If you’re on this website, there’s a good chance that you are experiencing pain or a health condition that is hindering your ability to enjoy life, and you are considering seeing a chiropractor Takoma Park, MD residents rely on at AmeriWell Clinics. We understand what you are going through and are ready to offer you the support and treatment you need. Whether you have acute or chronic pain or would like to improve your general health, a chiropractor can help. Guided by experience, the most effective techniques, patience, care, and a friendly demeanor, your chiropractor can assist you in the recovery process.
- 6 Issues To Discuss With Your Chiropractor
- 6 ISSUES TO DISCUSS WITH YOUR CHIROPRACTOR INFOGRAPHIC
- Chiropractic Help After a Personal Injury
- The Noise You Hear When Your Chiropractor Adjusts You
- What To Expect After a Treatment Session
- Is a Chiropractor Right for You?
- Five Things To Do After Your Chiropractic Adjustment
To schedule an immediate consultation with a chiropractor Takoma Park, MD residents and personal injury accident victims depend on, call us today. We offer convenient appointment hours, flexible payment plans, and accept some insurance carriers.
What is a Chiropractor?
When personal injury victims are looking for recovery help after an accident, their first thought is probably to go to their primary care physician for treatment. However, chiropractic care can give you just as effective treatment with more natural remedies. Your chiropractor will likely perform different spinal manipulations or massage/therapy techniques to get your muscles and joints back in order. This can help many patients improve their range of motion, especially if they take these techniques home and practice them.
It is important that when you go visit a chiropractor, you are seeing someone who is properly licensed, certified, and trained. If they are not, find someone who is. Chiropractors implement very specialized techniques and you want to ensure that this person is trained to do so.
Diagnosing the Problem
Like other medical problems, the right chiropractic treatment begins with an accurate diagnosis. Our clinic uses various methods which are often the same as those used by traditional doctors, including orthopedic testing, postural assessment, neurological testing, X-rays, and more. Our first goal will be to determine whether or not chiropractic care can treat your specific ailment. If not, we may be able to recommend another form of medical care that will be more beneficial.
For example, consider a headache. Headaches can be caused by any number of reasons, such as a pinched nerve, allergic reaction, sinus problem, blood infection, or dehydration, to name a few. After an assessment, we will discuss with you our diagnosis and let you know if proceeding with chiropractic care is a good idea. It is our primary objective to get you back to optimal health as quickly and safely as possible.
Treating the Issue
The word “chiropractic” stems from two Greek words ‘cheir’ which means hand and ‘practices‘, or done by. Chiropractic care is a hands-on treatment. Your doctor will use hands to make spinal adjustments and massage. Specialized force is used to realign the vertebrae, and depending on what your diagnosis is, a chiropractor Takoma Park, MD families trust might also use other techniques and treatments such as:
- Corrective exercises
- Lifestyle advice
- Spinal and postural screenings
- Diversified manipulation
- Receptor tonus technique
- Drop table technique
- Physical therapy
- Cold laser therapy
- Heat therapy
- Ultrasound
- Electrical muscle stimulation
- Mechanical traction
- Spinal decompression
Preventing a problem from happening is better than treating a problem after the fact. Our chiropractic doctor might also make recommendations for your diet and lifestyle which can further your recovery and prevent other injuries from happening.
6 Issues To Discuss With Your Chiropractor
Choosing a chiropractic professional might seem like a daunting prospect at first. You require caring, professional assistance, and at a time like this, it can be a challenge to keep everything straight in your mind during your consultation. Need some guidelines to help you communicate? Here are a few subjects to cover.
1. Scans
Chiropractors use X-rays to get an inside look at the area in question. Otherwise, it’s like flying a plane in the dark without instruments. They have to rule out significant pathologies or fractures before making recommendations. Your health history, exam results, and X-rays combine to give the Ameriwell chiropractor an indication of how to put together the treatment plan, which techniques will be effective, and the optimal length of time for treatment. Make sure your chiropractor intends to study X-rays as part of their assessment.
2. Recommendations
Even if you are a great note-taker, getting down all of the information you need can be next to impossible. Ask your chiropractor to put their recommendations in writing so you can weigh your options before making a final decision. Also, you can expect your chiropractor in Takoma Park, MD to give you an up-front estimate of the cost of treatment.
3. Techniques
Some chiropractic professionals are proficient in and recommend one specific technique. Their scope is limited. A well-versed chiropractor in Takoma Park, MD will know and be able to apply a variety of techniques to address your unique needs. Be sure this topic is part of your discussion.
4. Payments
Insurance coverage for chiropractic care varies. A thriving practice will set up a payment plan so you can receive the help you need without undue financial strain. Even if part of your treatment is covered by insurance, this option will make a big impact on your peace of mind. Be open and inquisitive.
5. Testimonials
Your chiropractor in Takoma Park, MD will be able to provide references or testimonials that give you a good idea of positive treatment outcomes. It’s a reflection on the quality of service and care. Peer recommendations are a good thing to have, too. You can often find this material on the practice’s website. Feel free to ask directly.
6. Prevention
Once you meet specific treatment goals, your Ameriwell chiropractor will have specific recommendations for aftercare and prevention. At your first consultation, ask for general examples of ways that patients are encouraged to stay healthy.
Chiropractic Help After a Personal Injury
When it comes to personal injuries, the initial accident may have shocked you, but sometimes there is more damage during the recovery process. Not only could you have seriously high medical bills, but you may also be dealing with the stress and pain of your injuries for weeks, months, or potentially years. When you are not sure of the best solution for treating your pain after a personal injury accident, call the trusted chiropractors at AmeriWell Clinics today. They have worked with personal injury patients for many years helping them recover and find a treatment plan that works best for them.
Additionally, many people would prefer to try a more natural form of treatment instead of going through the expense and recovery time that accompanies surgery. Others prefer to avoid medications that may have serious side effects. If this sounds like a more sustainable option, please call our clinic today.
What are Spinal Subluxations?
A chiropractor Takoma Park, MD residents trust can do an exam and let you know whether you have subluxations, which are misalignments of the spine. These misalignments may occur for several reasons, and your chiropractor can talk with you further about what these reasons may be depending on your lifestyle, work environment, and medical history. Subluxations are not good for the body because they interrupt communication of the central nervous system and can lead to health problems in the neck and back, in addition to causing headaches.
Can a Chiropractor Helpful After a Personal Injury Accident?
When someone else’s negligence caused you to sustain a personal injury, a chiropractor can be precisely the medical professional you need to help properly document and assess your injuries so that you have all the information you need when you file a claim. Your chiropractor is a medical professional who can determine the extent of the damage done, and it is important to speak directly with your chiropractor Takoma Park, MD patients trust about why you are there in the first place. This can help them to take down detailed information regarding your injuries, how you are healing, and how you likely would not have healed had you gone elsewhere. This can be incredibly beneficial when you and your attorney file a claim.
If I Get Care From AmeriWell Clinics Can I See Another Doctor?
Absolutely. In fact, many chiropractors are more than happy to work alongside your primary care physician, especially if you are still considering how medication or surgery might help your procedure. It is important to let your chiropractor know of any other treatments you are undergoing and any types of medication you are on so that they can treat you in the best way possible during your visits.
For more information on how an AmeriWell Clinics chiropractor can help you while you are recovering from a personal injury, please speak with a member of the chiropractic care team today.
The Noise You Hear When Your Chiropractor Adjusts You
Chiropractic adjustments can give your body a lot of relief, both during and after your appointment. However, while your doctor adjusts you – and potentially using quite a bit of force in some cases – you might hear some loud cracking or popping noises that may not sound very good!
Fortunately, that sound is completely normal. Surrounding your joints there is a fluid where air can become trapped, creating small air bubbles. As the chiropractor adjusts you, these air bubbles pop and create that sometimes loud cracking sound. After this your back likely feels looser, although this doesn’t always completely treat the entirety of the pain or soreness you’re experiencing. Chiropractic care is meant to provide gradual changes that bring your joints into proper alignment at a healthy pace for your body.
Do All Adjustments Make a Sound?
Not all adjustments cause this type of sound, especially techniques that are low force, meant for individuals who do not like or want excessive adjustment in certain areas, such as those that are highly sensitive or in pain.
While some individuals are tempted to think of the sound as “progress” since it does signify that a joint has moved slightly, if you do not hear a sound this does not mean that an adjustment hasn’t happened. There are numerous techniques chiropractors can use on your body, depending on what makes the most sense for your ailments and your level of comfort, and not all of these make sounds.
It is common for some people to be turned off by this popping sound and may even avoid chiropractic care altogether. The idea of someone moving your body in a way that causes joints to move can also be a disconcerting thought, but as long as you work with a chiropractor who is trained and well-practiced, there is really nothing to be concerned about.
What To Expect After a Treatment Session
If you are new to the chiropractic approach, you may be curious about what to expect after a treatment session. This is a very common question for new patients and please do not hold back from asking for clarification if you are confused or curious about what care entails. And while every patient is different from the next, there are a few things to keep in mind after you have been adjusted:
When You Will Feel Better
When patients step into our office for the first time, it is not uncommon for them to be in significant pain and desperately yearning for relief. Each person is treated individually, so we cannot say for certain when you will begin to feel better. In general, the more severe and chronic the issue, the more adjustments you may require before your body feels the benefits.
Body Aches After the Appointment
If your body is not accustomed to chiropractic adjustments, it may not recognize a correct alignment the first time due to having gotten used to a less than ideal posture. It is normal to feel some achiness or soreness of the muscles and joints after an appointment, but it should not persist past a day or two. But, if you are concerned about anything that you feel after a treatment session, do not hesitate to call a chiropractor Takoma Park, MD patients trust even if just for some reassurance that what you are experiencing is normal.
Drink Fluids and Stay in Motion
After an adjustment, your bones and muscles have been stimulated and moved. This can result in the body releasing toxins (similar to after getting a massage), so you need to drink plenty of fluids shortly after an appointment. The human body is composed mostly of water, and uses it to cushion joints, flush byproducts, and hydrate cells. And, any movement you can do in the following days can help hold the adjustment in place and prevent the body from going back to its incorrect position.
Get Plenty of Sleep
When we sleep, our bodies are able to repair itself. So if you are not getting sufficient rest, it can hinder your body’s ability to heal. Lack of sleep can contribute to weakness, fatigue, memory loss, depression, and more. You may also want to evaluate whether the pillow and mattress you use is actually benefiting you. If you have a mattress that is too hard or soft, it can put your body in a harmful position all night. Your chiropractor Takoma Park, MD families turn to can give you recommendations for how to maintain a proper alignment during sleeping hours.
Is a Chiropractor Right for You?
A good chiropractor can use their knowledge and skill to feel your back and determine what the best course of treatment will be for your ailments. If they suspect, or determine through spinal x-rays, that you have a broken bone or fracture, they will suggest that you see a surgeon or other medical professional.
If you have other types of pain or joint/spinal concerns that can be improved or healed without surgery, chiropractic care could be your best option. Work with someone you feel comfortable with and know that the popping sound that comes with an adjustment is nothing to be worried about!
Why Should You See a Chiropractor?
Are you looking for help with injuries and illnesses? If so, you should see a chiropractor. A chiropractor is someone who has specialized training and can use manual therapy to help people recover from a wide variety of concerns. If you want to put yourself in the best position possible to recover, you should consider visiting a chiropractor in Takoma Park, MD, such as a chiropractor with Ameriwell. Why should you consider making an appointment with a local chiropractor?
Minimize Side Effects and Complications
One of the first reasons why you should consider seeing a chiropractor is that you can minimize the risk of complications. There are lots of people who believe they need to take prescription medications to recover from injuries and illnesses. Other people may believe that they need to undergo surgery. Fortunately, this is not always the case. A chiropractor uses manual therapy, which does not have as high a risk of leading to side effects.
Get to the Root Cause
The next reason why you should consider seeing a chiropractor is that he or she can get to the root cause of what is happening. A lot of traditional medical techniques only treat the symptoms on the surface. Even though this may make you feel better, this is not addressing the underlying issue. A chiropractor in Takoma Park, MD will take the time to get to know you personally, figuring out where your issues are coming from. Then, by targeting the issues underneath the surface, a chiropractor can get to the bottom of why you might not be feeling your best.
Prevent Issues From Returning
Finally, a chiropractor focuses on preventative care. The goal is to not only help you feel better but prevent the problems from coming back. That way, you can dramatically improve your overall quality of life. If you want to prevent these problems from returning in the future, you should work with a chiropractor who can help you.
See a Local Chiropractor
In the end, these are just a few of the many reasons why you should consider seeing a chiropractor. A chiropractor has advanced training that he or she can use to help you recover from numerous injuries and illnesses. A chiropractor can customize your treatment plan to meet your specific needs. Therefore, consider seeing a chiropractor in Takoma Park, MD, such as a chiropractor with Ameriwell. You deserve to be in control of your health care.
Five Things To Do After Your Chiropractic Adjustment
Hydrate
After a chiropractic adjustment, your chiropractor in Takoma Park, MD, from Ameriwell, might recommend you drink plenty of water. Chiropractors adjust your spinal column, muscles, ligaments and tendons. Whenever that happens, there’s a release of toxins in your body. Drinking enough water will flush out these toxins. To figure out how much water you should be drinking in a day, take your weight in pounds and divide it by 2. That’s how many ounces of water you should be drinking every day. For example, if you weigh 250 pounds, you should aim to drink 125 ounces of water daily — just under a gallon.
Move, But Don’t Exercise Vigorously
The worst thing you can do after a chiropractic adjustment is go sit down for an extended period of time. You need to keep moving to allow the adjustment time to take hold in your body. Move around gently, maybe doing yoga or tai chi or simply going for a walk. If you have to go back to work, use a standing desk or take multiple short breaks to walk around the office. Your Ameriwell chiropractor in Takoma Park, MD may suggest you avoid vigorous, high-impact exercise as much as possible while under her care.
Add Chiropractor Exercises to Your Routine
In addition to any regular exercise program you follow, you should also add your chiropractor’s recommended exercises to your schedule. A chiropractor in Takoma Park, MD, may give you just a few exercises to do at home, or she may give you a long list. Either way, it’s imperative that you do them to relieve the pain you’ve been feeling in your back, neck, or other parts of your body.
Avoid Prolonged Sitting
You might have heard that sitting is the new smoking. In other words, sitting all day at work, then going home and sitting all night is extremely detrimental to your health. Your body wasn’t designed to sit still; it’s meant to move around. At least once an hour, stand up and do some stretching or some of the exercises assigned by your chiropractor in Takoma Park, MD.
Pay Attention to Your Body
If you overdo it, whether it’s sitting too much or exercising too hard, your body will let you know. Look out for warning signs like twinges, pops, or sudden pain. It’s not unusual after a chiropractic adjustment to feel cooling or tingling in the nearby soft tissues. If these feelings persist, you should reach out to your chiropractor and express your concerns.
Call Us Today to Get Chiropractic Care in Takoma Park, MD
If you’ve been experiencing chronic or acute pain in your body, or are suffering from headaches or other health conditions that are causing you to feel like you are not yourself, it may be a good idea to talk with a chiropractor. Don’t wait for the pain to worsen, call AmeriWell Clinics today to get help from a chiropractor Takoma Park, MD patients can depend on for quality chiropractic services.
Frequently Asked Chiropractic Care Questions
Our Takoma Park, MD chiropractor can provide those suffering from pain with the opportunity to experience relief and heal holistically. While many people have not had the benefits of chiropractic care, it is an age-old practice that has risen in popularity in recent years. Chiropractic care is a non-invasive alternative treatment that can complement other forms of treatment that address issues related to the musculoskeletal system. AmeriWell Clinics providers know that prospective patients seeking care will have numerous questions about treatment. Meeting with our team can allow patients to have their questions answered and offer ample experience that provides pain sufferers the recovery and relief they deserve.
What are the benefits of accessing chiropractic care?
Treatment from a chiropractor benefits many who are living with pain or experiencing medical conditions that result in side effects impacting their lives. Millions of people suffer from chronic pain each year, and adjustments from a chiropractor can help to manage pain and minimize the effects of medical diagnosis. Benefits of chiropractic care include:
- Reduce the Dependency on Pain Medications
- Reduce Chronic Pain
- Improved Athletic Performance
- Healing From Injuries
- Improved Range of Motion
- Better Immunity
- Better Sleep
- Improved Posture
- +More
What conditions does a chiropractor help to treat?
One of the primary reasons so many people are accessing chiropractic treatments is because it can help encourage the body to heal without invasive medical interventions. Our Takoma Park chiropractor will share that there are several conditions that a chiropractor can help to treat, including:
- Back Pain
- Neck Pain
- Migraines
- Muscle Pain
- Injury Recovery
- Osteoarthritis
- Chronic Medical Conditions
- +More
What should a prospective patient expect from their first chiropractic session?
Most people who have never seen a chiropractor may be nervous or apprehensive over their first chiropractic session. It can be helpful to know what to expect and how to prepare for the first session. The first thing to consider is insurance coverage and the cost associated with treatments. Having a clear idea of what to expect when it comes to cost can alleviate stress prior to the first treatment. Plan to wear comfortable clothing to allow for ease when receiving an adjustment. In addition, plan to come prepared with medical records, a history of pain, conditions, and the impact. During the first session, a chiropractor will ask for this information and carefully assess the condition by testing muscle tone, strength, pain levels, and range of motion. After assessing the patient, a chiropractor will often begin developing a treatment plan and may even administer an adjustment.
How long are chiropractic sessions, and what frequency will be required?
Most people will want to know how long and often they will need to receive treatment. It’s important to note that this largely depends on the condition and how the patient responds to treatment. While a person may receive treatment for a few months, others may require more long-term treatment. In frequency, a patient may see a chiropractor three times a week and slowly taper off to less frequent visits.
Takoma Park Chiropractor Infographic
Is it safe to receive treatment from a chiropractor?
Yes- chiropractic adjustments are safe, but only when they are performed by an experienced and licensed professional. However, it’s essential to communicate with chiropractic professionals through treatments so that they can provide safe and effective treatments.
Know that it’s possible to receive relief through chiropractic care, and AmeriWell Clinics brings both the care and experience necessary with our Takoma Park chiropractor.
Take The First Step
If you’ve been injured in an accident as a result of recklessness, negligence, a defective product or other fault, you should be diagnosed and treated by an experienced chiropractor as soon as possible so that your health does not deteriorate, and you have the proof that you need to seek deserved monetary compensation.
Many times injuries are hidden, or are underestimated, so please call AmeriWell Clinics today for a free consultation at (301) 576-0500, or email us. We also provide free legal referrals to our patients who are suffering from accident-related injuries.