maximum potential as well. The human body is designed to resist and fight disease and illness. A chiropractic lifestyle is about preventing bad things before they happen to your body. Chiropractic exams find and eliminate misalignments and subluxations that negatively affect your health.

I DIDN’T HEAR A SOUND. DOES THAT MEAN THE ADJUSTMENT DIDN’T WORK?
No. Adjustments do not always create a sound. Contrary to popular belief, the bones do not create a sound during an adjustment. The sound you may hear is being produced by a lubricating fluid that is found in all joints throughout the body. This fluid contains dissolved gases, and during an adjustment, the slight movement causes a release of pressure. The same thing happens when a bottle of champagne is opened, and just like with champagne, a popping sound occurs. A sound is not the important part of an adjustment—movement, in the right direction, is the most important part of the adjustment.

DOES INSURANCE COVER CHIROPRACTIC?
Every insurance company or policy is different. Call your insurance company to verify your benefits.

CAN’T I JUST ADJUST MYSELF?
Absolutely not. Trying to do so may cause more damage. A chiropractic adjustment involves a specific and low force thrust that is applied in a specific direction to a particular joint(s). If you twist, turn or bend in a particular way, you might produce a similar popping noise but that does not mean that you have adjusted yourself. By attempting to adjust, you could worsen your condition. Even chiropractors do not adjust their own spines.

HOW SAFE IS CHIROPRACTIC?
Chiropractic is recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non invasive forms of care. Chiropractic adjustments performed by a licensed chiropractor hold an extremely small risk. This is because chiropractic works using the body’s natural healing process and doesn’t interfere by using drugs orsurgery. The proof lays in the difference a medical doctor pays in malpractice insurance in comparison to a chiropractor.

IS CHIROPRACTIC SAFE WHILE I’M PREGNANT?
YES! You are now not only caring for yourself but the life of your child. Pregnancy puts a lot of stress on a person’s body, causing nausea, vomiting, back pain, hip pain, etc. Getting adjusted throughout a pregnancy helps alleviate all these symptoms and the benefits don’t stop there. Regular chiropractic care during pregnancy has been shown to reduce labor time.

IS CHIROPRACTIC ADDICTING?
No. It is likely that people just enjoy the results of a chiropractic lifestyle: greater range of motion in their joints, fewer bouts of sickness and headaches, and a life free from chronic pain.

SHOULD I GET MY CHILDREN ADJUSTED?
Moving from the womb to the outside world, the birthing process is physically traumatic for a child. A German medical study found that 82 percent of all children are born with subluxations in their neck due to physical stress during labor. Later, a second exam was performed on the same children, and
researchers discovered that 96 percent of all health conditions in the children were eliminated after the children received chiropractic adjustments. In fact, studies have found that many health problems that develop in adulthood have the potential to be avoided with early chiropractic care. Chiropractic
treatment may decrease or eliminate a child’s chances of being colicky and developing allergies, asthma, ADD/ADHD, or ear infections.

SO, WHAT IS AN ADJUSTMENT?
An adjustment is defined as a precise low force thrust in an exact direction to correct a subluxation or restore movement and nervous function. Chiropractic treatment is the product of years of careful research and is a safe, natural procedure.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM CHIROPRACTIC CARE?
The exact chiropractic adjustments you receive at O’Hara Chiropractic depend on your spine and the ailments you want to fix. If you are compliant with care and follow your chiropractor’s instructions, you can expect to have a better quality of life without drugs or surgery.

HOW MUCH SCHOOLING AND TRAINING DOES A CHIROPRACTOR HAVE?
Believe it or not, it is very likely your chiropractor has more education than your family physician. There are many similarities between medical and chiropractic curriculum, but chiropractors are able to focus more on anatomy, physiology, diagnosis, and radiology because they do not prescribe medications or perform surgeries. After receiving a bachelor’s degree and graduating from graduate school as a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.), chiropractors are required to pass four national board examinations before they can practice. After passing national boards, chiropractors must apply for a license in the state where they practice and often need to take a state board exam. After completing this rigorous process, chiropractors are required to complete annual continuing education in order to keep their license.

CAN I GET ADJUSTED IF I HAVE HAD BACK SURGERY?
Absolutely! Unfortunately, back surgery comes with a number of risks and may not be as successful as a patient hopes. Chiropractic can help prevent one back surgery and has to potential to prevent further surgeries.

HOW FREQUENTLY SHOULD I GET ADJUSTED?
Since each person’s spine is different, it is hard to estimate an average number of adjustments for a patient. Call O'Hara Chiropractic in Clear Lake to discuss a wellness schedule of regular appointments.

DOES EVERYONE RECEIVE THE SAME ADJUSTMENT?
No. At O'Hara Chiropractic, we provide personalized care based on what we find during your examination and x-ray findings. Each patient receives an adjustment that is particular to their spine and condition. Also, after every adjustment, your body slightly changes so you may not receive the exact same adjustment twice.

WHEN WILL I START TO GET BETTER?
Generally, the longer the problem has been there, the longer it takes to recover. Variables such as age, medical history, and pre-existing conditions can also affect recovery time. Children tend to heal quicker than adults, so it is best to start care as early as possible. Keep in mind that lifestyle plays a large role in
how quickly the body heals as well.

IS IT REALLY NECESSARY TO COME BACK THIS OFTEN?
When a chiropractor is working on restoring structure to your spine, they are doing a lot more than you think. They are combating your lifestyle (diet, posture, stress, etc.) and retraining the musculature that connects and surrounds your spine. Surgery may produce quick results, but the risk of negative
consequences (financial costs, recovery time, anesthesia, medications, etc) can be higher. Getting chiropractic care is safe, natural, and relies on your body to do the healing. So, have patience with your body and your chiropractor.