FAQ

Lavaley Chiropractic

The Gonstead Difference

A subluxation occurs when a joint becomes misaligned, fixated and causes dysfunction of the nervous system. This nervous system interference may remain hidden for a long time or cause noticeable symptoms in the areas of the body supplied by that nerve. Chiropractors specialize in the detection and removal of subluxations by adjusting the spine and allowing the joints to heal. Dr. Jason is trained in the art of finding both symptomatic and asymptomatic subluxations.

No, we only take x-rays if we feel you need care. This is why we take them…

- We do not take films on pregnant women or children. Although the effect of x-rays on adults is very, very small, it is exaggerated by the rapid growth rates of children.

- They are like a blueprint of your body, they allow us to see exactly how you are put together, therefore allowing the chiropractor to know exactly how you are misaligned and allowing the chiropractor to know the best way to fix the problem. You wouldn’t send a contractor to build YOUR house without a blueprint, would you?

- The use of an x-ray, although more expensive on the first visit, will save you money in the long run, because we can get you better in less time because we take out the “trial-and-error” period of time.

Yes, chiropractic is extremely safe. No significant risk of complications from receiving a Gonstead method chiropractic adjustment is known to exist… none. Considering that the Gonstead Method has been widely used for over 50 years, this fact is quite impressive.

In fact, a New Zealand government study found that adjustments are “remarkably safe.” It is the result of biologically sound, specific adjustments without the use of drugs or surgeries that has given Chiropractic care and excellent safety record. According to the July 15, 2003 issue of Spine:

- Chiropractic care is safer than back surgery, muscle relaxers and aspirin.

- For the treatment of chronic spinal pain, chiropractic is superior to acupuncture and medication.

Frequently Asked Questions

As a Gonstead Chiropractor, Dr. Jason carefully analyzes your spine to determine what segments need to be ADJUSTED and which should be left alone. With Chiropractic care, more is not better. “Cracking” or “manipulating” your entire spine is not specific in the least and does not provide the lasting results that carefully ADJUSTING only specific segments does. The Goal is to correct the exact cause of the problem and let your body do the rest of the healing.

Question 6: Are you going to “crack” my whole back?

Question 2: Is chiropractic safe?

Question 5: Do I have to get x-rays?

Question 3: What is a subluxation?

Often times you can have a subluxation and not even know it. They can be present before you have obvious symptoms, like the progression of tooth decay. The best thing for you and your family is to be checked in our office with a thorough examination for the presence and severity of subluxations. After being adjusted you may find you are able to listen to your body and know when you are in need of future care.

Question 4: How do I know if I have a subluxation?

To contact us:

Ph: (402) 461-1171

Fax: (402) 461-1171

E-mail: lavaleychiro@hotmail.com

South Burlington Plaza • 835 S Burlington Ave • Suite 106 • Hastings, NE 68901

(402) 461-1171 • Email: lavaleychiro@hotmail.com

1. Can chiropractic help me?

2. Is chiropractic safe?

3. What is a subluxation?

4. How do I know if I have a subluxation?

5. Do I have to get x-rays?

6. Are you going to “crack” my whole back?

7. How long until I feel better?

8. How many visits will I need?

9. Can I adjust myself?

10. Does the adjustment hurt?

11. What should I expect after an adjustment?

12. Why do newborns get adjustments?

13. I’ve had back surgery, can you still help me?

14. Do I need a referral from my medical doctor to see a chiropractor?

15. Do chiropractors ever refer to medical doctors?

16. What if I was told that I need neck or back surgery?

17. Do I have a slipped disc?

18. What is it going to cost?

19. Why are we asked to pay at the time of service?

20. Does my insurance cover chiropractic

Yes. We know when to refer you to another appropriate provider. Chiropractors are trained in organ systems diagnosis along with musculo-skeletal diagnosis and refer accordingly.

Question 15: Do chiropractors ever refer to medical doctors?

No, but we are happy to accept referrals as we work well with medical doctors in the community. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find a medical doctor who does not see the benefits of chiropractic care.

Question 14: Do I need a referral from my medical doctor to see a chiropractor?

Yes. Surgery often leads to instability in your spine above or below the area operated on. Your Gonstead Chiropractor will be very specific to your problem areas and will avoid the surgically altered segments.

Question 13: I’ve had back surgery, can you still help me?

The birth process, no matter how natural, can affect an infant’s spine. Some studies suggest that colic, unusual crying, poor appetite, ear infection or erratic sleeping habits can be signs of spinal distress. Newborns also become subluxated in the same physical, emotional or chemical ways an adult does as well. An infant is also examined very carefully to determine if there is a subluxation and, if needed receives a gentle Gonstead adjustment involving very little pressure.

Question 12: Why do newborns get adjustments?

Often times after the first adjustment a patient will feel tired. The release of the adjustment to a fixated and inflamed segment is like releasing a great weight from your shoulders. The body says “ahhh” and wants to rest. This is normal. Some patients feel a little general soreness like they “used muscles they didn’t know they had.” This is because some muscles have been tight or spastic for so long in response to the subluxation that they go unnoticed until they start to relax. Only then do we realize how tense the muscles were.

About 3-5% of people may experience a sensation like their arms or legs tingling as the nerves start to work properly after the adjustment. This is a good thing. If this occurs it typically lasts a couple of hours or less and does not occur again. This is similar to your arm or leg “waking up after it falls asleep.”

Question 11: What should I expect after an adjustment?

Typically, no. If one is in so much pain that simply touching the spine hurts, the doctor will apply ice for 15 or 20 minutes and that will reduce the discomfort for the procedure. An adjustment is felt and heard like cracking one’s knuckles. There could be some stretching sensation felt when the lower back or pelvis is adjusted in the side posture position, and that is normal.

Question 10: Does the adjustment hurt?

No. Turning your body or neck in one direction and/or the other may make your joints “pop”, but that sound is not correcting the problem and certainly is not an adjustment. The pressure and gases released during that “pop” may immediately feel like relief, but only a licensed and trained Chiropractor is able to adjust the actual misaligned vertebra that’s really causing the tension. Even Dr. Jason takes the time to get adjusted.

Question 9: Can I adjust myself?

It is impossible to predict, because each injury is different and each individual’s healing response is different. We give each patient an estimate based on our findings from the initial visit and an average patient’s healing time based on experience. Once we have resolved the complaint, most patients decide to come in for monthly check-ups to insure that the complaint does not come back or at least is more easily resolved.

Question 8: How many visits will I need?

Happily, a lot of our patients have reported immediate relief. Others experience slow progress over a period of days or weeks. There are many factors that play a role in your healing process, including the severity or length of your injury. Other factors include proper rest, nutrition, exercise, keeping your appointments and closely following Dr. Jason’s recommendations. The timing of your appointments are carefully determined based on your need for re-adjustment and time for healing. Please let Dr. Jason know how you are doing from visit to visit, he’ll appreciate your honesty.

Question 7: How long until I feel better?

Chiropractic care will benefit almost everyone in some way, just as dental care will benefit almost everyone in some way. The degree of response may vary due to the length of time the condition has existed, the lifestyle of the patient, and one’s compliance to the care plan.

Question 1: Can chiropractic help me?

Having surgery is no guarantee that your problem will go away and is a risky undertaking. If you are told that you need orthopedic surgery for any reason other than immediate life-saving need or broken bones, it is in your best interest to see Dr. Jason first. If, upon examination, Dr. Jason feels that you would benefit from either chiropractic care, physical therapy, surgery, or a combination of these, he will tell you. The doctor will review any x-ray or MRI findings that you may have from other physicians.

Question 16: What if I was told that I need neck or back surgery?

No. The disc is a cartilage pad between each of your spinal vertebra that aides in your spines connection, flexibility, movement, weight bearing & shock absorbing ability. Motion in your spine produces a pumping action to each disc allowing nutrients to enter and waste to be expelled. Because of spinal subluxations or severe trauma a disc can bulge, swell, tear, herniated, thin, dry out or collapse BUT it can’t actually “slip” out from between the spinal bones it serves. The Gonstead Chiropractor pays special attention to your disc health. Dr. Jason gently corrects the misaligned vertebra and restores it to a proper position in relationship to the disc, allowing the disc to heal.

Question 17: Do I have a slipped disc?

Cost depends on the amount of procedures you require in your visit, but our main goal is to get the most out of the least. Chiropractic is a very inexpensive and effective form of health care as compared to the other options. We do require x-rays on the first visit in order to increase our specificity and the quality of our adjustment to decrease the number of visits you need to recover. We offer a discount to those who pay by cash, check, or credit/debit card and the reason why is because we can decrease our cost. We will supply you with all the information to submit your claim. For specific numbers, please call our office and we can go into detail for you.

Question 18: What is it going to cost?

We ask that our patients pay at the time of service because it allows us to keep our prices lower by lowering the cost of running the office. That savings is forwarded to the patients. Our goal is to keep our service as inexpensive as possible. The cost to benefit ratio of chiropractic is extremely impressive, where else can you go for health care and it be inexpensive enough for you to pay for it with the cash you have in your pocket?

Question 19: Why are we asked to pay at the time of service?

Most insurance plans have some chiropractic coverage, you will have to call your insurance customer service to find out about your policy. A chiropractic visit usually is considered a regular office visit so you have a co-pay. If we submit insurance, you pay your co-pay and the insurance company reimburses the office the difference. If you pay up front and submit your own claim, you pay the office in full and the insurance company reimburses you directly, the only difference is that the insurance company processes the claim faster if you submit it yourself. This allows us to decrease our costs and therefore keeping our prices down. If you have insurance questions please contact us and we can to our best to find you a sufficient answer.

Question 20: Does my insurance cover chiropractic?