Frequently Asked Questions in Overland Park KS

Chiropractic care is a form of treatment that does not use drugs or any form of surgery to ease pain and correct spinal disorders. Chiropractic care is administered by a chiropractor who has been certified in this kind of treatment. A chiropractor uses a technique of applying force in specific areas of the spine for alignment or to ease pain in various parts of the body.

The application of force enables normal nerve transmission and in this way, the body can heal quickly on its own. Chiropractic has been classified as a form of alternative medicine and is what we believe the best way to stay clear of subluxations…Sub-lux-what?

A subluxation occurs in the spine due to the restricted flow of the nerves, which is not good for you or your body. Your spinal column is made up of 24 independently moving vertebrae that enable your body to twist, move, bend, and do many other movements. When they are restricted, it is common to feel pain and reduced flexibility.

Subluxations are often seen as a problem of the nervous system, but they start in the spinal cord and affect the nerves flowing to the various parts of the body. After a period of time, symptoms of subluxation may be manifested and include numbness, tingling, or pain in the affected area. The subluxation can however occur at any time and to anyone, and the exact cause has not yet been determined. At Nigus Chiropractic & Acupuncture of Overland Park KS, we can help you avoid or get relief from subluxations.

The history of chiropractic care dates back to 1895 to a Canadian based in the United States named David Palmer. According to Palmer, diseases are caused by misalignment of the spine, disorders of the masculine, nervous, or skeletal systems. He believed that correcting such misalignments by using pressure force in specific areas could bring natural healing to the body.

During the earlier days, chiropractors had a difficult time being accepted into conventional medicine, but as time has now progressed, they are now recognized as a legitimate alternative within medicine.

• Back Pain: Chiropractic care is recommended for back pain symptoms that lasts for more than six weeks. People who experience lower back pain for a long period are advised to get chiropractic care to help ease the pain. The chiropractor will manipulate the lower back muscles by applying force and this will automatically ease the pain. Click here to learn more about treatment for back pain.
• Neck Pain: The back is always connected to the neck and people who suffer from back pain are mostly likely to get neck pain. A chiropractor relaxes the neck pain relieving pain on the neck and shoulders.
• Headaches: Chiropractors work to stimulate specific nerves of the nervous system. Most headaches and migraines result from the nerves and by manipulating the nerves most of the headaches are solved by chiropractic care.
• Treating Pains: In the joints - knee, ankle, and hip. Chiropractors are able to apply pressure and force in certain joints to heal pain occurring in the joints. The type of massage offered by chiropractors is beneficial in easing such pains.
• Other Conditions: That can be healed by chiropractic care include; slipped shoulders, allergies, painful periods, high blood pressure, asthma, and leg pain. Some studies also show that chiropractic care can heal mental disorders like depression and anxiety.

When we get injury or stress on our joints, a host of processes happen. The muscles tighten, you get inflammation, nerves get irritated, and the joints “lock down” and lose their range of motion. Unfortunately, this leads to problems like nerve compression and pain. These injuries come from events like car accidents or sports injuries, but can also happen from poor sitting posture or computer work for too long. Chiropractors are trained to locate these injured joints and restore the proper motion and health, allowing the joint to heal naturally.

The “pop” sound is not needed for a proper chiropractic adjustment. Even when there is a lot of noise, the joint only moves a tiny amount. What is most important is the motion returning to the joint. There are some chiropractic techniques that are very gentle and rarely get a popping sound but also get fantastic results.

Most insurances cover chiropractic. Depending on your plan, there may be a deductible or a co-insurance that you must cover. We offer cash, non-insurance rates for plan plans that do not have great chiropractic coverage. Our office will help to look up your benefits and help you make the best financial decision.

Chiropractic is extremely safe, which is why malpractice insurance for chiropractors is inexpensive. If there are any negative side-effects, they are uncommon and temporary. The most common side-effect is muscle soreness, especially if the area worked in has not had a proper motion for a long time. Most patients have no side-effects.

When pregnant, chiropractic care is very important! The low back and pelvis, including all the supporting ligaments, are under an intense amount of stress. Chiropractic care helps keep proper motion in these joints for less pain during pregnancy, more mobility, and easier birth. We recommend wellness visits for early in pregnancy and towards the end an increase in frequency to ensure the joints are moving their best with the additional stress.

Chiropractic care is non-addictive. Patients will routinely return for wellness or check-up visits to maintain their restored health. What happens is patients have an increased, normal range of motion that they otherwise would not have. They sleep better, move easier, and have less pain. Through the stress of life (getting up and down, small slips, lifting) the stress on our joints makes them want to compress again. Getting a check-up is like brushing your teeth. You don't necessarily have to, but once you do you realize how much better it is than not brushing your teeth.

We love seeing our chiro-kids! We see kids from newborns all the way up to teens. Kids do not have all the stress and years of injury that we have as adults, making their treatments very gentle and safe. Adjusting a newborn uses the same amount of pressure as you would check a tomato for ripeness. As kids grow and develop, keeping the proper motion in their body and removing irritation from their spinal nerves will ensure they develop strong.

A Doctor of Chiropractic is a doctoral degree of 4 years, following a Bachelor degree. In total the required schooling is about 7 ½ – 8 years to become a chiropractor. Dr. Nigus has also taken additional classes during his education to learn new techniques, study more conditions, and become certified in acupuncture. He also continues going to post-graduate seminars to have the latest information and provide the best care possible.

We see patients all the time who have had back surgery. Each case is individual, and we help these conditions individually. Techniques can be adjusted to better helps someone who has had surgery, and a proper examination ensures the treatment will be safe. Chiropractic care is especially important if you have had fusion surgery. When we fuse vertebra, you lose the range of motion that the joint would have provided. As people, you still need to move and the surrounding joints will do more work than intended to make up for the lack of motion. The additional wear and tear can be helped with chiropractic care.

Some patients get immediate results, some take a bit longer, and more chronic cases can take a few weeks. The majority of patients report some amount of change early on. Depending on the severity and complicating factors, the condition will need a certain amount of time to resolve. Chiropractic care makes this process happen faster. Dr. Nigus always goes over expectations for patients and prefers to be direct and honest. Of course, we always strive for a fast response! Not only does that mean the patient feels better faster, but it also makes us look good!