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Greater Portland Chiropractic Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What
is a Chiropractor?
What is a Vertebral Subluxation?
What is an adjustment?
What is the popping sound I hear when the Doctor performs
an adjustment?
Is an adjustment painful?
I’ve heard that once you start going to a chiropractor,
you can never stop. Is this true?
Does my insurance cover Chiropractic care?
Do I need a referral from my Primary Care Physician?
If I don’t have insurance, how much does it cost?
Is it safe?
Can children be treated?
How long does an appointment take?
What is a Chiropractor?
A Chiropractic Doctor is specifically trained to treat and correct vertebral
subluxations. He/She performs adjustments to help mobilize the joints
that may be stuck.
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What is a Vertebral Subluxation?
A vertebral subluxation is a misalignment of vertebrae in the spine.
When these misalignments occur, the nerve openings become narrow. The
soft tissue surrounding as well as the nerve itself can then become
irritated and sometimes damaged. This irritation is what causes pain
or discomfort in the muscles surrounding the vertebrae. Overall, these
misalignments, or subluxations, interfere with how the body communicates
with itself.
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What is an adjustment?
Your Doctor will apply very precise, direct force to a joint that is
not moving. He does not “move” the bones in an adjustment.
By mobilizing the joints, the bones will gradually return to a natural
and proper position.
There are many different techniques for adjustments and the Doctor will
evaluate which would be the most beneficial for your specific condition
and treatment plan.
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What is the popping sound I hear when the Doctor performs an
adjustment?
Many people refer to this popping as the bones “cracking”.
However, this is not the case at all. The popping sound is simply a
release of gases that have built up in your joints. When the Doctor
applies pressure to the joint, it releases these stored gases thus creating
a popping sound.
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Is an adjustment painful?
The adjustment itself is not a painful process. There may be some discomfort
if the muscles around the area have been significantly irritated. But
this is not a result of the adjustment, rather it is a result of the
underlying problem which prompted a need for an adjustment. Once an
acute attack has passed, adjustments become just a tune up with no pain.
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I’ve heard that once you start going to a chiropractor,
you can never stop. Is this true?
After an acute attack has passed, the Doctor will recommend that you
come in for monthly, bi-monthly, or even bi-yearly check-ups. This is
recommended just to keep an eye on your condition. Seeing a chiropractor
is just as important having a dental check up. Just as your dentist
would want to make sure are teeth are strong and healthy, we want to
make sure the bones in your spine and your joints are strong, healthy,
and moving as they should be. The small amount of time that this check
up takes outweighs the pain/problems that can accompany a condition
that goes unchecked.
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Does my insurance cover Chiropractic care?
Most insurances do cover some chiropractic care. We always recommend
that you contact the customer service number on your insurance card
and ask what your chiropractic benefits are to be sure that your plan
does cover the care. Once you become a patient, our Office Manager will
sit down with you to discuss your coverage and payment options.
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Do I need a referral from my Primary Care Physician?
In most cases no. The State of Maine has a law that allows you to self
refer to a chiropractor if you have a fully funded HMO plan. PPO, POS,
self funded and other plans may require a referral. Simply call the
customer service number on your insurance card to see if one will be
necessary.
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If I don’t have insurance, how much does it cost?
We have a time of service payment program that you can sign up for on
your first visit. As a participating provider, we have accepted that
all charges except adjustments will be discounted 50%. Each adjustment
is just $25.00.
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Is it safe?
Absolutely. Chiropractic care is very scientific and precise. Rest assured
that your Chiropractic Doctor is well trained in his specialty. Dr.
Cayer also attends classes each year to continue his education and to
stay current with procedures and techniques.
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Can children be treated?
Children and even infants can most certainly be treated. In fact, children
respond quite well to chiropractic care. If your child has frequent
ear infections or other illness, an adjustment may help. A child’s
spine can generally keep itself moving freely. However, if there was
a difficult birth, or some other trauma, your child may have joints
that are not moving properly. A spinal exam would be able to detect
these small issues before they become big ones and result in pain.
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How long does an appointment take?
The first appointment takes about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes. It
will involve x-rays, static EMG, and an exam. The Doctor may or may
not adjust on that first visit. It all depends on your particular condition.
The second visit will be your report of findings. The Doctor will discuss
your x-rays and his findings with you in detail. You should plan on
about 45 minutes for this appointment. Each subsequent visit is about
15 minutes.
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