Frequently Asked Questions

To receive the doctor of chiropractic degree, candidates must complete extensive undergraduate prerequisites and four years of graduate-level instruction and internship at an accredited chiropractic institution. Comprehensive knowledge of all systems of the body and diagnostic procedures enable the DC to thoroughly evaluate a patient, address disorders relating to the spine and determine the need for referral to another health care provider. For a more detailed look at chiropractic education click here: Chiropractor Educational Requirements

The process of chiropractic adjustment is a safe, efficient procedure which is performed nearly one million times every working day in the United States.

There is a singular lack of actuarial data that would justify concluding that chiropractic care is in any way harmful or dangerous. Chiropractic care is non-invasive; therefore, the body’s response to chiropractic care is far more predictable than its reactions to drug treatments or surgical procedures. Of the nearly one million adjustments given every day in this country, complications are exceedingly rare. Perhaps the best summary statement on the subject of safety was published in 1979 by the Government of New Zealand which established a special commission to study chiropractic. They found:

The conspicuous lack of evidence that chiropractors cause harm or allow harm to occur through neglect of medical referral can be taken to mean only one thing: that chiropractors have on the whole an impressive safety record.”

Anytime is a good time for a better functioning nerve system. Pregnant mothers find that chiropractic adjustments improve their pregnancy and make delivery easier for themselves and their baby. Adjusting methods are always adapted to a patient’s size, weight, age, and condition of health.

You may have heard the notion that once you go to a chiropractor you have to keep going back. Before we answer that question, ask yourself how many times you have visited a dentist? Like most people, you’ve probably gone dozens of times. Why? Quite simply, to prevent your teeth from literally rotting out of your head. Once chiropractic care eliminates your pain and rehabilitates the injured tissues we do recommend that you maintain a schedule of periodic spinal checkups. Like your dentist and like many of the medical experts are now recognizing, prevention is the key to reducing recurrences of existing health conditions and minimizing new injuries in the future. So the answer is yes, you will probably want to come back, but just periodically. Periodic chiropractic care minimizes spinal and nerve stresses, reduces recurrences of old injuries, prevents new injuries from developing and minimizes degenerative processes, which enhances overall health and wellness.

Most health plans and HMOs cover chiropractic; check with your insurance company or health plan administrator. Our office staff will be happy to help you with your questions but you should realize that your insurance carrier has a contract with you that outlines your benefits. Ultimately the answers to your questions will best answered from the company that covers you.

Different patients have different healing times. Some experience relief within 1-2 weeks; others notice changes before the end of the first month. Healing is dependent on the length of time a patient has had the subluxations and the severity of their problem.

The doctor will determine if films are necessary during the examination. All procedures and fees in our office will be explained prior to being performed. You will not get anything that you do not agree to in advance.

Yes. It’s an unfortunate fact that up to half of those who had spinal surgery discover a return of their original symptoms months or years later. They then face the prospect of additional surgery. This too common occurrence is known as “Failed Back Surgery Syndrome.” Chiropractic may help prevent repeated back surgeries. The adjustment process is gentle and specific and the doctor knows when and where to adjust your spine to optimize function and maintain stability.

The doctor of chiropractic is an effective source of preventative and wellness care. The anatomical focus of the DC on the human spine has created the perception of the DC as just a “back doctor.” Chiropractic works very well for back pain but the original intent of chiropractic health care was not to decrease pain but to normalize nerve function. The scope of practice is as varied as the function of the nervous system. Some health issues outside of back pain do tend to improve with chiropractic care. In the event that chiropractic care is not what you need, Dr. Schroeder will always refer you to the health care practitioner best suited for your health problem. Doctors of chiropractic are a highly appropriate resource in matters of work-place safety, stress management, injury prevention, postural correction and nutritional counseling.

No. Doctors of Chiropractic are primary health care providers. According to the Center for Studies in Health Policy,

The DC can provide all three levels of primary care interventions and therefore is a primary care provider, as are MDs and DOs. The doctor of chiropractic is a gatekeeper to the health care system and an independent practitioner who provides primary care services. The DC’s office is a direct access portal of entry to the full scope of service.

Chiropractic is good for all patients, because chiropractic care centers on the spine. Different techniques are used for children and the elderly due to their spine’s delicate nature. Children need chiropractic care so they do not develop the problems we see in most adults, like nerve compression and arthritis. It is especially important to have children checked by the doctor after they have had a fall. Chiropractic care can help the elderly from developing more serious complications from their longstanding spinal and nerve related conditions.

Please contact Dr. Schroeder. He will personally respond to all of your questions.

Low Level Laser Therapy is a non-invasive procedure that is completely safe and pain-free. There is no incision of any kind and no major risk factors in this therapy.

The laser light produced in this type of therapy is of relatively lower frequency. You will not feel any heat or pain during the treatment and the photons of light penetrate your skin painlessly to treat the source of your pain. There are no reported side effects for this type of laser treatment. When used by a trained health care practitioner, this treatment is considered safe.

Low Level Laser Therapy should not be used in patients with any form of Cancer, Pregnancy, Fever, Acute Hemorrhage or in the vicinity of a Pacemaker. Clinical judgment should be carefully considered in cases of anti-inflammatory medications, steroid injections and photosensitive patients.

Acute (new) conditions generally respond with lasting results in 4-5 treatments. Chronic (older) conditions may take between 6-10 treatments. Some conditions like chronic severe osteoarthritis my require periodic ongoing treatment for best results. Because Laser Therapy is about healing the results for most conditions are long lasting. People feel better because they are better.

There is not heat produced in this type of laser therapy so it is completely safe to use over surgical implants and artificial joints. It is a good choice to speed healing and decrease pain after surgery.

We would be happy to answer any questions that you may have about Cold Laser Therapy or any other treatments that are offered in our clinic. Please call click to call 530-583-7475 or email office@balancedoctor.com

RPWT is effective for treating a variety of musculoskeletal issues, particularly those involving chronic pain or inflammation. Common conditions include plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, tennis elbow, rotator cuff injuries, patellar tendinitis, and general muscle tightness. It’s often recommended for chronic pain conditions that have not responded well to other treatments.

RPWT uses acoustic waves that penetrate targeted tissues, creating a mechanical stimulus that promotes circulation, reduces inflammation, and encourages tissue repair. This process, known as mechanotransduction, helps the body restart its healing processes in chronic injury sites, easing pain and supporting regeneration.

Most patients experience minimal discomfort during RPWT sessions, though sensation may vary depending on the treatment area and individual pain tolerance. Some areas may feel slightly tender or achy, but this is typically mild and temporary. The therapy is generally well-tolerated, with most patients reporting only mild soreness, if any, following the treatment.

The number of sessions depends on the condition being treated and individual response to therapy. Typically, patients receive 3-5 sessions, spaced about one week apart. During your consultation, we’ll evaluate your specific needs and provide a personalized treatment plan for optimal results.

Many patients report improvements within the first few sessions, although full results may take several weeks as the body continues to heal after therapy. RPWT works by stimulating natural repair processes, so gradual improvement is common, with lasting benefits that can extend beyond the initial treatment period.

RPWT is a safe, non-invasive therapy with minimal side effects. Some patients may experience mild swelling, redness, or tenderness in the treatment area, which typically resolves within a day or two. There’s no downtime after a session, so you can return to daily activities immediately. For best results take it easy for 24-48 hours following treatment.

While RPWT is a type of shockwave therapy, it delivers radial (rather than focused) waves, making it particularly effective for broader treatment areas and less intense on tissues. This makes RPWT ideal for chronic conditions and helps stimulate healing without the intensity of focused shockwave therapy.

We don’t recommend doing any rehabilitative exercises while you are in acute pain. We may suggest certain positions or light stretching to help you decrease pain in the early stages of recovery. As you begin to heal, we integrate exercise in a way that should not increase your pain. Talk to our staff about your exercise routine and we can help you get back to activity in a safe and effective way. http://www.spine-health.com/wellness/exercise/exercise-and-back-pain

Healthy habits should include cardiovascular exercise for at least 15-20 minutes, five days a week. Flexibility and balance exercises are recommended daily for at least 10 minutes.   Strength training can be done 2-3 times a week and your time spent on it varies according to your goals. The rehabilitative exercises that we give you can be part of each of the above recommendations.

We suggest that you begin your rehabilitative exercises daily for the first 2 weeks to help you become proficient in the routine. As you heal, the frequency of the routine can decrease and other exercise patterns will begin to replace the rehab movements in favor of your chosen methods of maintaining your physical health.

When pregnant, you should not begin any exercises that you have not previously done. You are free to continue any exercises that you have a history of doing. Of course, you should check with your medical or chiropractic care team to insure a safe and effective exercise program during this vital time.

Research has indicated that the key to recovery from back pain requires a combination of two factors. Chiropractors are the best trained at the first requirement, mobilization of the spine. We mobilize the spine using the chiropractic adjustment. The second crucial factor is exercise. Exercise helps to establish new movement patterns and allows the body to progress to pre-injury status.

No. Although many people prefer to use a gym as a place to go with exercise in mind, all of the exercises that we show you in our office can be done in your home with or without special equipment.

If you don’t want to exercise you will not be required to as part of your treatment. We believe that exercise is a key to good health and will encourage you to begin the habit of moving properly. Keep in mind that we don’t force you to do anything. We just recommend actions and behaviors that we feel will help you achieve your own goals.

Your body type contributes to how you look and you should be comfortable with yourself. You can’t change who you are but you can be in control of your health. Don’t use your body type as an excuse to eat poorly and avoid exercise. In most cases people know if they are overweight and can take a positive approach to obtaining a healthy weight with our specialized program.

Almost everyone who has lost their health due to a weight issue has done so because of their lifestyle choices. So chances are you will have to make some positive changes in your lifestyle. We start by adding things instead of taking them away. As your health progresses you will likely want to continue with good choices and stay with them for a lifetime.

Being overweight decreases your life span. In the meantime it causes problems with your internal organs and places undue stress on your joints. It places you at high risk for Type 2 Diabetes and all of the problems that go with that. It makes you more tired and less vital. When you are overweight you tend to exercise less and that also causes health risks. Your risk of cancer goes up significantly when you are overweight. There are also problems associated with sleep apnea, a dangerous and uncomfortable problem for millions of people.

Health professionals use a measurement called BMI. To determine your BMI use a standard chart or our Body Mass Index Calculator. While BMI is a good way to get and idea of whether or not you are overweight, we always recommend that you ask yourself if your clothes are still fitting the way they used to.

Our program is designed to help you burn fat for energy. Most people lose 5-8 pounds their first week and continue to lose 2-4 pounds weekly. If you stay on the program as it was designed, you will be successful over time. Think about your changes daily but only weigh yourself once weekly.

We suggest that if you already exercise regularly, you should cut back the intensity to about 50% of what you have been doing for the first 3 days of your weight loss program. After that you can go back to your previous levels of exercise. If you have not been exercising you should talk to us about how to begin a reasonable exercise routine.