Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know when I should go see a chiropractor?
Chiropractors take care of numerous conditions. Some of the more common conditions are: Headache, Migraine, Neck pain, Numbness or Tingling in Arms and Fingers, Mid back pain, Low back pain, Sciatica, Leg pain, Numbness or Tingling into legs or feet, Disc herniations and even Carpal tunnel syndrome.
If you have never had your spine evaluated by a chiropractor, it’s time. Chiropractors are spine specialists like Dentists are teeth specialists. And just like Dentists help prevent tooth decay, chiropractors help prevent spinal decay.
Unfortunately, many people wait until they have severe, constant raging pain before they finally decide to seek out a good, qualified chiropractor. It is important to remember that symptoms are often the last stage of a disease process. By the time you experience pain, achiness, numbness, tingling or burning it’s possible that years of body damage has already gone by.
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Does my insurance cover chiropractic care?
Most insurance companies cover Chiropractic care. A simple phone call to your insurance company will let you know your chiropractic benefits.
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If you can help me, for how long will I need treatment?
How long it will take to get better will all be explained to you after your doctor has had a chance to evaluate your examination findings. Obviously, patients who are more seriously injured require more care for a longer period of time, than those who aren’t hurt quite as badly.
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How does a chiropractor diagnose my condition?
Chiropractors, like medical doctors go through many examination processes to determine your condition.
It is customary that doctors first perform a consultation. It is during this time that your doctor will ask you probing questions to better understand your condition. An in-depth chiropractic, orthopedic and neurological examination of the nerves and muscles is next.
To further aid your diagnosis, it is common that x-rays are taken following your examination. It is possible that some additional testing will also be required. If additional diagnostic tests are necessary, your doctor will let you know.
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If you can't help me, what happens next?
If your chiropractor determines your condition requires medical attention or if additional medical treatment is needed along with chiropractic care, your chiropractor will refer you to another specialist.
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When will I start feeling better?
That all depends on you. Some patients experience almost instant relief while others start feeling significant improvement within the first four weeks of care. If you listen to your doctor’s instructions and keep all of your appointments, it’s likely that you’ll notice some big improvements sooner rather than later.
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What kind of training and education does a chiropractor have?
Becoming a chiropractor requires a minimum of eight years of highly specialized college training.
Today’s Doctor of Chiropractic must complete 4,485 hours of classroom instruction and four rigid chiropractic board examinations before earning a license. In most states, continuing educational seminars must be completed for annual license renewal. Chiropractic care has gained recognition as a comprehensive, scientifically sound force among the healing arts. That is why most insurance companies now recognize and cover chiropractic’s drugless methods of treatment.
Look at these typical basic educational requirements for medical school graduates as compared to those for Doctors of Chiropractic.
Medical Class Hours
(minimum) |
Subject |
Chiropractic Class Hours
(minimum) |
508 |
Anatomy |
520 |
326 |
Physiology |
420 |
335 |
Pathology |
271 |
325 |
Chemistry |
300 |
130 |
Bacteriology |
114 |
374 |
Diagnosis |
370 |
112 |
Neurology |
320 |
148 |
X-ray |
217 |
144 |
Psychiatry |
65 |
198 |
Obstetrics and Gynecology |
65 |
156 |
Orthopedics |
65 |
2,756 |
Total Hours |
2,887 |
Other required subjects include:
pharmacology, immunology, general surgery, and other similar basic subjects related to their specialty. |
|
Other required subjects include:
adjusting, manipulation, kinesiology, and other similar basic subjects related to their specialty. |
4,248 |
Grand Total Class Hours including other basic subjects |
4,485 |
The above class hours were compiled following a review of the curriculum catalogues of 22 medical schools and 11 chiropractic colleges, and updated from the National Health Federation bulletin and other publications' statistics.
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Can you treat me if I have Osteoporosis or Osteopenia?
Yes. When developing a care plan, your Chiropractor considers the unique circumstances of each patient. There are many ways to provide treatment. The method selected will be suited to your age, size and condition.
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Can I be treated if I'm pregnant?
Yes. Pregnant mothers find that chiropractic adjustments help with their pregnancy and research has even found that treatment during pregnancy allows for an easier delivery for mom as well as for baby.
Pregnancy causes tremendous biomechanical changes in the pelvic and spinal ligaments, muscles, joints and other supportive tissues. Chiropractic care during pregnancy allows moms to keep their spinal muscular strong, balanced and pain-free.
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Can I be treated if I'm already under my M.D.'s care?
Absolutely. Many of our patients are referred to us from their M.D.’s. In addition, many M.D.’s are our patients.
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Do chiropractors treat children?
Yes. Chiropractic techniques are modified for a child's spine.
Unfortunately, many childhood complaints are often brushed aside. These complaints are often related to the beginnings of pinched nerve syndromes in your child’s spine. If untreated, these pinched nerves, which could have been prevented at an early age, can emerge as health problems later in adolescence or adulthood.
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What's the noise I hear when I receive a treatment?
The noise created during a Chiropractic adjustment is caused by gasses being released from the joint capsule. When a specific force or thrust, is applied to a joint, a pressure change occurs within the joint capsule and gas is released.
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Why should I come in for regular checkups if I'm feeling fine?
You probably don't see your primary care physician unless you aren't feeling well or have been injured. However, you are likely visit your dentist regularly and, if you are a woman, visit your gynecologist regularly. Why?
Because health problems in these areas usually have no associated symptoms or discomfort until they reach a more advanced stage. The same goes for seeing your chiropractor.
In the beginning stages, pinched nerves frequently exhibit no symptoms. It is often only after the irritated nerve has caused additional stress on the body or nervous system that you begin to feel discomfort. At this stage the condition requires more lengthy treatment versus if it had been caught early on.
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Slovin Family Chiropractic Center
205 Main Avenue, Norwalk CT, 06851
Phone: 203-840-0000
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