Frequently Asked Questions in Humble TX

A chiropractor is a healthcare professional that cares for your neuromuscular system through the use of a chiropractic adjustment. Although chiropractors are most known for treating the neck and back, many other injuries and pains can be treated by a licensed chiropractor.

Chiropractic care is any treatment provided by a license chiropractor for the purpose of managing neuromusculoskeletal pain. That's a big word for anything involving a persons nerves, muscles, or skeleton. Traditionally chiropractic care is thought to be "popping"or "cracking" joints, but that's not what we do. Chiropractors use their hands or instruments to aid in proper alignment of the spine. Sometimes an audible pop is created, but that is not always the goal. The goal is proper spine mechanics.

Chiropractors hold the degree of Doctor of Chiropractic. We are not medical doctors and cannot prescribe medication, but we are expert learners who specialize in managing conditions related to the nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems.

At Bear Paw Chiropractic the chiropractor completes a thorough examination to determine if chiropractic is right for the patient. The examination is followed by x-rays and a chiropractic adjustment. A chiropractic adjustment is a controlled force placed on spinal joints to provide relief of pain and improve mobility.

Chiropractic is safe when completed by a licensed professional who has taken the time to complete a thorough evaluation of the patient to rule out conditions that would lead to further injury of the patient.

Chiropractic has been shown to be beneficial for decreasing pain and increasing mobility in patients through the use of high-velocity low amplitude thrusts. With these thrusts it is common to feel some discomfort different than what the patient initially reported. This discomfort is often related to the movement of bones, muscles, and tendons beyond where they have moved in some time. Headaches may also occur following a cervical (neck) adjustment. Should you experience any of these symptoms, be sure to reach out to your provider and let them know. They should be able to provide another intervention or advice to relieve your symptoms.

Although insurance companies my draw a line at 12 visits, there is unfortunately not one correct answer for this question. The number of visits necessary is entirely dependent on the patient, their degree of spinal injury and subluxation, patient lifestyle, and factors that may affect healing. Your chiropractor should complete a thorough evaluation and work with you to create a plan that maximizes your time with them as well as minimizing your time away from the things you love.

At Bear Paw Chiropractic we offer both insurance-based and out-of-pocket methods of payment. The cost of treatment is often dependent on what agreement the chiropractor and your insurance company have made. We have a variety of different methods of ensuring spinal health improvement, and the doctor will go over those options with you during your review of findings.

Bear Paw Chiropractic offers multiple solutions to your nervous, muscular, and skeletal needs. Dr. Harrell worked as an athletic trainer at the high school, college, and professional level prior to becoming a chiropractor. She holds a doctorate in athletic training as well as a being a Doctor of Chiropractic, so she understands patients want to get back to their lives as quickly as possible without pain. Bear Paw Chiropractic is not a chiropractic only office. A nurse practitioner is on staff to provide medical treatment if necessary and therapeutic exercises can be provided to help patients learn how to stay out of pain.

You're here, which is a great start! Bear Paw Chiropractic is conveniently located off West Lake Houston Parkway with easy access from Kingwood, Humble, and surrounding areas.

A chiropractor uses traditional chiropractic techniques when he or she uses their hands to deliver a manipulation to the joints of the body. However, other less aggressive methods of delivering a manipulation include the use of an arthrostim that looks similar to massage guns you see out in public but deliver a more direct vibration to joints. An activator is a smaller instrument that delivers a single adjustment to segments at different intensities. All three techniques are utilized at Bear Paw Chiropractic.

Chiropractic uses high-velocity low amplitude thrusts to manipulate the spine to open space and allow the nerves to get information from the brain to the body and the body back to the brain. When you have an injury the spine can be altered leading to altered signals to and from the body. This causes muscle spasm and stretching of ligaments. However, through proper directed chiropractic care the nerves have the room necessary to get good signal to and from the brain which promotes healing to all body systems.

A chiropractor treats any condition related to the nerves, muscles, or skeleton. Common conditions include neck and back pain, sciatica, tennis elbow, and headaches. Dr. Harrell, with her experience as an athletic trainer, also specializes in knee, shoulder, and ankle conditions.

Chiropractic is wonderful for pregnant mothers. A pregnant woman's body goes through changes daily adding stress to her joints, specifically at the spine and the hips. Chiropractic, helps relieve muscle tension that can lead to joint restrictions through the mother's body. High velocity low-amplitude thrusts are not used on the mother's abdomen or hips to ensure safety for mother and child.

Did you know the audible "pop" sometimes heard during a chiropractic adjustment is actually gas? Synovial fluid lines joints like your knees and ankles, but it is also found lining the joints between each vertebra section of your spine. Some of the byproducts produced during the formation of synovial fluid are gasses such as oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. When a spinal joint is separated, such as during an adjustment, there is a drop in pressure of the synovial fluid and a gas bubble is released causing the "pop" sound.

To the untrained eye, it may seem as though each patient does get the same adjustment, but in fact every adjustment is different. The determination to complete chiropractic adjustment must be done following a thorough evaluation and understanding of each patients individual needs. Some patients might require more force than another or less force. One patient might require the use of hands for the adjustment where another may need one of the instruments to deliver the adjustment. Not only is each patient different, but one patient may get a certain type of adjustment on day one, but need an entirely different approach on the second visit. Only your chiropractor can determine what is best for you in each situation.

As much as I would love to say yes, the truth is chiropractic adjustments are only a small piece to the larger puzzle. Yes, patients need chiropractic adjustments to ensure correct movement of the spine, but they also need guided exercise to correct any bad movement patterns that led to the pain in the first place. B ear Paw Chiropractic offers both chiropractic care and therapeutic activities to address pain at both levels for patients.

Chiropractic adjustments take tissues to the outermost layer without causing damage to the tissue. There may be some discomfort and surprise as the adjustment is provided, but there should not be pain. If you do experience pain inform your chiropractor immediately. The doctor can provide further treatment or intervention to ensure you do not walk out of the office with more pain than you walked in.

Chiropractic adjustments should only be completed by a licensed doctor who has completed a thorough examination. An inexperienced person may injure themselves further if the adjustment is provided incorrectly. Although it seems as if the doctor is just "cracking bones" he or she is providing the correct force in the correct location that you may not be able to complete.

At Bear Paw Chiropractic it is not necessary to disrobe or be placed in a hospital gown. We can evaluate nervous, muscular, and skeletal tissue without being in direct contact with the skin. Adjustments are completed with patients fully clothed. I have learned to work around all clothing except baseball caps, glasses, and large earrings. Be assured, we have a secure location to place those items should it be necessary to remove them for a short time.

This is my question, because the answer is emphatically YES. In fact, I would argue that chiropractic is necessary for children regardless of age. Even in the best of circumstances 80% of births are traumatic in some way. Chiropractic can address stresses placed on the spine and nervous system immediately and safely. Toddlers are known to test their limits and often fall while learning their environment. Slight contact with the earth can cause fixations in the spine that only chiropractic can help. I have two children in their teens, and they receive chiropractic as their sport demands and the furniture they sit on in school lead to stress and injury to the spine.

Chiropractors undergo specific education and training to become licensed practitioners. A Doctor of Chiropractic program typically lasts for four years. Chiropractic students study various subjects, including anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, pathology, neurology, radiology, diagnostic imaging, and chiropractic techniques. The program incorporates both classroom education and hands-on clinical training.

After completing their educational program, chiropractors must pass the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) exams or relevant state board examinations. These exams assess their knowledge and competency in various areas of chiropractic practice. Following completion of examinations and earning their license, chiropractors are required to engage in continuing education to maintain their licenses. This includes attending seminars, workshops, conferences, and staying updated with the latest research and advancements in the field.