Pink Prescriptions - June 2023
Get Adjusted! Chiropractic Care is for You.
June 2023 Issue — Pink Prescriptions
Get Adjusted! Chiropractic Care is for You.
There’s so much more to chiropractic care than a bad back. Chiropractic is a licensed health care profession that emphasizes the body’s ability to heal itself. Often people turn to chiropractic care when pain is involved, but the key to staying flexible and minimizing pain for a lifetime may be in seeking chiropractic care on a regular basis to prevent problems from occurring while maintaining proper working joints—even when you’re not in pain. We asked our local experienced chiropractors questions readers are curious about. Read on to learn more.
Dr. Grant Evans — Southeastern Regenerative Institute & Moss Creek Chiropractic
How do I know if I need chiropractic care?
I used to tell people if they remotely wondered if they needed chiropractic care, they probably did. When I started practicing in the early 80s, only a small portion of the general public sought out the services of a chiropractic physician. This has grown tremendously over the last 40 years mainly by word of mouth as more and more people have been satisfied in the care we provide, and the results chiropractic can achieve.
On a more routine basis, patients usually seek care because they have not received the relief they expected or hoped for from other medical modalities. I have seen hundreds of patients who have been recommended for surgical intervention and sought an alternative, non-invasive treatment. Finally, the chiropractic and medical professionals are working together, which benefits everyone, especially the patients.
What conditions can benefit from chiropractic care?
I like to tell prospective patients that chiropractors specialize in the treatment of neuro-muscular-skeletal conditions primarily related to the spine. Spinal related conditions are the second most common human ailment behind the common cold. Most neck, and mid and lower back pain often cause secondary symptoms such as headaches and symptoms in the arms and legs.
How often do patients need chiropractic care?
A typical first visit to a chiropractor may involve a history, physical exam, possibly X-rays, and initial treatment. A treatment schedule tailored to each patient is set based on the exam and X-ray findings. Usually, a treatment schedule starts out with more frequent visits and reduces as symptoms improve. I like to explain there are three phases of care: pain reduction; corrective; and preventative maintenance.
Once a patient’s condition is corrected and they are asymptomatic (little or no symptoms), I recommend to most to maintain a once per month basis for the preventative maintenance phase.
What symptoms can chiropractors treat?
Low energy levels, tiredness, irritability, etc. can be alleviated by the specific spinal manipulations chiropractors perform. The back-related conditions treated by chiropractors are most commonly related to daily physical and mental stresses, trauma, overall physical conditions, and the aging processes leading to various levels of arthritic degeneration.
Along with the standard “chiropractic manipulation” procedures, most, but not all chiropractic offices also use various additional modalities such as ultrasound, electro muscle stimulation, heat, cold, massage, and vibration.
Most insurance companies, including Medicare, cover chiropractic care, although there may be some limitations on what may or may not be covered.
Are there alternative therapies for recurring joint pain other than chiropractic care or joint replacements?
Many chiropractic offices specialize in certain areas of care, such as sports injuries, treatment of children, auto accidents, or work-related injuries. There is a new treatment opportunity for patients called Regenerative Medicine. Many people are familiar with “Stem Cell” injections; however, stem cells are just one part of Regenerative Medicine. As the baby boomer population continues to age, they want to lead an active life with a high quality of living. The harsh reality is that as Father Time moves forward, our knees, hips, shoulders, and spine slowly continue to degenerate. Regenerative Medicine related injections have proven to be beneficial in dealing with these myriad of symptoms. To learn more, be sure to schedule a complimentary consultation/assessment to determine if your particular condition can benefit.
Dr. Grant Evans, DC, is a graduate of The University of Pittsburg and the National University of Health Sciences in Chicago, Illinois. He opened a private practice in Columbus, Ohio in 1980. He now is the owner of Moss Creek Chiropractic Center at 15 Moss Creek Village. Dr. Evans and Dr. Durrett, M.D. have partnered to practice at the Southeastern Regenerative Institute at the same location. Dr. Evans can be reached at 843-836-5800.
Dr. John Aita — Bluffton Family Chiropractic
I'm pushing 80 and feeling a bit frail, but want to stay active. How would chiropractic care benefit me and is it safe?
Any age, even people in their 90s and beyond, can receive safe, effective chiropractic care. Often for patients who are older, we use a light force technique with a handheld instrument called an activator, or we can use very light force with our hands to get the desired result.
For most of our elderly patients a big concern is staying as active as possible. As most of us age, we lose mobility due to arthritic changes in our spine and extremities. Chiropractic works, to put it simply, by realigning the spine. A spine out of alignment causes pain (often radiating pain into a leg or arm), reduces mobility and causes chronic inflammation. By adjusting the involved areas, the patient not only gets a reduction in pain, but almost always gets an increase in mobility and overall energy levels.
I have arthritis and osteoporosis.
Can chiropractic care help my condition? Is it safe?
Chiropractic care can't cure arthritis or osteoporosis. What it can do is help deal with the symptoms associated with arthritis, which is typically chronic pain and a lack of mobility. Osteoporosis is simply a decrease in the strength of the bones in a person's body. For treating you in the office that only means a slight change in technique and approach to treatment.
Dr. John Aita attended the University of North Carolina at Asheville focusing on biology and sports sciences. He then attended Life University in Marietta, GA, for chiropractic school. His participation in and love for sports have made him place a special focus on treating athletes at Bluffton Family Chiropractic at 62 Bluffton Road, Suite 101; (843) 706-3472. He also has extensive training in pediatrics.
Dr. Kate Aita Houpt — Bluffton Family Chiropractic
Tell Us About Pediatric Chiropractic Care. Should children see a chiropractor?
Although all chiropractors are trained to work with children, some go on to obtain additional training in the area of pediatrics. For instance, I am certified in pediatrics and pregnancy through the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. It is my hope that all children have access to chiropractic care. Children experience small and large traumas just like adults. These traumas can include falls while learning to walk, traumas through sports or repetitive motions, and even birth. Because of this, it is never too soon for a child to receive chiropractic care.
My children and several of my patients were adjusted when they were only a few minutes old. Chiropractic adjustment for an infant is very different than a chiropractic adjustment for an adult. Infant adjustments consist of light pressure to help aid in the movement of the vertebra. This pressure is often described as the pressure you would use to test for the ripeness of a tomato. Infants frequently sleep through their adjustments. As a child gets older, their adjustment techniques vary, but they usually love getting adjusted. Many of my patients bring their children in for specific issues, such as colic, ear infections, constipation or torticollis, but often times, patients bring their children in simply for wellness care. Because of this, I usually see the entire family. The children like getting adjusted so much they often argue over who gets to go first!
Dr. Kate Aita Houpt announced at age 3 that she would be a chiropractor like her father. She attended undergraduate school at USC Spartanburg (Upstate) and chiropractic school at Sherman College of Chiropractic. Dr. Kate received her certification from International Chiropractic Pediatric Association and is also certified in the Webster Technique for pregnant woman. She primarily sees pregnant patients, infants and children at Bluffton Family Chiropractic, 62 Bluffton Road, Suite 101 .(843) 706-3472. She is a member of Life Force and the ICPA.