Frequently Asked Questions in Groton

Chiropractic care is the practice of using spinal alignment to alleviate a wide variety of physical ailments, including muscle strain, neck pain, chronic back pain, and more. This is accomplished by adjusting the position of the spinal column to its proper shape, providing a non-invasive solution for pain relief.

The “cracking” sound is just a byproduct of an adjustment and does not indicate the success of the adjustment. Adjustment (or manipulation) of a joint may result in the release of a gas bubble between the joints, which makes a popping sound. The same thing occurs when you “crack” your knuckles. The noise is caused by the change of pressure within the joint, which results in gas bubbles being released. There is usually minimal, if any, discomfort involved. 

Yes. Chiropractic care is included in many health insurance plans, including auto accident insurance, major medical plans, workers’ compensation, Medicare, some Medicaid plans, and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, among others. Chiropractic care is also available to active-duty members of the armed forces at more than 60 military bases and is available to veterans at more than 60 major veterans’ medical facilities. You can ask to be referred to a facility at the VA Centers.

Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal complaints. Although chiropractic has an excellent safety record, no health treatment is completely free of potential adverse effects. The risks associated with chiropractic, however, are very small. Many patients feel immediate relief following chiropractic treatment, but some may experience mild soreness, stiffness or aching, just as they do after some forms of exercise. Current research shows that minor discomfort or soreness following spinal manipulation typically fades within 24 hours.

Yes, visits to the chiropractor while pregnant are completely safe. Regular care can relieve back pain, help during labor and delivery, and help you sleep. OBGYN recommends pregnant people to chiropractors since there are no drugs involved.

Chiropractic is not addictive or habit forming. There are no effects on neurotransmitters in your brain, which is how addiction to drugs occurs. In addition, adjustments do not change your physiology to make you dependent on continued treatment. Many people choose to continue chiropractic care because of the many health benefits and it just makes them feel better.

Yes, children can benefit from chiropractic care. Children are very physically active and experience many types of falls and blows from activities of daily living as well as from participating in sports. Injuries such as these may cause many symptoms including back and neck pain, stiffness, soreness or discomfort. In fact, even newborns can visit the chiropractor for regular adjustments. Chiropractic care is always adapted to the individual patient. It is a highly skilled treatment, and in the case of children, very gentle.

After a bachelor’s degree, chiropractors must earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree from an accredited chiropractic school. The length of schooling is generally 4 years of post-graduate education. Licensure is also required on a national level. In Connecticut they are considered chiropractic physicians.

After having a surgery, it is safe to see a chiropractor. During your first appointment we will ask you to bring in any imaging like X-rays or MRIs from before and after the surgery and other paperwork for us to better understand your surgery and condition. This way we can determine which treatments are best for you.

The time it takes for a patient to feel the positive effects of chiropractic care vary. There are several factors that can affect an individual’s treatment time and that has to do with the specific injury, patients overall health, and the patient’s commitment to the chiropractic treatment plan. The sooner you start the quicker you’ll feel better.