Frequently Asked Questions in Raleigh NC

Chiropractic is a health care profession that specializes in treatment and management of primarily musculoskeletal conditions with a main focus on the spine. Chiropractors use spinal manipulation to treat disorders of the spine and musculoskeletal system as well as physical therapies & nutrition.

The benefits of chiropractic care include pain reduction, increase in mobility in the spine, joints and vertebrae for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions like, back pain, neck pain, headaches, car accident injuries, whiplash, carpal tunnel syndrome, Fibromyalgia, arthritis, sciatica, nerve pain, herniated discs and more.

Chiropractic adjustments work by restoring and mobilizing inflated and immobilized vertebrae in the spine. This has a pain reducing affect in the body.
Chiropractors are trained to know where to adjust and treat based on their education training which includes an 4 year undergraduate degree followed by a four year doctorate of chiropractic medicine degree.

Many wonder do Chiropractors really help? The answer is yes. Chiropractic is the third largest healthcare profession behind only Medical Doctors and Doctors of Osteopathy. An estimated 30 million people seek Chiropractic care each year.

The benefits of chiropractic care include decrease pain increase mobility, increased flexibility. The side effects of chiropractic are generally considered low risk. Chiropractic care is a non-surgical non-pharmalogical approach to treating back pain, neck, pain and headaches, shoulder pain, foot pain, knee pain, hand pain.

The benefits of chiropractic care include decrease pain increase mobility, increased flexibility. The side effects of chiropractic are generally considered low risk. Chiropractic care can increase overall well-being, increase, sleep quality, decreased blood pressure, and increase overall quality of life.

Chiropractors and physical therapist may be very similar. Chiropractors primarily focus on the spine. Most chiropractors use physical therapies as part of their practice and do treat other musculoskeletal conditions besides the spine. Chiropractors can perform X-rays in their office and order imaging and labs such us MRIs, ultrasound, CT scan or blood works to diagnose your conditions. Chiropractors do not require a referral to start treatment. Chiropractors must hold a doctoral degree and be board certified by the chiropractic board in their state to practice chiropractic.

Chiropractors treat a wide range of conditions. Most Chiropractors treat back pain, neck pain, sciatica, pinched nerves, degenerative disc disease, tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches, migraines, TMJ, whiplash, car accident injuries.

Many patients have responded well to chiropractic treatment for other conditions such as Bell’s palsy, tinnitus, vertigo.

Chiropractors are now utilizing advanced treatments for other conditions such as Class IV regenerative medical lasers for shoulder and knee pain, foot pain and hand pain tendonitis and sprains.

Chiropractors also help conditions such as herniated and bulging discs in the spine. Utilizing specialized spinal decompression machines, which help the discs in the spine, heal and reabsorb.

Chiropractors also treat neuropathy and diabetic neuropathy with class IV regenerative medical laser therapy.

A Chiropractic adjustment is a procedure where a Chiropractor makes an alignment to the vertebrae or extremity in the body. This realignment restores the bodies mobility and range of motion, which can decrease pain, decreases spinal compression by decompressing and mobilizing the spine. A Chiropractor may use his hands or utilize a machine to perform a chiropractic adjustment.

During a chiropractic adjustment, the chiropractor will utilize his hands or a special instrument to apply a specific controlled high velocity low amplitude force to the vertebrae or joint to mobilize the vertebrae or joint. Often, an immediate reduction in pain and increase in range of motion is reported by the patient.

The cracking sound in the spine is a combination of the facet joints in between the vertebrae realigning and small gas bubbles, releasing within the synovial fluid of the joints and vertebrae. The gas releasing causes a decrease in pressure in the joints and vertebrae in the spine and causes a decrease in pain, decompression in the spine, increase mobility and increase flexibility in the spine or extremities.

Your Chiropractor may use different techniques that may not always produce a cracking or popping sound. Most of the time there will be an audible cracking sound in the joints after the chiropractic adjustment which is a combination of gasses being released in the joints and the vertebrae realigning together. However, the spine can still adjust without making a sound. Many Chiropractors use machines and instruments to adjust the spine that do not produce a cracking sound.

If a Chiropractor can’t crack your back it may be related to an underlying condition or the Chiropractor's experience or technique being used.

Again the cracking sound during a chiropractic adjustment is a combination of gasses being released in the joints and the vertebrae realigning and mobilzing together.

Check with your own insurance plans chiropractic coverage. Most major medical insurance’s do cover chiropractic care. Carolina ChiroCare & Rehab are in network providers with Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, united health, MedCost, and Medicare. Car insurances will cover chiropractic care after a car accident.

Chiropractic adjustments are generally considered safe when performed by a licensed and trained chiropractic physician. As with any other healthcare procedure, there can be risks and benefits of the treatment. Discuss the risks and benefits of any chiropractic treatment with your licensed and trained chiropractic physician. Some potential risks include sprains and strains of the spine and extremities and herniated discs. In rare cases, a stroke can happen. This is estimated to be a risk of around one and 4 million.

Chiropractic adjustments are generally considered safe. Chiropractors are trained in ruling out health conditions that are contraindications to getting a chiropractic adjustment. These conditions include cancer, fractures or a history of stroke.

A major study in 2007 found that the risk of injury after a chiropractic treatment was low to very low.

Thiel, H.W. et al (2007) Safety of chiropractic manipulation of the cervical spine: a prospective national survey. [Online] Available from:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17906581[Accessed 15 September 2016].

Chiropractic care is considered safe during pregnancy. Chiropractic care during pregnancy may relieve back and hip pain, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, joint pain, headaches, many OB/GYN’s will recommend chiropractic care during pregnancy, but check with your OB/GYN to ensure that chiropractic care is right for you during pregnancy.

Chiropractic care during pregnancy is considered safe. Conditions like low back pain, sciatica and carpal tunnel syndrome are common among pregnant females. Chiropractic care can also help pregnant females deal with pain in the hips and pelvis that occur during pregnancy. Some have questioned if chiropractic adjustments can cause a miscaraige. There currently is very little evidence to suggest that a chiropractic adjustment during pregnancy can cause a miscaraige. If you are pregnant make sure to tell your Chiropractor that you currently are pregnant. If you are pregnant and have early labor, vaginal bleeding, sudden onset of abdominal or pelvic pain, placenta previa, ruptured amniotic membranes, placenta abruption, ectopic pregnancy, or moderate to severe toxemia chiropractic care is not recommended.

Chiropractors are trained in the treatment of chiropractic care for children. Chiropractic care is safe for children. Some chiropractors hold advanced certifications in treating children. Chiropractic care for children may include special treatments based on your child’s size, age or medical conditions. Chiropractic care for children is generally safe for back pain, neck pain, hip and joint pain.

Chiropractic care is considered generally safe. Some risks include soreness, headache after the chiropractic adjustment, sprain or strains of the muscles around the spine. In rare cases a stroke or herniated spinal disc may be a complication of a chiropractic treatment.

Chiropractic care is not considered addicting like an opiate drug or smoking tobacco. However there can be a euphoric type of feeling after a chiropractic adjustment that some patients seek. This euphoric feeling is related to the release of chemicals in the body that are released after a chiropractic adjustment called Epinephrine and Norepinephrine. These chemicals are associated with pain relief and the feeling good after a long run often called a jogger's high.

Dopamine is also released in small amounts during a chiropractic adjustment and massage done by some Chiropractors. Dopamine is a chemical released in the brain that makes us feel good. So to answer the question can you become addicted to the Chiropractor yes in some ways there can be an addictive quality but nothing like a known controlled substance or street drug. Having said this there are patients with underlying chronic conditions such as Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, chronic pain syndrome who do not get relief from their symptoms from most treatments except chiropractic care. These patients seek and require seeing their Chiropractor multiple times a week or month. How often should you get adjusted depends on your underlying medical conditions and your response to chiropractic treatment.

Most people can self-adjust some but it is recommended to see a board certified, licensed and trained chiropractic professional.

Unlike mini pharmacological prescription drugs like opiates or benzodiazepines chiropractic care is not addictive. However, you may become addicted to feeling good naturally 🙂

the number of sessions need it when you see a Chiropractor depends on many factors. Depending on what your health condition is and how long you’ve had the health condition may play a role in how many sessions it will take with a chiropractor.

Your Chiropractor’s training and experience may also play a factor in how many sessions you will require. Your own lifestyle factors may also play a role in how many sessions it will take when seeing a Chiropractor.

Conditions such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle and diabetes may lengthen the number of treatments required to resolve your health conditions when seeing a Chiropractor. A patient’s compliance to their treatment plan laid out by their Chiropractor initially will also play a role in how many sessions it will take.

Is it safe to take your child to the chiropractor? Doctors of Chiropractic are trained in the treatment of children. Many Chiropractors have special certifications and educational backgrounds in treating children. Children who are heavily involved in athletics and sports seem to benefit the most from chiropractic care as there can be injuries associated with playing sports. Other parents seek out a Chiropractor for a crying toddler or baby for pediatric chiropractic adjustments.

For parents who are concerned about the cracking of the spine with their children many chiropractors use physical therapies such as soft tissue massage, stretches and exercises, ultrasound therapy and electrical muscle stimulation to control and modulate musculoskeletal pain. Chiropractors should co-manage and work with a child's Pediatrician at all times.

The research behind chiropractic care for behavioral issues like ADHD is inconclusive and parents should be cautious of Chiropractors claiming to fix behavioral issues in children.

Chiropractic care is a safe and effective treatment for back pain. At Carolina ChiroCare & Rehab we are utilizing traditional chiropractic as well as class IV regenerative medical laser and non surgical laser disc decompression to treat back pain, herniated and bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, sciatica, pinched nerves and arthritis in the back.

Yes, Chiropractic care is a safe and effective treatment for neck pain. At Carolina ChiroCare & Rehab we are utilizing traditional chiropractic with class IV regenerative medical laser and non-surgical laser disc decompression to treat neck pain, herniated and bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, pinched nerves and arthritis in the neck.

Yes, Chiropractic care is a safe and effective treatment for headaches. The majority of headaches come from inflammation, irritation and dysfunction in the muscles and vertebrae in the neck.

Yes in fact all of the NFL teams use a Chiropractor. The majority of MLB and NHL teams have a team Chiropractor. Most Olympic team have a Chiropractor.

Yes Chiropractors can help improve posture. Chiropractors will address dysfunctions of the vertebrae and muscles in the spine and make corrective treatments to the spine by mobilizing and adjusting the vertebrae. Chiropractors will also help to treat tight and weak muscles that are contributing to poor posture. Chiropractors may also utilize back braces and corrective exercises and stretches to correct poor posture. Chiropractors will evaluate your workplace ergonomics to assist in providing you with a proper workstation to correct poor posture.

Chiropractors must earn a doctor degree and go to school for 4 years of undergraduate degree followed by 4 years of a Doctorate of Chiropractic degree or D.C. Steps to become a Chiropractor also include passing four national boards and getting licensed in the state the Doctor chooses to practice. How much money a Chiropractor makes after going into practice depends on a number of factors mostly depending on a Chiropractor's experience treating patients vs. if he/she is the owner of their own clinic or works as an employee of a clinic.

Yes, patients who have had back surgery can still see a Chiropractor. Depending on the type of surgery the manual chiropractic adjustment may not be recommended. For instance If you have had a fusion surgery your Chiropractor should not perform a manual chiropractic adjustment. However, machine adjustment can be performed as well as physical therapies to help reduce pain. If you have had a discectomy surgery generally speaking your Chiropractor may be able to perform manual chiropractic adjustments.

Is it safe to use a Chiropractor after a fusion surgery? Yes but for gentler physical therapies like stretching strengthening exercises, massage, or laser therapy. Manual chiropractic adjustment should not be performed after a fusion surgery.

How long after surgery can you see a Chiropractor depends on many individual factors. There is no reason that someone shortly after surgery could not see a Chiropractor for gentle physical therapies like stretching and strengthening therapeutics, or electrical muscle stimulation to prevent weakening of back muscles. For manual chiropractic adjustment there should be a waiting period of around 6 months after surgery to consider receiving a manual chiropractic adjustment.

A chiropractic adjustment after a laminectomy may be a treatment option but speak to your surgeon and Chiropractor to know the risks versus the benefits to make an informed decision.

Chiropractors can recommend surgery as part of your treatment depending on your current conditions. Most chiropractors will work with a local surgeon in their area when surgery is recommended.

Once starting chiropractic care some benefits should be noticed from 1-4 weeks. This does not mean someone should be 100% improved but generally speaking there should be some noticed improvements in 1-4 weeks after starting treatment. If someone has been in an accident like a car accident injuries can take 6-8 weeks and up to several months to fully get back to normal.

How long it will take for chiropractic care to work can depend on several different factors like:

1. Age
2. Weight
3. General health and fitness level
4. How long the conditions has been a problem
5. What the actual conditions are
6. Other health consideration like smoking, diabetes or certain arthritis

How you will know if chiropractic is working is that you should notice your pain getting better. Improvements in ranges of motion, sleep, frequency and intensity of your complaints should all improve if chiropractic care is working. The Chiropractic adjustment usually lasts for 2-10 minutes.

Chiropractors will work on fixing the condition(s) which you presented to them with initially. After the condition(s) has resolved, it may require maintenance care to prevent the condition(s) from returning or worsening again. Just like when you visit the Dentist with a cavity after cavity is removed the teeth and mouth require regular cleaning and maintenance care. Your vehicle requires maintenance such as tire rotations, filter changes and regular oil changes to function optimally. Your body is no different.

Generally speaking, no. But there can be soreness associated with a chiropractic adjustment. Patients who have never had a chiropractic adjustment may at times report soreness after the treatment. Usually the soreness resolves within 24 to 48 hours.

The first chiropractic visit takes around 45 minutes. Follow up visits usually take between 15-20 minutes.

Chiropractic is a doctoral degree that is completed after a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited chiropractic college. To obtain a degree in chiropractic generally takes eight years or more.

Carolina ChiroCare and Rehab is centrally located in Raleigh, NC and is well established for 15 years in the same office location. Carolina ChiroCare and Rehab has a high patient satisfaction score with over 200 5-star Google reviews.

Carolina ChiroCare and Rehab accepts all major health insurance plans including Aetna, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, United, Healthcare, Cigna, Medcost, and Medicare. Carolina ChiroCare and Rehab also accepts car insurance to pay for treatment if you have been injured in a car accident.

Dr. Gerdes is board certified and is certified in manipulation under anesthesia. He has completed advanced certification from the spine research institute of San Diego, as well as MRI credentialing from the University of Buffalo school of medicine in MRI interpretation of the spine.

Carolina ChiroCare and Rehab utilizes non-surgical machines such as Class IV regenerative medical lasers and spinal decompression to treat, herniated and bulging discs, arthritis, nerve pain, plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder tendon tears, knee pain and tendonitis, Bell’s palsy, trigeminal neuritis, neuropathy, TMJ and headaches.