Frequently Asked Question?

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT MY FIRST VISIT?

Your first visit will last approximately one hour, allowing Dr. Gradel to get to know you and work to determine the precise cause of your health issue(s). A thorough examination and history will be performed and may consist of but is not limited to a physical exam, postural/movement analysis, neurological/orthopedic procedures, muscle testing, and functional biomechanical screens and or analysis. Depending on your condition, a radiological exam or referral to another provider for co-management may be necessary prior to treatment. However, in non-complicated cases, same-day treatment is not uncommon. Dr. Gradel will process all of your results. You will be given a personalized treatment plan, an explanation of how we will track progress throughout your treatment (both long-term and short-term goals), and an explanation of what you can expect regarding your recovery. Dr. Gradel will answer any questions that you may have regarding your care.

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WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO MY APPOINTMENTS?

It is best to wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing that you can move in without restriction and that can be rolled up or down easily.

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WHY IS THERE SOMETIMES A "POPPING" SOUND WHEN A JOINT IS ADJUSTED?

Adjustment (or manipulation) of a joint may result in the release of a gas bubble between the joints, which makes a popping sound. The same thing occurs when you “crack” your knuckles. The noise is caused by the change of pressure within the joint, which results in gas bubbles being released. There is usually minimal, if any, discomfort involved.

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WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC?

Chiropractic is a healthcare profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system and the effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractic services are used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches.

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WHAT IS SPINAL MANIPULATION "CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS"?

The purpose of spinal manipulation (sometimes referred to as a "chiropractic adjustment") is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become hypomobile – or restricted in their movement – as a result of a tissue injury. Tissue injury can be caused by a single traumatic event, such as lifting a heavy object improperly, or through repetitive stresses, such as sitting in an awkward position with poor spinal posture for an extended period of time. In either case, injured tissues undergo physical and chemical changes that can cause inflammation, pain, and diminished function for an individual. Manipulation, or adjustment of the affected joint and tissues, restores mobility, thereby alleviating pain and muscle tightness and allowing tissues to heal.

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WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?

Acupuncture is the stimulation of specific points on the body by the insertion of very fine, sterile, stainless steel needles to elicit a predictable physiological response. This stimulus may also be administered to the points using mild electrical stimulation (with or without needles), pressure techniques with the hands (acupressure), or the application of heat by various methods.
Acupuncturists assess a patient’s syndrome or pattern of disharmony by using a set of diagnostic skills that involve four areas: questioning, palpation, visual inspection, and olfactory-auditory data collection. An acupuncturist determines the necessary treatment principle and strategy to prompt the patient back to functional harmony by discriminating the exact pattern of the body’s physiological response to pathogenic factors.
The acupuncturist’s skill at determining the appropriate points to treat is based upon his/her ability to accurately distinguish the presenting pattern, knowledge of correct points to address that pattern, and knowledge of the proper type of stimulus for each point. The possession of this knowledge and skills is the key distinction between a professional certified acupuncturist and other health care providers who employ acupuncture only as a modality (stimulating points for their general effect without adjusting their choice of points to the specific patient’s need).

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WHAT IS AN NCCAOM DIPLOMAT?

A Diplomat of Acupuncture is an acupuncturist who is certified by the NCCAOM. Earning the designation Diplomate of Acupuncture (NCCAOM) is a considerable professional achievement. NCCAOM certification indicates to employers, patients, and peers that one has met national standards for the safe and competent practice of acupuncture as defined by the acupuncture and Oriental medicine (AOM) profession. National board certification in acupuncture has been the mark of excellence in AOM since the inception of the Commission in 1982. Every certified NCCAOM Diplomate must abide by the NCCAOM® Code of Ethics

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