Frequently Asked Questions in Loveland CO

A chiropractic adjustment is a precise, controlled force applied to a spinal joint that has become misaligned or isn't moving properly. This gentle maneuver restores proper alignment and motion to the spine, which is critical because proper joint movement ensures accurate sensory input to the brain and optimal nerve output from the brain to the body. By correcting these misalignments, adjustments remove interference in the nervous system, allowing the body to heal naturally, reduce pain, improve function, and optimize overall health. It's a safe, drug-free approach that addresses the root cause of many health problems rather than just masking symptoms.

Yes, chiropractic care is extremely safe when performed by a licensed chiropractor. Research from ChiroSecure analyzing over 1,800 stroke cases found no significant association between chiropractic visits and vertebrobasilar artery stroke, concluding that spinal manipulation is an unlikely cause of stroke. In fact, chiropractic care dramatically reduces risks compared to medical treatment—patients receiving chiropractic care experience 55% less opioid use and 74% lower opioid-related costs. Meanwhile, those starting with physical therapy see opioid use increase by 90% and surgery rates rise by 50%. Chiropractic is one of the safest healthcare treatments available, with far fewer risks than medications or surgery, while delivering superior outcomes for pain relief and function.

Chiropractic care consistently receives the highest patient satisfaction ratings among all healthcare professions, and for good reason. Beyond pain relief—which is outdated thinking—patients experience improved nervous system function, enhanced mobility, better sleep, increased energy, and overall wellness. Chiropractic addresses the root cause of health problems by removing spinal interference that affects how your brain communicates with your body. With improved nervous system control, your body's innate healing capacity is elevated, allowing it to function as designed—self-healing, self-regulating, and self-optimizing. Increasingly, people seek chiropractic care for conditions that traditional medicine has failed to recognize or adequately address, including chronic fatigue, digestive issues, immune dysfunction, toxicity-related problems, and even parasitic infections. By optimizing spinal alignment and nervous system function, chiropractic unleashes your body's natural ability to heal and address complex health challenges that conventional medicine often overlooks or treats ineffectively with drugs.

Like any healthcare intervention, chiropractic care does carry minimal risks, but they are exceptionally rare and far lower than those associated with medications or surgery. A competent chiropractor minimizes these risks by taking time to conduct a thorough patient history, performing a detailed chiropractic examination, and utilizing weight-bearing full spine x-rays to assess spinal structure and identify any contraindications. This comprehensive approach ensures safe, effective care tailored to each patient's specific needs. Minor muscle soreness similar to post-exercise discomfort may occasionally occur but typically resolves within a day. Research from ChiroSecure found no significant association between chiropractic care and stroke risk, while patients receiving chiropractic experience 55% less opioid use compared to those in medical care. The benefits of restoring proper spinal alignment and nervous system function far outweigh the minimal risks involved.

No, chiropractic adjustments are typically not painful beyond perhaps the original complaint. Most patients report immediate relief and describe the experience as comfortable or even satisfying, often accompanied by an audible "pop" or "click" as pressure is released from the joint. Some patients may experience mild soreness similar to post-exercise muscle fatigue afterward, which usually resolves within 24 hours. A skilled chiropractor adjusts their technique based on your individual needs, age, and condition to ensure comfort throughout the process. The moment of the adjustment is far less uncomfortable than living with ongoing pain and nervous system dysfunction. In fact, patients consistently report high satisfaction with chiropractic care precisely because it provides relief without the side effects of medications or the invasiveness of surgery, while restoring the body's natural ability to heal itself.

With 25 years of experience following the Gonstead System of spinal analysis, considered the gold standard of chiropractic techniques, we provide a level of precision and expertise that sets us apart. We specialize in manual adjusting based on detailed chiropractic spinal examinations, biomechanical weight-bearing x-ray analysis, and comprehensive postural assessments to identify and correct the root cause of your health concerns. Our reputation speaks for itself: we're sought out by leading personal injury attorneys both inside and outside Colorado, and we've earned the distinction of being "the chiropractor's chiropractor," trusted by other Doctor of Chiropractic for their own care. We care for patients of all ages and abilities—from newborns and expecting mothers to child athletes, semi-pro and elite athletes, weekend warriors, and active empty-nester couples. Our commitment is to restore your body's innate ability to heal, self-regulate, and self-optimize through expert spinal care that addresses your unique needs.

Initial visits are the most comprehensive, consisting of a detailed consultation, thorough chiropractic examination, and any necessary x-rays, typically lasting 45-60 minutes. Your second visit, known as the report of findings, usually takes 25-35 minutes, where we review your results and create your personalized care plan. Subsequent regular adjustment visits are quick and efficient—typically 10 minutes or less. Once we've completed the initial work and know specifically what to address in your spine, appointments are streamlined for maximum effectiveness. We value your time and energy, so our goal is to keep your visits efficient and precise while delivering the expert care you need to restore optimal nervous system function and health.

Chiropractors undergo extensive education comparable to medical doctors. They must complete a minimum of 3-4 years of undergraduate pre-medical coursework, followed by a rigorous 4-5 year Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) program at an accredited chiropractic college. The curriculum includes comprehensive training in anatomy, physiology, neurology, biomechanics, radiology, diagnosis, spinal analysis, and adjusting techniques, totaling over 4,500 classroom hours, often exceeding the hours required in medical school. Chiropractors receive specialized training in spinal biomechanics and nervous system functions that medical doctors do not receive. After graduation, chiropractors must pass demanding national board examinations and obtain state licensure to practice. Many chiropractors, like our practice, pursue additional post-graduate certification in advanced techniques such as the Gonstead System, ensuring the highest level of expertise in spinal correction and patient care.

Absolutely! Chiropractic care is not only safe during pregnancy but highly beneficial for both mother and baby—in fact, expecting mothers are a big part of our patient base. Pregnancy places unique biomechanical stress on the spine and pelvis as the body changes to accommodate the growing baby. Regular chiropractic adjustments help maintain proper pelvic alignment, which can reduce back pain, improve comfort, and optimize the space available for the baby's development known as optimal fetal positioning. Proper spinal and pelvic alignment also supports easier labor and delivery by ensuring the nervous system functions optimally and the pelvis moves freely. Chiropractors use gentle, specialized techniques that are completely safe for expectant mothers at any stage of pregnancy. Many women report shorter labor times, reduced need for interventions, and faster postpartum recovery when receiving chiropractic care throughout pregnancy. We have extensive experience caring for pregnant women and understand the specific adjustments needed to support this miraculous time in a woman's life.

No, chiropractic care is not addictive in any medical sense—there are no chemical dependencies or withdrawal symptoms involved. However, once patients experience the profound benefits of proper spinal alignment and optimal nervous system function, many choose to continue care because they feel significantly better and want to maintain their health. Think of it like exercise or healthy eating: people continue these practices not because they're addicted, but because they recognize the value in maintaining their wellbeing. Your body thrives when your spine is aligned and your nervous system is functioning without interference, allowing it to self-heal, self-regulate, and self-optimize as designed. Many patients find that regular chiropractic care helps them stay active, pain-free, and functioning at their best, which is why they make it a priority in their wellness routine. Just as you wouldn't wait until your teeth fall out to see a dentist, maintaining spinal health proactively prevents problems rather than waiting for symptoms to develop.

The "crack" or "pop" sound is simply the release of gas bubbles from the joint fluid—not bones cracking. When a restricted joint is adjusted, the quick separation of joint surfaces causes a pressure drop, releasing dissolved gases like nitrogen and carbon dioxide from the synovial fluid, similar to opening a champagne bottle. The sound is just a byproduct and doesn't determine whether the adjustment was successful. What matters is restoring proper joint movement and spinal alignment to remove nervous system interference, allowing your body to function optimally.

No—and why would you even do that? While you may "crack" or "pop" your own joints, this isn't a true adjustment. Self-manipulation moves joints that are already too loose rather than correcting the restricted segments that actually need it. A chiropractor uses precise analysis through examination and x-rays to identify exactly which vertebrae are misaligned, then delivers a specific correction. Self-adjusting can worsen problems by creating instability while leaving restricted areas untreated, and you risk injury without proper training. Just as you wouldn't perform surgery on yourself, chiropractic adjustments require professional expertise for safety and effectiveness.

Many insurance plans do provide coverage for chiropractic care, including major medical plans, Medicare, and auto insurance policies for accident-related injuries. However, coverage varies significantly between plans, and comprehensive benefits are becoming far and few apart. Our office can verify your coverage after your first visit and review any available insurance options at your report of findings. It's important to understand that our care recommendations are based on your specific needs rather than what may be covered or reimbursed by insurance—your health is too important to compromise. Research demonstrates the cost-effectiveness of chiropractic care even when paid out-of-pocket, as it reduces opioid use by 55% and lowers overall healthcare costs by 74%. Insurance often focuses on symptom relief rather than optimal health and wellness care. Many patients choose to pay out-of-pocket for ongoing maintenance care because they recognize the value of preventing problems and maintaining peak nervous system function. Investing in your spinal health is one of the most cost-effective healthcare decisions you can make compared to the long-term costs of medications, surgeries, and chronic health problems.

Absolutely—chiropractic care is the most effective natural approach for back pain. Research shows 96% of patients improve with chiropractic care, while 99.1% of back pain cases in medical offices are labeled "non-specific," meaning doctors don't know the cause and simply prescribe drugs. Chiropractic addresses the root cause by correcting spinal misalignments that create nerve interference and pain. By restoring proper alignment, adjustments allow your body's innate healing mechanisms to work optimally, providing safe, effective relief without the risks of medications or surgery.

Chiropractic doesn't "treat" neck pain or any condition—chiropractors correct spinal subluxations, which are misalignments that interfere with normal nervous system function. When these subluxations are corrected, the body functions more normally and healthily, and symptoms like neck pain often resolve as a natural result. Neck pain is frequently caused by vertebral misalignments that create nerve interference, muscle tension, and restricted movement. By restoring proper cervical spine alignment through specific adjustments, we remove the underlying cause of dysfunction, allowing your body's innate healing ability to work optimally. The goal isn't to chase symptoms but to correct the structural and neurological problems causing them, enabling your body to self-heal, self-regulate, and self-optimize as it was designed to do.

Chiropractic doesn't "treat" headaches—we correct spinal subluxations that interfere with nervous system function. Many headaches stem from cervical spine misalignments causing nerve irritation and muscle tension. However, since headaches can have many root causes, some serious, our detailed examination and evaluation is crucial to rule out underlying conditions. Once we identify spinal subluxations as the source, correcting these misalignments through specific adjustments restores proper nervous system function and often eliminates headaches naturally. Rather than masking symptoms with medication, chiropractic addresses the root cause, enabling your body's innate ability to self-heal.

Chiropractic care and physical therapy take fundamentally different approaches. Physical therapy focuses on rehabilitation through exercises, stretching, and muscle strengthening to address symptoms after injury or surgery. Chiropractic care addresses the root cause by correcting spinal subluxations that interfere with nervous system function, allowing the body to self-heal, self-regulate, and self-optimize. Research shows chiropractic delivers 64% better outcomes than physical therapy manipulation, and patients who see a chiropractor first experience 55% less opioid use and significantly lower surgery rates. Conversely, when physical therapy is the first provider, opioid use increases by 90% and surgery rates rise by 50%. While physical therapy rehabilitates the body after problems occur, chiropractic restores proper spinal alignment and nervous system control to prevent problems and optimize health. Chiropractic care consistently outperforms physical therapy in both patient satisfaction and clinical outcomes.

Absolutely. Chiropractic care addresses the biomechanical and neurological dysfunction underlying sports injuries by correcting spinal subluxations that compromise nervous system function, muscle coordination, and joint mechanics. Early correction of injuries is critical to prevent chronic problems and degenerative breakdown later in life—injuries left uncorrected create compensatory patterns and long-term spinal damage. By restoring proper alignment, chiropractic improves brain-to-body communication, enhances muscle function, accelerates recovery, and prevents future degeneration. We care for athletes of all levels—from child athletes to elite competitors—because optimal nervous system function is fundamental to performance, recovery, and injury resilience.

Yes—postural corrections are some of the earliest changes we see with chiropractic care, along with improved range of motion. Chiropractic doesn't just improve posture cosmetically; it corrects the spinal subluxations causing postural distortions and restores proper spinal alignment and nervous system function. Forward head posture is particularly critical to correct early in life due to its devastating effects on brain function decline and loss of longevity—research shows that forward head posture is directly proportional to decreased lifespan. Every inch your head moves forward from proper alignment adds 10 pounds of abnormal stress on the spine, accelerating degeneration and compromising nervous system communication. By correcting spinal misalignments through specific adjustments, we restore proper posture, reduce spinal stress, and optimize brain-body communication. Good posture isn't just about appearance, it's essential for nervous system’s health, longevity, and your body's ability to self-heal and function optimally.

During a chiropractic adjustment, the chiropractor applies a precise, controlled force to a specific spinal segment that is misaligned or restricted in movement. Using hands-on techniques perfected through years of training, the chiropractor delivers a quick, specific thrust to the vertebra in the exact direction needed to restore proper alignment. You may hear an audible "pop" or "crack" as gas is released from the joint fluid—this is completely normal. The adjustment restores proper joint motion and spinal alignment, which immediately improves sensory input to the brain and optimizes nerve output from the brain to the body. Recent research shows that immobile joints begin to break down and degenerate in as little as 10-14 days, which is why the recommended "dosing" of adjustments—typically 2-3 times per week initially—is crucial for corrective care, much like going to the gym consistently for desired outcomes. Most often, the effects of the adjustment and how the body decides to use the force and correction happen outside of the adjustment itself—your body continues to integrate and respond over the following hours and days. This removes nervous system interference, allowing your body to function as designed—self-healing, self-regulating, and self-optimizing.

Absolutely—chiropractic care is extremely safe and beneficial for children of all ages, including newborns. Children experience spinal stress from birth itself, learning to walk, playground falls, sports activities, and even heavy backpacks. These early spinal insults create subluxations that interfere with proper nervous system development and function. Correcting these subluxations early prevents them from becoming chronic and degenerative later in life. Pediatric adjustments are gentle and specifically modified for a child's developing spine—the pressure used on an infant is no more than you'd use to test the ripeness of a tomato. Research shows children under chiropractic care experience improved immune function, better sleep, enhanced focus, and optimal development. We care for children of all ages in our practice, from newborns to child athletes, because establishing proper spinal alignment early allows their bodies to grow, develop, and function optimally. Starting chiropractic care young is one of the best investments parents can make in their child's lifelong health.

Care plans are tailored to your individual condition, age, and goals. Recent research shows that immobile joints begin to break down and degenerate in as little as 10-14 days, which is why proper "dosing" of adjustments is critical—typically 2-3 times per week initially during corrective care, like consistent gym workouts for desired results. The number of adjustments depends on factors like how long the problem has existed, the severity of spinal misalignments, your body's healing capacity, and whether you're seeking symptom relief or optimal spinal correction. In our office, we prioritize transparency and clarity about what is necessary and what will be done. We create unique care plans with a specific beginning and either an end visit or a continuation visit, so you always know where you are in your care journey. At your report of findings, we'll present a detailed plan based on your examination and x-ray analysis, explaining exactly what's needed to correct your specific spinal subluxations and restore optimal nervous system function.