Yes, most Insurance plans include Chiropractic care.  That said, most Chiropractors also have cash discount plans that you should also consider before deciding whether to use your insurance or not because oftentimes cash rates are less than insurance before you hit your deductible.  Additionally, if you are in a Motor Vehicle Accident and you are in a "no-fault" state, then your medical is typically covered 100% after any deductibles.  In my 12 years of practice, I've seen 2 $100 deductibles.  Not bad considering it usually takes 3 -18 months of care to completely recover.  I hope that answers your question!

Yes, there are great exercises to prevent back pain and certainly a number of stretches, too.  Without knowing you personally I can safely say that walking is the best exercise for your back.  The spine is in an S-shape and every time we take a step, that "S" shape gets flexed and in between steps it elongates.  You see, every joint in the spine gets moved when we walk as long as our spine is already well-adjusted.  I recommend walking to all my patients especially after an adjustment.  Yoga is my second favorite suggestion.  My patients who do Yoga need the least amount of care to maintain their back health.  That said, not all Chiropractors will recommend exercises and it's important to find one that matches to your needs and expectations.  Keep looking until you find a good fit!

Yes, I personally believe that Chiropractic care stops or slows the progression of arthritis.  Most Chiropractors also take dietary factors into account and can make suggestions for supplements and foods to avoid or include to assist in maintaining optimal joint health.  I have a number of patients with arthritis that come in for regular care to keep their symptoms minimal.

Well, yes, BUT... generally I don't like seeing them on patients for long-term or for long periods of time.  When the back is injured, back braces can STOP the movement in the back that is causing the pain.  The problem is--that you haven't gotten to the root of the problem.  WHAT is causing the pain?  Is it a new injury that needs to heal?  Is it a herniated disk?  Is it bad mechanics?  Is it a subluxation?  These questions need to be answered and then you need to consider WHEN should you use the back brace?  I don't recommend back braces for weight lifters simply because those muscles need to learn how to handle the weight.  If you train the body to lift heavy weights but not to support your core... what do you think will happen when you finally go to lift a box without the brace?  Or... if you hurt your back and wear the brace 24/7 for a few weeks... you are actually starving your discs of hydration and prematurely aging them.  I am a supporter of "Use it or lose it" and if you don't allow your back to MOVE, then you will lose your back strength.  So, WHEN is it good to use a back brace?  Only during short periods of time when you are doing something that normally aggravates the back.  Enough said, rant over... if in doubt, ask your Chiropractor!

Yes, we are all varied in what we recommend.  Some recommend nothing.  Some recommend hundreds of dollars of products.  Some of us suggest the minimum.  If you are in doubt, ask the Chiropractor this one question:  Do you take this supplement daily or would you recommend it to your child/ sister/ brother/ aunt or uncle/ parent?

I'm sure of it.  And in many cases shoes can make a big difference especially if you are a runner or have poor pronation (weak arch).  However, this should not be the case for everybody and often times posture is something that can improve with adjustments and a bit of body-awareness and some exercises or stretches.

Quite possibly.  The only way to know for sure is to get her adjusted.  That said--if her posture has been this way for awhile, it might take some time to get permanent results, but most of my patients leave with much better posture because of a freer range of motion.  Good luck!

Yes!

I know it sounds crazy, but I work on a lot of golfers and yes it can improve the swing.  You see Chiropractic deals with the movement of the joints in the spine, ribs, shoulders, wrists and elbows and if they are all moving correctly with no inhibition, your swing will be stronger and more accurate.  There really is only one way to find out-- go get adjusted and then play your game of golf.  I always recommend getting adjusted before you start a new workout routine and that includes your first golf game of the season.  FORE!

It depends on the Chiropractor and in what state!  In some states, Chiropractors can do minor surgeries.  In other states, we are officially limited to the spine only and a shoulder or knee would be out of the question.  Chiropractors specialize in the nervous system, so most concentrate on the spine.  However, the really good ones know that the nervous system goes to every cell in the body and that the nerve impulse can get affected at other locations, too and that the function of extremities (ankles, knees, hips, shoulders, elbows and wrists) play a key role in even the function of the brain.  As I have extra training in Neurology, I know the importance of adjusting "extremities" to affect the sympathetic and Parasympathetic system, so I adjust all of the above on most of my patients.

There will be as many opinions on this one as there are sports teams.  I think it was just an annoying habit some mother told her child that it would swell your knuckles.  It is a bit annoying if it's done repeatedly by someone you are around, but no, in my opinion, it's not a bad thing.  In fact, the saying that cracking your knuckles will make them get bigger is an old wives tale.  As we get older our soft tissues thin and our joints become more prominent.  Including the knuckles in our hands.  No research that I'm aware of shows that it's a bad thing.

No.  It is our philosophy that drugs are to be avoided and only be used as a last resort.  That said, there is a time and place for drugs, but no Chiropractors do not prescribe drugs.  Typically, we will suggest a supplement instead to see if we can have a positive outcome from that.  However, not all states allow Chiropractors to suggest supplements.  If you happen to be in one of those states, you may want to ask your Chiropractor "if you had a sister/brother with this condition what supplements would you recommend to them?"  Then they aren't suggesting you take them, but you can delve into their very comprehensive knowledge on supplements and what could improve your particular condition.

Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation or TENS for short.  It is a form of pain relief that is drug-free.  It is applied with sticky-pads over the area of pain as directed by the Chiropractor and electrical impulses flood the area with such sensory information that the brain "forgets" that it has pain.  It still does not get to the root of the problem of what is causing the pain, so often it goes along with adjustments and other modalities to help heal the root issue.