1. How do chiropractic treatments work?
Unlike medicine that treats symptoms, chiropractic treats the root cause of injuries by helping patients regain normal function of their spine and joints.
If the spinal joint is misaligned or damaged due to poor posture, lifestyle, stress, everyday injuries, sports injuries, and/or auto accidents, it can put pressure on nerves and cause inflammation, chronic pain, and a host of debilitating problems.
2. Is chiropractic treatment safe?
Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest, drug-free, and non-invasive treatment available for the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries. The risks associated with chiropractic are very small. In most cases, patients feel immediate relief following chiropractic treatments. Although some may experience mild soreness or aching, just as they do after some forms of exercise.
3. What types of conditions does chiropractic treat?
Chiropractic has been proven to be safe and effective in the treatment of a wide array of chronic and acute musculoskeletal problems, including:
- Everyday injuries
- Sports injuries
- Auto accident injuries (whiplash)
- Neck, back, and spinal injuries
- Shoulder pain, arm pain, and leg pain
- Chronic pain from fibromyalgia
- Myofascial pain
- Severe and chronic headaches
- Sciatica
- Stress-related illness, and pain
- Muscle cramping, spasms, and strains
4. Is chiropractic care ongoing?
Chiropractic care typically involves a series of visits. Like a regular workout at the gym, each visit builds on the ones before. As a result, many patients continue their chiropractic care long after they recover from their injuries in order to maintain optimum health, and well-being on a full-time basis.
5. Does chiropractic care require a referral from my PCP?
No. Chiropractic care is available with or without a referral from your primary care physician (PCP).
6. Is it better to use heat or ice for an acute injury?
If you’ve experienced an acute everyday injury, sports injury, or auto accident injury, Fugate Family Chiropractic recommends "RICE", an acronym for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. If started immediately after a minor injury, "RICE" can help relieve your pain and keep the affected area from swelling. The earlier the "RICE" treatment is started, the better it works. When used appropriately, recovery time is usually shortened and discomfort is minimized.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to Expect
Your First Visit
Upon arrival at Fugate Family Chiropractic, you’ll receive a warm greeting and your patient information forms to complete. Once your patient information forms are complete, you are escorted into the examination room. After a thorough examination, x-rays will be taken if necessary. In addition, you will most likely receive some pain-relief care from our rehabilitative therapy department. Upon completion, our staff will schedule your follow-up visit.
Following your initial consultation, your x-rays and patient information are reviewed with our highly-knowledgeable and experienced team of chiropractors. Together, they’ll evaluate your condition to determine the course of treatment best-suited for pain relief, and getting you back to your normal daily activity.
Your Second Visit
Your second treatment begins with a report of findings of your x-rays and initial exam. At this time, we will notify you of any other tests that are required, or if you need to be referred to another physician for specialty care.
Next, we will explain the customized chiropractic treatment plan we created for you based upon your specific injury, then begin relieving your symptoms and returning you to full activity as quickly as possible.
Regular Visits
At each visit you will be greeted by our smiling staff, and have a minimal wait in the reception area. One of our staff members will then escort you back to the rehabilitative therapy room, and inquire about your current state of health and how you are progressing.
Afterward, the doctor will instruct the therapist as to which type of therapy you require. Depending upon your needs, you will spend about 10-25 minutes in therapy. Following your therapy, you will be escorted to a private room for chiropractic adjustments, using one of several techniques that suit your particular condition.