What is Chiropractic?
What are some of the conditions a chiropractor treats?
What is a subluxation?
What is an adjustment?
Does an adjustment hurt?
What is that "popping" sound during an adjustment?
Do you need that "popping" sound for the adjustment to occur?
Do I have to get adjusted?
What are the age limits to seeing a chiropractor?
Can pregnant women see chiropractors?
Do I have to keep coming for the rest of my life?
Who shouldn’t see a chiropractor?
Does my insurance cover chiropractic care?
What education/licensing does a chiropractor have?
Does the doctor get adjusted?

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a form of healthcare formalized in the nineteenth century. The primary emphasis of chiropractic care has always been a whole body, or holistic, approach with a focus on spinal function. As subluxations occur in the spine they can negatively impact how nerves function. This can cause a range of problems including, but not limited to, headaches, backaches, arm/shoulder pain, leg/hip pain, stiffness, and numbness. A chiropractor reduces and eliminates subluxations and their side effects through the chiropractic adjustment.

What are some of the conditions the chiropractor treats?

Low back pain, neck pain, disc problems, mid back pain, headaches, sciatica, sports injuries, painful joints, sprains, strains, muscle spasms, trigger points, arthritis, fibromyalgia, scoliosis, numbness/tingling, pregnancy aches and pains, tendonitis, bursitis, repetitive stress injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, hip pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, arm pain, ankle pain, and foot pain to name a few.)

What is a subluxation?

A subluxation is a distortion of a joint, primarily of the spine, which negatively impacts nervous function. This distortion is not a dislocation, where a joint has moved out of its normal range of motion. Rather, the joint is stuck within its normal range, but unable to reach its FULL range of motion. This causes the spinal nerve to become irritated and not function properly. A subluxation can occur through a variety of causes such as accidents, repetitive stress, postural distortions, and inactivity.

What is an adjustment?

An adjustment is the primary treatment tool of the chiropractor. It requires the doctor to place his hands on or around the affected joint and through a quick, short movement, return the joint to its normal motion.

Does an adjustment hurt?

When done correctly, an adjustment shouldn’t hurt. On occasion, a patient may react as if in pain, but this feeling quickly goes away as they realize it is simply the surprise of a new sensation. The vast majority of patients have an overwhelmingly positive response to an adjustment.

What is that "popping" sound during an adjustment?

This noise is similar to the "crack" heard when cracking your knuckles. It is perfectly safe and does not cause arthritis. (In fact, it helps improve arthritic conditions.) The popping sound is the result of gas within your joints responding to the change of pressure when an adjustment occurs. The closer to your head it is, the louder the sound will be.

Do you need that "popping" sound for the adjustment to occur?

Although there is some sense of satisfaction in hearing the "popping" noise during an adjustment, you do not need to hear it in order for the adjustment to have occurred. The doctor will palpate to be sure that proper motion has been restored to the joint. That is how you know the adjustment has occurred.

Do I have to get adjusted?

While it is the most effective and efficient method to treat subluxations, and the doctor does a thorough exam to ensure the need for the adjustment, it is not the only tool available to the Doctor. Of course, as with all healthcare decisions, the ultimate choice is yours.

What are the age limits to seeing a chiropractor?

There are no age limits to seeing a chiropractor. Adjusting methods are always adapted to a patient’s height, weight, age, and specific complaint. Subluxations can occur at any age and eliminating them causes substantial improvement in quality of life for all. For children and teens, chiropractic care can help prevent any postural distortions that may lead to complications later in life. An adjustment has no reported affect on a child’s growth. For the older population, adjustments improve range of motion, allowing for a fuller, more active lifestyle.

Can pregnant women see chiropractors?

Absolutely. As stated above, adjusting methods are always adapted to a patient’s size, weight, age, and specific complaint. In addition, most pregnant women find they have easier pregnancies and deliveries when they receive regular chiropractic care.

Do I have to keep coming for the rest of my life?

This is a common misconception. While most people feel so good with regular chiropractic care that they choose to come on a regular basis to prevent any further subluxations from arising, it certainly isn’t required. Chiropractic delivers care on three levels: pain relief, corrective care, and maintenance care. The goal of pain relief is to eliminate immediate symptoms and requires more, frequent visits. Corrective care focuses on treating the underlying cause of your problem. Maintenance care focuses on maintaining the progress of the corrective phase and preventing further subluxations. This requires less frequent visits and usually corresponds with a brief check-up. For optimum health, it is recommended that you go through all three stages, though the ultimate decision is always up to you.

Who shouldn’t see a chiropractor?

Someone who never has had any aches or pains or joint stiffness and is able to do every activity to their utmost. Someone in perfect health.

Does my insurance cover chiropractic care?

Likely, it does. Our office tries to work with everyone’s insurance plan as best as possible. In the unlikely event we can’t accept your insurance, we have very reasonable and competitive cash rates. For questions regarding your specific plan, don’t hesitate to call (973) 378-BASS or e-mail us at BassFamilyChiro@yahoo.com. We will be glad to check on any of your insurance questions for you.

What education/licensing does the Doctor have?

The chiropractor went through extensive postgraduate education covering topics such as anatomy, orthopedics, neurology, physiology, microbiology, and pathology, as well as chiropractic-specific courses focused on adjusting technique and biomechanics. This was followed by an in-school internship. In addition, the chiropractor sat for a four-part national exam consisting of both written and practical portions as well as a New Jersey jurisprudence exam necessary before for issuance of a New Jersey Chiropractic license.

Does the Doctor get adjusted?

Regularly.