I, like most people, gravitated to chiropractic care following a neck injury and although I got great temporary relief, it was not until I received consistent care over the next five years that I became to feel truly “healthy.” My physical body started to feel more vibrant, more alive and although you cannot really measure health, I undoubtedly gained a greater physical awareness. The subtle physical changes that took place over time through multiple spinal adjustments were necessarily to optimize my spinal function. Subsequently, the paralyzing neck pain that plagued my early soccer and swimming career is gone.
When it comes to finding a chiropractor to take care of your spine, there are a few things to consider:
ONE.
You will be entrusting you spine to another person. This person will be manipulating it for the purposes of re-aligning bones. Do your due diligence before starting the relationship. A solid referral from a close friend is usually a good place to start.
TWO.
Different patients have different goals. From a public health perspective, chiropractic offers health-optimization. Examples would include stagnating degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease, and maintaining spinal range-of-motion. Your goals should always include getting rid of your pain. A second, and equally important, goal is maintaining optimal spinal function through periodic checkups (The frequency of checkups can vary greatly patient to patient.).
THREE.
The uniqueness of chiropractic warrants further discussion. I adhere to the Gonstead style of chiropractic. This hands-on approach is quite successful with pain. Other styles of chiropractic are available. Different approaches work for different folks, and you should make sure that your chiropractor’s approach matches your needs. Particular things to watch for are the doctor’s approach to finding the area of pain (ability to find “the” tender spinal bone that is misaligned), length of acute care plan (six months or longer is a red flag).
FOUR.
Once you have started care…follow through. This sounds easy, but in fact, many people start skipping appointments or release themselves from care once they perceive to feel better. Too often, this inconsistency fosters future relapses. There is a reason for each visit, make your sure you know what it is.
FIVE.
Due to their experience, chiropractors offer a specific drug-free approach to optimizing your spinal mechanics. Often, the best chiropractors have a good relationship with other healthcare providers in the community. Ask around. A good chiropractor who has a working relationship with other health-care practitioners (MD, PT, DDS, MT) will know the limitations of their expertise and care and refer when appropriate.
CONSULTATION
The way I like to work, is to agree to a plan of action starting with a two-week trial of care. Often, the magnitude of the problem can be sorted out within those two weeks. An ongoing care program can be developed once I know how good or bad your problem is. Acute care to manage the pain can be as frequent as daily to 3x/wk. Ongoing care is highly variable, but typically ranges from 2x/wk to 1x/wk.
A consultation is complimentary. Fees for an examination and care programs vary greatly because of insurance companies and the extent of your insurance coverage. You may call our office to find out your chiropractic insurance benefits. Being a cash-paying patient is always an option and in some cases more cost-effective because of high deductibles or co-pays.
The high level of service that I provide is a source of pride. I am happy to provide references from patients and clients with whom I have worked.
Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in chiropractic care. Spend a bit of time on my tips page before contacting me.
If you are looking for chiropractor, you might enjoy my article on Choosing Your Chiropractor.
http://www.matthewamman.com/tips/item/5
Dr. Matt
CORPORATE SPEAKER
As part of my mission, I aim to educate others about health and chiropractic. I'm often available to be a speaker at your next corporate, civic, or professional gathering. Contact me for my curriculum vita that details my experience as a public speaker.
The presentations include:
The 10 Keys to Longevity- How to Live to 100. Learn to live longer, live better. In my research on people that live to 100, certain defining characteristics become evident. Today there are about 100,000 people 100 years old, that’s three times as were in 1980. It predicted that there will be 1 million centarians by 2060. Find out how to live these characteristics because the answer isn’t genetic, its lifestyle.
Safe Weight Loss- Living the 7 Traits of Successful Weight Management. A practical approach to maintaining your ideal weight is the key. Learn that getting to your ideal weight is easy, but the most common problem is maintaining it. Based on the most current research done by Dr. James Hill, Director for the Center of Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado, this brings an authentic approach to a usually jaded topic.
Managing the Stress of Life. Strategies exist to help you overcome the stress in your life. Learn the basics of breathing, posture, mediation, and prayer to neutralize tension and live more comfortably in this hectic world.
Ergonomics Made Easy. This is an interactive presentation on movement. This is a how-to guide on sitting, standing, sleeping and various work positions. An expert on biomechanics, a chiropractor brings a unique vantage-point to educate employees to protect themselves from work related injuries.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome- A Nonsurgical Approach. Managing this often-crippling syndrome is difficult at times. Learn how to manage it conservatively through vitamins, bracing, chiropractic and exercises. Surgery is rarely the answer; learn specific conservative methods to ameliorate CTS.
Vitamins, Vitamins, and More Vitamins. Browsing the supplementation aisle of any grocery store can be daunting. It seems that every multivitamin company claims to have a superior product. Find out how to pick the best multivitamin based on your individual needs. Learn the fundamentals including the difference between a basic and comprehensive multivitamin, natural versus synthetic, as well as proper dosages and specific supplementation for joint repair and pain management.
Chiropractic Management for Lumbar Disc Herniation.
Evidence-based care is bringing major changes to the management of patients with pain associated with lumbar disc herniations. There is now broad agreement in medical practice that surgery not be considered for these patients until there has been a trial of conservative, non-surgical care. But, on the basis of current evidence what are the best choices of conservative care?, who should a patient consult? to whom should medical doctors in primary care refer their patients for appropriate care? One option, with at least as much research evidence of safety, effectiveness, and patient satisfaction as any other, is skilled manipulation. Learn why.
Chiropractic. Get an up to date look at the chiropractic profession that has continued to survive despite enormous adversity. Learn how the profession has evolved from backroom bone crunchers to becoming accepted health-care professionals. Listen to why the profession’s ancestors thought they could cure the world and how chiropractors have transformed. Become an educated consumer of chiropractic.
Sports Chiropractic. Biomechanics is the study of how the body moves move through space. Proper mechanics is fundamental to athletic endeavors. Learn common biomechanical mistakes and strategies to correct them. We cover neck stingers, plantar fascititis, knee pain, ITB syndrome, low back and neck pain, tennis elbow, etc.
Expanding Upon The Mystery of Sleep. Learn about the circadian rhythm and chemical reactions that aim to rejuvenate your body at night. Sleep is a restorative process; learn to make the most of it by having the best mattress, the ideal room temperature, and avoiding various stimulants.
The Organic Food Movement. Humans have utilized science to manipulate nature into tasty synthetic delicacies. Yet, the organic food industry offers compelling reasons as to why it is better to eat natural, whole foods. Do we need organic foods? Can we justify the cost of organic food? What do we really get when we buy certifiable organic foods?
Time Limits: I am are willing to adapt our presentations to meet your needs. Most presentations are between 15 and 45 minutes long with the option to present in power point.