Frequently Asked Questions in Woodbury MN

Sciatica is a symptom of the sciatic nerve being pinched. The number one cause of sciatica comes from a disc bulge or herniation in the low back. The second cause of sciatica is a tight muscle called the piriformis muscle in the buttocks. Chiropractors will treat both the low back and the tight muscles as well as give you tips on how to strengthen your core to help take pressure off of the low back.

Chiropractors can treat all kinds of conditions from neck and back pains, headaches. What many people don't know is that chiropractors can treat extremities as well. For example, ankles, knees, hips, elbows, shoulders and wrists. Those are the more obvious pains that chiropractors can treat. However, the autonomic nervous system that innervates the organs of your body could also help with a number of other ailments.

A chiropractic adjustment can be uncomfortable. However, it should just be a quick discomfort followed by relief. Chiropractors recommend icing and drinking lots of water after the first couple of visits. The muscles, ligaments and tendons that are attached to the spine and joints being manipulated are going to get stretched and pulled in different ways that may cause some soreness after the visit. This is the type of soreness as if you haven't worked out in a while.

Chiropractic adjustments are safe when performed by a licensed chiropractor. The chiropractor takes into consideration many different exams and takes a thorough history to make sure to rule out any red flags. A chiropractor can also order more advanced imaging such as x-rays, MRI's, MRA's, CT scans, ultrasounds and much more.

The sound that you hear is actually air bubbles when you get adjusted. NOT your bones cracking. Each joint is surrounded by a synovial sack. The pressure builds up in that joint when it doesn't move. When the chiropractor adjusts a joint it releases that pressure and gas making a popping sound. Also, known as a

cavitation.

No, not all patients get adjusted the same way. People come in with different types of severities and conditions. Chiropractors use different techniques depending on the individual patient and doctor preference and comfort level.

There is no guarantee that a chiropractic treatment will completely remove one's back pain. However, we will take all the improvements the body will give us during the treatment process.

No, you should not attempt to self adjust. There are many other forms of therapy that a chiropractor can teach you to do on your own in between chiropractic visits.

You are not required to remove your clothing during a chiropractic visit. During the first visit a chiropractor may ask you to get into a gown for the exam or while taking x-rays. This ensures that there are no artifacts that show up on the x-ray.

Yes, chiropractic care is safe for people of all ages. Here at Aspire Integrated Health, we see newborns to geriatric patients.

Chiropractors have a minimum of 90 credit hours of undergraduate classes that consist of biology and physiology. Followed by 10 trimesters or four more years of specific chiropractic school and training. The last year consists of hands-on training in internships. Students have to pass four parts of the national boards throughout their schooling to get a chiropractic license.

Great question. Most people find chiropractors because they are usually in some kind of discomfort. However, you can only feel about 6 percent of your nervous system so going off just pain is not the best way to determine if you are out of alignment. The best way is to have a licensed chiropractor take a look at you and even do x-rays if they feel is necessary. We see all kinds of interesting things on x-rays that we would have never known even with a trained eye.

That is a great question. Everyone will heal at a different pace. Some patients might get better right away with the right care, some might get worse before they get better and some just get better gradually. With the proper care most patients start to feel pain relief within the first ten to twelve visits over a few weeks. If not treated it will probably take a lot longer since the underlying cause of the pain is not being addressed.

There are many factors when determining how much a patient's chiropractic care will cost. Each patient's care is completely different. Some patients may need more or less care than others. Some patients may need to do x-rays or therapeutic exercises. Another factor in determining how much chiropractic care will cost is the type of insurance a patient has. We are in network with most insurance companies. However, one plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield for example may have a $10 copay and then another plan may have a high deductible. We are happy to do a complimentary insurance verification before you come in as well.

Absolutely. Chiropractic care is safe during all trimesters of pregnancy. Pregnant moms are especially prone to aches and pains during pregnancy due to a hormone called relaxin hormone. This makes a woman's ligaments looser which creates instability in the joints causing discomfort. Another factor is the significant change in weight and dynamics of the growing stomach.

There can be a number of things causing your child's back pain. It would be best to have them evaluated by a chiropractor. A chiropractor will be able help pinpoint the cause of the child's pains. If chiropractic care is appropriate then a chiropractor can safely treat the child. Kids respond very well to chiropractic care. They have much less scar tissue and adhesions than adults so the treatment is usually much less invasive and quicker. In the meantime make sure the child is having good posture. Such as a good place to study or use electronics that isn't causing them to hunch. You can also use some ice on the area for 20 minutes at a time in the meantime.

It can depend of many factors. Everyone heals at a different rate. In the beginning if someone is in a lot of discomfort and in really tough shape it may only hold for a few hours. Eventually a healthy individual could hold an adjustment anywhere from a week to six weeks. Things you can do to help it hold longer is to follow the instructions of your chiropractor. Such as any icing, foam rolling or strengthening exercises they may give you. Those will help the adjustment last longer.

You bet. There can be a number of reasons why your hips may be uneven. Some could be the way you were born such as a short leg. Chiropractors will do an exam and possibly x-rays to help determine the cause. Chiropractors focus on loosening up the tight muscles and strengthening up the weak muscles. That way once they get the hips aligned the hips will hold in place better.

There are a number of different techniques chiropractors can use when they adjust your pelvis. Some involve the traditional techniques where they lay you on your side and you hear some pops and clicks. The pops and clicks you hear are actually just air bubbles releasing in the joint. Others don't require any twisting and popping. We may use a table to make the adjustment or certain tools that put an impulse into the joint. Depending on the severity and the comfort of the patient we determine which technique would be best.