What type of education and training do Chiropractors have?
Chiropractors are educated as primary contact health care practitioners, with an emphasis on musculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment. Educational requirements for doctors of Chiropractic are among the most stringent of any of the health care professions. The typical applicant at a Chiropractic college has already acquired nearly four years of pre-medical undergraduate college education, including courses in biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, physics, psychology and related lab work. Once accepted into an accredited Chiropractic college, the requirements become even more demanding — four to five academic years of professional study are the standard. Because of the hands-on nature of Chiropractic, and the intricate adjusting techniques, a significant portion of time is spent in clinical training.
In total, the Chiropractic curriculum includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical experience. The course of study is approved by an accrediting agency that is fully recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Do insurance plans cover Chiropractic?
One common misconception is that Chiropractic care is not covered by insurance. In fact, most insurance providers do cover Chiropractic care. It is best to contact your insurance to find out what your Chiropractic coverage is. Medicare, along with workers’ compensation and personal injury cases, are accepted. At Holzmacher Chiropractic, Dr. Rodney Holzmacher offers flexible payment options and plans for those few who are not covered by their insurance.
Does Chiropractic treatment require a referral from an MD?
No, a patient does not need referral by an MD before visiting a Doctor of Chiropractic. Chiropractors are first contact physicians, and are so defined in federal and state regulations. Following a consultation and examination, the Doctor of Chiropractic will arrive at a diagnosis under Chiropractic care, or refer the patient to the appropriate health care provider. There may be some health insurance plans that require a referral from the patient’s primary care provider, but these are very few and far between.
Is Chiropractic treatment safe?
Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal complaints. Although Chiropractic has an excellent safety record, no health treatment is completely free of potential adverse effects. The risks associated with Chiropractic, however, are extremely small. The very minimal amount of malpractice insurance that Chiropractors must pay reflects this fact. Many patients feel immediate relief following Chiropractic treatment, but some may experience mild soreness or aching, just as they do after some forms of exercise. Current literature shows that minor discomfort or soreness following spinal manipulation typically fades within 24 hours.
It is important for patients to understand the risks associated with some of the most common treatments for musculoskeletal pain -- prescription and over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) -- as these treatments may carry risks significantly greater than those of Chiropractic manipulation. According to a study from the American Journal of Gastroenterology, approximately one-third of all hospitalizations and deaths related to gastrointestinal bleeding can be attributed to the use of aspirin or NSAID painkillers like ibuprofen.
Is Chiropractic treatment appropriate for children?
Yes, children can benefit from Chiropractic care. Children are very physically active and experience many types of falls and blows from activities of daily living as well as from participating in sports. Injuries such as these may cause many symptoms including back and neck pain, stiffness, soreness or discomfort. Children with chronic ear infections have also been shown to greatly benefit. Dr. Rodney Holzmacher believes that having children treated is extremely important. The sooner certain issues are taken care of, the fewer issues that child will have when they are grown. Chiropractic care is always adapted to the individual patient. It is a highly skilled treatment, and in the case of children, very gentle. This same mindset also applies to the elderly and frail.
Is Chiropractic treatment ongoing?
The hands-on nature of the Chiropractic treatment is essentially what requires patients to visit the Chiropractor a number of times. To be treated by a Chiropractor, a patient needs to be in his or her office. In contrast, a course of treatment from MDs often involves a pre-established plan that is conducted at home (i.e. taking a course of antibiotics once or three times a day for a couple of weeks). A Chiropractor may provide acute, chronic, and/or preventive care, thus making a certain number of visits sometimes necessary. Dr. Rodney Holzmacher’s goal is to back his patients off of care as soon as possible. It is important to keep in mind that Dr. Holzmacher’s main goal is to fix the problem, not just cover up symptoms.
Why is there a popping sound when a joint is adjusted?
Adjustment of a joint may result in release of a gas bubble between the joints that makes a popping sound – it’s exactly the same as when you “crack” your knuckles. The noise is caused by the change of pressure within the joint that results in gas bubbles being released. There is no pain involved with this. It is not the bones grinding or breaking.