What is a Chiropractor?
A Doctor of Chiropractic is an expert in the field of treatment of structural or
spinal injuries. After completing their undergraduate education, today's Doctors of
Chiropractic receive an additional four years of post-graduate college education. Before
starting practice they pass a rigorous National Board Education and meet stringent
licensing requirements. To keep up with the latest research, doctors attend seminars,
scientific symposia, and read professional journals.
What's it like going to a Chiropractor?
First, an information sheet is filled out. (As done in every other doctors office)
Second, the doctor and you have a consultation in which she runs a Surface
E.M.G. on you and talks to you about your problem. Third, x-rays are
taken to determine an exact diagnosis. Fourth, the doctor will go over the x-rays with
you. This is called a "Report of Findings". Finally, the doctor will give you
an adjustment and give you physical therapy, if needed.
Can children benefit from chiropractic care?
Yes, and actually children tend to respond faster to chiropractic than adults. Spinal trauma may occur at birth, this can set the stage for serious spinal problems later in life if left uncorrected. The average 1 year old falls 150-200 times per day when learning to walk. This plus many other childhood activities can result in vertebral subluxations. Regular chiropractic check-ups can detect and correct such misalignments before they become major health problems. Our Doctors regularly attends conferences/seminars on pediatric chiropractic care to add to his family practice. Many parents report that their children look forward to going to their chiropractor for adjustments, and note that their children seem much healthier than other children.
Am I too old for chiropractic care?
Absolutely not. Our
patients range from newborns to 90 years of age. It is never too late to enjoy
the benefits of natural chiropractic care. Many patients report improvement with
their arthritic conditions and other chronic health problems that were
previously not helped with drugs or surgery. Chiropractic's safe, gentle
techniques can be modified to suit anyone's age to ensure their chiropractic
visit is both comfortable and enjoyable.
What is Texas Workers Compensation?
Workers' Disability Compensation is an employee benefit which was established for
you by the Texas Legislature. Compensation is provided for disability , death or medical
care resulting from accidental injury or disease that is related to employment, without
regard to who may be at fault. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO PROVE THAT YOU ARE NOT AT FAULT.
All that you are required to do is to establish that your injury was, in some way, caused
by your employment. When that is established, you are entitled to full benefits. ALL WORK
RELATED INJURIES MUST BE REPORTED TO YOUR EMPLOYER WITHIN 30 DAYS OF YOU KNOWLEDGE OF ITS
OCCURRENCE. Promptly notify your supervisor or employer and have them fill out the
Authorization of Treatment form. After that, go see the Chiropractor of you choice so
he/she can determine the appropriate treatment for you. You ,the employee, are entitled to
all necessary treatment of the work-related injury.
If you have any questions or if your claim is not being handled properly or promptly in
accordance with the laws, please contact our clinic for assistance.
If I get hurt on the job, can I go to any doctor?
Texas law gives you the right to select a Doctor of Chiropractic of your choice.
You DO NOT have to go to your employers doctor. (Unless your employer is self-insured)
If I think or know I'm pregnant, can I get treated?
Of course. Pregnancy can put a woman's body through a lot of changes and stresses.
As your hormones change, the bones soften, the pelvis region expands, and muscles and
ligaments become lax. As weight increases, the pressure and stress on muscles increases.
The common result of this is subluxations, which causes nerve pressure and then pain.
Headaches and mid-back pain is the most common complaint. Chiropractic care is very
effective in relieving the nerve pressure that causes these pains. When you come in for an
appointment your not treated like a regular patient. Being pregnant, Dr. Dunagan can help
your discomfort by performing certain adjustments that will do no harm to you or your
baby. Also, certain normal procedures will not be done. Such as, x-rays, ultrasound, and
certain kind of therapies. As you get Chiropractic Care through out your pregnancy,
overall pain will be less and the delivery cycle will go as smoothly as possible.
Pregnancy is a natural occurrence and the natural health care provided by Chiropractic is
a wise decision.
If you start, do you have to go for the rest of your life?
How long you decide to benefit from
chiropractic care is always up to you. Since many spinal problems get started from
traumatic births, accidents, or other long-standing problems, permanent correction can be
difficult. Some patients find a program of supportive care (like regularly brushing
your teeth) to be helpful. Decide for yourself whether you want Initial Intensive
Care for temporary relief, Rehabilitative Care to stabilize and strengthen the spine, or
Wellness Care for non-symptomatic elective care.
Is Chiropractic safe?
Critics mislead by suggesting that
adjustments to the neck can subject patients to unnatural stress or compromise blood
supply to the brain. But if the spine were that fragile, people would fear bending
over to tie their shoe laces or looking up to enjoy the evening sunset! Thousands
will die this year from anesthesia or needless back surgeries. Thousands more will
perish from common aspirin or destroy their kidneys from so-called "safe" pain
medicines. Adverse reactions to prescription medication are the fourth leading cause
of death in the United States. Meanwhile, the rare complications from chiropractic
care can be counted on one hand!
Does Chiropractic hurt?
Under normal circumstances, adjustments don't hurt. The patient may
experience a minor amount of discomfort during the adjustment which lasts
only seconds.
Can A Person Who Had Back Surgery See A Chiropractor?
Yes. It’s an unfortunate fact that up to half of those who had spinal
surgery discover a return of their original symptoms months or years later. They
then face the prospect of additional surgery. This too common occurrence is
known as “Failed Back Surgery Syndrome.” Chiropractic may help prevent
repeated operations.
Can A Chiropractor Prevent Back Surgery?
In a majority of cases the answer is a resounding “YES".
Can A Person With A Broken Back Or Neck See A Chiropractor?
After the break heals, yes. In fact, a broken bone forms a callus or bone
scar when it heals that is stronger than the rest of the bone. This should
dispel any concerns about the safety of an adjustment. People who have had
broken bones need chiropractic checkups because accidents usually cause spinal
subluxations.
Do Chiropractors Believe In Medicine And Surgery?
Certainly. There are verified instances of blind people recovering
eyesight after a fall, of individuals able to walk again after their wheelchair
was thrown and of amnesiacs who remember their past after receiving a trauma -
these are examples of “accidental adjustments.” A visit to the chiropractor
is a lot safer.
Can I adjust myself?
Unfortunately No!
Chiropractic adjustments consist of a specific force, applied to a specific
vertebrae (spinal bone) in a specific direction to help restore spinal
alignment. It is impossible to achieve this when done by yourself. It may be
possible to bend or twist in certain directions and elicit a popping sound, this
non-specific movement never restores alignment properly, and can actually make
an unstable area of the spine even more unstable. Please trust your health and
your spine to the care of a licensed chiropractor. Even Dr. Dunagan does not
attempt to adjust herself. He enjoys the benefits of regular adjustments by
another chiropractor.
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