Frequently Asked Questions in Council Bluffs IA

Chiropractic is the art of restoring motion to the spine, removing stress on the nerves allowing the brain to better communicate to the body leading to improved healing. It’s safe, effective and affordable and can not only help with back and neck pain, but boost immune function and improve overall nerve function.

Chiropractors can help with sciatica, bulged or herniated discs, headaches and migraines, degenerative disc disease or just common neck and back pain. We can also help with wrist pain, knee pain and ankle pain. Chiropractic has also been shown to help colic and digestive issues in babies as well as boost the immune system.

A chiropractic adjustment is where a chiropractor adds motion to a joint, reducing the stress on the joint and nerve allowing the joint to move better, heal better and feel better.

Chiropractic is very safe. There are risks as with any procedure done with the body but those risks are very minimal. The most common complaint is a little soreness at the areas adjusted that goes away quickly leaving the patient feeling relief of their primary pain.

This varies based on the patient and the severity of their condition. Most people need at least 24 visits to see the maximum improvement in their condition. Some need more and some need less. Chiropractic doesn’t just put a bone back in place, it restores motion to a joint, reducing stress on the joint and nervous system. Just like exercising to lose weight, the full benefits of chiropractic take time and repetition to be the most effective.

Reduced pain and improved function. People have less in there day to day activities meaning a parent can actually play with their kids and not have debilitating back pain or grandma can actually walk around the store and shop retaining her independence. Chiropractic also helps with digestive issues not only in babies but also adults.

There are very few risks with chiropractic treatment. Most are if the patient has a condition that would not allow an adjustment such as stroke, aneurysm, broken bone or surgery. Stroke is a rare but serious risk of cervical adjustment. Most often the symptoms of stroke are headache or neck pain which brings the patient into the chiropractor. Is there is very little chance of an adjustment causing a stroke, but if a stroke is in progress, an adjustment may exacerbate the symptoms. This is why imaging and history are an important part of our new patient exam.

The majority of patients find adjustments to be painless and relieve a lot of pain but it also depends on the patient’s condition. If there is a lot of muscle tightness an adjustment can be sore. If the patient has a bulged or herniated disc or severe case of sciatica, any movement will be painful. Dr. Nate is very precise and take great care in making sure adjustments are quick and painless as possible.

Dr. Nate only focuses on adjustments. He feels that adjustments are the best way to help the patient reach their health goals and has dedicated himself to becoming a master adjuster. That means that while other things may help such as E-stim or muscle work, we do not perform those in our office. This also allows for our visits to be short and effective. We respect and value your time and don’t waste it. Most daily visits are under 5 minutes allowing you to get on with your day and busy schedule.

Our regular visits last about 5 minutes. The first exam takes longer due to x-rays and history and is about 20-25 minutes.

Chiropractors generally have 4 years of undergrad work and then 3-4 of a doctoral program. Dr. Nate has a bachelors in biology and his Doctor of Chiropractic degree totaling 8 years of post-high school education.

Yes!!! Adjustments for pregnant moms not only relieve pain for the mom but make pregnancy and birth a lot smoother. Dr. Nate even has a special pregnancy pillow that takes pressure of the mom during adjustments. Chiropractic care is also great for newborns and children.

Yes, Chiropractic care is addictive. This is the number one side effect of adjustments. Once people feel good, they want to keep feeling good. This means regular maintenance adjustment that can lead to decreased sickness and improved quality of life.

It is a gas being released from the joint when a joint goes far enough through its range of motion. There is no breaking or damage done to the joint.

Not properly. When you adjust yourself, the joints that are moving well move, the joint that is subluxated or not moving well doesn’t. Thus, you get a pop at the healthy joint but the no motion at the joint that needs it. This can also lead to muscle strain and hypermobility in some joints which is also bad. DON’T SELF ADJUST.

Most insurance plans have chiropractic benefits. This varies by plan and may include a copay or deductible. Iowa Medicaid plans cover chiropractic care and required adjustments.

Yes, chiropractic is great for back pain. It reduces stress on the joints and the nerves leading to reduced pain and improved function.

Yes, chiropractic is great for neck pain! It reduces stress on the joints and the nerves leading to reduced pain and improved function.

Chiropractic is great for headaches and migraines. Most headache are due to stress on the nerves in the neck. Adjustments remove that stress leading to relief of pain and improved function.

Chiropractic care focuses on the joints and the nerves where physical therapy focuses more on muscles. They both have their benefits and work great when done together. Physical therapy helps with stretching and strengthening muscles. However, muscles can only stretch so far if the joints they are attached to are not moving.

Yes. Chiropractors can get joints moving better and help reduce inflammation and healing time.

Chiropractic care can improve posture by restoring motion to joints of the spine and reducing muscle tension.

During the adjustment, Dr. Nate will palpate (feel the spine) to see how the joints are moving. He will have already taken x-rays and can see where the stress is in the spine. He will add motion to those stressed joints. You may hear or feel a pop. Dr. Nate uses manual adjustments with and without drops meaning the table may move a little and make a loud noise. He also uses an instrument for those that don’t respond well to manual adjustments. He only adjusts what needs to move making your adjustment not only specific but time efficient.

Chiropractic is very safe for children. Their adjustments are not like adults. The pressure used to adjust a baby is the same amount used to check the ripeness of a tomato. Dr. Nate has adjusted his son weekly since the day he was born. He has also never had an ear infection which we attribute his regular chiropractic care and ear adjustments.