Here are some questions to ask us when considering chiropractic care.
Schedule an appointment.If you’re new to chiropractic care, it’s natural to have questions about what to expect. Here are some common questions you might consider asking a chiropractor, such as how treatments work, what conditions they can help with, and how long it might take to see results. If your specific question isn’t listed here, feel free to reach out to us—we’re happy to provide the information you need!
We care for patients of all ages, with a variety of health conditions. DCs are especially well known for our expertise in caring for patients with back pain, neck pain and headaches...particularly with their highly skilled manipulations or chiropractic adjustments. We also care for patients with a wide range of injuries and disorders of the musculoskeletal system, involving the muscles, ligaments and joints. These painful conditions often involve or impact the nervous system, which can cause referred pain and dysfunction distant to the region of injury. The benefits of chiropractic care extend to general health issues, as well, since our body structure affects our overall function. We also counsel patients on diet, nutrition, exercise, healthy habits, and occupational and lifestyle modification.
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.
A referral is usually not needed to see a doctor of chiropractic (DC); however, your health plan may have specific referral requirements. You may want to contact your employer’s human resources department—or the insurance plan directly—to find out if there are any referral requirements. Most plans allow you to just call and schedule an appointment with a DC.
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. Chiropractic care is always adapted to the individual patient. It is a highly skilled treatment, and in the case of children, very gentle.
Yes. Chiropractic care is included in most health insurance plans, including major medical plans, workers’ compensation, Medicare, some Medicaid plans, and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans for federal employees, among others.
When you first arrive, you will be asked to provide background information about the symptoms, the current state of your health, and medical history. If you would like to fill-out these forms prior to your visit, you may download it below. If you have insurance coverage, please bring a copy of your insurance card with you.
Download Patient FormsWe require that all new patients complete several patient forms in order to give us some important health and contact information about you. Click the button below to download the forms.
Download Patient FormsWe will first ask you some basic questions about your condition, and get an idea about where your discomfort is coming from. A thorough, yet quick and painless exam is then performed in order to find out how far your condition has progressed. The exam may include some gentle palpation of the involved areas, ranges of motion, some orthopedic tests, and if warranted, we may perform some X-ray’s to be performed on site. Your treatment may or may not be suggested to begin that day or the following visit.
We will review the information gathered during the consult and exam, as well as any x-rays that were performed. After getting to the root of the problem, we will then walk you through your condition so that you know exactly what we will be treating.
We are one of the few chiropractic clinics in the Brainerd Lakes Area to be in-network providers for most insurance carriers including:
We handle and are experienced with Auto and Workers Compensation Claims.
No insurance? No problem. We have affordable payment plans. Please call the clinic at 218-828-4418 to learn more about these options.
DTS Therapy treatments are one of the most gentle and comfortable therapies available. The treatments utilize equipment with proven safety and efficacy. Most patients report a mild sense of stretch on their back or hips, and often fall asleep during treatment sessions. The DTS System is produced by one of the world's largest manufacturer's of hospital based rehabilitation equipment, with over 67 years of experience.
Although traction therapy has been around for thousands of years, Decompressive Traction is relatively new. Advances in equipment and procedures have dramatically improved effectiveness. DTS Therapy is the most comprehensive program available, allowing the safe delivery of this previously hospital based therapy in our office. Continual improvements in the delivery system and regular updates in protocols keep the DTS in the forefront of non-invasive disctherapy. Each year over 50,000 patients are treated with DTS Therapy, a number that continues to grow.
TS Therapy is a comprehensive program of the newest traction techniques and targeted "core" stabilization exercises with Biofeedback. In addition we use other adjunctive treatments that have proven effectiveness in back care. It is this multi-faceted approach that makes the overall treatment so effective. Additionally, discs have been shown to be a predominate site of pain,so treating it as directly as possible makes sense. The blending of focused traction to the site, rehabilitation to the supporting structures, and overall strengthening of global musculature makes the treatment unique. DTS Therapy affects the disc as directly as possible without surgery.
Along with the damage in the disc we also need to treat the supporting spinal muscles. A complete program targeting the function of the stabilization muscles is a vital part of DTS Therapy. Heat, muscle stimulation, Ultrasound, and laser therapy can offer an additional benefit for inflammation and spasm reduction. Our hope is not only to help heal the disc but enhance muscle control and support of the low back. A gradual breakdown of the foundational support of your back is what puts undue stresses on the discs and leads to pain and loss of function. Exercise and adjunctive therapies will assist in rehabilitating these structures.
Although it is difficult to predict the future our experience is that most patients do find long-term relief or effective management of their pain when they complete the entire program of treatments. Regular home exercise and periodic visits to our clinic will help in maintaining your spinal health and reduce the probability of reoccurrence. As with any comprehensive rehabilitation program your continued home care exercises and discretion in some daily activities is key to long-term relief.
Our office visits vary as to the extent of care needed, (DTS Therapy, adjustments, laser therapy, muscle stimulation, ultrasound, massage, etc.). However we promise to only do those procedures necessary for your fullest recovery. You always have the choice as to the extent of care. Our staff will review all costs and payment options up front. We want to help, and believe finances shouldn't stand in the way of you and good health.
Though each patient is different and no doctor can guarantee success, the clinical results of this type of therapy have been effective in a very high percentage of patients treated. The common problems to many back conditions are damaged discs and poor spinal muscle control. Our treatment program addresses both of these core problems. The DTS System creates a controlled unloading of the vertebra to decrease disc pressure thus increasing blood and nutrient exchange. This exchange of fluids is something the damaged disc desperately needs to help it heal from the inside out. Muscle strength, control and endurance can all be improved with other facets of DTS Therapy that include specific controlled exercises.
It depends on the complexity and extent of the rehabilitation needed, however we typically treat 3-4 times a week for 4-8 weeks, transitioning from passive to active treatments as you respond. The treatment is administered over a reasonable time frame and your response is continually evaluated. Further treatments may be necessary or a reduced frequency may be recommended at that time. The rehabilitative phase may include additional DTS Therapy treatments, with spinal adjustments to enhance the results. Most patients are released from treatments after 8 weeks .
