How do you describe your treatment philosophy?
Chiropractic works because we are a self-regulating, self-healing body controlled by the central nervous system. Our brain sends millions of bits of information down the spinal cord out to every organ and cell in the body. When we impair this system with stress or trauma the bodies’ ability to self-regulate and heal is hindered. As a Chiropractor we return proper motion and alignment to the spine to maximize our bodies’ ability to heal itself. Moving is life: If you can move well you can live well. At Lighthouse Chiropractic we make sure your spine can move well so you can live well.
What should patients look for when selecting a chiropractor?
As with any profession there are different approaches and techniques matching the different personalities of doctors and patients. A mentor once told me “every therapy worked for someone, but no therapy works for everyone.” It is most important to match your needs and personality with that of the doctor and staff. Feeling comfortable with the office and confident they can help will speed the healing process. I recommend you talk to a friend or colleague, someone you can trust for a referral. As you begin care if you don’t feel comfortable with a method or technique then ask questions. Make sure you are getting the best for your specific needs. There are many great Chiropractors in Northern Colorado that will fit you.
How long have you been in business and what do you offer at your practice?
Lighthouse Chiropractic offers a family friendly environment with specific gentle adjusting. We are all about families. From pregnancy to seniors we have a technique designed specifically to meet your needs. Each patient’s spine is unique. With 24 moving bones in the spine and 206 bones in the skeleton, we see a wide variety of spinal patterns. Each patient’s care is custom tailored for their age, condition and overall health goals. We specialize in treating pregnant mothers and newborns. Many patients wonder why a new infant needs care. Consider the birth process itself; it is a very traumatic event causing common misalignments in the hips and pelvis. Studies suggest that excessive crying, colic, poor appetite or erratic sleep habits may be sign of early spinal distress. Adjustments for infants and children are extra gentle using no more force that it take to test a ripe tomato.
If a patient is not responding well to care we take extra time to do a full nutrition evaluation. Dr. Ed Osgood has a B.S. degree from Colorado State University here in Fort Collins in human nutrition. We work hard with mothers, children and infants to insure the building blocks are in place to live a long healthy life.
How quickly can you expect to see results when visiting a chiropractor?
The time and number of visits it takes to heal varies with each patient and their individual health goals. Many patients experience improvements in pain within a week or two of frequent visits. In chronic cases with years of accumulated injury, complete healing can take months or even years. If you start a new workout program you could generally expect 12 consistent weeks of workouts before you remodeled your muscles and associated supporting structures. The same is true for Chiropractic care. It takes time for the supporting structures of the spine to develop and maintain stability.
Are there instances where you should be cautious in selecting a chiropractor?
Chiropractors are licensed in the state of Colorado to diagnose and treat neuro-musculo-skeletal conditions; meaning problems with your nerves, your muscles and your bones. Most patients seeking Chiropractic care are suffering from these conditions, we are however also licensed as primary care physicians so you do not need a referral. If a patient comes with a problem outside our scope of practice we will gladly refer them to the appropriate medical doctor.
Search on the Colorado Department of Relatory Agencies to make sure the doctor you choose has a current license in Colorado. http://www.dora.state.co.us/chiropractic/index.htm