Frequently Asked Questions in Waldorf MD

Chiropractic care is a natural, hands-on approach to health that focuses on restoring balance within the body through the spine and nervous system.

As Chiropractors we provide care for a wide range of conditions that affect your spine, joints, muscles, and nervous system. Whether you’re dealing with everyday tension, recovering from an injury, or striving to perform at your best, I offer personalized, hands-on care to help you move and feel better. Common conditions we treat include:

• Spinal & Postural Issues
• Low back pain
• Neck pain
• Sciatica
• Disc problems (bulging or herniated)
• Poor posture and spinal misalignment
• Joint & Muscle Complaints
• Shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle pain
• Muscle tightness, spasms, and joint stiffness
• Tendonitis and bursitis
• Nerve-Related Symptoms
• Headaches and migraines
• Numbness, tingling, or radiating nerve pain
• TMJ (jaw dysfunction and discomfort)
• Sports & Overuse Injuries
• Strains, sprains, and repetitive motion injuries
• Imbalances from training or daily activities
• Recovery support and performance enhancement
• Pregnancy & Pediatric Care
• Pregnancy-related back, pelvic, and hip pain
• Pediatric wellness support (colic, latching issues, and more)
• Wellness & Maintenance
• Preventative care to maintain mobility and function
• Relief from stress-related tension and fatigue

A chiropractic adjustment is a specific, gentle and yet effective technique to help restore and improve function, mobility and alignment in the spine and extremities.

Absolutely – chiropractic care is safe when performed by a licensed and trained chiropractor. As Chiropractors, we take the time to assess your health history, and perform a thorough evaluation to get a better understanding of your body, your goals, and your needs so that every treatment is specific, intentional and designed with your safety and comfort in mind.

The number of Chiropractic visits depends on your condition, goals and how your body responds to care – every patient is different. Chiropractic care typically follows three phases:

• Relief phase- focused on reducing pain and inflammation – this may require more frequent visits at first.
• Corrective phase- aims to address underlying issues and improve function with less frequent, consistent care.
• Wellness phase – Ongoing maintenance care to keep your body moving well and prevent future issues.

Chiropractic care is about more than just relieving pain—it’s about helping your body function at its highest potential. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing daily stress, or looking to perform at your best, chiropractic care supports your body from the inside out. Here are just a few key benefits:

• Pain Relief- Effective for back pain, neck pain, headaches, joint discomfort, and more without medication or surgery.
• Improved Mobility & Function- Adjustments help restore proper movement in the spine and joints so your body can move freely and efficiently.
• Injury Recovery & Prevention- Whether you’re healing from a sports injury or trying to avoid one, chiropractic care helps correct imbalances, speed recovery, and reduce the risk of re-injury.
• Athletic Performance Enhancement - By optimizing joint alignment, muscle balance, and nervous system function, chiropractic care supports faster reaction time, better coordination, and improved overall performance.
• Wellness & Preventative Care- Even if you’re not in pain, regular chiropractic visits can help reduce tension, improve posture, boost energy, and support your body’s ability to stay well and adapt to stress.

I take a whole-body approach to care, helping you not only feel better—but move, function, and live better too.

Chiropractic is one of the safest, noninvasive, and drug-free approaches to treating neuromusculoskeletal issues. While most people feel relief right after an adjustment, it’s normal to feel mild soreness or stiffness, mild headaches or fatigue—similar to how your body might feel after a workout. This usually goes away within 24 hours. When it comes to neck adjustments, Chiropractors use precise techniques to restore motion, reduce tension, and ease pain. Although extremely rare, there have been reports linking upper neck manipulation to a specific type of stroke. However, research shows that these cases often stem from underlying conditions and not definitely linked to chiropractic care and can happen during everyday activities like turning your head, swimming or even getting your hair washed. The actual risk of this occurring from a chiropractic adjustment is incredibly low—estimated at about 1 in several million. As a precaution, Chiropractors screen for any red flags before treating the cervical spine.

Chiropractic adjustments are not typically painful. Most patients feels relief during or shortly after the adjustment. You may feel a quick release of tension and usually feels more like pressure than pain. If anything feels uncomfortable, we can always adjust the approach or technique to keep you more at ease.

On your first visit, you can expect to be there for about a hour to hour and a half which will include a thorough evaluation and adjustment if clinically indicated. Following visits can be between 15-30 minutes depending on the services in your treatment plan.

Chiropractors are required to earn a Bachelor's degree in a science, a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, at an accredited chiropractic college, licensed and National Board certified through the NBCE, and complete regular continuing education to stay current on the latest research, techniques and patient care practices.

Absolutely – pregnant women can and should see a Chiropractor. Chiropractic care during pregnancy can ease back pain, pelvic discomfort, sciatica, and even help improve alignment to support a smoother delivery. We use gentle, pregnancy-safe techniques and specialized positioning to keep both mom and baby comfortable and at ease.

The “crack” or popping sound you hear during a chiropractic adjustment is called cavitation. It’s the release of gas that builds up in the joint spaces. When I apply a quick, gentle force to the joint, it creates a small separation that releases pressure and allows those gases to escape, creating that audible pop. It’s totally normal and not a sign that anything is breaking or being forced out of place. Some adjustments make noise and some don’t, however, both can still be effective.

No – As a Chiropractor, I am licensed and trained to deliver specific and controlled adjustments to the right joints, in the right direction and the right time. “When you try to “crack” your own joints, you might get a “pop” but it is not the same as a true adjustment – and you could actually cause more instability or irritation over time.

Absolutely - Chiropractic care can be very effective for sports injuries. As Chiropractors, we work to restore proper alignment, improve joint mobility, and reduce inflammation to help athletes recover faster and prevent future injuries. Whether it’s a sprain, strain, or overuse issue, Chiropractic care can support healing, improve range of motion, and enhance overall performance. Many athletes also use Chiropractic proactively to stay in optimal condition.

Absolutely - Chiropractic care is safe for children when performed by a licensed and trained Chiropractor. Pediatric chiropractic adjustments are very gentle and specifically tailored to a child’s size, age, and development. Many parents bring their children in for support with issues like colic, ear infections, nursing difficulties, posture concerns, sport performance enhance, injury prevention and to support overall wellness. As Chiropractors, we always perform a thorough assessment to ensure care is appropriate and safe for each individual child.

Private pay means we do not work with insurance companies. This gives us the free to create treatment plans that are tailored to you and are not constrained by insurance company guidelines. There are numerous advantages to self-payment – no surprise bills, no treatment denials, and no waiting around for approvals or referrals. You get the care you need when you need it.