Chiropractor in Homer Glen

Conditions you may be experiencing shouldn’t be limited to just this list, either.  Perhaps you were in a recent auto wreck, or suffered a sports-related injury.  Dr. Fisher and his team can help.  Chiropractic care can alleviate many health issues.

Part of a balanced approach to one’s health care is being proactive when it’s practical to do so.  Wellness and preventative care can remedy many issues before they become serious.  If you’re concerned about flexibility, soreness, or mobility related issues, contact our office for a consultative visit.

There are a few cases however where chiropractic care would not be reasonable or recommended. For instance, fractures.  If you suspect a broken bone, you need immediate treatment at a hospital.  

If after reading this, you still don’t know if seeing a chiropractor is right for you, that’s ok.  Call us and we’ll have you come in for a no pressure visit.  It never hurts to ask questions.  We’ll do an exam and if appropriate, some imaging, and then determine if treatment would be recommended for you.

What can I expect during my first visit? 

Most people don’t understand what chiropractors really do.  If you’re going to trust us with your care, we want to be fully transparent with what you can expect during your first couple visits.  We’ll begin with a comprehensive review of your medical history.  You’ll complete a questionnaire that will help provide detail on not only what pain you’re experiencing but also provide answers regarding diet, exercise, and sleeping patterns.

After these items have been discussed, there will be a physical exam.  Doctors will evaluate your posture, muscle strength, and flexibility.  They’ll also check for any joint misalignments. Your reflexes and range of motion will be tested; X-rays or other imaging tests may also be performed at this time.  All of this is done with the intention of compiling the best possible, most personalized treatment plan specifically for you.

It’s entirely possible, depending on the diagnosis, you may have your first adjustment on day 1 as well.  This could also occur on your second visit.  During an adjustment, you lay down on a padded table, where the doctor manually realigns your spine. He or she may use a small device called an activator for this treatment.  Often, you will hear popping and cracking noises during this procedure.  This is to be expected and should not be cause for alarm. 

It’s also totally normal to be a little bit nervous when it comes to your first adjustment.  We do everything we can to provide a calm and soothing environment.  Our doctors are trained in over 150 techniques, many of which are gentle and mild in nature.

Immediately after your first visit, you hopefully are feeling a little relief, not only emotionally, but even physically.  Not that everything will be better after just one visit, but many patients do already sense improvement early on in treatment.  There are some side-effects occasionally though, such as soreness, fatigue, or headaches.  The best cure for these temporary conditions is staying hydrated.  Drink plenty of water on treatment days.  Should you feel severe pain, weakness, or numbness afterwards however, let us know as soon as possible so we can determine the next steps.

One of the core tenets chiropractors believe is the power of nature and the body’s ability to heal itself.  Our doctors will not prescribe medication.  Instead, expect a regimen involving relaxation, meditation, hot/cold treatments, exercise, massage, nutrition counseling, ultrasounds, and braces when necessary.  The approach is holistic and non-invasive, focused on spinal manipulation and again geared towards your specific needs.

What schooling is needed to become a chiropractor? 

You can’t take a 6-week course and all of a sudden become a chiropractor.  Doctors in this field go to school for years, both in undergraduate and graduate studies, and are strictly regulated by state agencies.  Licenses are required to practice and continuing education is required to maintain one’s license.  There is a national board exam that is required as well.  It is a very closely scrutinized and supervised industry.

Are chiropractic adjustments painful? 

The short answer is no.  That doesn’t mean there won’t be occasional discomfort or soreness, but there should not be pain.  The goal in treatment is to reduce and hopefully remove pain, not add to it.  The adjustment procedure involves applying force on a joint.  The force used is precise, quick, and controlled with the purpose of realigning the joint.  Relief from this often comes quickly and any discomfort is fleeting.  You should feel better by the time you leave the office, than when you came in.