Frequently Asked Questions

A Doctor of Chiropractic is a health care professional that is trained in the proper diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions of the human frame, primarily focused on the cervical, thoracic, lumbar spine, and pelvis. A chiropractor is also able to diagnose and treat extra spinal conditions of the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, hips, knees, ankles, and feet.

Chiropractic care is a service unique to the chiropractic profession in which the provider uses his/her hands in order to manually manipulate individual joints of the spine in order to improve spinal alignment and range of motion. Most chiropractors also use various adjunctive modalities in order to enhance the manipulation, such as myofascial release/trigger point therapy, postural and exercise rehabilitation.

Yes, chiropractors are doctors. Chiropractors are trained at the graduate school level of study and earn the degree of Doctor of Chiropractic. Chiropractors, identified by the letters DC after their name, are licensed to practice chiropractic after successfully passing multiple rounds of national and state board examination. 

The art of chiropractic was originally founded in Davenport, IA in 1895 by D.D. Palmer. Around that time, he opened the first chiropractic school, Palmer Chiropractic College. Since that time, and significantly in the present and recent past, the science behind how and why chiropractic works, its efficacy and safety has been the subject of many published research papers in worldwide medical and chiropractic journals.  

A chiropractor is trained to first accurately diagnose mechanical stress in the alignment of the spine. We then use that diagnosis to deliver spinal manipulation in order to correct the identified misalignment and improve motion/function at the vertebral level adjusted. There is often a popping sound, which is called cavitation. This is a release of gas from the joint being manipulated, which is both safe and therapeutic in nature.

Of course they are! Chiropractors are able to increase range of motion and decrease pain in your joints and surrounding tissues through the Chiropractic Adjustment. Regular adjustments can keep an individual pain and tension free, thereby decreasing wear and tear on their joints. 

Yes, 95% of Chiropractic users say it’s effective, and over 1 million adjustments are performed in the U.S. every business day by over 70,000 licensed chiropractors.

Yes, there are no side effects beyond slight soreness after a chiropractic adjustment. Only 0.7% of chiropractors have a malpractice claim filed against them per year compared to 7.7% of medical doctors (Philadelphia Medical Malpractice Attorneys - Medical malpractice stats).

Although minor some people experience side effects after their chiropractic adjustment. Some side effects include headaches, mild tightness and soreness of the areas adjusted. Any side effects are short lived and of mild intensity. The longer the person has left the condition untreated the area will be resistant to accept change of alignment.

The muscles, tendons and ligaments have to change form to the corrected alignment there by creating soreness. Similar effects are seen with exercise and resistance training when a person has not done so in a long period of time. Usually a person is recommended to use ice/heat or OTC an anti-inflammatory if needed after treatment. Any soreness after the treatment usually will only last for the first couple of treatments.

The amount and frequency of numbers of session needed to correct are different depending on the condition. If the condition has been left and untreated for a long period of time, more visits maybe required. For acute neck or lower back pain 6-12 visits in the first 4 weeks is a standard frequency. As spine holds the alignment for longer the frequency of visits should then dissipate. The initial visits usually involve more passive therapies and then a patient shoulder then engage in more active therapies such as active rehabilitation and strengthening.

Chiropractic treatment is actually very affordable compared to the costs of other healthcare treatments, especially if surgery is an option. Costs for a chiropractic adjustment range from $50-$65 depending on how many areas of the spine are being adjusted. The price can go up if any additional modalities like massage, myofascial release, or electric muscle stimulation are required.

At Kapsner Chiropractic, we pride ourselves in providing excellent patient care with careful attention to patient comfort and satisfaction. We treat patients like family and make everyone feel welcome and at ease during their times of pain.

Asking friends or family members is always a great option to get advice on good healthcare providers in your area. When in doubt you can always do a quick Google search for chiropractors in your area and check out ratings for yourself.

The majority of chiropractors treat their patients by hand to apply gentle high velocity/low amplitude thrust to fixated joints. This is commonly referred to as manual or diversified adjusting. There are very low force techniques that can be used as an alternative that include an activator tool or tables that have drops to achieve the same results.

In Texas chiropractors are licensed to treat musculoskeletal disorders.  Chiropractors treat a range of conditions including: chronic neck and back pain due to posture problems or arthritis, acute injuries from auto accidents and sports injuries, spinal disc injuries/ disorders, and pain to the extremity joints.

Chiropractors help correct subluxations (mal-position of a joint) caused by an accident. This helps to reduce pressure on the affected area, increasing blood and nerve flow, allowing the body to heal better. A Chiropractic office may also use heat, ice, electrotherapy, massage, and therapeutic exercise to help the body recover.  

Chiropractor treat headaches, vertigo, migraines, scoliosis and sciatica, extremities such as; arm and leg pain, carpal tunnel, and shoulder pain, injuries such as; whiplash, herniated discs, and work accidents. 

Chiropractic care is not only safe during pregnancy, but recommended before, during and after. Chiropractic adjustments help to balance the spine and musculature of the lower back and pelvis, allowing for greater ease of movement.

A Chiropractor is highly skilled at detecting and treating subluxations (mal-position of vertebrae and pelvic bone) which is often the underlying cause of lower back pain. A Chiropractor may also use a combination of heat, ice, massage, electric stimulators or various other methods to help reduce pain depending on the condition of the patient.

A Chiropractor is highly skilled at detecting and treating subluxations (mal-position of vertebrae) which is often the underlying cause of neck and back pain. A Chiropractor may also use a combination of heat, ice, massage, electric stimulators or various other methods to help reduce pain depending on the specific condition of the patient.

Sciatica is a widely used term that describes pain and tingling down the leg. The most important thing when dealing with “Sciatica” is to find where exactly the pressure or irritation is located. By doing a thorough consultation and examination, Chiropractors can find the interference and then make a correction using chiropractic adjustments, therapeutic exercise, and manual muscles therapy.

Chiropractors treat the entire body as a whole. We use various adjusting techniques as well as therapy to deal with both acute and chronic pain. Chiropractic care has been shown to be an effective treatment for headaches, neck and back pain, disc injuries such as herniations and bulges, as well as a lot of other symptoms.

Chiropractic adjustments usually do not cause pain. At times, adjustments can be uncomfortable depending on the area being treated and the pressure being applied. Post adjustment, it is normal to have soreness 24-48 after treatment, but you should not have increased pain after or during treatment.

Chiropractic adjustments are safe when performed by a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic. Chiropractic adjustments or manipulations have been proven to be a safe and effective treatment for a variety of symptoms especially acute neck and lower back.

During a Chiropractic adjustment, it is normal to hear a popping or clicking sound. This sound is also known as a Joint Cavitation and is the result of pressure being released from a specific joint. When a Chiropractor performs a proper adjustment, tiny pockets of air escape the joint, causing a popping sound.

Most of our patients receive spinal manipulation manually via the doctor’s hands. However due to some factors…age…osteoporosis…trauma….the patient may need more of a lighter force technique in which case we will use an activator or impulse tool.

This would depend on the nature and or cause of the pain. Usually a series of Chiropractic adjustments can alleviate the patient’s symptoms. In some cases there is a chronic condition like arthritis or fibromyalgia in which the chiropractic adjustment can help relieve symptoms but more temporarily.

No, it is not recommended or advised to attempt to self-adjust your spine.

You will not have to remove your clothing during your visit to our Chiropractor.

Yes, we do treat children. Some children see us for neck or back pain from activities. We also adjust children to keep their nervous system strong. This can help the child’s immune system to fight off allergies and also conditions like ear infections.

Chiropractic education requires at least 4 years of professional study and includes a Four year undergraduate/college prerequisite in most states.

According to the American Chiropractic Association, 15 chiropractic programs at 18 different locations are accepted by the Council on Chiropractic Education, which is an agency certified by the Department of Education.

Of the 4 years of training to be a doctor of chiropractic, 2 years of basic sciences are required followed by the need for a successful completion of National Boards, Part 1.