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Dr. Robert B. Rice
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Frequently Asked
Questions
The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) did a poll and here are the most commonly asked questions relating to chiropractic:
If you have a question which is not below, please click here to contact us. Your question, and its answer, may get published here.
What conditions do chiropractors treat?
To answer this, an appropriate understanding of Chiropractic is
necessary. Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders
of the musculoskeletal
and nervous systems, and the effects
that
these disorders have on general health. Chiropractic care is used most often
to treat neuromusculoskeletal
complaints, including but not limited to
back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and
headaches. But all tissues and organs in the body have an intimate
relationship with the nervous system. It is because of this that
chiropractic treats more than just the muscles, bones, joints, and
nerves. Click here to learn
more about Chiropractic and here to
learn more about some of the common conditions we treat.
How do I select a doctor of chiropractic?
You can locate a doctor of chiropractic (DC) by browsing the ACA Find a
Doctor page, searching the Yellow Pages, speaking with friends, or
contacting your local chamber of commerce. Because stringent educational
and professional requirements are required for state licensure, the
public is assured of academic competence and clinical experience. Other
considerations for selecting a doctor of chiropractic include what
techniques, certifications, and educational backgrounds the doctor has,
as well as personality, and reputation.
Does chiropractic treatment require a referral from an MD?
No, a patient does not need referral by an MD before visiting a
doctor of chiropractic. Chiropractors are first contact physicians, and
are so defined in federal and state regulations. Following a
consultation and examination, the doctor of chiropractic will arrive at
a diagnosis under chiropractic care, or refer the patient to the
appropriate health care provider.
Is chiropractic treatment safe?
Yes, chiropractic treatment is safe and effective. While any form of
health treatment contains a degree of inherent risk, there is little
danger in chiropractic care when administered by a licensed
practitioner. To assure competency, all states require that DCs be
board-qualified, licensed, and regulated according to stringent
criteria. Statistics show that patient risk is substantially lower in
chiropractic as opposed to medical care, where the use of prescription
drugs and surgery pose a greater risk.
Is chiropractic treatment appropriate for children?
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.
Are chiropractors allowed to practice in hospitals or use medical
outpatient facilities?
Chiropractors are being recognized to admit and treat patients in
hospitals and to use outpatient clinical facilities (such as labs,
x-rays, etc.) for their non-hospitalized patients. Hospital privileges
were first granted in 1983. Dr. Rice has interned at the Jefferson
Barracks Veterans' Hospital in St. Louis.
Do insurance plans cover chiropractic?
The majority of all insured American workers have coverage for
chiropractic services in their health care plans. For example, the
federal government’s Office of Personnel Management offers chiropractic
coverage for federal employees in both the Mail Handlers and BCBS
benefit plans. In addition, there is a chiropractic benefit in Federal
Workers’ Compensation, and chiropractic care is available to members of
the armed forces at more than 40 military bases, and is available at
nearly 30 veterans’ medical facilities.
What type of education and training do chiropractors have?
Chiropractors are educated as primary contact health care practitioners,
with an emphasis on musculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment. Educational
requirements for doctors of chiropractic are among the most stringent of
any of the health care professions. The typical applicant at a
chiropractic college has already acquired nearly four years of
pre-medical undergraduate college education, including courses in
biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, physics, psychology and
related lab work. Once accepted into an accredited chiropractic college,
the requirements become even more demanding — four to five academic
years of professional study are the standard. Because of the hands-on
nature of chiropractic, and the intricate adjusting techniques, a
significant portion of time is spent in clinical training.
In total, the chiropractic curriculum includes a minimum of 4,200 hours
of classroom, laboratory and clinical experience. The course of study is
approved by an accrediting agency that is fully recognized by the U.S.
Department of Education ... the same agency which accredits some medical
schools in fact.
How is a chiropractic adjustment performed?
Chiropractic adjustment or manipulation is a manual procedure that
utilizes the highly refined skills developed during the intensive years
of chiropractic education. The chiropractor typically uses his/her hands
to manipulate the joints of the body, particularly the spine, in order
to reduce pain, and restore or enhance joint function. Chiropractic
manipulation is a highly controlled procedure that rarely causes
discomfort. The chiropractor adapts the procedure to meet the specific
needs of each patient. Patients often note positive changes in their
symptoms immediately following treatment.
Is chiropractic treatment ongoing?
The hands-on nature of the chiropractic treatment is essentially what
requires patients to visit the chiropractor a number of times. To be
treated by a chiropractor, a patient needs to be in his or her office.
In contrast, a course of treatment from medical doctors often involves a
pre-established plan that is conducted at home (i.e. taking a course of
antibiotics once a day for a couple of weeks). A chiropractor may
provide acute, chronic, and/or preventive care thus making a certain
number of visits sometimes necessary. Your doctor of chiropractic should
tell you the extent of treatment recommended and how long you can expect
it to last.
Why is there a popping sound when a joint is adjusted?
Adjustment of a joint may result in release of a gas bubble between the
joints that makes a popping sound – it’s exactly the same as when you
“crack” your knuckles. The noise is caused by the change of pressure
within the joint that results in gas bubbles being released. There is no
pain involved. The same effect is also noted when opening a can of
soda (aptly named "pop").
Shiloh Chiropractic: 1207 Frank Scott Pkwy., E - Suite 100 | Shiloh, IL 62269 | (618) 234-8300