Frequently Asked Questions

Due to the specific nature of the adjustment, Drs. Derek and Andrea must analyze and measure your X-rays before any correction can take place. The X-ray analysis takes about 30 minutes to complete and Drs. Derek and Andrea can always have these finished by your next appointment. Your atlas and axis are the top two bones that surround the brainstem, which is a very delicate and vital area to work with; there cannot be any guessing about how to adjust you. No two people are the same, every individual is unique and requires different needs.

With a Knee Chest Upper Cervical adjustment, there is no torquing or twisting of the neck. This offers a safe correction that can be very easy to accept. It is a very fast adjustment and some people can be a little startled for their first correction, but almost always comment about how easy it actually was.

Although Drs. Derek and Andrea specialize in Upper Cervical Chiropractic, they are also trained in full spine Chiropractic. Our office starts with C1 and C2 (the top two bones in your neck) as proper adjustments to this area tend to address the whole spine. When necessary, Drs. Derek and Andrea will address other parts of the spine as well to ensure proper joint motion.

After your initial visit, Drs. Derek and Andrea will have a better idea of what length of care will be necessary for your individual case. The first month is typically where you will experience a major change in symptoms, but our main goal is to have you ultimately start holding the adjustment as soon as possible so that your body can start the healing process.   We aren’t trying to achieve a quick fix by covering up symptoms, all proper healing takes time. Your particular case depends on your health history, what other health challenges you may be facing, past accidents and injuries, and other factors like your current medications and stressors in your daily life. Generally speaking, children respond a lot faster than adults because they do not have the same level of spinal degeneration, wear and tear, excessive inflammation, ligament instability, or poor postural habits that are found in many adults.

Yes. The effects of an upper cervical misalignment can be felt across the entire body, including the low back as well as other structures and functions you are not currently experiencing “pain” or “symptoms” with. You don’t have to have a specific condition in order to benefit from upper cervical chiropractic care other than a misalignment of your upper neck. The upper cervical chiropractic procedure intends to restore proper balance to the spine and nervous system, even if you don’t have pain. Those concerned with human well-being and performance, including athletes, have found this type of spinal care to be beneficial in the achievement of body balance.

Your initial consultation will be about 45 minutes long in which the Doctor will take a history of your current health status, go over past traumas that may be associated with your health problems, and answer any questions you may have. A thorough examination will be performed that consists of postural evaluation, range of motion testing, orthopedic testing, a thermographic exam of the brainstem to evaluate brainstem function, and X-rays. It is on your next visit that we will have a detailed explanation of our findings with you, and the first adjustment will take place.

With the exception of young children, yes. Since the skin in the neck is so thin, there is very little radiation that penetrates through in order to see the cervical vertebrae (neck bones). Upper Cervical Doctors take specialized x-rays in order to get a 3 dimensional view of a patient’s listing. This listing determines the type of adjustment the patient needs in order to clear out their subluxation. X-rays allow us to avoid any guessing as to how to correct your specific misalignment. All x-rays are developed digitally to eliminate the use of film and chemicals. Digital x-rays also significantly reduce the amount of radiation needed for an exposure.

Everyone tends to react a little bit different to their first adjustment. A common but normal occurrence following your first correction can be soreness. This can be a different soreness than you might be use to. Since the nervous system is re-calibrating, it will activate different muscle fibers in order to try and hold the adjustment and realign the spine on it’s own. These fibers can get sore, just like working out a new muscle for the first time in a while. The doctors recommend drinking lots of water, applying ice if necessary, and relaxing for that first day after the adjustment. Drs. Derek and Andrea will likely give you a call within the first few days to check in on you and see how you are doing.

The main differences you will find with Upper Cervical Doctors is that we use objective measures to know when and when not to adjust the spine, in other words, these objective measures help us determine if you actually NEED an adjustment. Much like you don’t want to always have to have cavities filled every time you visit your dentist, you must think of the adjustment as something that you ultimately don’t want. When you are holding your adjustment is when you are healing.   Another difference is that we don’t twist or torque the neck to make the adjustment. We try to make the adjustment as quick and easy as possible. You will rest following the adjustment in our recovery suite in order to allow the nervous system to re-calibrate as well as allow the muscle fibers and cells to respond to the correction for the goal of getting it to hold longer.

Upper cervical procedures are meant to restore proper body balance and allow the body a greater ability for self-healing without the use of potentially dangerous drugs or surgery. For most people, that does not come from a one-time adjustment. A proper care plan specific to your needs, is necessary to make sure that you’re progressing under Drs. Derek and Andrea’s care.   While everyone responds differently, generally speaking, those who choose upper cervical care make fewer repeat visits than with other forms of chiropractic care. The emphasis in this form of spinal care is not on getting adjustments repeatedly, but instead making sure that your adjustment is holding.

Absolutely! Both Drs. Derek and Andrea have undergone extensive training in pre and post natal chiropractic care, and are also trained in how to adjust women in all stages of pregnancy in order to help you stay comfortable and to allow proper room for your child to grow healthy and happy.

SoftWave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses patented technology to promote healing at the cellular level, improve blood supply, and initiate the body’s natural healing process. SoftWave is performed with a patented device called the OrthoGold, developed by Tissue Regeneration Technologies, and is available at licensed medical clinics throughout the United States. This FDA(510k) cleared technology produces powerful, unfocused shock waves delivered during treatment to an injured, scarred, or inflamed region of the body. Treatment typically takes 10-15 minutes, and no anesthesia, numbing agents, or recovery time is required. Learn more about SoftWave therapy.

Medical benefits of SoftWave therapy include: Improves blood supply Modulates inflammation Reduces acute and chronic pain Stimulates, activates and recruits resident cells Repairs, remodels and regenerates tissue Accelerates wound healing Induces antibacterial effect

SoftWave therapy is a non-invasive and non-surgical treatment. Some patients feel only a mild tapping or pulsing on the skin, while others experience slight pain or discomfort in the treatment area. Your specialist can adjust the intensity if discomfort is significant. The level of discomfort may also depend on the amount of pain the patient is already experiencing. Most patients are able to tolerate any discomfort for the duration of the treatment, which lasts just 10-15 minutes on average.

SoftWave therapy is clinically proven with a success rate of 60-91% for musculoskeletal and general pain complaints. This patented and FDA-cleared technology is trusted by prestigious medical centers like Cleveland Clinic and Memorial Sloan Kettering, as well as professional sports teams like the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Steelers. Clinical studies continue finding new applications for this powerful technology each year. Hear from real patients about their experience with SoftWave.

SoftWave has revolutionized decades-old shock wave technology to advance tissue healing and regeneration in healthcare fields like orthopedics, traumatology, wound care, aesthetics, and urology. The patented SoftWave device produces low-intensity unfocused shock waves that penetrate a wider and deeper area of tissue (7cm x 12cm), compared to focused shock waves (1cm x 12cm) and radial waves (2cm x 2cm), which are not true shock waves. SoftWave is the only true unfocused shock wave treatment available today. This powerful technology can successfully initiate the body’s healing process without causing microtrauma.

SoftWave is a patented and FDA-cleared treatment that activates the body’s natural healing process. It is a safe, non-invasive, and drug-free option for treating a variety of conditions, including chronic pain, inflammation, orthopedic conditions, and musculoskeletal injuries. SoftWave therapy is performed at licensed doctors’ offices, chiropractic and medical clinics. Treatment usually lasts between 10-15 minutes, and does not require anesthesia or numbing agents. Downtime for recovery after treatment is not typically needed. SoftWave is trusted by leading medical providers across the country, including Cleveland Clinic, Shepherd’s Center, and Memorial Sloan Kettering. At your New Patient Appointment, your SoftWave provider can address any medical concerns or conditions that may affect your ability to receive treatment.

SoftWave is a viable treatment for most individuals experiencing one of the conditions listed here. To determine if SoftWave is a suitable treatment for you, schedule a $49 New Patient Appointment, where you will receive one SoftWave treatment session and the provider can assess your condition. If you experience slight pain or discomfort during the session, it may actually be an indication that the injured area will benefit from additional sessions. Is SoftWave therapy safe with prescription medication? SoftWave therapy can be safely combined with prescription medication in most cases. Is SoftWave therapy safe after surgery? SoftWave therapy is generally safe after surgery, depending on the type of surgery performed. In fact, it is commonly used to accelerate healing and post-surgical rehabilitation. Some doctors even use SoftWave in the operating room immediately after surgery, to activate the body’s healing process. Is SoftWave safe with metal in your body? SoftWave therapy is safe for patients with metal in their body, such as pins, plates, or joint replacements. Is SoftWave safe with a blood pressure condition? Yes, Softwave is generally safe for patients with blood pressure conditions, like high or low blood pressure. Who is NOT a candidate for SoftWave therapy? SoftWave therapy is not suitable for individuals who are pregnant, have a pacemaker, or have cancer. At your first appointment, the provider can further discuss any conditions that would impact your ability to receive therapy.

SoftWave therapy is not covered by medicare, medicaid, or insurance at this time. We are hopeful this will change in the future given SoftWave’s FDA-clearance and clinical results. Patients can schedule a $49 New Patient Appointment, which includes an assessment and consultation along with a SoftWave treatment session. This allows patients to experience SoftWave and decide with the provider whether to continue with treatment.

A full SoftWave treatment plan can range from 6 to 12 sessions, costing $150-$250 per session. The number of sessions required will depend on the injuries and body’s response to therapy. To get started, patients can schedule a New Patient Appointment for $49. This includes an assessment, consultation, and one SoftWave treatment session, allowing patients to experience SoftWave and decide whether to continue with treatment. Click to see how the cost of SoftWave compares to popular treatments like injections and surgery.

SoftWave therapy treats an array of conditions, injuries and symptoms, including: Joint and muscle pain like knee, shoulder, and lower back pain Overuse injuries like plantar fasciitis, achilles tendinitis, and jumpers knee Orthopedic conditions like carpal tunnel, meniscus tears, and soft tissue injuries Ulcers, wounds, burns Neuropathies Post-surgical healing This list grows each year as new applications are discovered for this breakthrough technology. View the full list of conditions treated by SoftWave therapy.

SoftWave is a fast and convenient non-invasive procedure that usually lasts 10-15 minutes, with no downtime required for recovery. First, ultrasound gel is applied, then the SoftWave device is gently placed to deliver shock waves to the injured area. Most patients feel a gentle tapping or pulsing sensation, while some patients may experience mild pain or discomfort. The use of anesthesia or numbing agents is not necessary. Effective communication with the provider during treatment can help identify treatment hotspots and track progress. Click to see what SoftWave treatment looks like in action.

If you are a candidate for treatment, SoftWave therapy can provide both immediate and long-lasting results. After one SoftWave session, patients typically experience a 20-50% reduction in pain and improvement in mobility, lasting from a few hours to several days. Some patients require multiple sessions before experiencing improvement. To determine if SoftWave is a suitable treatment for you, schedule a $49 New Patient Appointment, where you will receive one SoftWave treatment session, and we will assess whether further treatment is appropriate. Unlike pain medications and injections, SoftWave treatment seeks to activate the body’s natural healing process at the cellular level to deliver genuine and long-lasting results.

SoftWave therapy is FDA(510k) cleared for various indications, including improved blood supply, activation of connective tissue, temporary pain relief, treatment of chronic diabetic foot ulcers, and treatment of acute second-degree burns. Moreover, SoftWave is a patented and clinically proven treatment option with a success rate ranging from 60-91% for various musculoskeletal and general pain complaints. This therapy is trusted by renowned medical institutions such as Cleveland Clinic, Shepherd’s Center, and Memorial Sloan Kettering, as well as professional sports teams like the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Steelers.

If you are a candidate for treatment, the SoftWave provider will typically recommend a 6 to 12 session SoftWave treatment plan. The number of SoftWave sessions needed will depend on your injuries and body’s response to therapy. Your plan might also include recommendations to support healing, like stretches or dietary changes.

Side effects from SoftWave therapy are minimal and non-restrictive. SoftWave does not cause bruising or swelling, although some patients may experience slight redness and soreness that typically subsides within one to two days. While recovery downtime is not usually needed, we recommend avoiding high-impact movements or exercise for the first 24-48 hours.

SoftWave therapy is proven to be effective as a standalone treatment for various musculoskeletal conditions. In certain cases, combining SoftWave therapy with other therapies such as physical therapy, chiropractic care, massage, and soft tissue mobilization can accelerate healing and improve results.