Frequently Asked Questions in Owatonna

Find the answers below to the most frequently asked questions about Gonstead chiropractors in Owatonna. Having the answers to these common questions can help you choose the best chiropractor Owatonna chiropractor for you. If you don’t see the answer below to a question you have, call your team at (507) 413-0962!

How Does Chiropractic Care Help?

Chiropractic care is a natural, holistic, and safe approach to helping the body heal itself from a variety of health problems, the most common of which being musculoskeletal pain syndromes. Chiropractic care accomplishes this through alleviation of irritation to the nerve tissue in and around the spinal cord. Spinal nerves carry signals which are the means for information exchange between the brain and body. This information includes how the body is functioning and instructions from the brain. When the signal becomes distorted from irritation to the nerve tissue, then communication breaks down between the brain and body. With time, this breakdown results in a variety of symptoms and conditions. Chiropractic is principally concerned with restoring communication between the brain and body by adjusting the anatomical structures of the spinal column so that nerve irritation is reduced, and a normal information exchange takes place allowing the body to heal from symptoms and conditions.

I Didn’t Hear A Sound. Does That Mean The Adjustment Didn’t Work?

The sound that typically accompanies a chiropractic adjustment is called a cavitation. It is believed that this sound is a result of gas entering the joint space. Cavitation often accompanies adjustments made with the hands. It very rarely occurs when adjusting with an instrument. Given that many patients receive tremendous benefit from instrument-only adjustment techniques, it is inappropriate to conclude that a good adjustment requires, or should always be accompanied by, a cavitation. It is essential that a post-adjustment examination is performed with the same tests used during the pre-adjustment examination so that it can be determined if the adjustment produced a change. No chiropractic technique uses cavitation as a basis for discerning if an adjustment was effective. The Gonstead Method used in our office combines instrumentation, static palpation, and motion palpation to determine when a sufficient correction has been achieved.

Does Insurance Cover Chiropractic Visits?

Dr. Burnham is a non-participating insurance provider, which means he will provide the necessary insurance claim information for you to submit to your carrier. Your insurance company may then reimburse you for services per your policy. We request that 100% of the first visit be paid at the time of service. On other visits, payment may be made at the end of the week if a credit guarantee form is signed.

How Safe Is Chiropractic?

The proverbial saying is that “money talks”. Chiropractors continue to enjoy some of the lowest costs for professional malpractice insurance amongst licensed healthcare professionals¹. Chiropractic is inherently safe. It adds nothing to the body, and it takes nothing from the body. The safety of chiropractic has been demonstrated for infants, children, adults, and the elderly in peer-reviewed scientific papers^{2,3,4,5,6,7,8}.

1) Bravopolicy. (2020). Malpractice insurance costs for different specialities. https://bravopolicy.com/malpractice-insurance/malpractice-insurance-cost/

2) Carnes, D., Plunkett, A., Ellwood, J., & Miles, C. (2018). Manual therapy for unsettled, distressed and excessively crying infants: a systematic review and meta-analyses. BMJ Open, 8(1), doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019040.

3) Driehuis, F., Hoogeboom, T., J., Nijhuis-van der Sanden, M., de Bie, R., & Staal, J,. B. (2019). Spinal manual therapy in infants, children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis on treatment indication, technique and outcomes. PLoS One, 14(6), doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218940.

4) Miller, J., E., et al. (2019). Maternal Report of Outcomes of Chiropractic Care for Infants. J Manipulative Physio Ther., 42(3), doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2018.10.005.

5) Alcantara, J., Ohm, J., & Kunz, D. (2009). The safety and effectiveness of pediatric chiropractic: a survey of chiropractors and parents in a practice-based research network. Explore (NY), 5(5), doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2009.06.002.

6) Gouveia, L., O., Castanho, P., & Ferreira, J., J. (2009). Safety of chiropractic interventions: a systematic review. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 34(11), doi: 10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181a16d63.

7) de Luca., K., et al. (2017). The Effectiveness and Safety of Manual Therapy on Pain and Disability in Older Persons With Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review. J Manipulative Physio Ther., 40(7), doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2017.06.008.

8) Rubinstein, S., M., et al. (2019). Benefits and harms of spinal manipulative therapy for the treatment of chronic low back pain: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ, 364:l689, doi: 10.1136/bmj.l689.

Is Chiropractic Care Safe While I’m Pregnant?

Chiropractic care is safe for women who are pregnant. There are two main safety considerations when working with patients going through pregnancy. First, the increased production of the hormone relaxin allows the joints to release easier, so less force is required to adjust. Second, the increased size of the abdomen can make it uncomfortable to lay on a table, but this can easily be accommodated for with specially designed pillows that cradle and support the abdomen while getting adjusted. We have several pregnant patients who love how comfortable our adjusting is and how much better they feel afterwards!

Can I Become Addicted To Chiropractic Adjustments?

Addiction is defined as the presence of withdrawal symptoms when a certain behavior is stopped. Chiropractic care does not fit this definition; however, you do run the risk of falling in love with getting adjusted. Patients really like how good they feel when they get adjusted!

Is Chiropractic Safe For Children?

Several of the papers that were referenced above demonstrate the safety of chiropractic care for infants and children. The forcefulness of an adjustment is scaled down substantially when adjusting smaller people. The pressure that is used to adjust an infant is no more than what you can comfortably tolerate on your eyeball. Adjusting children can be challenging due to their inquisitive nature and difficulty with remaining relaxed, so we like to use instruments to adjust children whenever needed. The instrument we use, called the Integrator, is very gentle and can be reduced in force to accommodate even the most sensitive patients.

How Much Schooling Does A Chiropractor Have?

Chiropractors go through a rigorous four-year doctoral degree program with hands-on clinical training for at least one year. Students must demonstrate competency while delivering hundreds of adjustments to graduate. Additionally, they must pass a series of licensing exams to become board-certified to practice. Chiropractors are considered physicians according to Federal standards (20 CFR 702.404). Minnesota law equates chiropractors with licensed doctors and physicians in the chiropractic practice act (Rule 148.08).

Can I See A Chiropractor If I’ve Had Back Surgery?

Many patients with previous back surgeries enjoy benefit from our chiropractic care. The approach we use is the Gonstead Method. This approach allows us to be very precise with how we go about correcting the spine. Fused areas of the spine cannot be adjusted, but areas above and below the fusion are subject to excessive wear and tear and can benefit greatly from specific chiropractic adjustments.

How Long Will It Take To Work?

Individual results will vary because everyone’s case is unique. There are many factors that play into your results, including, but not limited to, your age, weight, activity level, diet, stress level, time spent driving, and occupation. Still, most patients experience significant changes to their symptoms within six to twelve visits. We strive to meet patients where they are at so that everyone is on the same page and striving towards the same clinical goal, whether that involves short-term pain relief, or a long-term corrective plan. Our philosophy is to empower you with information to make the decision that is best for your health while we support you in achieving your goals.