Here are answers to some common questions that people have about chiropractic care. If you have any questions that are not covered here or would like to schedule an appointment, please call 303.494.2800. What is Chiropractic? Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system, nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of arms or legs and headaches. Chiropractors practice a drug free, hands on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. What is an adjustment? The purpose of an adjustment is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into a joint that has become hypomobile, a restriction in the movement, as a result of tissue injury (subluxation). Tissue injury can simply be due to improper lifting, or repetitive stresses such as sitting in an awkward position with poor spinal posture for an extended period. Tissues undergo physical and chemical changes that can cause inflammation, pain and diminished function for the sufferer. Adjustments restore mobility to the affected joints and tissues. This alleviates pain and muscle tightness and promotes healing of the tissues. What is the cracking sound? The sound is coming from synovial fluid that is found in every joint. The fluid contains dissolved gases. When a patient is adjusted the joints are slightly separated. This causes a release of pressure built up in the joint on the fluid and gases and creates a "pop". Not all patients hear the "pop" when they are adjusted. Adjustments can be proper and effective, even if you don't hear the "pop". Are adjustments painful? Most chiropractic adjustments are not painful. In most cases they actually feel great and help relieve pain. In some cases inflamed tissue may react to the adjustment and cause some discomfort. In that case application of ice may help decrease the soreness. Once you are adjusted, do you have to keep getting adjusted? Not necessarily, this is only true is you want to use the benefits of chiropractic as a lifestyle instead of using it as a get out of pain service. Just as people visit the dentist and other health care providers for regular check-ups, regular spinal checks by your chiropractor are important to catch any joint restrictions before they become problematic. How long is it the treatment going to take? Treatment plans at our office are very individual. The doctors take a history, perform an examination and may take x-rays. After all the information is analyzed the doctor makes his/her diagnosis and a treatment plan is put together to best serve the patient's condition. What are the methods of payment? There are a variety of convenient payment options which include cash/check, VISA/Mastercard and care credit. Helping Hands Chiropractic is proud to be able to provide our clients with the latest therapeutic techniques and equipment. Spinal problems, like cavities, begin years before pain begins. We offer FREE spinal screenings for children age 14 and under. Refer new patients and get movie tickets for two!