Frequently Asked Questions in Littleton CO

Chiropractic is a holistic approach to healthcare. It focuses on the body's natural ability to heal itself. With a specific chiropractic adjustment it removes nervous system interference and allows the body to properly communicate through the nervous system.

Chiropractors are known to typically help with musculoskeletal complaints such as neck pain, back pain, headaches, migraines, vertigo, meniere's, disc herniations, sciatica, radiculopathy, whiplash injuries and many others. It can also help with many other symptoms such as allergies, hearing loss, asthma, bed wetting, colic, fever, constipation, weakness, ear infections, skin issues, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, fatigue and many others.

With the use of technology and today's advancements we can be more specific than ever in determining exactly what is going on with the spine. Traditional chiropractic adjustments focus on what we call segmental subluxations. So they typically focus on a bone that is not functioning properly or is “out of alignment”. At Peak Health Center we look at the entire spine, determine what normal is for each individual and then we use what we call mirror image adjusting to treat you.

There are many different techniques in chiropractic. Some are better and safer than others. That is why at Peak Health Center we choose to practice the most researched and advanced techniques in the profession. They have been scientifically proven and are backed by research to be safe and effective.

Everyone is different, so there are several factors that determine the amount of care a patient will need. That is why we take x-rays in our office. To see is to know and we don't want to guess with your health! We are a corrective office so we analyze each individual's x-rays and use research to determine the number of visits a patient will likely need.

The biggest benefit of chiropractic is prevention! Spinal issues left uncorrected over long periods of time can lead to arthritis and other diseases. Chiropractic care can help with the relief of many symptoms such as neck pain, back pain, low back pain, headaches, migraines, vertigo, meniere's, disc herniations, sciatica, radiculopathy, whiplash injuries and many others. It can also help with less commonly thought of issues such as allergies, hearing loss, asthma, bed wetting, colic, fever, constipation, weakness, ear infections, skin issues, anxiety, ADD/ADHD, fatigue and many others.

Just like any medical treatment, there are risks. However, the risks with chiropractic care are rare and the benefits of improved health and function far surpass the risks.

Generally speaking a chiropractic adjustment does not hurt. In fact, oftentimes patients will enjoy being adjusted and even say it “feels good”. We know that muscles, tendons and ligaments are connected to the bones. So when we correct the alignment of the spine, all of the muscles, tendons and ligaments connected have to get used to the new position. Sometimes this can cause soreness, similar to exercising or working out. If that happens, typically a day or two and it goes away on its own.

At Peak Health Center we prioritize our patients' health and concerns first. Our team is highly trained, knowledgeable and loves to serve our community. At Peak Health Center we pride ourselves on using the most advanced research based techniques and services. We know that each patient and case is different and that is why we offer custom individualized care plans and not a one size fits all approach to your health.

At Peak Health we pride ourselves on providing individualized care recommendations. So depending on what services need to be done, a typical visit can range from 15 to 30 minutes.

Generally speaking a chiropractor has to complete 8 years of college. Typically 4 years of undergrad with a health science related bachelors degree and then 3-4 years of graduate school. Chiropractic school is a doctorate program that requires at least 4200 instructional hours of course credits and has a large focus on anatomy, physiology and biomechanics.

Yes! In fact there is a lot of research that supports it and even recommends it. At Peak Health Center we are actually certified in Webster's Technique, which is the only certified technique in chiropractic that is specifically for pregnant women. Without getting too scientific, it is a technique that focuses on soft tissues like muscle, tendons and ligaments as well as the alignment of the pelvis. Research has shown that proper biomechanics of the pelvis and proper soft tissue physiology decreases labor times and also significantly reduces the possibility of complications during birth.

Oftentimes you will hear “when you go to the chiropractor you have to keep going.” That is not true, however once under regular chiropractic care patients feel so good that they want to continue. It is actually more of a complement to the profession than anything. Also at Peak Health we love to educate. Simply put, is there ever a time when you should stop taking care of your spine? After all, you only get one and unlike your teeth you cannot replace your spine.

Not all adjustments produce a cracking or popping sound. If it does happen it is completely normal and safe. The cracking noise that can be heard sometimes is just gasses leaving the joint. Different techniques use extreme precision that can significantly reduce the need for force and therefore results in an adjustment with no popping or cracking sounds.

Unfortunately no, that is why chiropractors have to be adjusted by other chiropractors. There are 16 different directions a vertebra can move and become misaligned. It is up to the doctor to determine exactly how it is misaligned, use a specific contact and then a specific amount of force in a specific direction in order to restore proper alignment of the bone. If a person tries to adjust themselves, they have no idea what bone is misaligned or how it is misaligned. So when you “crack” your own neck or back you are actually likely to do more harm than good and move the misaligned bones further out of alignment.

There are many factors when it comes to insurance, because there are so many types of insurance plans and options there is no simple answer. That is why at Peak Health Center we offer a complimentary benefits check. That will allow us to see what services may be covered, how many are covered, is there a copay, or possibly a deductible that is met or needs to be met. That way we'll know exactly what to expect before we get started.

Yes, we are a board certified upper cervical chiropractor. Upper cervical chiropractic is an extremely specific adjustment to the upper neck and is very effective at reducing headaches in frequency as well as intensity. Because it is so specific there is actually no popping or cracking with this type of adjustment, which allows for a very comfortable and enjoyable adjustment.

Physical therapy is great. It focuses on the movement and strength of muscles, tendons and ligaments to restore proper movement, strength and function to the body. Chiropractic focuses heavily on the nervous system and the alignment of the spine. Spinal alignment and nervous system function greatly affects the body in every way. Physical therapy and chiropractic care are both important but for different reasons and can often be done at the same time.

Chiropractic care has been shown to improve injury recovery times. More importantly it is used in sports as a prevention tool. Chiropractic allows the body to function properly and significantly reduces the chance of injury. That is why all 32 NFL teams employ a chiropractor as part of their medical team.

At Peak Health Center we have spent extensive amounts of time training to be able to provide our patients Chiropractic BioPhysics techniques. This is the most researched technique in chiropractic and has proven itself as the most consistent and reliable technique to correct the proper spinal biomechanics which will have a major impact on improving your overall posture and health.

The doctor performs a specific adjustment which restores proper movement and biomechanics to the body. It also helps by removing nervous system interference and restores the communication from the brain to the body and the body to the brain.

Yes! The birthing process is very traumatic. The first subluxation can be traced all of the way back to birth. The cool thing is, if it is discovered and corrected at an early age it can have an impact on the growth and development of the spine. The fun part about kids and chiropractic is how fast they respond to care and the immediate changes they can undergo.

Yes, most of the time it is okay to see a chiropractor after back surgery. However, there are over 200 techniques in chiropractic so it does depend on the chiropractor and what techniques they practice. At Peak Health Center we have extensive experience and expertise working with post surgical cases. We recognize that each case is unique and would be happy to talk to the orthopedic surgeon to ensure safety and cooperation between providers.