Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chiropractic?
For a good overview of what chiropractic is, and how it helps many kinds of health problems, please go to the link of the largest chiropractic physician organization in our country, the American Chiropractic Association. There you will find information on the following topics if you click on the links on the left side of the page:
- What is Chiropractic?
- Chiropractic Research
- Back Pain Facts and Statistics
- Chiropractic Education
- History of Chiropractic Care
- Health and Wellness Library
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Health and Wellness Links
Why should I consider making an appointment with you?
Every chiropractic physician has developed her or his own approach based on their education, interests, and abilities. I consider some of my strong points to include:
- 25 years of clinical experience;
- extensive training in holistic health while attending chiropractic, naturopathic, and massage schools, in addition to taking numerous seminars in specialized techniques
- an eclectic and holistic approach to healing: if one technique or modality is not working or is not agreeable to the patient, I have numerous other options available that I can utilize.
- I take great pleasure in listening to and learning from patients. I consistently find that I can learn a great deal about what I need to do by paying close attention to what the patient is telling me.
- a deep belief that the healing process is greatly enhanced by cheerful and cooperative teamwork between doctor and patient. Such cooperation allows the healing process to progress more effectively, makes your life more productive and pleasurable, and makes my work easier and more enjoyable.
- knowing the value of spending at least one-half hour with every patient for their scheduled appointment time. With more time at our disposal, I can listen better and have enough time to accomplish what needs to be done for you.
- I do not believe that over-utilization and unnecessary extension of the number of office visits is the key to maintaining good health. Rather, my strong belief is that my job is to teach you how to stay out of my office as much as possible in the future. I do believe ongoing maintenance care is warranted when a person has a true chronic condition that will benefit from regular visits to my office — but that is a marked minority in my experience.
What happens if your course of therapy is not helping me?
A rule that I strongly adhere to is that, if a patient shows no sign of improvement in three to four weeks, it is my sacred responsibility to refer her or him to the most appropriate type of health practitioner I can think of. When indicated I willingly refer to other practitioners even when my course of therapy is helping, but not helping as much as I think is warranted at the time.
What is your opinion about the relationship between “mainstream” (allopathic) and “alternative” (holistic; complementary) health practices?
This nomenclature (mainstream vs. alternative) is becoming more and more blurred with every passing year. The ideal that is now accepted by many professionals and non-professionals is what is called “integrative medicine,” where the best practices from both sides of the fence are effectively utilized. Personally speaking, my life has been greatly benefitted by both sides of modern medicine, and that is the kind of care I openly advocate concerning my patients.
Please describe when you recommend the diagnostic use of X-rays and MRIs.
I do not normally recommend the use of these radiologic imaging techniques in the initial visit. Exceptions to this rule might include your involvement in a traumatic incident like an automobile accident or a severe fall. The other scenario when I might recommend imaging is when the person does not respond normally to a course of therapy that I think should be producing positive benefit over an appropriate period of time. Also, I might recommend imaging (or referral) when a condition being presented has no identifiable or treatable cause that is apparent to me.
Why have you remained in the same profession for 25 years?
I consider myself extremely fortunate to have found employment in a profession in the healing arts that is dedicated to improving the lives of others by using natural methods. I truly treasure my relationship with so many of my patients, and I often feel that they are as instrumental in keeping me healthy and happy as I hope to be for them. I have found the chiropractic profession to be an opportunity to deal with people in a one-to-one manner in a quiet and focused environment dedicated to their improved health. Holistic health and its involvement with the miraculous working of the human body is both intellectually challenging and spiritually humbling.
What is your motto?
A motto (from the Italian for “pledge”) is a phrase meant to formally describe the general motivation or intention of a social group, organization, or individual. My motto is on the wall overlooking the desk in my office, and it is a quote from one of Rumi’s poems:
“Let the beauty you love be what you do.”