This question comes up a lot and the answer is usually no. Many patients feel instant relief immediately after their treatments. In fact, most patients look forward to their chiropractic treatments. In patients suffering from severe acute back or neck pain, some discomfort may be experienced due to the nature of the condition, however, for most patients, this is not the case.

Chiropractic care has been consistently shown to be cost-effective in a number of government and workers’ compensation board studies. According to The Manga Report, a 1993 Canadian government commissioned study, “There would be highly significant cost savings if more management of low-back pain was transferred from physicians to chiropractors… Users of chiropractic care have substantially lower health care costs, especially inpatient costs, than those who use medical care only.”

According to an economic analysis conducted in Richmond, Virginia, “By every test of cost and effectiveness, the general weight of evidence shows chiropractic to provide important therapeutic benefits, at economical costs. Additionally, these benefits are achieved with apparently minimal, even negligible, impacts on the costs of health insurance.” When the State of Florida’s Workers’ Compensation Board conducted research in 1988 on treatment costs associated with injured workers who received care from either chiropractic doctors or medical doctors, they found chiropractic treatment costs were 58.8 percent of the treatments costs rendered by medical doctors ($558 vs. $1,100 per case).

Chiropractic spinal adjustments are an extremely safe, comfortable and cost effective way to reduce neck and back pain. As a matter of fact recent studies reveal that chiropractic manipulation is the number one treatment choice for “acute lower back pain,” better than medical intervention. On December 8, 1994, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) of the US Department of Health and Human Services released clinical practice guidelines for the management of acute low back pain. Their guidelines were developed after extensive study of the diagnostic and treatment methods used for acute low back pain. Their findings included:

• The risk of serious complications from lumbar spinal manipulation is rare
• Conservative treatment such as spinal manipulation should be pursued in most cases before considering surgical intervention
• Prescription drugs such as oral steroids, antidepressant medications and colchicine are not recommended for acute low back problems.

No. The body is made up of multiple bones, joints, muscles and nerves. Chiropractors can provide effective treatment for all areas of the body. Back and neck ailments are what we are recognized for but we can effectively treat conditions of the joints of the extremities like the ankle, knee and shoulder. Our practitioners also specialize in soft tissue manipulation with ART, FAKTR, Graston, etc., and can quickly help relieve sprains and strains to muscles and connective tissue and nerve irritations.

Upon reaching either the CCSP or DACBSP level, the sports chiropractor remains abreast of the latest research and treatment innovations through continuing education and field experience. The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicans (ACBSP) offers an annual seminar to update the doctors on the latest research and techniques.

The CCSP and DACBSP certification programs are taught by accredited chiropractic colleges and examinations are administered by the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians. Both certifications programs are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), a national multi-industry organization that ensures certification programs adhere to modern standards of practice for the certification industry, including objective assessment of professional knowledge and competence.

1. Possess specialized knowledge of sports injuries and physical fitness.
2. Are experts in the function of the body during movement, from high-level athletics to everyday activities.
3. Can help optimize athletic performance by applying an advance understanding of musculoskeletal function and athletic training
4. Offer individualized care that extends beyond spinal adjustment to include direct treatment of muscles joints and connective tissues.
5. Focus on total body wellness and reaching optimal functioning, not just reducing pain.
6. Are immersed in the latest sports medicine research, trends and treatment techniques.
7. Can integrate seamlessly with the other healthcare practitioners to optimize your medical care.
8. Are passionate proponents of physical fitness and skilled sports medicine practitioners.
9. Will help you achieve your peak performance with a breadth and depth of knowledge found only with their specific training.
10. Comprise the top tier of the chiropractic profession.