What is Chiropractic?
What is an adjustment?
What else can Chiropractors do?
Do you take insurance?
How much will it cost?
How long will Chiropractic care take?
What is Chiropractic prevention/maintenance care?
Laser Therapy Questions?

1.  What is Chiropractic?

The primary belief of the profession is in the natural and conservative methods in managing health care. We have a deep respect for the human body's ability to heal itself without the use of surgery or medication. We want to help optimize and restore what the patient brings to the office, themselves. Doctors of Chiropractic devote careful attention to the biomechanics, structure and function of the spine, its effects on the musculoskeletal and neurological systems, and the role played by the proper function of these systems in the preservation and restoration of health. A Doctor of Chiropractic is one who is involved in the treatment and prevention of disease, as well as the promotion of public health, and a wellness approach to patient healthcare. The tools vary from chiropractor to chiropractor but the philosophy always remains the same. Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your body is under the control of your brain and nervous system. When spinal or extremity joints become restricted (“subluxated”), your nerves become irritated and inflamed causing pain, discomfort, and other health problems. Chiropractic involves the science of detecting these abnormal joint restrictions, and restoring proper joint motion & neurologic functioning through an adjustment. Dr. Waldo will also assess the muscles and other soft tissues, as well as your lifestyle, diet/nutrition, exercise, ergonomics, and posture in order for your body to heal itself. Chiropractic physicians receive extensive diagnostic training which will help to decide if you would be likely to benefit from chiropractic care, or if you should consult a medical doctor or another health care provider.

2.  What is an Adjustment?

Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy/Spinal Manipulation or "adjustment" refers to gentle pressure or a high-velocity low-amplitude thrust to help restore function and motion to a joint that has become restricted. Like I asked, “What is an adjustment?” Simply put, the Dr. will place his hands upon your spine or other joint and apply an impulse. The noise that can be heard with an adjustment is the release of nitrogen gas from a joint capsule. It has been researched and documented that motion is restored following an adjustment but no bones are actually moved beyond their paraphysiological range of motion for this to happen. The adjustment stimulates the nervous system to help reduce pain and strengthen local musculature, therefore you recover quicker. (The Spine Journal - May 2004 (Vol. 4, Issue 3, Pages 335-356) (JMPT November 2000 (Vol. 23, Issue 9, Pages 585-595). The adjustment will also increase cerebral (brain) and cerebellar (cerebellum) function and improve performance and coordination.

There have been many studies that have proven its efficacy, cost-effectiveness, safety, and high levels of patient satisfaction. The U.S. Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) published “Clinical Practice Guideline 14–Acute Low Back Problems in Adults” and found this technique as a gold standard for acute low back pain in 1994. Adjustments help much more than just low back problems. Did you know that a cervical (neck) and thoracic (middle spine) chiropractic adjustment influence T and B lymphocyte numbers, natural killer cell numbers, antibody levels, neutrophil phagocytic activity, Substance P and plasma ENDORPHIN levels that will aid in fighting infection? (JMPT Vol. 14 No 7 Sept 1991 p 399-408 and Chiropractic Journal of Australia 1993) See under common conditions treated or spinal adjustments for more information.

3.  What else can Chiropractors do?

Chiropractors can do more than you expect. The majority of the population only believes that they deal with the back and sciatica problems. National University of Health Sciences has trained Dr. Waldo to be a Chiropractic Family Physician explicitly capable of diagnosis of many conditions that you would normally go to the traditional family doctor for help. Look under common conditions treated for some examples. Dr. Waldo can perform blood tests to look for infection, anemia, cholesterol levels, thyroid levels, diabetes, liver dysfunction, etc.; urine analysis looking for UTI’s, kidney problems, diabetes, etc.; check for GI disturbances and saliva tests for adrenal insufficiency. However, your insurance company will most likely not pay for these services since they are not performed by an MD and it will be an out of pocket expense. In many cases Dr. Waldo will send you out for these tests unless you are looking for a basic screening. Prices are very reasonable for many of the blood tests. For example, testing for a Lipid Panel, CBC, and CMP at Health in Balance cost a TOTAL of $65 whereas it will cost $400 in a MD's office.  All bloodwork is performed by NICL labs and completely authentic, we just don't charge an arm and a leg.  Dr. Waldo can perform yearly physical exams for the health conscious adult or the student wanting to play athletics. Dr. Waldo will take a holistic approach and help in lifestyle management, diet/nutrition, exercise, ergonomics, and posture to name a few. From here he will be able to decide if you can be treated with Chiropractic care or if you will need medical intervention.

Back to the Top

4.  Do you take insurance?

Yes, currently we take Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Aetna, Humana, Cigna, Unicare, Great West, United Healthcare, Encore, Alliance, and more.  Feel free to call and ask for any recent additions. Remember that the agreement is between you and your provider and Health in Balance is only helping in doing the paperwork for you. If your insurance is not one of these we will provide you with aid so you can send the information to your provider in order to receive reimbursement.  We will help you in discovering what benefits, copays and deductibles you have. Be sure to ask about our Time of Service discount for those not paying with insurance (cash, credit, check, out of network insurance…). We are able to discount the fees since we do not have to deal with the paper work, time, and resources it takes to file with insurance. Payment is due at time of service.

5.  How much will it cost?

An adjustment is $45-55 depending on how many levels are adjusted.  Remember to ask about the Time of Service discount for those paying without insurance, roughly 25%. For example, an adjustment for non-insurance paying patients will cost $34.  Other services offered are Light/Laser therapy, Electrical Stimulation, Soft tissue massage, Acupuncture, hot/cold packs, etc. and will vary upon the condition.  Most people attend a doctor’s office expecting to pay an office exam fee every visit. After your first visit, routine initial assessments are incurred in the treatment utilized and you will not have to pay for another exam. A re-exam fee may be necessary after a few weeks, if there is a change in your condition, or if a new problem arises.  As you can see cost varies on patient need and your insurance coverage will be analyzed and discussed ASAP.

Just remember, regardless if you have insurance or if you are financially challenged, if you and your family are committed to regaining your health through chiropractic care we will do everything possible to make it affordable. See under your first visit for more information.

6.  How long will Chiropractic care take?

Dr. Waldo believes in upfront honesty and will tell you what to expect in order for you to make the best decision for your health. How long it will take depends upon the condition at hand. Dr. Waldo can give you a foundation to recovery, but health is ultimately in the hands of the patient. Your condition will depend upon compliance, soft tissue compromise, postural aberrations, current health, aggravation of symptoms, etc. The reduction of pain alone will usually be attained much sooner in most cases.

Patients always have a choice as to whether they want symptomatic relief (short term care) or correcting and stabilizing their problem (wellness care). Whatever your desire we will help you attain that goal.

7.  What is Chiropractic prevention/maintenance care?

When it comes to finance some people begin to prepare for retirement.  We take a bit of our income and put it into savings accounts, CD’s, mutual funds, bonds, or higher risk stocks. Have you ever been in a pinch and tried to win the lotto or scrounge for money fast? This is called crisis management. Our society will wait until the last minute when the pain begins to seek help, more crisis management. Many people don’t realize that they are setting themselves up everyday for future problems.

Dr. Waldo’s goal for you is to prepare for the future and begin preventing problems by moving from a crisis mind set to a preventative one. This is especially critical the younger the individual. When people come in for a “routine prevention/maintenance” visit they might be 98% of their normal. However, they might come in because of a “kink” in their back, muscle stiffness, or just feel like they need an adjustment. Do you think that a whole month of work will not produce slight muscle spasms or soft tissue compromise? Compound those slight soft tissue injuries and joint restrictions over months, over years, and you can see how injuries are actually not that “sudden”. Remember that an adjustment also aids in optimizing the communication between your brain and your body. Regular chiropractic care can help you to recover faster when you are injured from a weekend basketball game, a fall, a cold, etc. A routine maintence office visit will cost approximately $34. Ask how or look for future monthly e-newsletters on prevention.

8.  Laser Therapy Questions?

17. Does Laser Therapy really work?

1. The therapy is shown to be effective with 1 or 2 sessions. The average individual will utilize 3-5 sessions.  The frist 2-3 will be within the first 2 weeks to help with the initial stages of quitting.  The following 2-3 will be used in the coming months with any urges that may come about.  The therapy is completely safe and can be utiltize as often as needed.  We need a sense of involvement, rules, and boundaries.  Remember to create a structured plan, one that can help you to achieve your goal faster and more effective.  

17. What is the COST for the Smoking Cessation Program?

1. Here at Health in Balance we are breaking the mold of high upfront fees.  Pay as you go for ONLY $39 Each Laser Session.  You can purchase 8 sessions and receive 1 free. This is a January and February 2008 special and if this protocol is appealing and worthwhile than we will continue it.
2. All sessions expire after 6 months from the first therapy session if you purchase packages.  Also available are antioxidants, multivitamin, fish oil, and/or a weight loss supplement.  Why supplements?  To help with the scavenging of free radicals to begin the repair of your body.  These products can also be purchased in our ONLINE STORE.

17.  Is the Laser Therapy safe?

1. Our Laser is completely safe and FDA approved as a non-significant risk medical device. Light therapy has been used for over 30 years without any known negative side effects. 

17. Are discounts available for groups or businesses?

1. Other Laser centers charge anywhere from $250 to $400 upfront.  As stated above some people can quit with only 1 session, but the average individual will utilize 3-5 sessions.   Our charge of $39 is for in office therapies ONLY.  We do offer ONSITE sessions for $69 per session** to help offset costs of traveling, insurance, and because we will be closing our office for that time.  **The more time required for traveling larger distances may incur an extra charge depending on the number of participants.  Please call Dr. Waldo to inquire about helping your employees quit smoking today.