Houston Chiropractic FAQ

Here are a few answers to the most frequently asked questions received by McKinnon Chiropractic. We hope that these will be helpful to you, but if you have a question that is not answered here, please do not hesitate to call or email us – we will happily answer any question you may have about chiropractic care.

Q1 - What is an adjustment?

A highly skilled and precise movement employed for the purpose of loosening a joint to restore proper movement.

Q2 - Is an adjustment safe?

Chiropractic is one of the safest drug-free and non invasive therapies available. Manipulation has an excellent safety record. However, no health treatment is completely free of potential adverse reactions. This is one of the reasons McKinnon Chiropractic is so serious about informed consent.

Q3 - What is informed consent?

Before initiation of any treatment protocol, we make sure you understand how your condition is diagnosed, what your options are for treating it as well as the risks associated. Houston health care consumers must receive adequate and accurate information to help in their evaluation of their health care choices.

We take this responsibility very seriously.

Q4 - Do I need a referral from my GP in order to see a chiropractor?

No. Chiropractors are primary health care practitioners and can provide chiropractic services independently. This means that you can set up an appointment with a chiropractor without first consulting your GP, although your Doctor may suggest that you see a chiropractor if he or she feels that chiropractic care may help you. Insurance companies, on the other hand, have different procedures for different policies. You may need a referral for insurance remuneration purposes.

Q5 - Do I have to have X-rays?

Not everyone needs X-rays if their condition and examination is very straight forward. If unnecessary, exposure to radiation is an unacceptable health risk. On the other hand, if there is any clinical question, Dr. McKinnon would not hesitate to order the appropriate X-rays to insure your treatment is the best possible she can offer.

Chiropractors are highly trained and the State of Texas regulates and licences all X-ray facilities to insure the safety of health care consumers.

Q6 - What is the "popping" sound when a joint is adjusted?

Sometimes when a joint is adjusted there is a 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 a change of pressure within the joint because the joint has been opened.

The popping sound is not required for a change to occur in the joint and usually is not uncomfortable. Dr. McKinnon can give you more information about the sounds during an adjustment. Just ask.

Q7 - Could chiropractic care make my condition worse?

Chiropractic care is a safe, non-intrusive procedure that will not hurt you as long as it is provided by a certified and qualified chiropractor. Complications of chiropractic care are extremely rare and not nearly as likely as they are with surgery or other forms of treatment.

Q8 - If I start chiropractic care, will I have to continue chiropractic treatment for life?

Many people think that once chiropractic care starts, it has to continue. People who benefit from chiropractic care present with conditions that can be treated by chiropractors. It is not the care you receive from your chiropractor that makes you need to continue with appointments, but rather the condition you had before starting chiropractic treatment. Some conditions can be treated quickly so that the patient does not need to continue with chiropractic treatment, but most conditions require periodic care.

It's up to you, the patient, to decide what you need. It's up to us to provide you with the information necessary to help you make that decision. While we do recommend that our patients keep periodic appointments in order to ensure their condition remains stable, chiropractic care is not the reason patients keep coming back, feeling good is.

Q9 - I have had back surgery. Can I still benefit from chiropractic care?

Yes, you can. It is an unfortunate fact that many people who have undergone back surgery see symptoms of their original condition (often in the form of pain or reduced flexibility) come back after a number of years. Chiropractic care is a safe and efficient way of alleviating the pain associated both with your back condition and the stress of back surgery.