Frequently Asked Questions in Traverse City

Chiropractic care helps the body heal naturally. Chiropractic focuses on both the spine and spinal nerves. From a musculoskeletal and postural standpoint, the spine is our foundation. Research shows that proper physical alignment is a predictor of long term health and nursing home dependence. Proper alignment helps to maintain lung function and mobility as we age.

The sound that is often heard during a chiropractic adjustment is known as a ‘cavitation’. This sound comes from the joint space being ‘gapped’ open and gases leaving the joint. This sounds has no indication of a proper or improper adjustment. Adjustments can be made with different techniques and styles. Many gentle adjustments make no sounds but are extremely precise and effective.

Insurance does cover chiropractic visits at our office in Traverse City. Everyone’s plan is different, so we ask that you bring your health insurance card with you to your first appointment so that we can perform a complimentary benefits check to find out what services are covered.

One of my favorite aspects of chiropractic care is the level of safety. This is why chiropractic malpractice insurance is so cheap! The fact that chiropractic is a very conservative method of health care makes it extremely safe. There is no consumption of toxic pharmaceuticals or surgeries taking body parts out. With upper cervical chiropractic, we do no twisting, cracking, or popping which means the risks are minimal.

Yes! Chiropractic care is phenomenal for pregnancy. At Shift, we are certified in the Webster Technique which is the only certified technique in chiropractic for pregnant women. The Webster Technique works with the bones and ligaments of the pelvis to ensure normal biomechanics and physiology. This allows for the best chance at a birth without complications. In fact, a study done on over 300 women showed that women who received care with the Webster Technique had a 30% decrease in labor times compared to the women who did not receive care.

No, you cannot become physically addicted to chiropractic adjustments. The common misconception of ‘once you see a chiropractor, you will need to go forever’ is actually a massive compliment to the chiropractic profession. We don’t force any patients to utilize our care, it is of course by their own desire that they seek us out. We often hear patients say, “Why would I ever stop taking care of my spine? It’s just like routinely going to the dentist for my teeth!” This leads to the idea that you MUST go forever, when in reality, many people choose to take care of their spine forever, the same as they do for their teeth.

Yes, chiropractic is safe for children. Not only is it safe, but it is also effective! A 2009 study showed 5 adverse events per 7,173 office visits from the treatment of 816 children. All 5 of the adverse events were reported as ‘mild’. Results indicated a high rate of improvement with respect to the children's presenting complaints, in addition to salutary (improve health) effects unrelated to the children's initial clinical presentations.

At Shift Health Center in Traverse City, Michigan, we proudly partner with the local VA to provide comprehensive chiropractic care to veterans suffering from back and neck pain. Our dedicated team is committed to ensuring that veterans receive the specialized treatment they deserve. Experience relief and support from our expert chiropractors while enjoying the benefits of VA coverage. Contact us today to learn more and start your journey to a pain-free life.

A chiropractor generally has 8 years of schooling. This includes 4 years of undergraduate work to achieve a Bachelor’s degree and another 3-4 years of graduate school to achieve doctoral status.

Yes, in most cases you can see a chiropractor if you’ve had back surgery. Generally speaking, the area of the surgery is avoided, while the rest of the spine is safe to correct. We always work with orthopedic surgeons to insure safety and cooperation between providers.

This is the million dollar question! To some extent, the answer to this depends on your goal. Do you want a quick fix to be out of pain for a few weeks? Do you want to fully correct the problem so that it does not recur? Are you looking to improve your physiology (sleep, digestion, blood pressure, heart rate variability) through proper alignment? Depending on your answer to these questions along with factors such as age, deterioration level of the spine, and other health factors, you could get a phenomenal result in one week, one month, or multiple months.