Here you will find our Frequently Asked Questions and the answers to the questions.
Does health insurance cover my treatment?
We participate in many insurance companies. You may have a co-pay for each visit. Our staff is available six days a week to answer questions regarding your specific insurance carrier’s allowance regarding co-pays, number of visits allowed, etc.
Do I need an x-ray? Where do I get one?
We use x-rays in our office as a diagnostic tool to assess for issues such as fracture, degenerative joint disease and congenital anomalies. A large portion of a chiropractor’s education is learning radiographic differential diagnosis. Not all patients need an x-ray. After a complete history and physical exam, your doctor will discuss whether an x-ray study is warranted, and why we came to that decision.
Reports of findings on tests already performed on a patient, including MRI, X-ray, CT scan, nerve conduction velocity, and bone density tests, are easily obtained. If you have copies of these studies on a disc, we encourage you to bring them in so that we may view the films as well as the report.
We commonly send patients to facilities that are convenient, including Geneva General Hospital, Clifton Springs Hospital, Newark Hospital, Lifecare, Taylor Brown Health Center and Diagnostic Imaging Center. Trained radiologists read your films and send us a report. We also ask for copies of the original films to view in our office. Copies of the report will be sent to your medical doctor at your request.
How can chiropractic help me?
The most common conditions presenting to my office are low back, mid back and neck pain, shoulder pain and headaches. My practice has expanded with the introduction to A.R.T. Active Release Technique (A.R.T.) is an excellent tool for treating conditions involving muscles, tendons, joints, pinched nerves for not only the spine but also the extremities (shoulders, elbows, hands, hips, knees, ankles and feet). A.R.T. can best be described as massage in motion.
I do not want my joints to be “cracked”.
Manipulation is one form of treatment at a chiropractor’s disposal. A patient may not want to undergo manipulation as a form of treatment. This is fine. A stretching or strengthening program, massage, postural and ergonomic education and soft tissue release through Active Release Technique are just several forms of treatment at our disposal.
I have arthritis and I was told to live with it… Is that true?
Arthritis involves the joints and to some extent one has to learn to live with the ailment. That said, the pain from arthritis can be caused from a myriad of root causes, happening in conjunction or at different times: swelling, joint restriction, loss of motion, tight or ‘spasms’ in muscles. Increasing flexibility through stretching, light strength training, postural and ergonomic education are all active solutions we can teach patients so they can control their level of arthritis pain. Acute passive care in the form of massage, ART or mobilization for flare-ups are all forms of treatment we offer in office to empower you to be in control of your wellbeing.
My medical doctor said not to go to a chiropractor.
We pride ourselves in our ability to work with a myriad of health professionals, including general practitioners, orthopedists, physical therapists, neurosurgeons and neurologists. Many of these practitioner’s refer to our office due to our reputation in delivering successful conservative care. Our doctors often co-treat with the patient’s medical doctor, as we offer complimentary and/or alternative care in conjunction with other forms of treatment. Sadly, some medical professionals are ignorant of how we treat patients. Our office continues to overcome these obstacles through educating the area medical professionals in regards to less invasive forms of musculoskeletal care. We are happy to contact your medical professional regarding your treatment and will keep them up to date on your recovery.
No form of treatment can help every injury or ailment. We do not hesitate to refer to other specialties or offer the patient assistance in seeking additional forms of treatment for issues not responding favorably in our office.
Once I start going to a chiropractor do I have to keep going and going?
We have all heard these stories. Chiropractors have a strong belief in wellness and some wish to support you passively through many office visits. The professionals at Ryan Chiropractic treat acute musculoskeletal complaints passively, or in the office. This is done with mobilization, muscle stimulation, ice, and several soft tissue techniques. Care is then shifted to the patient. This is called active care. Active care includes education on posture correction, stretching, strengthening, etc.
The transfer of passive to active care depends on the severity of your problem. Many patients take active control in several visits. Others may take several weeks. Periodic appointments may be necessary to add new stretches or exercise. Acute flare-ups may take a visit or two of passive care to get the patient’s back re-aligned.
We feel it is unethical to force or coerce any patient into unnecessary treatment or diagnostic studies. Our office has a large, diverse patient base. Patients return months, years and decades after a visit due to the ethical, caring, family oriented atmosphere of our practice.
Can stress cause my pain?
Emotional stress has been linked to numerous illnesses, all forms of back pain, muscle pain, joint pain and headaches. Other conditions include cardiac arrhythmias, anxiety, ulcers, dizziness, mild and moderate depression among other ailments. Of course one should discuss symptoms with their medical doctor as well.
How can I cope with stress?
Emotional stress is an overload of the mind. Multitasking is not necessarily a good thing. This overload can kick on the fight/flight response, releasing stress hormones in the body causing all sorts of dysfunction leading to dis-ease. The relaxation response coined by Dr. Herbert Benson, a Harvard cardiologist, counters the adverse effects of the fight/flight response. The relaxation response is elicited via placing oneself in a quiet environment, in a comfortable position while concentrating on one thing. For example, your breath. Dr. Benson’s book The Relaxation Response is an excellent guide. Meditation is a wonderful tool to elicit the relaxation response. Our yoga classes incorporate breathing, focus and mediation to help one turn on the body’s natural relaxation response. Coupled with our practice, the beautiful serene environment on Cayuga Lake creates a warm, welcoming, relaxing place to practice wellness.
What conditions have responded to manipulation and/or A.R.T.?
- Low Back Pain
- Sciatica
- Neck Pain
- Shoulder and mid back pain
- Headaches
- Pinched nerves
- Neck pain can refer pain into the arms and hands; mid back pain (between the shoulders) can produce rib pain; low back pain can refer pain into the legs, pelvis and groin.
- Leg Pain: chronic pelvic, buttock & groin pain; I-T Band Syndrome; Knee conditions; Sprains and Strains; Patella-Femoral Syndrome
- Foot Pain: Plantar Fasciitis; Metatarsalgia
- Arm Pain: Shoulder pain; rotator cuff conditions; elbow pain; tennis elbows; hand, wrist and finger pain; trigger finger
- Nerve Entrapments: Sciatica; Carpel Tunnel Syndrome; headaches; Ulnar Nerve Entrapment
How much does chiropractic services cost?
$25.00 to $45.00 depending on complexity and time spent with the patient.