Frequently Asked Questions

Questions:

What is chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts based upon the understanding that good health depends, in part, upon a normally functioning nervous system (especially the spine, and the nerves extending from the spine to all parts of the body). "Chiropractic" comes from the Greek word chiropraktikos, meaning "effective treatment by hand." Chiropractic stresses the idea that the cause of many disease processes begins with the body's inability to adapt to its environment. It looks to address these diseases not by the use of drugs and chemicals, but by locating and adjusting a musculoskeletal area of the body which is functioning improperly.

What conditions benefit from chiropractic care?

Although chiropractic is used most frequently to relieve low back pain, studies have found it to be effective for a variety of conditions, such as migraine headaches, neck and shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and infantile colic.

Does Chiropractic hurt?

In most cases, adjustments don't hurt. The patient may experience a minor amount of discomfort during the adjustment which lasts only seconds.

Is Chiropractic safe?

Chiropractic adjustments or manipulations are extremely safe. The risk factor is estimated to be in excess of one million to one.

What kind of education and training do doctors of chiropractic have?

Chiropractors are Doctors of Chiropractic and earn a Doctorate Degree. Chiropractors receive an education that emphasizes neuromuscular diagnosis and treatment. Preparation for the practice of chiropractic is concentrated on three areas of learning; basic training in the biological and health sciences (anatomy, physiology, histology, biochemistry, clinical and radiological diagnosis); specialized training in the chiropractic discipline (theoretical studies, practice, diagnosis and applications); and extensive clinical training.

Have any studies been published showing the effectiveness of chiropractic?

Many studies have documented the effectiveness of chiropractic in relieving spine related pain. More recent studies have shown chiropractic to be effective in treating infantile colic and migraine headaches.

What can I expect on my first visit?

The first thing a chiropractor will do is ask you about the health complaints about which you are chiefly concerned. The DC will also ask about your family history, dietary habits, other care you may have had (chiropractic, osteopathic, medical, etc.), your job, and other questions designed to help determine the nature of your illness and the best way to go about treating the problem.

An orthopedic and neurological physical examination will be performed in accordance with your DC's clinical judgement, which may include x-rays, laboratory analysis and other diagnostic procedures. In addition, a careful spinal examination and analysis will be performed to detect any structural abnormalities which may be affecting or causing your condition. All of these elements are important components of your total health profile, and vital to the doctor of chiropractic in evaluating your problem.

What other services do you offer besides chiropractic?

Our office offers a variety of alternative health treatments, including electro-acupuncture, homeopathic formulas, herbal medicine, Chinese medicine and nutritional consulting. Physiotherapy may also be provided, including: moist heat, mechanical traction of the neck and low back, electro-stimulation, ultra-sound, corrective exercise instruction

Can pets be treated with chiropractic care?

Dr. Heller is trained to perform veterinary chiropractic adjustments. This can be done for your pet cat, dog, rabbit, horse, goat and others. The first step is to work with your veternarian to rule out serious diseases. Then an x-ray would be taken and sometimes MRI, or neurology testing may be performed. If the pet has a spine related problem then Dr. Heller will work with your vet.

How will I know if my pet has a chiropractic problem?

Usually dogs get neck injuries from being jerked around on a leash. This hurts them the same way it would hurt a person. Sometimes it causes front leg weakness or neck soreness. They can arthritis in any joint. Low back pain is also very common. Dogs and cats do a lot of jumping on their hind legs and landing with full weight onto their front legs. This can hurt hip and shoulder joints and the spine. If the dog has hip problems it can make them walk with a wiggle and a stiff hind end. Some times they cannot jump up at all.

Dogs can play very rough with humans and each other. This can cause misalignments of their vertebrae just as it would in humans. We often do not realize how sore they may be as they are usually so enthusiastic about being with us that we may miss some of their problems. They may turn around quickly when you are massaging them in a sore spot. Sometimes the skin seems to shiver or wrinkle when you touch an area of misalgnment.

If there is any change in your pet's enthusiasm level for walking, getting into the car, jumping up onto the bed or couch, or chasings balls, etc...check your pet's body by giving him a gentle massage all over. This is a pleasurable bonding experience and can give you valuable information about your pet's health.

Your pet may have a neck related headache and will not be able to tell you. Your pet may have been hit by a car, tormented by children, dropped as a puppy, kicked, fallen from a tree, bitten by a larger animal and shaken, among other awful experiences. You may never have been aware of these events. Fur covers a lot of bruising. The animals try to make the most of their abilities and try really hard to please us even when in severe pain. Please keep them safe and comfortable.

What is MUA -Manipulation Under Anesthesia? How can it help me?

COOPERATION BETWEEN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION AND CHIROPRACTIC DOCTORS HAS MADE THE TECHNIQUE OF MANIPULATION UNDER CONSCIOUS SEDATION AVAILABLE.
Manipulative treatment of the spine is the science and practice of the non-operative restoration of the function of the bones, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments. The overall objective of manipulation is to relieve the patient's pain and disability with a minimum amount of expense to the patient and loss of time from work and other activities.

In acute back pain when there is severe pain and spasm, an anesthetic may be desirable to aid with the manipulation. In chronic pain when the patient has received regular manipulative treatment over a long period of time and has not had a major improvement in the level of pain or an increase in the persons back or joint flexibility, manipulation under anesthesia may be effective.

What kinds of conditions respond well to manipulation under conscious sedation?
Migraine headaches, chronic neck and back pain, chronic disc changes, chronic myositis, chronic fibrositis, restricted motion following trauma including some compression fractures, acute muscle spasms associated with subluxations, arthritis, frozen shoulder, hip joint motion restrictions and other conditions.

Why anesthesia?
The joints are stabilized by muscles and ligaments. When the muscles are in spasm, the doctor of chiropractic may not be able to put the joint through its normal range of motion. Under anesthesia the postural tone of the muscles and the muscle spasms are abolished. This allows the chiropractor to gently manipulate the joints by putting the joints through their normal range of motion, reduce the restrictive adhesions and reduce the misalignments of the involved vertebrae. This procedure works well for many patients who have pain and do not wish to undergo surgery. Some patients are in too much pain or have muscle spasms that are too severe and chronic to benefit from chiropractic care without anesthesia.

Why conscious sedation?
An intravenous sedative is administered by a medical doctor (anesthesiologist). The patient is not subjected to the dangers of general anesthesia and the patient is awake enough to preserve protective reflexes. The patient is sedated for 5 to 10 minutes, rather than for hours as during back surgery. The nurses, medical doctors and chiropractors, physical therapists and hospital staff work closely together as a team.

How do you know if you can benefit from Manipulation Under Anesthesia (MUA)?
First, an orthopedic and neurological examination is performed by chiropractor specifically certified to perform MUA. There are only a few chiropractors in California qualified to do so. Any other necessary other studies are ordered. These may include x-rays, lab tests, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CT scan, EMG and nerve conduction studies. A medical doctor will also perform an examination to be sure the patient can be safely anesthetized and is a good candidate for MUA. This is truly a team effort between medical doctors and doctors of chiropractic working together for the benefit of the patient.

What are the services offered by Dr. Heller?

Chiropractic Services that may be offered by our office to Children and Adults: And Pets
Physical examinations
Medical/legal Examinations
QME (Qualified Medical Evaluations) for Workman's Compensation
School Physical Examinations
Truckers' Physical Examinations
Nutritional/Herbal Consultations
Body fat percentage evaluation
Preventative Health/Fitness evaluation
Adjustments of Animals under the supervision of a Veterinarian
Spinal Adjustments
Scoliosis Screening
Adjustments to arms and legs
TMJ (Jaw joint) evaluation and treatment
Physiotherapy
Nerve Conduction Studies
MUA – Manipulation Under Anesthesia
Massage Therapy Services
We have a gym in our office with Cypbex Rehabilitation equipment
Computer testing and fitting for orthodics
Spinal decompression

Referrals to diagnostic facilities, including:
X-ray, MRI, CT Scan, Nerve Conduction testing and Lab tests.

Referrals to other Health care providers, including but not limited to:
Medical specialists, Dentists, Physical Therapists, Pediatricians, Psychologists, Acupuncturists