New to Chiropractic? Start here! Affordable Chiropractic care emphasizes manual therapy, including spinal, joint, and soft-tissue manipulation. From back pain to migraines and babies to grandparents, Chiropractic is safe and effective. Chiropractors take a wellness approach to a person’s care, striving to improve and benefit their patient’s overall health instead of just relieving their pain. Furthermore, Chiropractic consists of various techniques designed to enhance the function of the joints and muscles and reduce pain and spasms.
Chiropractic care has various benefits, including the vast range of treatments involved. In addition, it has become evident that your central nervous system helps regulate mood and full-body health, meaning that a healthy central nervous system helps improve overall health and wellness. At its very foundation, Chiropractic helps improve the nervous system function by simply adjusting the spine.
New to Chiropractic? Are Chiropractors Doctors?
While chiropractors are not medical doctors, they do hold a four-year Doctorate in Chiropractic postgraduate degree. In that sense, a Chiropractor is a doctor, just like a Veterinarian or Dentist. In fact, a lawyer is also a Doctor as they hold a Doctorate in Law degree. Chiropractors’ postgraduate studies teach drug—and surgery-free methods for treating bone, nerve, muscle, and ligament disorders. Best known for treating back and neck pain, Chiropractors effectively treat bone and soft tissue conditions.
It’s a common misconception held by patients new to Chiropractic that Chiropractors do not receive significant training. Chiropractic licensure requires eight years of higher education and passing a series of both National and State board exams before being licensed. On average, Chiropractic colleges consist of 4 years of schooling totaling 4,200 instructional hours, and hundreds of hours of unpaid internships.
New to Chiropractic? What is the Popping Sound From an Adjustment?
Your joints naturally accumulate nitrogen bubbles due to the synovial fluid that lubricates them. These gas “bubbles” build up in the joint, causing joint tightness or stiffness. When this happens, the “crack” or “pop” is the gas in the joint shifting. This process is called “cavitation”.
If you have a back problem, as many of us do, you may have already been to a Chiropractor. Just like medical doctors, dentists, barbers, and mechanics, some are good, some not so good. In addition to having a good “bed side manner”, having a good rapport with your Chiropractor is very important. Finding a Doctor who takes time to understand your problem may take some time. Most chiropractors take a unique, person-centered approach. They genuinely care about their patients and consider all aspects of a person’s life.
Pain is often caused by many different daily life occurrences. Are you stressed at work? Do you have trouble sleeping? Do you sit at a computer all day? Have you been in a car accident, even a simple “fender bender”?
Dr. James Doran, DC, a Denver chiropractor and founder of Integrative Health and Rehabilitation in Denver, Colorado, focuses on helping patients understand the depth and root cause of their problems. This office combines chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, dry-needling, laser, and physical therapy treatments and is always ready to provide extra time and care for our patients that are new to Chiropractic.
New to Chiropractic? Why Go to a Chiropractor?
Back injuries can present in many different ways. A common one is a presentation of radiating pain or numbness resulting from spinal misalignments (subluxation) putting pressure on a spinal nerve. A spinal misalignment left untreated can cause this pressure, resulting in altered blood flow, impaired nerve function, and increased tightness or spasm. These conditions commonly result in “Neuropathy.” Neuropathy can also result from diabetes, chemotherapy, obesity, and other factors. Peripheral neuropathy affects more than 30 million people in America alone.
Chiropractors pride themselves on, first and foremost, relieving their patients’ pain and then teaching them how to manage their conditions and help them maintain good health. Chronic back pain affects millions of people in the US every year. It can significantly impact both your physical and mental health. According to the CDC, roughly 39 percent of Americans reported an episode of lower back pain in the last 3 months.
Far too many people will turn to harmful painkillers for relief, unaware of effective drug-free alternatives. While painkillers can temporarily relieve symptoms, they don’t address the root cause of the problems. It’s essential to recognize how common chronic back pain is to raise awareness about feasible, non-invasive, and drug-free remedies such as chiropractic care.
New to Chiropractic? What are the Benefits of Getting Adjusted?
There are many benefits to receiving affordable Chiropractic care. Here are just a few:
- Improved joint mobility, function, and health
- Slowed or even halted degeneration of the joint and connective tissues (arthritis)
- Improved peripheral circulation
- Faster recovery from injury
- Improved organ function (i.e., heart, lungs, sinuses, digestive organs, etc.)
- Calming of hyperactive brain function (e.g., ADHD)
- Increased energy and improved sleep
- Improved quality of life
- Prevention of illness/sickness by improving the body’s immune response
- Improved cognitive ability
Patients New to Chiropractic Often Ask: Is Chiropractic Safe?
Chiropractic care is safe if you receive treatment from a licensed and experienced Chiropractor. It would be best only to allow someone trained in spinal manipulation to manipulate your spine. That includes massage therapists, acupuncturists, or physical therapists.
A 2018 study performed using US military personnel with back pain found that when compared to those who only received medical care, soldiers who also received Chiropractic adjustments reported:
- Lower pain intensity
- Greater improvement in mobility and less disability
- Less use of medication
- Higher satisfaction with treatment
However, some may experience mild side effects like muscle stiffness or soreness after a chiropractic visit. These symptoms should resolve quickly as your joints and muscles adjust to the corrected alignment. You could compare a Chiropractic adjustment to exercise. Even a light workout can result in stiffness or soreness if the exercises are new to you. People new to Chiropractic as well as those who receive regular Chiropractic care rarely have any discomfort after a Chiropractic adjustment.
According to a 2017 published study, pre-existing conditions can increase your risk of complications from chiropractic care. That is why you should only seek chiropractic care from an experienced and licensed Chiropractor who performs an in-depth consultation and exam before treating you. Patients with any of the conditions below should notify their Chiropractor before receiving treatment:
- Severe osteoporosis
- Spine cancer or myeloma
- Increased risk of stroke
- Bone abnormalities in the upper neck
New to Chiropractic? Ready to Try the Chiropractor Denver Chooses?
Whether you’re experiencing back or joint pain, soreness from an injury, sciatica, headaches, seeking nutritional advice, or have already made chiropractic part of your healthy lifestyle, chiropractors can help you get well and stay fit. The history of Chiropractors and their ability to relieve back pain and improve people’s health stretches over 250 years. If you are new to chiropractic, our office offers free consultations to help you determine the cause of your pain and learn how chiropractic can relieve your complaints without painful surgeries or dangerous medications.
If you’re new to Chiropractic and unsure if we can help, we also provide Acupuncture, Dry Needling, Low-Level Laser Therapy, and Shockwave Therapy. If you feel like you’re doing everything you can to be healthy but fatigue, poor sleep, weight gain, and loss of energy have you down, you may have a hormone imbalance. Take our free online hormone imbalance quiz. Ready to improve your hormone health? Learn the five reasons to choose BHRT for hormone replacement therapy.
New to Chiropractic and not sure where to start? Schedule an appointment online with the Chiropractor Denver chooses. Use the button below to schedule an appointment with us today, or call (303) 424-7171. Check out some of our 5-Star reviews to learn why we are the chiropractor Denver seeks for fast, effective, and lasting pain relief. Our affordable Chiropractic office is conveniently located for patients in Arvada, Denver, and Wheat Ridge, Colorado!
Frequently Asked Questions: New to Chiropractic
Q: Are chiropractors real doctors, and how much training do they have?
Q: What is the popping sound during a chiropractic adjustment. Is it bones cracking?
Q: Is chiropractic care safe, and are there any situations where it shouldn’t be used?
Q: What conditions can chiropractic care treat beyond back pain?
Q: How is chiropractic different from just taking pain medication?
Q: Being new to Chiropractic, what should I expect at my very first chiropractic appointment?
Dr. James Doran is a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic with over 25 years of clinical experience treating musculoskeletal and neuromuscular conditions. His clinical focus includes mechanical back pain, neck pain, headache disorders, sports injuries, and post–auto accident injuries.
Dr. Doran utilizes evidence-based approaches including chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, dry needling, low-level laser therapy, and rehabilitative care. He holds a bachelor’s degree in human nutrition and integrates functional, biomechanical, and whole-person principles into patient care. Dr. Doran is licensed to practice chiropractic in the State of Colorado and treats patients daily in private practice.
About Integrative Health and Rehabilitation
Integrative Health and Rehabilitation provides integrative chiropractic and physical medicine services for patients in Denver, Arvada, and Wheat Ridge, Colorado. The clinic focuses on evidence-based, non-surgical care for both acute and chronic conditions, with an emphasis on restoring function, reducing pain, and supporting long-term health. 📍 Office Location: Denver, CO 🔗 View the clinic on Google Maps
Ready for an expert opinion? Get in touch today!
With a legacy of more than 25 years, our team specializes in helping individuals triumph over back pain, neck discomfort, and persistent headaches, all without relying on addictive medications or risky surgical procedures.
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