FREQUENT QUESTIONS (FAQs)
What is chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a holistic and dynamic form of healthcare that focuses on the total health of the individual. Chiropractors use physical medicine in the form of chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue manipulation, corrective rehab exercises, and physical therapy modalities to help the body achieve its optimum potential. In addition, many chiropractors choose to help support healing and health maintenance by making nutrition and lifestyle recommendations based on each individuals specific needs.
Chiropractic is a holistic and dynamic form of healthcare that focuses on the total health of the individual. Chiropractors use physical medicine in the form of chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue manipulation, corrective rehab exercises, and physical therapy modalities to help the body achieve its optimum potential. In addition, many chiropractors choose to help support healing and health maintenance by making nutrition and lifestyle recommendations based on each individuals specific needs.
Do you crack necks or backs?
Many people think chiropractors should just be called back crackers since an audible cracking sound is often produced during a chiropractic adjustment. This harmless sound is referred to as a cavitation or audible, and it is really just a mixture of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, and water vapor escaping from the joint. Since the goal of an adjustment is to improve joint mobility, it really does not matter whether a cavitation occurs. This means you may or may not hear a crack when you receive an adjustment at OM Chiropractic.
Many people think chiropractors should just be called back crackers since an audible cracking sound is often produced during a chiropractic adjustment. This harmless sound is referred to as a cavitation or audible, and it is really just a mixture of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, and water vapor escaping from the joint. Since the goal of an adjustment is to improve joint mobility, it really does not matter whether a cavitation occurs. This means you may or may not hear a crack when you receive an adjustment at OM Chiropractic.
What tools do you use?
The main tool that Dr. McCormick uses is her hands. That's actually where the term "chiropractic" comes from: to do or to practice by hand. Dr. McCormick also uses other instruments to assist in adjusting including wedges to assist with realignment of the pelvis and the J-Tech Chiropractic Adjusting Tool, which is a small handheld instrument that delivers a very precise high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) adjustment. In addition, Dr. McCormick uses various diagnostic tools that you have probably seen at your regular wellness check-ups with your primary care physician.
The main tool that Dr. McCormick uses is her hands. That's actually where the term "chiropractic" comes from: to do or to practice by hand. Dr. McCormick also uses other instruments to assist in adjusting including wedges to assist with realignment of the pelvis and the J-Tech Chiropractic Adjusting Tool, which is a small handheld instrument that delivers a very precise high-velocity, low-amplitude (HVLA) adjustment. In addition, Dr. McCormick uses various diagnostic tools that you have probably seen at your regular wellness check-ups with your primary care physician.
Will my treatment hurt?
Usually, you'll feel great after your chiropractic treatment since pain and discomfort are typically the first symptoms to go away as you heal. Sometimes, however, the pain or discomfort may not go away immediately. This could be because your body needs time to adjust to the changes that we've made in your session or because we've helped heal one aspect of your problem but have uncovered a new issue in the process.
Your body does its best to keep you going without pain or discomfort through various compensations. Your body will keep layering these compensations on top of each other to keep you from feeling any symptoms. Then, when your body can't cover up the problem any more, you seek help, and that's when we work together to eliminate the pain and the layers of compensation.
You should also know that chiropractic treatment can sometimes produce pain, discomfort, and swelling, especially if we are breaking up adhesions that have formed from previous improperly healed injuries. Dr. McCormick will be able to provide you with palliative recommendations if they are necessary between visits.
Usually, you'll feel great after your chiropractic treatment since pain and discomfort are typically the first symptoms to go away as you heal. Sometimes, however, the pain or discomfort may not go away immediately. This could be because your body needs time to adjust to the changes that we've made in your session or because we've helped heal one aspect of your problem but have uncovered a new issue in the process.
Your body does its best to keep you going without pain or discomfort through various compensations. Your body will keep layering these compensations on top of each other to keep you from feeling any symptoms. Then, when your body can't cover up the problem any more, you seek help, and that's when we work together to eliminate the pain and the layers of compensation.
You should also know that chiropractic treatment can sometimes produce pain, discomfort, and swelling, especially if we are breaking up adhesions that have formed from previous improperly healed injuries. Dr. McCormick will be able to provide you with palliative recommendations if they are necessary between visits.
How are chiropractors trained and licensed?
Dr. McCormick holds a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Cleveland Chiropractic College in Overland Park, KS, and a bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS. She is licensed to practice chiropractic and acupuncture in both Missouri and Kansas by the Missouri State Board of Chiropractic Examiners and the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts, respectively.
Dr. McCormick holds a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Cleveland Chiropractic College in Overland Park, KS, and a bachelor's degree from the University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS. She is licensed to practice chiropractic and acupuncture in both Missouri and Kansas by the Missouri State Board of Chiropractic Examiners and the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts, respectively.
Do I need a referral to visit you?
Chiropractors are portal of entry doctors in the state of Missouri, which means that you do not need a referral in most cases. If you are on a health maintenance organization (HMO) insurance plan and would like your insurance company to reimburse you for your visit(s), you should contact your insurance provider to determine whether you need a referral from your primary care physician (PCP). We do work very well with other health practitioners, so even if you don't need a referral, we are certainly willing to collaborate with your other doctor(s) and/or healing professional(s).
Chiropractors are portal of entry doctors in the state of Missouri, which means that you do not need a referral in most cases. If you are on a health maintenance organization (HMO) insurance plan and would like your insurance company to reimburse you for your visit(s), you should contact your insurance provider to determine whether you need a referral from your primary care physician (PCP). We do work very well with other health practitioners, so even if you don't need a referral, we are certainly willing to collaborate with your other doctor(s) and/or healing professional(s).
