FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q) What is chiropractic? Chiropractic is a safe, natural, drugless way towards good health for millions of people of all ages. Chiropractic utilizes the inborn healing powers of the body to allow an individual to function at their maximum potential. Chiropractors adjust misalignments in the spine (called vertebral subluxations) in order to allow this complete expression of health. Chiropractic is a different approach to health care; it is not a treatment for disease or conditions. Everybody deserves a healthy spine that is free of nerve interference. At Hovey Chiropractic Clinic, we recognize the body’s own natural recuperative powers to heal and rejuvenate itself without the use of drugs or surgery.

Q) How long is the first visit? Upon arrival you will be asked to complete a patient history form that will include pertinent information concerning your health. You will be given a physical exam and spinal x-rays if necessary. If it is determined that you are a candidate for chiropractic care, you will also receive a spinal adjustment. This first visit will take about 1½ hours.

Q). How long are subsequent visits? On the second visit, you will sit down with the doctor to discuss the findings determined from your exam, and a personalized care plan will be tailored for you. An estimate of the duration of your chiropractic care will be presented and your investment in your care will be discussed. This visit will last approximately 30 minutes, with every visit after that taking approximately 10-15 minutes. Your time is valuable and we respect that.

Q) Do you accept insurance? Many insurance plans cover our services though limitations depend on your individual policy. In most cases, you are responsible for a deductible and a portion of the fee not covered by your contract. Our office will be happy to contact your insurance company and find out what services are covered, your yearly deductible, and whether that deductible has been met. However, in our clinic we don’t base your care plan on your insurance coverage. We ask that you bring your insurance card at the time of your first visit.

Q) How can I pay for my visits? Payment for all services are due at the time chiropractic care is rendered, unless other arrangements have been made. Our office accepts cash, personal checks, Mastercard, Visa and American Express as forms of payment.

Q) Where can I learn more about Chiropractic? One way you can learn more about Chiropractic and our office is to attend our Chiropractic Orientation on Tuesday evenings at 6:00pm. This talk takes place in the office and is for all new or prospective patients. The program is free of charge and explains the state of health in our country today, how the body functions, how Chiropractic works and ways you can achieve optimal health. We are committed to teaching you all the tools necessary to take responsibility for your own health. If you are married, bring your spouse. If you are single, bring a family member or a friend. We find this to be helpful because they will be able to see firsthand what kind of care you will be receiving and will learn more about ways to achieve health naturally. We ask that you call our office first to reserve your space.

Q) Do children need chiropractic care? Yes, Chiropractic adjustments to children are very gentle and effective. Even the so-called “normal” birth experience can subject a newborn’s delicate spine to excessive pressure and stress, causing spinal nerve interference. This nerve interference (a vertebral subluxation) can affect the infant’s ability to express health to his/her fullest potential. Childhood is a very active time. Running, jumping, falls and accidents are all part of a normal childhood and yet they can cause spinal misalignments. Many parents may believe the children are fine because there is no external evidence of injury or obvious symptom. However, resulting spinal injuries are often overlooked and many times are left uncorrected. These subluxations can block the natural flow of life across the nerves to any part of the body. A chiropractic adjustment can ensure a healthier child, one with higher resistance to disease and a healthier nervous system. Dr. Hovey’s own children have been adjusted regularly since birth and are very healthy children with excellent school attendance records!

Q) Can pregnant women get adjusted? Yes. Studies show that women are able to carry and deliver children with more comfort when receiving chiropractic care. These adjustments are specifically tailored to the pregnant woman. Correcting vertebral subluxation ensures that both the pregnant woman and the unborn child have the best opportunity to have a healthy pregnancy and birth. Even unborn children that are in the breech position can be helped! Dr. Hovey believes strongly in the benefits of chiropractic care to the mother and unborn child. His own wife was grateful for the adjustments she received as her body went through changes during each pregnancy.

Q) Why should I see a chiropractor if I don’t have any pain? Most if not all health problems begin long before any symptoms develop. Only 1/10th of the function of your nervous system is for sensation, the other 9/10th is for function of all the organs, glands and muscles in your body. So you could have a lot of malfunction and have no pain at all! In addition, pain is different from person to person depending on tolerance levels. In many disease processes, pain is the last thing to appear and the first thing to go away.

Q) Once I get adjusted, do I have to go for the rest of my life? This all depends on your personal health care goals. Regular preventive chiropractic care is a wise investment. We hope that you share in our belief that early care is easier and less costly than treatment that is delayed. That is why we encourage maintenance and wellness care on a schedule that is appropriate for each individual. This is similar to eating healthy and exercise, something that must be done on a regular basis in order to reap the greatest benefits.

Once your symptoms are resolved, your chiropractor will suggest a schedule for maintenance and preventative care. This is similar to going to the dentist for regular check-ups and cleaning, or to changing the oil in your car every 3000 miles. Occasionally, some people may need to have maintenance adjustments as often as once a week. Others may need to go as little as once a quarter. Most people fall somewhere in the middle, about once every 2-4 weeks or every other month. Your Doctor of Chiropractic is trained to make that decision based on their findings from your history, exam, and prognosis.