Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is concerned with human health and disease processes. Doctors of chiropractic are physicians who consider man as an integrated being and give special attention to the physiological and biochemical aspects including structural, spinal, musculoskeletal, neurological, vascular, nutritional, emotional and environmental relationships.

How does chiropractic work?

Chiropractic works by restoring your body’s inborn ability to be healthy. When under the proper control of your nervous system, all the cells, tissues, and organs of your body are designed to resist disease and ill health. The chiropractic approach to better health is to locate and remove interferences (Subluxations, misaligned vertebrae) to your nervous system. With improved spinal function, there is improved nervous system function. The goal of the chiropractor is to remove interference that may be impairing normal health through specific chiropractic adjustments, allowing your body to heal itself. A healthy spine and a healthy lifestyle are your keys to optimal health!

What is a Chiropractic adjustment?

A Chiropractic adjustment is the art of using a specific force in a precise direction, applied to a joint that is Subluxated, “locked up,” or not moving properly. The purpose of this safe and natural procedure is to eliminate interference to the nervous system, improving spinal function and overall health. Studies have shown that gentle, specific spinal adjustments boost your body’s immunity also! What an added bonus this is!

What type of services will be offered?

Village Family Clinic will offer treatments of chiropractic adjustments, low force adjustments, hot and cold pack therapies, low volt muscle stimulation, exercise, rehabilitation, and nutritional advice. Therapeutic massage and Lamaze classes will also be offered. See Services page for further explanation.

Insurance

Dr. Fedich will be offering special cash discounts and will also be accepting major medical insurance and Medicare. See our insurance page for additional information.

Once you go to a chiropractor you always have to go for the rest of your life.”Or …”I hear people get addicted to it.

People do get addicted to feeling better than they have in a long, long time. Will you be going to a dentist, or your medical doctor or optometrist the rest of your life? How long should you exercise or eat right? These are just healthy lifestyle choices. Many people recognize the value of having a nervous system free of interference and choose regular adjustments to keep it that way.

Why do I need to come in so often?

We are doing something physical to change your body physically. Two things are required for that: enough frequency over a long enough time, just like getting in shape to run a marathon. It doesn’t matter how out of shape you are. If you work out frequently enough over a long enough period of time you can get into shape to run a marathon.

Chiropractors aren’t real doctors.

Our schooling is the same as medical schools. (See Table 1). The difference is our philosophy. M.D.’s have two ways to treat: drugs and surgery. Their philosophy is that healing comes from the outside. This pill will make you better, or I’ll remove this body part to make you better. Our philosophy is that healing comes from the inside and our bodies are self healing as long as there is no interference and we give it the right ingredients for health (nutrition and exercise). We remove the interference to the controlling system. The nervous system.

Is it going to hurt?

There are many techniques in chiropractic. One technique in which I specialize uses an adjusting instrument that gently taps to get the bone off of the nerve. Sometimes people go through retracing, which can be uncomfortable but is a wonderful sign because it is the body getting rid of old traumas from the past, allowing for a more complete healing.

Infants and Children should never be adjusted.

Do they have a spine and a nervous system? One of the biggest traumas we ever go through is being born. Have you ever seen a child learn to walk? They will fall 30 times a day. Children respond to chiropractic care so much faster than adults. They haven’t had the years and years of physical, emotional, chemical stress and traumas that we have accumulated as adults.

If I can crack my own back, why do I need a chiropractor?

There is a big difference between cracking your own back and having a specific spinal adjustment. When someone feels the need to crack their own spine it is a sign that things aren’t working right. When you crack your back, if you don’t mess it up, it will generally feel better but main subluxations (misalignments) can’t be gotten yourself. So a few hours later you feel the need to do it again. All this self cracking creates looseness in the joints that can lead to degeneration. The main subluxations will still be there, creating havoc with your nervous system.

What is a subluxation?

In simplest terms, a subluxation is when one or more of the bones of your spine (Vertebrae) move out of normal position and create pressure on, or irritate spinal nerves. This pressure or irritation on the nerves then causes a change in the signals (or nerve energy) traveling over those nerves. Therefore, the area where the signal ends up will not function the way the brain intends.

Another way to look at it is

A complete break of the spinal cord = death -A partial break of the spinal cord = paraplegia -A minor break of the spinal cord = subluxation

So how does Chiropractic help with other health issues besides back pain (i.e. asthma,allergies, ulcers, bowel movements)?

Well, if a nervous system is pinched and it goes to your stomach, your stomach will decrease its function by as much as 60%. So if your stomach doesn’t digest your food as it should, it could lead to ulcers or acid reflux.

Can I tell if I have a subluxation without consulting a Chiropractor?

Not always. A subluxation is like a dental cavity-you may have it for a long time before symptoms appear. That’s why periodic spinal check-ups are so important. Although it may be possible to know you have a subluxation, it is rarely possible to be sure you don’t. An occasional spinal check-up is always a good idea.

Who should see a chiropractor?

Chiropractors treats a wide array of patients, including those with lower back pain; neck pain; headaches; sciatica; shoulder and knee problems; whiplash; carpal tunnel; dysmenorrheal; ulcers, migraine headaches; ear infections; and pregnancy related pains. In reality, everyone should see a chiropractor! Most people spend time maintaining their cars with oil, and work, but fail to maintain their body! Chiropractic is for everyone in pain, But also for anyone who wants a healthy spine!

Do you have to undress to see a chiropractor?

No, during your initial examination, in order to see your spine, we will commonly have patients wear a modesty gown, it opens only in the back, and women can leave their bra and pants on, men can leave their pants on. Some conditions due not need a gown during their examinations

Chiropractic is too expensive.

Compared to what? Braces for the teeth – $4,000-$6,000, M.R.I. for the full spine, – $1,800-$2,400, Lasik Eye Surgery – $3,500-$5,000, Breast Augmentation – $4,000-$10,000, Dental Implants – $1,250-$3000 per tooth, Year supply of Claritin – $1,200, Year supply of Cholesterol lowering drugs – $1,500 (without doctor visits), 6-12 month Chiropractic care plan – $1,800-$3,600 (plus the savings of getting off of medications), What is the value of having your brain communicate properly with the rest of your body? Chiropractic has actually been shown to be the most affordable type of treatment for many common conditions. Including Headaches, studied at Duke University, it was more cost effective than medications, acupuncture and even physical therapy. Many studies have show it is the least expensive treatment for low back pain. At our office we have affordable payment options for anyone. We accept all insurance and offer interest free financing!

Chiropractic is dangerous

Studies show that there is very little risk with the chiropractic adjustment and virtually none with the adjustment instrument. Statistically, it is more of a risk to take 2 Advil a day for 2 weeks than to get adjusted. A look at malpractice insurance premium costs says it all; M.D. costs $22,000 – $175,000 per year while Chiropractic malpractice insurance premium costs are $1,500 – $3,000 for the same liability limits. The risk of aspirin causing a sudden bleed and death is about 1 in 3 million. So, every time you take an aspirin pill, there is a 1 in 3 million chance it will kill you. The risk of any side effect of chiropractic treatment, most commonly being soreness, is about 1 in 3 million. So, going to the chiropractor is actually safer than taking aspirin!