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What Is A Chiropractor?
What Is An Adjustment?
What Should I Expect On My First Visit?
How Do M.D.’s and Chiropractors Compare?
What’s The Difference Between Chiropractic and Physical Therapy?
What Problems Can Chiropractors Treat?
Will I Have To Come Back For Treatments Forever?
Does Insurance Cover Chiropractic Services?
What Other Services Do You Offer?
WHAT IS A CHIROPRACTOR?
A Chiropractor is a doctor who uses gentle hands on techniques known as adjustments to correct painful problems that can affect any part of your body. A Chiropractor is trained and licensed to diagnose and treat muscular and joint problems that can lead to many types of symptoms. A Chiropractor is the only doctor who has received years of training specific to the manipulation (adjustments) of the body. Chiropractors are not licensed to prescribe drugs. Instead, they work towards finding the cause of your problems and then treat it appropriately using many tools, of which, the most important is the adjustment.
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WHAT IS AN ADJUSTMENT?
An Adjustment refers to the gentle and precise movement of a joint or joints in your body as performed by a Chiropractor. During an adjustment you will be placed in a comfortable position and movement will be induced into the problem joint. At the time of the adjustment you may hear a “popping” sound similar to someone “popping” their knuckles. The sound is produced as the joint is moved. A vacuum is produced in the joint and gas “pops” to the surface. The adjustment returns normal function to your joints which, in turn, allows the body to begin the healing process.
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WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT ON MY FIRST VISIT?
The importance of your first visit is to determine what is causing your problem. You will begin with a one on one consultation with one of our three doctors. You will be encouraged to ask as many questions as possible about your condition and the treatment that you will receive. After this, a thorough exam will be performed to aid in the determination of the cause of your symptoms. All findings will be discussed in detail and the rationale for treatment will be explained. Most of our patients receive treatment on their first visit to start the healing process.
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HOW DO M.D.’s AND CHIROPRACTORS COMPARE?
It surprises most patients when they find out that the courses medical doctors and Chiropractors take in school are almost identical. Since medical doctors primarily prescribe drugs their course work and internships have a stronger focus on pathology and pharmaceuticals. Chiropractors treat primarily muscular and skeletal problems and focus more on anatomy and joint manipulation. Thus, the educational background of M.D.’s and Chiropractors are very similar.
There are, however, important differences. In general, M.D.’s are much better in the diagnosis and treatment of internal disorders or systemic disease. Chiropractors excel in the diagnosis and treatment of muscular skeletal disorders. Back pain would be one example. There is no need to see a medical doctor before seeing a Chiropractor. Doctors of Chiropractic are fully trained in diagnosis and will readily suggest your seeing a medical doctor if there is a need. The main difference between the two professions is that medical doctors treat primarily with drugs while Chiropractors work to return normal function to the body through hands on techniques. The important thing to keep in mind is that, many times, you will be best served by both doctors working together towards the goal of improved health.
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WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHIROPRACTIC AND PHYSICAL THERAPY?
Chiropractors are doctors who are trained in the diagnosis of disease in the human body. Physical Therapists are not doctors and they have not received the training for diagnosis of human disorders. Chiropractors and Physical Therapists are similar in that they work towards normalizing the function of the physical body. Physical Therapists focus on the muscular system trying to reestablish normal strength and function. They have not received proper training in the manipulation of joints. Chiropractors, on the other hand, receive extensive training in both joint manipulation and in treating muscular dysfunction. As with medical doctors many patients can benefit from the utilization of a Chiropractor and Physical Therapist when working towards improved health.
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WHAT PROBLEMS CAN CHIROPRACTORS TREAT?
Chiropractors treat a wide variety of conditions. Treating low back pain is the condition most often associated with Chiropractors. The list of conditions below are just a few of the ones that can be successfully treated by chiropractic.
| Neck Pain |
Whiplash Pain |
Headaches |
| Low back pain |
Leg pain |
Sciatic pain |
| Mid-back pain |
Shoulder pain |
Rotator Cuff pain |
| Rotator Cuff pain |
Frozen shoulder |
Tennis Elbow |
| Golfer’s Elbow |
Wrist pain |
Muscle pulls |
| Hand pain |
Hand numbness |
Knee pain |
| Ankle pain |
Plantar Faciitis |
Scoliosis |
| Hip pain |
Arthritis pain |
Infantile Colic |
| Fibromyalgia |
“Slipped” disc |
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome |
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WILL I HAVE TO COME BACK FOR TREATMENTS FOREVER?
Some people will say that once you go to a chiropractor you will have to go back forever. Kind of like a black hole from which you can never escape. The most important point to keep in mind is that of your own personal goals. Typically, we all share the goal of wanting good health. We have become a society, though, that wants the quick fix. We have learned to ignore our bodies and the way it communicates problems to us through a commonly used messenger called “pain.” Chiropractic patients learn to listen to their bodies and to take action when something is not exactly right. If this means that a chiropractic adjustment is appropriate, then they get adjusted (See What is an adjustment?). Should this mindset of listening to your body last forever? I sure hope so!
BEWARE, though, of Chiropractors who tell you that you need to come back multiple times per week for many weeks at a time. Also, BEWARE, of chiropractors who try to sell you long-term treatment plans. These plans are made to benefit the chiropractor, not you. You should not have to be SOLD anything when you go to a doctor's office. Each person is an individual and they will respond to treatment in different ways. What may take you only two days of treatment can take another person two weeks . Your treatment schedule should be determined by the week, not by the month or year. At Zimmer Chiropractic your treatment is tailored to YOU. Our goal is to get you well. We want to help educate you in the art of listening to your body. We take pride in doing this in as few treatments as is necessary.
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DOES INSURANCE COVER CHIROPRACTIC SERVICES?
Most insurance companies cover Chiropractic care. We are preferred providers on many insurance plans including Sagamore, Aetna, Anthem, Prudential, M-Plan, United Health Care, PHCS, Medicare, Cigna, Principle, Triad, HNI, and many more. Many of these insurance companies publish preferred provider booklets that do not list Zimmer Chiropractic because they have not been updated. We suggest that you contact your insurance company and ask them specific questions so you can be fully informed on the details of your insurance coverage. To assist you in this process, we have created a form with suggestions on what you should ask your insurance company. You can bring the completed form to your first appointment and it will be scanned and added to your file. Click here to download this form
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WHAT OTHER SERVICES DO YOU OFFER?
Nutritional Counseling: Dr. Zimmer is one of only a few Chiropractors in the country who has earned a Masters Degree in Human Nutrition. He sees many of his patients solely for nutritional counseling. See Nutritional Counseling for more information.
Pregnancy & Chiropractic: Dr. Eaton has worked with countless pregnant mom's and has spoke to numerous groups regarding the health of women. She has taken additional educational seminars regarding prenatal and postpartum care. She has also been trained in the Webster technique and has in depth knowledge concerning Core strengthening.
Massage Therapy: We have two highly qualified massage therapists, Stacy VanCour and Amy Hinshaw. They offer 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 minute massages. Call the clinic for rates and to schedule an appointment.
Physical Therapy & Rehab: Dr. Zimmer and Dr. Eaton both believe that mobility is just as important as stability. For that reason, Zimmer Chiropractic offers rehabilitative services to strengthen regional musculature and emphasize Core stability in order to prevent further injury. Appropriate equipment, training, and home exercise programs are available to patients who are interested in total recovery and prevention.
Flexion/Distraction: Dr. Zimmer and Dr. Eaton have been trained in Cox Flexion/Distraction techniques. The back end of this special table moves up and down, side to side, and around in circles to provide a gentle, yet powerful, adjustment of the spine.
In-Office Xrays: Zimmer Chiropractic has X-ray equipment on site if needed. Dr. Zimmer and Dr. Eaton have both been trained to read X-rays and MRIs and are happy to interpret films that have been taken in other offices as well. The doctors do not automatically X-ray every patient but reserve this diagnostic tool only for patients that require it.
Speaking Engagements: Dr. Zimmer has spoken to many groups about vitamins/herbs, female health, male health, osteoporosis, arthritis, back pain, liver detoxification, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and weight loss. He has given talks in Chicago, IL, Louisville, KY, Myrtle Beach, SC, Denver, CO, Flagstaff, AZ and in Indianapolis, IN. Contact the clinic if you need a speaker for a meeting or convention. Dr. Zimmer donates his time for most of his lectures.
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Chiropractic Questions
