Frequent Questions

What is Chiropractic?

"Chiropractic" comes from the Greek word "Chiropraktikos" which means "skillfully done by hand". Doctors who practice chiropractic are known as chiropractors, chiropractic physicians, or doctor's of chiropractic.

Chiropractors are a licensed, and board-certified health care profession that diagnose and treat neuromusculoskeletal (nerve, muscle, joint) conditions and the affects of those conditions on health overall. Chiropractic is licensed in all 50 states as well as in Canada, Europe, South America, Australia, and other countries. It is also accepted by a majority of insurance plans, the federal government, and Medicare. Chiropractors typically treat health problems naturally with adjustments (manipulation), nutrition, exercise, and physiotherapy. They also may use other methods of alternative medicine such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, homeopathy, and natural medicine depending on their area of specialization.  

How does Chiropractic Work?

When joints in your spine or extremities (arms, legs, etc.) become injured, they can lose their normal alignment and motion and can become "Stuck" or fixated that way. Stuck joints in the spine, also known as Subluxations, can irritate the nearby nerves, and muscles which can cause pain, stiffness, excessive wear and tear, as well as other health problems. Chiropractors locate Subluxations and correct them with Chiropractic Adjustments (a precise form of manipulation). Adjustments allow those stuck joints to regain their normal position and motion which takes pressure off your nerves and muscles. When this happens; pain is reduced, motion increases, symptoms go away, and your health begins to improve.

What conditions does Dr. Johnson have experience in treating?

Dr. Johnson has successfully helped or resolved the following conditions with chiropractic care, and other lifestyle modifications:

  • Headaches, Dizziness, Anxiety, Migraines, Neck Pain, Whiplash

  • Thoracic Pain, Asthma, Rib Pain, Numbness

  • Shoulder Pain, Rotator Cuff Syndrome, Arthritis

  • Degenerative Disc Disease, Spinal Facet Syndrome, Joint Disease

  • Scoliosis, Disc Herniations, Sciatica, Myofascial Pain Syndrome

  • Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Stiffness, Insomnia

  • Sinus Infections, Weakened Immunity, Chronic Colds

  • Hip and Knee Pain, Knee Arthritis and Meniscal tears

  • Ankle Sprains and Strains, Infertility

  • Low back pain, Hip Joint Pain, Pregnancy-Related Back Pain

  • TMJ Syndrome & TMJ Headaches, Trigeminal Neuralgia

  • & Many other conditions...

I have tried everything else but I am still in pain, so why would Chiropractic help?

Unfortunately, it is common for some patients to have tried "everything else" before considering chiropractic care. We have even had patients who have been to "The Mayo Clinic" before they had came in to see us.  The reason that we can sometimes help these individuals is that Chiropractors are the only profession trained to diagnose and treat a serious health issue called Vertebral Subluxations ("Subluxation" for short).  Subluxations are areas of the spine that have lost their normal function and motion.  These areas are often the source of pain, discomfort, illness, or other disease processes.  A Doctor of Chiropractic is the renowned expert in the detection and removal of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.  Chiropractic care is a very safe and noninvasive approach that improves the health of millions Americans every year.

Are Chiropractors "Real Doctors"?

Yes!  Becoming a Doctor of Chiropractic is no easy task and takes 7-9 years of intensive study.  Chiropractors also must perform clinical rotations, pass 5 board exams, and keep their license current through continuing education.  The federal medicare program defines chiropractors as "physicians", and chiropractors are trained as such.  Chiropractors are trained to diagnose and treat just like their medical doctor counterparts.  The only difference lies in the preferred method of treatment.  Chiropractors use adjustments, nutrition, rehab, and physiotherapy in order to help care for patients.  Medical Doctors rely mainly on drugs or surgery.  Chiropractors do not use drugs or surgery by choice, not because they are "second rate doctors".  Doctors of Chiropractic understand that the human body will always heal itself if all interference to healing is removed.  Chiropractors focus on removing your inference to healing.

Are Some Chiropractors Just "Certified", and Not Actually Doctors?

No. Chiropractic is not a "certificate program" or "weekend seminar".  You cannot become a chiropractor by taking online courses either.  Everyone who professes to be a chiropractor must be a chiropractic physician licensed by the state chiropractic board.  Anyone who performs chiropractic procedures, or who states that they are a chiropractor without proper training and board certification is committing a Class B misdemeanor. 

All chiropractic educational programs must be accredited by the council on chiropractic education (CCE), and all licensed chiropractors have to first pass all board examinations that are administered by the National Board of Chiropractors Examiners (NBCE).  This is what differentiates chiropractic from online certificate programs.  There is no short course involved in being a Doctor of Chiropractic.  Palmer College, the chiropractic college that Dr. Johnson attended, is accredited by the CCE and is the birthplace of the chiropractic profession.  Additionally, Dr. Johnson is a board-certified chiropractic physician and is board-certified in acupuncture.  It takes 7-9 years of study to be a Doctor of Chiropractic.

Is Chiropractic Safe?

Do I need a referral from an M.D. to go to a Chiropractor?

No. You Do Not need a referral to go to a Chiropractor. Chiropractors such as Dr. Johnson are trained in primary health care and are portal of entry doctors, which means patients can seek out his care directly without any prior referral.  Dr. Johnson will tell you if your problem needs more than chiropractic care, and will refer or co-care your case accordingly.
 

Can't I "Adjust" myself?

No. Even chiropractor's can't properly adjust themselves, and must seek the services of their colleagues. People who "crack" their own necks and backs are NOT making an adjustment. Usually, what happens is a patient causes a joint that is already moving too much to move more (a "hypermobile joint").  While this may feel good temporarily, it doesn't correct the problem and can actually make things worse.  Chiropractors are trained to locate and adjust joints that are not moving properly (aka "hypomobile joints").  Chiropractic adjustments are extremely precise, and are not an amateur activity.  Adjustments being done by untrained individuals can be risky to your health.  You can rest assured that chiropractors are the experts of safe manipulation or adjustments, and receive more training in these skilled procedures than ANY other health care professional.  It is for these reasons it is best to leave adjustments in the the hands of the experts; Doctors of Chiropractic.

Yes!!  Chiropractic care is one of the safest treatment methods that anyone could receive.  Comparatively, people take tylenol and ibuprofen everyday without giving it too much thought, and they are hundreds of time more dangerous than chiropractic care.  Spinal surgery is at least 1000 times more dangerous than chiropractic care as well.  An even better indicator of safety is malpractice insurance rates for chiropractors compared to medical doctors.  Most chiropractors pay less than $2000 a year in malpractice insurance.  Medical doctors can pay anywhere from $20,000-$50,000 a year!  The reason for the difference is based on the number of claims due to injury or death.  Chiropractic is extremely safe, so that means lower premiums.  Think of it this way; if you were involved in lots of car accidents, wouldn't your auto insurance raise your rates?!  Chiropractic is so safe that all ages and abilities can receive care.  Dr. Johnson has treated patients ranging in age from newborn babies to senior citizens with osteoporosis...and every age in between.

Is Chiropractic Care Expensive?

No.  While some may view Chiropractic Care as being an expensive alternative to pain medication, nothing could be further from the truth.  Unlike medication, chiropractic care actually corrects and PREVENTS your problem from worsening once you are out of pain and feeling better.  Medication just masks the symptoms of your problem.  That is why chiropractic care is an included benefit in a majority of health insurance plans; it saves more money in the long run for those companies!  State Worker's Compensation studies have compared the cost of standard medical treatment (MD) for back and neck problems versus chiropractic management (DC).  Mostly all have drawn the same conclusion: Chiropractic care corrects the problem faster, and for less money! A recent study by Blue Cross Blue Shield found that patients who received chiropractic care during the course of a year spent 30% less on their total healthcare costs, and spent less time in the hospital than those who eschewed going to a chiropractor.  What is the reason for this?  Chiropractic care improves function, and improves patient quality of life.  Chiropractors also motivate their patients to participate in a more healthy lifestyle. Once patients completely understand ALL of the benefits of chiropractic care, it really begs the question,"Who couldn't afford to have chiropractic care?

What does "Holistic" mean?

A "Holistic" health care approach is one that takes the "whole" person into consideration. People frequently ask, "What is "holistic" about your clinic?".  Answer: all of the treatment methods that our office provides are holistic because they address the whole person as an integrated unit.  Chiropractic has always been a natural and whole person health care approach.  Acupuncture, massage therapy, and nutritional therapy additionally consider the whole person in the treatment plan. 

There are some that think that if something is 'holistic' then it must be unscientific, questionable, ineffective, or something else on the "fringe" of health care.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  While there are many questionable health care practices in place nowadays, just as many (if not more) of these questionable practices are mainstream!  All of the treatment methods used in our office have been validated by peer-reviewed research.

Location

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Clinic Hours

Dr Johnson's Patient Care Schedule

Columbia Office

Monday:

8:30 am-12:30 pm

2:30 pm-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

By Previous Appt Only / Closed

Wednesday:

8:30 am-12:30 pm

2:30 pm-6:00 pm

Thursday:

8:30 am-12:30 pm

2:30 pm-6:00 pm

Friday:

8:30 am-2:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

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