COMMON QUESTIONS

Most patients seek out Chiropractic care when they are in pain, and a Chiropractor is quite often not the first healthcare professional that is visited. Chiropractors have a unique training and philosophy that addresses the body and how it functions as a whole, not just one system or part at a time. Chiropractors blend the drugless, non-surgical art of hands-on therapy with the science and technology of modern medicine and physical rehabilitation. It is a branch of health care that concentrates on naturally balancing and optimizing the function of the body in order to promote and maintain health.

Doctors of Chiropractic are licensed professionals providing conservative healthcare in all 50 states and around the world. Treatment is performed using manual techniques, most commonly a Specific Chiropractic Adjustment, to restore optimal function to the joints of the body and remove interference from the nervous system. Chiropractors may also utilize rehabilitative procedures, provide lifestyle modification, and nutritional counseling. The goal of East Avenue Chiropractic is to provide safe, evidence-based Chiropractic care, which promotes a team approach to reaching your health goals. Chiropractors provide a drug and surgery free healthcare service, giving your body the greatest opportunity to heal and thrive.

No. Actually, many people elect to continue their Chiropractic treatment after feeling well. Why? Because periodic elective “maintenance care” makes them feel better. Chiropractic treatment is an integral component to many healthy people’s “health maintenance” plan; similar to diet, exercise and proper sleep. Because we are constantly using our bodies to perform repetitive tasks, perform strenuous labor, or remain seated throughout a day, our body and tissues constantly sustain minor injuries. As these pains and injuries accumulate, our body reaches a breaking point. Your chiropractor has been trained to identify the areas of your spine and extremities that aren’t functioning correctly, and use various manual techniques to restore optimal function and biomechanics.

While the doctors at East Avenue Chiropractic often use x-rays, or other imaging sources such as MRIs or CT Scans to further evaluate our patients, it is not our policy that all patients will require imaging. After a thorough discussion with a new patient regarding his or her condition(s) and an orthopedic evaluation is performed, further studies will be prescribed as is necessary.

When people “crack” their own neck, often times they do feel a sense of relief. However, when performing this on yourself, and without training, you are often making it worse. Areas of the neck that are moving too much often create areas of muscle spasm to prevent extra movement. When you “crack” your own neck, you are most often moving these areas and getting instant relief, but ultimately increasing the muscle spasm in the area and decreasing the stability. This can also lead to an increased rate of degeneration of the area, or Arthritis. The doctors at East Avenue Chiropractic are highly trained to identify the areas of the spine that are working incorrectly and correct them using specific Chiropractic adjustments. With a course of care and a treatment plan customized for you specific to your condition, you will recover quickly and not feel the need to “crack” your neck on your own.

Chiropractic care is very safe after almost any type of back surgery. At East Avenue Chiropractic, we hope that you will explore a conservative treatment such as Chiropractic care before undergoing invasive surgery, but we are happy to be able to assist you after surgery as well. Chiropractors are trained to identify and avoid surgical sites, while performing a safe and effective treatment to get you feeling better.

There are no known contraindications to Chiropractic care throughout pregnancy. All chiropractors are trained to work with women who are pregnant. Investing in the fertility and wellness of women who are pregnant or trying to conceive is a routine care for most chiropractors. At East Avenue Chiropractic, Dr. Rittenberg has had specialized training in caring for pregnant women, and has obtained a certification in the Webster Technique. The Webster Technique is a specific Chiropractic sacral analysis and adjustment that is used to restore optimal movement and biomechanics in the pelvis, and remove any interference to the nerves of the pelvic region. Dr. Rittenberg has a special table and pillows to allow women to lie face down comfortably and without any increased pressure on their abdomen.

These accounts can be used for health expenses such as massage therapy but may require a letter of medical necessity. This can be provided by either your primary care physician or after an exam by Dr. Rittenberg.