20 MOST COMMON QUESTIONS
Can you tell me what's wrong with me?
That is our number one goal. If we don't know what the
problem is, how can we fix it? This seems to be an
ongoing trend in many offices. Health Specialties strives
to give a proper diagnosis based upon our biofeedback testing.
Can you fix me?
Although we cannot promise a "cure" or legally give a 100 percent guarantee, our prognosis will be indicated upon the initial visit. We realize that not everyone is a Chiropractic case nor are all conditions responsive. Health Specialties will promise our most professional opinion before you agree to treatment and with concurrent therapy. We do not shy from referral to another method of treatment regardless of philosophy. Our philosophy is for clients to be well even if it is through other means.
Chiropractic has helped millions of people worldwide suffering from all types of problems and not just back and neck ailments. Chiropractic works with the spinal column and its intimate relationship with the nervous system - the major controller of all bodily functions. By optimizing spinal column structure and biomechanics, irritation and stress are removed and health can once again be achieved.
You may be surprised to learn that research studies have provided scientific evidence showing chiropractic care is not only effective in the treatment of back and neck ailments, but can also provide effective relief with children suffering from ear infections, women suffering from dysmenorrhea (painful menses), and a number of other seemingly "non-spinal" conditions. While it's not prudent to guarantee relief from such conditions or claim to "treat" these conditions, chiropractic has successfully helped millions of individuals with all sorts of health conditions by positively affecting the nervous system.
Of course, doctors of chiropractic are best known for their success in treating back and neck problems. Through the use of chiropractic spinal adjustments and other highly specialized chiropractic techniques, chiropractors have established themselves as the back and neck injury specialists. Many medical experts are now coming to understand the true effectiveness of chiropractic care and are recommending major changes in the way our health care system manages many common spinal problems.
How much will it cost and how long will it take?
A treatment usually has an up-front cost from practitioner to practitioner, much the same as services cost more in New York City versus suburban Montana. As a group, however, they are much the same per treatment. Depending on the severity of one's condition, your case presentation and initial consultation will discover this.
Your Chiropractic physician will inform you of the amount of visits necessary in order to reduce your symptoms. Every client will have full access to the Health Specialties fees for service link located on the home page. We know how disheartening and frustrating bills become when you don't know how much it will cost. Therefore we disclose all billing information and remain up front and honest from the very beginning.How will I know something is occurring?
Often clients feel very tired after the first few visits. Don't be alarmed. A good analogy to use is when you are sick. Your body essentially shuts down during an illness. You don't want to eat, play or work. The only thing on your mind is rest. This is much the same as a Chiropractic Plus Kinesiology (CPK) treatment. Often, the body is bombarded with information that, in order to make the corrections, you shut down so your body can rest and heal.
How does it work?
Chiropractic Plus Kinesiology (CPK) works by finding the causative agent or agents for your ailments and eliminating the problem through a series of hand modes. Hand modes are devised of a specific frequency, polarity and wavelength among other calculated and reproducible means in order to have a language unique to living tissue. Hand modes have been around for centuries but it wasn't until the early 1980s that the discoverer Dr. Milton Dowty, a distinguished engineer and chiropractic physician, wanted a "no excuse" practice. It was his idea to have the cause of any condition and the justification to continue treating or refer for alternative care. CPK is an integrative system that utilizes scientifically proven chiropractic techniques to further measure immediate physiology. It has continued to evolve and it is exciting to watch the new ideas, discoveries and advancements made since its initial discovery.
Do you take insurance?
We do not take insurance nor do we have plans to do so in the future. This does not mean that you cannot file for your coverage allotments. We have found that insurance has several fallacies. First, an insurance company sets guidelines for which you can receive care, even when its absolutely necessary you the consumer and not allowed treatment. In our experience playing the insurance game has bound our philosophy, to provide and opportunity to restore your health by whatever methods we have at our disposal.
Second, the insurance companies are sick care minded. Prevention and wellness are not part of many policies. In order to provide coverage you must have symptoms that result in a disease. This means that although you feel awful, if all the tests are normal you're not sick your claims can be denied. You will simply have to wait until your sick enough to be tested for a disease. In our opinion, this is too late and costly to the health care system.
Upwards of $.21 of every dollar is devoted towards health care. The average American is on six prescriptions, if I or you don't take any that means someone else is making up the difference. Here is an example of numbers:
Per month the average healthy American family of 4 pays $500 for health care or $6000 per year
This cost is before co-pay for office visits, prescription and associated therapies.
Assumption of 2 medical office visits and 1 prescription per family per month, total costs could be between $7000-$8000 per year.
Chiropractic treatment of the most serious, complicated conditions are weekly in most offices. In our offices that same family seeing Dr. Trites monthly could spend upwards of $3000. Note that most persons are not serious and complicated. Our average treatment for phase one, reduction of pain, is eight visits. This is around 12 visits for corrective care and generally monthly or longer for wellness care.
On average over a year a patient desiring maximum optimal wellness spends $1200. Extrapolating this to a family of four who all had injuries and opted for maximum care, total cost would run approximately $5000. To date, this has never happened. Over the course of a year this could range from $2000-3000, again, this has not occurred either. If no future injuries occurred the next years cost would average around $1200 and could potentially save the same family between $5500-$6500 and use that money for you.
Did you know nearly 80% of health costs are used for chronic disease? Almost 90% of chronic disease can be prevented and nearly most of this can be reversed. We are a sick society instead of what we should be, a health oriented one.
Will I need to take supplements?
Not everyone will be a candidate for nutrition and supplementation. Every case is unique and different. If a condition would respond better by supporting your body with proper nutrition, then it will be tested to assure its efficacy.
Health Specialties encourages everyone to take hold of their own health in the form of exercise, diet, sleep and hygiene. However, one should not choose supplements based on friendly recommendation and advertisements alone. We encourage everyone to read articles and other informative literature to sincerely make an educated decision. Advertisements are simply that, an ad to get your attention and sell the product. It is up to you the consumer to research and know what it is you are taking. We understand there is an abundance of supplements one could take, but its the RIGHT supplement in the CORRECT DOSAGE that achieves the BEST results.
Why can't I buy my own supplements?
The answer is, you can. However, the Food and Drug Administration does not have strict guidelines for supplements, vitamins and minerals sold at places like Wal-Mart, Walgreens, GNC, and grocery stores. Each item does, however, has what is on the label. It may or may not have what you need. It could come as a conglomerate and may be secondary to other ingredients absorption or not absorbed at all. It may be in a form that a human cannot break down without chewing the supplement. Cellulose is indigestible in humans and passes through the digestive system. Many supplements have cellulose and other indigestible substances coating the surface for easier swallowing and packing of the ingredients.
Furthermore, many nutritional companies and wholesale grocers DO NOT test products to assure their bioavailbility, or the bodies ability to utilize the products. You may not be able to physiologically utilize your product. Its like buying a care without an engine, you have a car but it doesn't run.
An example of the correct supplement could be explained for a person suffering from iron deficiency anemia. They must supplement with iron to alleviate their condition. Unfortunately, there are more than 20 different forms of iron available over the counter. Which is the best for you? Have you been tested, is it a best guess, are you simply throwing away your money?
There are many reasons to take calcium and for our purposes we would like to give an example of most women older than 50. As menopause sets in most women are aware of and attempt to prevent osteoporosis by supplementing with calcium. Most physicians encourage women to take calcium as do we. However, there are several misconceptions when choosing calcium, when it is best absorbed, and when advertising is legal but not necessarily truthful.
As there is with iron there are many different forms calcium can be purchased and packaged. Which calcium is the best for you, has it been tested, does it have clinical trials? Most supplements are just put together and sold and meet FDA requirements.
How many women take calcium supplements on an empty stomach? Calcium is best absorbed in an acidic environment, or an empty stomach. What if you have an uneasy stomach what should you do then, take a Tums? Tums is an antacid meaning it alkalizes or decreases the acidity in the stomach and decreases calcium absorption. Tums advertises it has calcium which is the absolute truth, however, in the form it contains, calcium carbonate, and on an empty stomach renders the calcium virtually worthless. Why throw a dart and guess, be correct, take the right supplement for you?
We only use products that have been properly tested in a lab for bioavability and usage in human physiology.
Will I feel a pop?
Health Specialties utilized a low force technique known as Chiropractic Plus Kinesiology (CPK). We do not perform traditional Chiropractic where a subluxation, or bone out of place, is "popped" back into place by high velocity low amplitude adjusting. Instead we use gravity to slowly pull the bone into proper alignment, reset muscle spindles to keep the bone in its correct position, and evaluate ligaments and other soft tissue in the area of involvement. When a bone is adjusted typically there is little discomfort. Many of my colleagues are classified as "bone poppers." Because the body is 78% water and the muscles are what moves the bones and holds them in place, it only seems logical to address the muscles. When a bone needs to be addressed it's much the same as choosing to kick a canoe or step into it. The canoe is like a bone in water, you, and it you kick it hard it should move, albeit very little, and you could hurt yourself and the canoe. Often it takes several kick starts, conventional treatments, to get the canoe into the desired location. If one gently steps into a canoe with firm pressure it goes in the desired location and so can a bone.
Does it hurt?
There are differing levels of discomfort and Health Specialties will attempt to make every experience as least painful as possible. If, perhaps, a particular area of involvement is going to be painful we will give warning and attempt to correct the imbalance as fast as possible without any unnecessary painful procedures. Our technique, Chiropractic Plus Kinesiology or CPK, generally has correction lasting less than 20 seconds each. Therefore painful or uncomfortable areas will only be held for a short time.
What should I do about diet?
Diet should be an integral part of your life and is especially important to recovery. One teaspoon of sugar can decrease your ability to ward off infection for up to one month. There are 10 teaspoons in one can of Pepsi. Diet is not about avoiding fat but avoiding the harmful fats, sugars and foods that help feed infections and disease. Our newsletter will give dietary information so you can make wise, healthy decisions when eating out and going to the grocery store.
Should I be concerned with my shoes?
Orthotics, Heel lifts? Absolutely. Shoes can rub very important acupuncture points located on the foot and toes and neurologically turn off muscles in your body, mainly in the lower back. Improper fitting shoes can also displace the fibula from the talus (the ankle bones) and cause numerous symptoms and complaints. Incorrectly placed heel lifts and orthotics not neurologically tested may cause back pain, headaches and other ailments. Health Specialties checks not only your orthotic and heel lift to assure your foot is moving properly. We take it a few steps further by evaluating the ankle, knee, hip, pelvis and spine as a non-working foot is as bad as having a car with only one shock. Over the course of time, even that car will need extensive, and possibly expensive, repairs.
What is the new client orientation?
Your new client orientation in our office consists of an exam, consult, and review of findings. We will explain what your problem is, if and how we can fix it, and how many treatments your condition will require. Health Specialties wants every client to be comfortable with the type of care giving at our facilities therefore we strive to give clients as much information and answer as many questions you have during your orientation. Subsequent visits will continue to teach and answer questions as your treatment evolves.
Does the medical community, my doctor, approve of this?
Your medical doctor, or M.D., may or may not approve of Chiropractic or may not be familiar with all 220 techniques used. Health Specialties acknowledges there are unfamiliarity with several medical procedures as well. In the 21st century most medical doctors are familiar with Chiropractic and understand the benefit. Those who detest are behind the current research and literature available. We invite your medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy (ie., D.O.) or other physician to visit our offices and see for themselves what is performed at Health Specialties.
Our philosophy goes two ways. We would not suggest to your medical doctor how to treat or evaluate your concerns, nor would we expect your medical doctor to explain what we do or give an honest opinion without meeting with one of Health Specialties physicians or being a patient themselves.
What type of Chiropractic is this?
As there are many specialists in the medical field, Health Specialties specializes in low force biofeedback in the correction of muscles. There are 35 different factors from trauma, sensitivities, improper movement and gait that can turn off muscles causing pain, discomfort and diseases. Chiropractic Plus Kinesiology (CPK) is an accepted Kansas Board of Healing Arts technique labeled "Equivocal" to other accepted Chiropractic techniques. Health Specialties also utilizes microcurrent, nutrition, supplementation, orthotics, acupuncture and BioCleanse to get you well in an acceptable amount of time.
What is auriculotherapy and how are those seeds used?
Auriculotherapy is another means of treating the body by applying seeds to the ears. As there are many ways to treat the body the ears are the most productive and stimulated areas. Ears, hands, feet, and tongue can all be treated in this way as they are reflexes and become tender to touch for a specific condition. A reflex is much the same as stringing up Christmas lights. If the lights are on single phase line any light can blow out the circuit. One would have to test each light to make the line work. Your body is not a single phase but multiple circuits where the answer, or light bulb out, can be found and treated. The most important reflex or circuit is the ears.
Auriculotherapy initially began in Egypt with the insertion of earrings to treat conditions. Gold earnings were placed in the ear to treat under active circuits, and silver to treat overactive circuits. As the world evolved earrings took on a cosmetic acceptance when in actuality one could be under or over stimulating a specific area in their body.
What is acupuncture?
Acupuncture is puncturing of the skin using very small needles. Acupuncture, simply stated, is a health science which is used to successfully treat both pain and dysfunction in the body. Historians have stated, "More people have benefited from Acupuncture over the course of fifty centuries than the combined total of all other healing sciences, both ancient and modern."
Acupuncture has its roots deeply planted in China between 5,000 and 7,000 years ago but may have originated in India over 10,000 years ago.. Its use spread throughout ancient Egypt, the Middle East, the Roman Empire and later into Western Europe as merchants and missionaries to China told of the amazing discoveries the people of the Orient had developed. Acupuncture did not become known on a national level in the US until 1971 when diplomatic relations between China and America were relaxed and President Nixon needed an emergency appendectomy using acupuncture as anesthesia.
above is an electrical device to treat acupuncture points
Initially, Acupuncture appears strange, as its primary notoriety is the utilization of needles placed in the skin at various locations to relieve pain or affect a body part. This methods is effective because there is an energy network traversing just below the surface of the skin which communicates from the exterior to the internal organs and structures over 1,000 "Acupoints" on the body. This energy works in harmony with the body's circulatory, nervous, muscular, digestive, genitourinary and all other systems of the body. When this vital energy becomes blocked or weakened, an effect in a body system or anatomic location becomes evident. Stimulation of one or a combination of key "Acupoints" on the body may restore harmony to the affected area. At Health Specialties we choose to use a needle-free acupuncture by way of a hand-held laser correlating to the same frequency as acupuncture needles. If clients desire needles, we may apply them.
How can Health Specialties help with pregnancy?
What a better way to enhance your 40 weeks of anticipation by increasing your health, maintaining proper alignment of your pelvis, and take the best nutrient to support you and the growth of your little one.
Health Specialties focuses on aligning the pelvis. During pregnancy your pelvis must continually open up to allow the growth of your fetus. Ligaments become lax to allow pelvic expansion and muscles have to contract harder to keep everything from falling apart. By properly aligning your pelvis we can treat discomfort associated with pregnancy: low back pain, headaches, nausea, and fatigue. We also use acupuncture and Chiropractic to turn a breached baby, speed up labor, and decrease pain during transition. Clients have witnessed an increase in labor time when their pelvis is not properly aligned for giving birth. Health Specialties also treats clients post partum by placing the pelvis back into its pre-pregnancy alignment, nutritional analysis for breast feeding or recovery, and pain management.
Other women's issues Menopause, hot flashes, infertility, and depression are all physiological imbalances. Your body communicates through chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. These tasks include creating hormones, enzymes and cytokines, the cellular signals to repair and create insulin, energy, tissue growth, and metabolic functions to name a few. Health Specialties increases neurological transmission through its procedures so your body can function at its optimum and confront your imbalance.
Pediatric issues A common question we field at Health Specialties is "Why should I bring in my kids when they don't have what I am here for?" The answer is to help prevent getting what you have. Not allowing the body to perform at its optimum decreases the ability to fight infection, repair traumatic experiences, and regenerate functional tissue. Chiropractic releases the adaptations your body has put in place to keep you functioning after any disease or accident. Children rarely have a lifetime of these events compounded to make their problems difficult. In general, although children are sick or in pain when given the correct treatment they respond very quickly.
Why are there so many charts in the office?
Charts help us to show you what your current condition is and how we can help you both in and out of the office. The definition of doctor is "teacher." We want to teach you as much as we can in our office not in hopes that you wont utilize our services, but so you may help yourself and others that you know are living in discomfort. Health Specialties maintains we are the experts in treating spinal inflammation, but there are numerous preventions you can do to speed your recovery, decrease office visits, save money and ultimately restore your health.
Will I have to get undressed?
The procedures performed in our office do not require anyone to undress. There are instances where it would be preferable to see the extremities, elbows and knees and feet, but we encourage you to wear something comfortable where you can lay down and change positions.
What is a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP)?
In order to qualify for CCSP program one must be a licensed Chiropractor treating athletes or teams to maximize performance. A CCSP is licensed through the American Board of Chiropractic Sports Physicians and must go through a year of training and pass a National Board in order to receive licensure. Education includes but is not limited to sports injuries, psychology, fitness concepts, coaching, pre and post-participation physicals, practice and training enhancement, safety, biomechanics, sport specific nutrition and advanced exercise physiology.
