Frequenlty asked questions
1. Once you go to a chiropractor do you have to keep going?
The short answer is: nope. You're not going to get addicted and need your "chiro fix" once you start. The myth is referring to the adjustment, which is a component of treatment. A chiropractic adjustment restores motion within the joints. When motion is restored, you start to move and feel better. However, just because you like to move better and feel better does not make you an addict of the adjustment. It's as simple as that!
2. What is the popping noise during an adjustment?
Synovial fluid is found within joints and contains gases: oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. For years, it was thought the popping noise was due to the quick release of those gases causing the gas bubble to collapse when force is applied to the joint. However, in 2015, the knuckle joints were observed under Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in real-time as the joints were cracked. The study debunked what we had thought for more than a half a century and showed the joint cracking is associated with the formation of a cavity rather the collapse of the gas bubble (Kawchuk et al., 2015).
3. Do you have to hear a “crack” during an adjustment to know it worked?
We often associate the oh so satisfying “crack” noise with a successful adjustment, but that is not always the case. The objective of an adjustment is to establish motion within a joint. Motion can still be established during an adjustment, even without a popping noise. With that said, it is far more common to hear an audible during an adjustment.
4. How long are the appointments?
The Initial Visit is 15-20 minutes. This is an opportunity to sit down with the doctor and ask any questions or concerns you might have. Most of this visit entails a lot of talking. A general range of motion screen is performed to see any restrictions or pain with spine and hip movement, while an in depth exam is performed at the next appointment. If it is decided to take the next step, the Exam and Treatment appointment is scheduled.
The Exam and Treatment is about 60 minutes. During this appointment, Dr. Karen performs an exam to determine the root problem of your pain or the reason you are seeking treatment. Discovering the root problem is key for treatment. At this appointment, Dr. Karen will let you know the number of visits that is recommended.
The appointments after the Exam and Treatment are 30 minutes. During these appointments we reassess along the way to make sure we are on the correct path.
5. What should I expect at my Initial Visit?
At your Initial Visit, Dr. Karen will meet you in the lobby and, together, you will walk up to the treatment room. There are two sets of stairs to go up before arriving at the treatment room: one set is 7 stairs and the other set is 12 stairs. The Initial visit is an opportunity to ask any questions or concerns. At the end of the visit the next best steps will be discussed.
The short answer is: nope. You're not going to get addicted and need your "chiro fix" once you start. The myth is referring to the adjustment, which is a component of treatment. A chiropractic adjustment restores motion within the joints. When motion is restored, you start to move and feel better. However, just because you like to move better and feel better does not make you an addict of the adjustment. It's as simple as that!
2. What is the popping noise during an adjustment?
Synovial fluid is found within joints and contains gases: oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. For years, it was thought the popping noise was due to the quick release of those gases causing the gas bubble to collapse when force is applied to the joint. However, in 2015, the knuckle joints were observed under Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in real-time as the joints were cracked. The study debunked what we had thought for more than a half a century and showed the joint cracking is associated with the formation of a cavity rather the collapse of the gas bubble (Kawchuk et al., 2015).
3. Do you have to hear a “crack” during an adjustment to know it worked?
We often associate the oh so satisfying “crack” noise with a successful adjustment, but that is not always the case. The objective of an adjustment is to establish motion within a joint. Motion can still be established during an adjustment, even without a popping noise. With that said, it is far more common to hear an audible during an adjustment.
4. How long are the appointments?
The Initial Visit is 15-20 minutes. This is an opportunity to sit down with the doctor and ask any questions or concerns you might have. Most of this visit entails a lot of talking. A general range of motion screen is performed to see any restrictions or pain with spine and hip movement, while an in depth exam is performed at the next appointment. If it is decided to take the next step, the Exam and Treatment appointment is scheduled.
The Exam and Treatment is about 60 minutes. During this appointment, Dr. Karen performs an exam to determine the root problem of your pain or the reason you are seeking treatment. Discovering the root problem is key for treatment. At this appointment, Dr. Karen will let you know the number of visits that is recommended.
The appointments after the Exam and Treatment are 30 minutes. During these appointments we reassess along the way to make sure we are on the correct path.
5. What should I expect at my Initial Visit?
At your Initial Visit, Dr. Karen will meet you in the lobby and, together, you will walk up to the treatment room. There are two sets of stairs to go up before arriving at the treatment room: one set is 7 stairs and the other set is 12 stairs. The Initial visit is an opportunity to ask any questions or concerns. At the end of the visit the next best steps will be discussed.
Works Cited
Kawchuk, Gregory N., et al. “Real-Time Visualization of Joint Cavitation.” PLOS ONE, vol. 10, no. 4, 2015,
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0119470.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0119470.
