Chiropractic FAQs for Grand Rapids MI

About chiropractic

What is chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a form of alternative medicine that focuses on diagnosing, treating, and correcting misalignments of vertebrae to improve the function of the nervous system. Chiropractors use their hands and specialized instruments to manipulate spinal segments, restoring proper movement, reducing pain, and supporting the body's natural ability to heal.

What conditions do chiropractors help?

Most commonly, chiropractors help patients with back pain, neck pain, headaches, joint pain, sciatica, and muscle tension. They also treat conditions like TMJ dysfunction, sports injuries, and posture related problems, as well as a variety of other health issues.

What is a chiropractic adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment is a specific, targeted force applied to a spinal joint to restore its normal alignment and function. It is intended to help reduce inflammation and pain, improve mobility, and support nervous system function.

Are chiropractic adjustments safe?

Yes. When adjustments are performed by a licensed and trained chiropractor, chiropractic care is safe and effective. Activator Methods, the technique Dr. McAllister uses, is considered among the safest forms of chiropractic available. Chiropractors learn how to assess each patient to determine what type of care is most appropriate for them.

Are there any risks associated with chiropractic care?

Minor soreness or stiffness can sometimes occur following an adjustment as the body adapts to changes in spinal structure, but serious side effects, though often well publicized, are exceedingly rare. Statistically, chiropractic is one of the safest forms of healthcare available.

Are chiropractic adjustments painful?

While hands-on adjustments can occasionally cause discomfort for patients in debilitating pain, most adjustments are not painful at all. In fact, many people feel immediate relief. The instrument-assisted Activator technique used by Dr. McAllister is entirely painless in nearly all individuals.

What is the crack sound during an adjustment?

The sound is called cavitation, and it represents the joint (which is enclosed in a capsule) being opened up very quickly, causing audible gas bubbles to be released.

Can I adjust myself?

No. When you "crack" your own spine, the joints you are moving are almost never the joints that need to be moved. The joints that need the adjustment are fixated, and instead of correcting them, you are moving the joints around that area. Safe, effective adjustments should be performed by a trained chiropractor.

Is chiropractic care addictive?

Is ibuprofen addictive? No, but if it makes you feel better, you will probably want to keep using it. Chiropractic offers a natural path to feeling better, one that doesn't just mask your symptoms but corrects the root cause. Those who have discovered its value often choose to keep using it.

How are chiropractors educated?

Chiropractors obtain an undergraduate bachelor's degree, followed by a four-year Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree, which includes extensive training in anatomy, neurology, diagnosis, and hands-on adjusting techniques. They must also pass national board exams and obtain state licensure.

Dr. McAllister attended the University of Michigan, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He then earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree at Palmer College of Chiropractic, where he graduated as valedictorian of his class.

Your care at our office

Why should I pick you as my chiropractor?

If you're looking for gentle chiropractic, the Activator Method employed by Dr. McAllister is one of the gentlest forms available, and he is the only Advanced Certified Activator Methods chiropractor in the Grand Rapids area. He is also fluent in a variety of other techniques, allowing him to tailor and personalize his adjustments to what works best for your particular condition. We also take the time to listen to and understand your goals, address the root cause of your pain, and help you get results safely and affordably, all in a welcoming environment.

How many chiropractic sessions will I need?

The number of treatments varies by condition and depends on your goals for care and how your body responds to adjustments. Some people notice immediate improvement and only require a few visits, while others may have more chronic or complex issues that need ongoing care to get the desired lasting results.

How long does a chiropractic appointment last?

Your first visit, which includes your consultation, exam, X-rays, Report of Findings, and first adjustment, will generally take a little more than an hour. Following this, you will generally be in the office for anywhere from 10-20 minutes per adjustment appointment.

What happens during a chiropractic adjustment?

You will be positioned comfortably, often face down on a table, and Dr. McAllister will conduct a series of tests that involve you performing different movements to determine what specific areas of your spine need correction. He will then apply a gentle and precise force in a specific direction to adjust the indicated misalignments. Correcting the misaligned areas helps reduce inflammation and improve motion, which supports the function of the spinal nerves associated with the area, thereby providing relief.

Do insurance plans cover chiropractic?

Yes, we accept most major insurance companies used in the area, and insurance will often cover a substantial portion of your care. We're happy to check your benefits and let you know your coverage. For those without insurance, we offer discounts for packages of adjustments.

What are the benefits of chiropractic care?

The benefits of chiropractic care are numerous, including increased nervous system function, pain relief, improved mobility, better quality sleep, fewer headaches, postural improvements, enhanced athletic performance, and overall better quality of life. Adjustments can also reduce stress and make individuals feel more energetic.

Can chiropractic care help with back pain, neck pain, or headaches?

Yes. Back pain is one of the primary conditions chiropractors treat: gentle adjustments reduce pain, restore movement, and prevent future flare-ups. Neck pain generally results from misalignment in the upper part of the neck and responds very well to gentle adjustments. And upper cervical misalignment is a very common cause of headaches and migraines; Dr. McAllister has seen many patients have complete resolution of their symptoms with adjustments. See our pages on back pain, neck pain, and headaches & migraines.

Can chiropractors help with sports injuries or posture?

Definitely. Chiropractic care can help expedite an athlete's recovery from injuries, improve range of motion, and prevent future injuries by keeping the body balanced and functioning properly. Chiropractic has also been shown to help improve posture by balancing muscle groups and relieving muscle tension, and we employ postural correction devices and exercises to optimize your posture.

What is the difference between chiropractic care and physical therapy?

Chiropractic addresses spinal and joint alignment to improve nervous system function, predominantly using spinal adjustments. Physical therapy uses exercises, stretching, and rehabilitation to restore strength and function. Combining both can be very effective, and at Kentwood Family Chiropractic we employ rehabilitative exercises with adjustments to maximize your results.

Can pregnant women see a chiropractor?

Absolutely. Chiropractic is a proven method for helping with the aches and pains of pregnancy. With a growing baby, pregnancy requires the quickest postural adaptations the human body and spine must make. Gentle and specific chiropractic adjustments, like the Activator Methods adjustments Dr. McAllister specializes in, can help with those changes. Chiropractic has even been shown to reduce labor times. Learn more about prenatal chiropractic.

Is chiropractic safe for children?

Yes, especially when the Activator Methods technique is used. The Activator is so gentle that it can even be used on infants on its lowest force setting. Chiropractic care is excellent for correcting postural issues in children and can help correct problems caused by everyday falls and other minor traumas. It has also been shown to be helpful for colic, ear infections, digestive issues, and other health concerns in children and infants. Learn more about chiropractic care for kids.

The Activator technique

How does the Activator instrument work?

The Activator uses the principle of reflex to correct spinal misalignment. You likely know a reflex from when the doctor taps your knee with a hammer and your knee kicks. This happens because the hammer quickly lengthens your knee tendon and quad muscles, which triggers small sensors in the muscle to send a signal to the brain. The brain responds by sending a signal back to that muscle telling it to contract. Normally this serves as a stabilizing method for the body: a quickly lengthened muscle could indicate you are falling, and you need that muscle to react without conscious effort to catch yourself.

The Activator works similarly. It delivers a very fast pulse into the spinal muscles designed to trigger that reflex: the pulse quickly lengthens the muscle, the muscle sensors signal the brain, and the brain signals back to contract the spinal muscle that was activated. This "resets" the spinal joint and strengthens the reflex pathway between the muscle and the brain, restoring normal function and movement to the specific vertebra that was adjusted.

I've had the Activator used before and felt like it didn't do anything. Can Dr. McAllister just adjust me manually?

Dr. McAllister always evaluates your overall presentation using his professional experience to determine the technique he feels you will respond best to, and he takes your preferences and past chiropractic experiences into account. He also uses the Activator differently than other chiropractors: as the only Advanced Certified Activator doctor in Grand Rapids, he has specialized training with the instrument. And one of the advantages of knowing multiple techniques is that if an adjustment style isn't working for you, another type of treatment can be tried. Learn more about how Activator Methods works.