FAQ's

FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions)

If you are unfamiliar with chiropractic or rehabilitation treatment, it’s normal to have a few questions. Below you will find a few of the questions we often hear from our patients. For more information, or to make an appointment, please call us at (518) 885-5544.

Q: What makes Ballston Chiropractic Office different from other chiropractic clinics?
A: Our clinic specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of muscles, joints and nerves. We strive to provide more than just pain relief, with a focus on restoring function and getting you back to the activities which are important to you. We also educate you on your condition and on ways to self-treat should a flare-up ever occur in the future.

We focus on getting patients independent of our care, teaching them what they can do for themselves so they may then refer others to our office in the future.

Q: What is Evidence-based medicine?
A: Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is the integration of the best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values. By best research evidence we mean clinically relevant research, often from the basic sciences of medicine, but especially from patient centered clinical research into the accuracy and precision of diagnostic tests (including the clinical examination), the power of prognostic markers, and the efficacy and safety of therapeutic, rehabilitative, and preventative regimens. New evidence from clinical research both invalidates previously accepted diagnostic tests and treatments and replaces them with new ones that are more powerful, more accurate, more efficacious and safer. By clinical expertise we mean the ability to use our clinical skills and past experience to rapidly identify each patient’s unique health state and diagnosis, their individual risks and benefits of potential interventions, and their personal values and expectations. By patient values we mean the unique preferences, concerns and expectations each patient brings to a clinical encounter and which must be integrated into the clinical decisions if they are to serve the patient. When these three elements are integrated, clinicians and patients forma diagnostic and clinical alliance which optimizes clinical outcomes and quality of life.

Q: Is chiropractic and rehabilitation covered by insurance?
A: We accept most insurance plans. We will verify insurance coverage on the first visit and inform you of any deductible or co-payments. We are a participating provider for Medicare and a preferred provider for Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, The Empire Plan, Blue Shield of Northeast New York, MVP, CDPHP, United Healthcare among others. Please call us or contact your insurance carrier to check participation.

Q: Isn’t all chiropractic treatment the same?
A: Not at all. At Ballston Chiropractic we focus on results-oriented care with an emphasis on function. We utilize only those treatments that are effective and clinically proven. Many of our patients are referrals who have tried other chiropractic and physical therapy treatment plans but are still having residual pain and dysfunction. What is critical is identifying and classifying the correct diagnosis and then providing the appropriate treatment strategy. We focus on aggressive treatment plans, utilizing a clinical audit process to determine if our prescribed care will be effective..

Q: Once I begin care, do I have to keep coming back?
A: No, though it may require several visits in the beginning of treatment, our treatment plans are designed to educate and empower the patient so they do not become dependent on passive care strategies. While some conditions take longer to heal, such as a disc herniation, our goal is to provide speedy pain relief and use that time to teach you how to avoid further injury and to maintain a strong back and neck.

Q: I don’t want to be adjusted or I don’t like the popping sound. Do I have to be adjusted?
A: No, just as is every injury unique, so is every patient. Manipulation is appropriate in some instances but is absolutely not essential. Your doctor will discuss treatment options and with you will agree on an acceptable treatment strategy.

Q: Can you help with a pinched nerve or sciatica leg pain?
A: Yes, pain, tingling, and or numbness extending into the arms or legs may be from a nerve being irritated or pinched. We first identify what nerve is being irritated and where the entrapment of the nerve is originating from. Treatment is designed on centralizing the radicular pain, and restoring joint and muscle biomechanics. Anti-inflammatory and pain medication may be prescribed by your medical physician to relieve symptoms. If improvement is not made after several weeks of treatment, further diagnostic imaging may be necessary. Referral for pain relief injections and surgery is sometimes required but only after all conservative measures have been exhausted. If you have persistent weakness of the legs or loss of control with bowel/bladder function an immediate surgical consultation will be necessary.

Q: Do you need to have x-rays before beginning treatment? My x-ray shows that I have degenerative disc disease and arthritic changes.
A: No, we do not require x-rays for everyone. Keep in mind that most findings such as degenerative disc disease found on an x-ray are very common in people who have no pain at all. In fact, there are numerous studies that say degenerative disc disease correlates better with age than it does with pain and symptoms. We incorporate evidence-based guidelines in our decision making process when ordering additional tests. X-rays are useful to identify and rule-out potential fractures, tumors, and infection. If there is no history of such an occurrence and there are no “red flags” found in the examination, then additional imaging is not utilized.

Q: My MRI says I have a herniated disc. Can you still help me?
A: The presence of a disc herniation on an MRI is very common in people who aren’t experiencing any pain, with some studies revealing that as many as 52% of all people may have a disc bulge or disc herniation present, yet they are pain and symptom free. It is important to correlate diagnostic imaging findings with what is found during the examination. If the disc herniation correlates with examination findings there are conservative methods in which to successfully treat 90% of the population with the condition. It is rare that herniated discs require urgent surgical intervention, but we continually assess for any urgent medical needs and have relationships with many excellent medical practioners whom we refer to when the need arises.

Q: I’ve had neck or back surgery and I still have some discomfort. Can I still see you?
A: Yes, again our approach is to tailor the treatment to the patient’s individual needs and limitations. Post-surgical necks and backs may have changes in anatomy or segmental fusions that would contra-indicate the need for mobilization to specific areas. Often soft-tissue therapies and stabilization exercises are very effective for pain relief and functional reactivation.

Q: Will you refer to other healthcare providers?
A: We take a patient-centered approach with our treatment plans. If we cannot help you with your condition we will try to refer you to the healthcare provider who can. Many medical doctors and chiropractors refer to our office. We pride ourselves in working in conjunction with the referring doctor and sending the patient back to the referring doctor once the treatment plan is completed.

Ballston Chiropractic Office, PC

"We Help You get out of Pain... We Teach You to Stay Healthy"