​What is chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a conservative approach to health restoration, maintenance, and disease resistance utilizing YOUR body’s own remarkable resources to help it heal and function better.   Chiropractic is a hands-on, drug free approach.  Countless people at our clinic have become healthier using chiropractic principles of a healthy diet, exercise, and maintenance of proper spinal function.

What is an adjustment?

For more than twenty years, Dr. Friel's primary treatment style is a true hands-on manual technique.  He uses his expertise and experience to apply precise directed force or pressure to a spinal joint that has been determined to be restricted or “out-of-alignment” aka  “subluxated”.  The degrees to which this can occur vary, however the  process of restoring normal motion to spinal joints is what we do best.    If left uncorrected this abnormal joint positioning may negatively impact nerve activity.

Besides back and neck pain what else can you heal?

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We have had great success with a number of muscular-skeletal complaints.  Most recently we have had great success with a treatment protocol for plantar fasciitis that involves a specific soft tissue manipulation of the plantar fascia combined with cold laser therapy and ultrasound.   Mild-moderate carpal tunnel syndromes have been successfully treated in our office for years with conservative adjustments and soft tissue work.   We have developed a protocol for infantile colic that has been 75% effective.   Over our 16 years of treating patients in the Highland Park and surrounding areas we have a 90% success rate in positive outcomes for tension headaches.

How does massage therapy work with chiropractic?

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So now when the nerves that help control muscle tone are free of impingement, the whole body can rest in a more relaxed state.   To help further improvement, Massage Therapy will work with the body’s connective tissue to increase circulation, help lymphatic function, reduce stress and tension.  Not all pain is going to come from nerve impingement.  Muscle soreness and other pain commonly comes from all aspects of our lives like work stress, money worries, bad posture, etc.   We have implemented a cost savings for our patients to obtain massage from our licensed massage therapists.   Many of our patients have stated that their favorite treatments come from a great 60 minute deep tissue or specialty massage in one of our calming massage therapy rooms followed by a chiropractic adjustment.

Who can benefit from chiropractic care?

People of all ages including children will enjoy healthier living through chiropractic care.  When the body is changing through growth or through aging, chiropractic care will maintain good spinal and nervous system health.  Our very affordable fees allow the whole family to benefit.    The safe, natural chiropractic approach to health maintenance makes sense for people of all ages.

What can I expect from my visit to a chiropractor?

Going to the Chiropractor is a new experience for many of us. Maybe we've heard through a friend about chiropractic or have done some research online. It's possible that you are just tired of living in pain and feel it's time to do something about it. In either case, your first visit to the chiropractor will be about discussing your history, current condition and goals.  As with any doctors visit, you'll start by completing some basic, new patient paper work.  Upon meeting with the doctor, you'll discuss your concerns and you will have the chance to ask any questions you may have. Dr. Friel will perform a consultation / physical examination.  Once this is complete, Dr. Friel will begin a course of treatment that is tailored to address your specific complaint.

How much will it cost?

Costs vary and generally depend on the number of treatments required to effectively treat your condition.  A number of studies have shown that chiropractic care is extremely cost effective when compared to other "medical" forms of care for similar conditions. According to the 1993 Manga Report… “There would be highly significant cost savings if more management of low-back pain was transferred from physicians to chiropractors. Users of chiropractic care have substantially lower health care costs, especially inpatient costs, than those who use medical care only."

Are Chiropractic Treatments Safe and Do They Hurt?

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Chiropractic treatments are extremely safe for individuals of all ages - from infants to 100 year olds. Our treatments are safe because we only use natural and noninvasive methods of care. Research consistently shows that care from chiropractors is among the safest care available and is literally light years ahead of traditional medical care in terms of "safeness".  The treatments themselves are generally not painful. In fact, most patients look forward to their treatments as many experience instantaneous relief immediately afterwards. Individuals who present with moderate to severe pain may experience some minor discomfort for obvious reasons; however, care is always gentle, safe and non-invasive.