Doctors of chiropractic (DCs) care for patients of all ages, with a variety of health conditions. They're especially well known for their expertise in caring for patients with back pain, neck pain, and headaches using their highly skilled chiropractic adjustments. Adjustments help to correct vertebral subluxations. Vertebral subluxation refers to the structural misalignment or fixation between two or more vertebrae, causing nerve irritation and resultant alteration in normal mechanical and neurological functions of the body. 

DCs also care for patients with a wide range of injuries and disorders of the musculoskeletal system, which includes the muscles, ligaments, and joints. These painful conditions may involve or impact the nervous system, which can cause referred pain and dysfunction distant from the region of injury. In addition, chiropractors offer advice to patients on diet, nutrition, exercise, healthy habits, and occupational and lifestyle modification. If you're interested in discussing treatment with a chiropractor, reach out to Seaford Family Chiropractic to get started!

Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest nondrug, noninvasive forms of health care available for the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal complaints. According to the American Chiropractic Association, chiropractors treat more than 35 million Americans (adults and children) annually. Although chiropractic has an excellent safety record, no health treatment is completely free of potential adverse effects. The risks associated with chiropractic, however, are very small. Many patients feel immediate relief following chiropractic treatment, but some may experience mild soreness, stiffness, or aching, just as they do after some forms of exercise. Current research shows that minor discomfort or soreness following spinal manipulation typically fades within 24 hours.

If you're visiting your chiropractor with upper-neck pain or headache, be very specific about your symptoms. This will help your chiropractic doctor offer the safest and most effective treatment, even if it involves referral to another healthcare provider.

When discussing the risks of any healthcare procedure, it's important to look at that risk in comparison to other treatments available for the same condition. In this regard, the risks of serious complications from spinal manipulation for conditions such as neck pain and headache compare very favorably with even the most conservative care options. For example, the risks associated with some of the most common treatments for musculoskeletal pain (i.e. over-the-counter or prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and prescription painkillers) are significantly greater than those of chiropractic manipulation.

Moreover, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that overuse and abuse of prescription opioid pain medications are among the leading causes of accidental death in the United States.

Chiropractic doctors are well-trained professionals who provide patients with safe, effective care for a variety of common conditions. Their extensive education prepares them to identify patients who have special risk factors and to ensure those patients receive the most appropriate care, even if that requires referral to a medical specialist.

If you are visiting your Doctor of Chiropractic with upper-neck pain or headache, be very specific about your symptoms. This will help your Doctor of Chiropractic offer the safest and most effective treatment, even if it involves referral to another healthcare provider.

When discussing the risks of any healthcare procedure, it is important to look at that risk in comparison to other treatments available for the same condition. In this regard, the risks of serious complications from spinal manipulation for conditions such as neck pain and headache compare very favorably with even the most conservative care options. For example, the risks associated with some of the most common treatments for musculoskeletal pain (i.e. over the counter or prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and prescription painkillers) are significantly greater than those of chiropractic manipulation.

Moreover, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that overuse and abuse of prescription opioid pain medications is among the leading causes of accidental death in the United States.

Doctors of Chiropractic are well trained professionals who provide patients with safe, effective care for a variety of common conditions. Their extensive education prepares them to identify patients who have special risk factors and to ensure those patients receive the most appropriate care, even if that requires referral to a medical specialist.

Yes, children can benefit from chiropractic care. Children are very physically active and experience many types of falls and blows from activities of daily living as well as from participating in sports. Injuries such as these may cause many symptoms including back and neck pain, stiffness, soreness, or discomfort. Chiropractic care is always adapted to the individual patient. In the case of children, it's very gentle. Call Seaford Family Chiropractic to talk to a chiropractor about treatment for your child.

Yes. Chiropractic care is included in most health insurance plans, including major medical plans, workers’ compensation, no-fault coverage, Medicare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield plans for federal employees, among others. Talk to a chiropractor today at Seaford Family Chiropractic to learn whether your treatment is covered under insurance.

Chiropractic adjustment or manipulation is a manual procedure that utilizes the highly refined skills developed during the doctor of chiropractic’s intensive years of chiropractic education. The chiropractic physician typically uses his or her hands or an instrument to manipulate the joints of the body, particularly the spine, to restore or enhance joint function. This often helps resolve joint inflammation and reduces the patient’s pain. Chiropractic manipulation is a highly controlled procedure that rarely causes discomfort. The chiropractor adapts the procedure to meet the specific needs of each patient. Patients often note positive changes in their symptoms immediately following treatment.

The hands-on nature of chiropractic treatment requires patients to visit the chiropractor a number of times. To be treated by a chiropractor, a patient needs to be in his or her office. In contrast, a course of treatment from medical doctors often involves a pre-established plan that is conducted at home (i.e. taking a course of antibiotics once a day for a couple of weeks). A chiropractor may provide acute, chronic, and/or preventive care, thus making a certain number of visits sometimes necessary. Your doctor of chiropractic should tell you the extent of treatment recommended and how long you can expect it to last.