Welcome to Halberg Chiropractic Clinic. We are a health care facility dedicated to providing state of the art natural pain relief treatments, coupled with education about how to stay out of pain.

It's not enough to get you out of pain -- our goal is to teach you how to take care of yourself and avoid pain in the future. We do this by using two basic methods: first, by showing you how to spare your tissues from further harm, and second, how to stabilize your tissues so you can return to an active lifestyle.

If you've never received chiropractic treatment, it's natural to ask about what to expect at the office. We understand and will gladly answer your questions. Below you'll find a few of the questions we often hear from patients. For more information, or to make an appointment, please call us at (360) 457-7576 or send us an email. We'll get back to you shortly!

Q: I don't want to be adjusted. Is this a necessary part of the treatment?

A: Every patient is unique. Chiropractic adjustments are appropriate and helpful for a wide variety of conditions, but are not absolutely necessary. There are other methods we can use in most instances that will help you. Even if an adjustment might help more, we would never give you an adjustment if you tell us you don’t want one. The signature treatment is the education you will receive about your condition and the treatment options that are recommended for you.

Q: Does an adjustment hurt?

A: Most patients find that getting adjusted is a pleasurable experience. Sometimes there will be an instantaneous relief of pain. It is not uncommon, however, to experience some discomfort and soreness after an adjustment. This typically does not last for very long and is comparable to the soreness one might feel after a hard workout.

Q: I have been told that I have arthritis. Can you help me?

A: Yes. There are several different forms of arthritis, but most people who are told they have arthritis have osteoarthritis. Many patients have this form of arthritis and we are able to help them manage their symptoms very successfully. We are not able to cure their arthritis, but we are able to help with the pain and improve function even though the arthritis is still going to be there after treatment. It is helpful to understand that almost everybody starts to develop osteoarthritis at some point in their life. Most people are able to function just fine without any painful symptoms and may not even know they have it. In most cases, if we can improve the function of the joints and soft tissues around the area, we can relieve the painful symptoms of arthritis.

Q: I feel stiff and sore and I haven't been able to move like I used to.  Can you help me?

A: Yes. Many people consider getting stiff and sore to be a normal part of aging, but there are things you can do to function better and stay active even in your older years. Chiropractic adjustments help keep the joints moving properly and postural exercises can allow you to continue moving well throughout your life.

Q: How long does it usually take to get better from a back pain episode?

A: About 80% of people with lower back pain are 80% better within 2-4 weeks. Our treatment goal is to get you out of pain as quickly as possible, and to give you the tools to return to full function and stay there. We normally recommend sticking with our program after the pain is gone to ensure that your back stays healthy and to minimize the risk of re-injuring your back.

Q: How Often Do I Need To See A Chiropractor?

A: A common question is how long chiropractic treatment should continue. We will discuss the need for ongoing care with you, and it will depend on your specific problem. For some people chiropractic treatment is like a regular physical tune-up, to help deal with the daily wear and tear of life. For others, it's simply an effective treatment when back pain or other health issues appear. Take the time to discuss with us the level of care that's best for you.

Q: If I have sciatica do I need surgery?

A: If your sciatica is persisting for 2-3 months then you are definitely a surgical candidate. If it is causing progressive muscle weakness you would be a surgical candidate even sooner. If you have any bowel or bladder incontinence or both legs are "giving way" then a more urgent surgical consultation is required. However, 90% of people with sciatica will improve with conservative care.
An interesting scientific study compared those who had surgery with those who did not. It showed that after 2 years and 10 years there was no difference in outcome between the two groups. If you are not improving within 12 weeks then you might get better quicker by having surgery. But after a few years you will have the same result either way.

Q: If my M.R.I. shows a herniated disc can you help me?

A: Herniated discs are very common. It has been found that they are present in people who have no symptoms - even 20 year olds! Experts now say that spinal changes such as herniated discs and arthritis are related to age (like graying hair or wrinkling skin) not symptoms. It appears that the difference between a person with a herniated disc who has no symptoms and one who has symptoms has to do with how their body is coping or stabilizing their back. We specialize in enhancing your functional ability to stabilize your back so that the disc bulge is not as relevant.

Q: Can you help with spinal stenosis?

A: Spinal stenosis is a common condition in the elderly where a narrow spinal canal pinches on a spinal nerve root. Non-surgical care such as adjustments, exercise and therapeutic rehabilitation activities are often the best treatment option. We have helped many patients with this condition. If you are a candidate for surgery we would recommend a consultation for you.

Q: How long is the typical visit?

A: The time it takes for a typical visit varies, but you should allow up to an hour for the initial visit and 10-20 minutes for follow-up visits depending on your condition and the treatment needed.

Q: Do you offer massage therapy?

A: Soft tissue massage is an integral part of most treatment programs and we have great massage therapists to assist in your recovery.

Q: Can you help with a pinched nerve?

A: Yes. Pinched nerves in the neck or low back can cause arm or leg symptoms such as numbness, tingling or weakness. We will perform the necessary examination to diagnose this condition. The first line of treatment includes ergonomic or lifting advice, chiropractic adjustments, and exercise. Anti-inflammatory supplements or medicine prescribed by your medical physician is sometimes helpful too. About 20% of the time pinched nerve symptoms worsen in the first month or fail to resolve over a 1 to 3 month period. Such cases require additional testing such as with an M.R.I. and more invasive treatments such as epidural injections or surgery. We will make appropriate referrals in these instances.

Q: Can I see you for headache pain?

A: Absolutely. Chiropractic adjustments along with postural/ergonomic advice is a proven approach for many headaches. We have seen patients who have been suffering from daily migraines for many years become headache free after just a few treatment sessions. Occasionally, multidisciplinary management with other specialists is required and a team approach is utilized.

Q: What type of treatment is used for knee problems?

A: Initially, the knee disorder is assessed and diagnosed. Many knee problems will require a thorough evaluation of the foot and hip as well as the knee. Often, knee problems will improve by working on the stabilizing muscles of the knee and by improving the biomechanics of the foot and hip. This is often accomplished by a combination of chiropractic adjustments and specific exercises.

Q: If I have had back or neck surgery can I see you post-operatively?

A: Yes. I have seen many patients after their surgery.

Q: What can I do for myself for back pain?

A: When you come to see us, we will help you with a program you can do at home that will help the healing process and/or help prevent problems from arising.

Q: What types of injuries do you treat?

A: We treat a variety of injuries, including:

• Car accidents and other trauma

• On the job injuries

• Headaches and migraines

• Neck injuries and whiplash

• Low back pain, back injuries and disc problems

• Sciatica and leg pain

• Shoulder, arm and hand injuries or pain

• Hip, leg, knee, foot and ankle pain

• Sports injuries

• Carpal Tunnel symptoms

• Infants and children

• Pregnancy back pain

More importantly, we help you prevent these types of issues from happening to you in the first place.  Chiropractic treatments combined with postural training and stabilization exercises can keep you feeling young and healthy for life and prevent severe injuries from occuring.