Frequently Asked Questions in Tacoma WA

The chiropractic profession is focused on maintaining the healthy functioning of the human spine and nervous system. Your nervous system directly or indirectly controls or influences all the operations of the human body. Your spine houses the spinal cord, the major pathway of nerve communication between your brain and the rest of your body. Poor function of the spine can lead to poor signaling between body and brain. This leads to dys-function which can cause many health issues in the body and brain.

Chiropractors examine the spine to determine where dys-function is present. Using chiropractic adjustments, they work to return the spine to proper function and movement allowing the spine and nervous system to operate at a higher level. This enables the body to function at a more optimal level and to heal through its own natural recuperative powers.

There are many ways to perform chiropractic adjustments. Here at Simmons Chiropractic Clinic, we are trained to use many of them depending on the area of the spine, age and health of the patient, and the patient’s preference. In the vital cranio-cervical junction or upper cervical area we use percussion-soundwave technology to gently correction misalignments of the spine.

Upper cervical chiropractors are trained to evaluate and specifically correct the top vertebra in the spine. This vertebra is referred to as the atlas or C1. Misalignments in this area can directly affect nerve function of the brainstem and/or blood flow to the brain and spinal cord. Problems in this area can result in symptoms throughout the body as vital control centers of the nervous system are often affected.

At Simmons Chiropractic Clinic, our doctors do not use any “twisting, popping or cracking” to correct the upper cervical spine. The correction itself is done with a cutting-edge instrument called the Advanced Orthogonal Percussive Adjusting Instrument. It delivers a gentle percussive sound wave to improve the alignment of the upper neck bones. Most patients do not even feel this adjustment occur.

The amount of care required for each patient varies greatly. Through the process of a thorough spinal examination and imaging of the spine we determine the appropriate care plan for each of our patients.

The greatest benefit of chiropractic care is a body that functions the way God intended. Our patients report relief from a wide range of conditions. We believe, and have seen, that the body is a self-healing system. The closer it is to 100% function the healthier we will be.

Chiropractic care is incredibly safe. We tailor our adjusting techniques to the needs of each of our patients. Our approach to adjusting the neck, cervical spine, utilizes low force techniques that do not involve twisting, “popping” or “cracking”.

While there can be some soreness when long standing misalignments or dysfunctions are corrected, the great majority of our patients report that our adjustments are comfortable and not painful.

Chiropractic care offers more than just pain relief; it can lead to significant long-term benefits for your overall health. By addressing the root causes of symptoms and promoting proper spinal alignment, chiropractic adjustments can help you maintain a healthier lifestyle. Often our symptoms as the last thing to show up from long term spinal dysfunction and the first thing to go away.

Here are four long-term benefits you can expect from consistent chiropractic care:

1. Improved Posture: Regular adjustments can help correct postural imbalances, reducing strain on your body and preventing future issues.
2. Enhanced Mobility: Adjustments improve your range of motion, making daily activities easier and more enjoyable. You'll find it easier to engage in sports and exercise.
3. Better Sleep: By alleviating tension that we are sometimes not even aware of, chiropractic care can lead to improved sleep quality. You'll wake up feeling refreshed and energized for your day.
4. Stronger Immune Function: Some studies suggest that chiropractic adjustments may enhance your immune system by reducing stress on your body. A well-functioning spine can support overall health, making it easier for your body to fight off illness.

The doctors at Simmons Chiropractic have more than 60 years of combined experience helping the people in our community. We are certified in the Advanced Orthogonal technique to expertly assess and gently correct issues in the upper cervical spine.

Your initial exam can last from 30 minutes to over an hour based on your health history and the extent of your concerns. We spend as much time as we need to accurately assess your condition and our ability to help you with the changes you are looking to achieve.

Chiropractic doctors receive an extensive postgraduate education that focuses on anatomy, physiology, neurology, adjusting and a myriad of other health related topics. Most of the chiropractic colleges offer this in a 3-4 year program.

Yes. We make the necessary changes to our protocol to ensure the safe care of our pregnant patients.

Chiropractic care is not addictive. However, feeling better and knowing it is because your body is working like it was meant to is something our patients come to enjoy.

The cracking or popping sound from a chiropractor is called cavitation, and it's caused by the release of gas bubbles from the joint fluid. When a chiropractor applies a quick, gentle force to a joint, the space between the bones increases, which lowers the pressure in the synovial fluid and causes dissolved gases (like nitrogen and oxygen) to rapidly escape, creating the audible sound

This is generally considered a bad idea, you will find that most chiropractors do not “adjust” themselves but see another chiropractor to be corrected.

Many insurance plans do have some chiropractic benefits. While it is the patient’s responsibility to understand the coverage offered by their insurance plan you may contact our office for help in determining whether we accept your plan.

We have a great deal of success helping patients with back pain.

Upper cervical chiropractors have a special interest in neck pain. We have taken extensive postgraduate education in assessing and addressing the causes of neck pain using advanced, gentle instrumentation guided by precise imaging of the cervical spine.

A very large percentage of headaches are created by problems in the cervical spine, specifically the upper cervical vertebra. The doctors in our office are highly trained in evaluating and correcting these upper cervical problems using precise imaging of the spine and specific, gentle correction using the Advanced Orthogonal Percussive Adjusting Instrument.

Yes! Injuries sustained during sporting events can lead to fixation of joints in the spine and extremities. Removing those fixations allows the joints and the soft tissues, muscles and ligaments, to heal as quickly and completely as possible. When the soft tissues surrounding a joint are healing the new fibers of tissue that the body is building are arranged based on the movement of the joint. If the joint has not returned to a normal range of motion the healing of those tissues will be less than it could be. This can limit the strength and flexibility of those new tissues.

Absolutely. Improved spinal function allows the body to return to patterns that is was designed for. We see changes in posture in patients ranging from their single digit years to their 9th decade of life.

Yes! We use gentle techniques to evaluate and correct spinal issues in children. Often, this is the best time for someone to be adjusted. The adage “as the sapling grows so goes the tree” is true. Addressing spinal issues as early as possible is a great idea.