Frequently Asked Questions

Chiropractic and chiropractors focus on disorders of the muscles & joints as well as the nervous system, and the effects that these disorders have on general health. Chiropractic is also a system of healthcare that uses hands-on, conservative (meaning non-drug and non-surgical) treatment to correct these nerve, muscle and joint problems.

A chiropractors most common form of treatment is the manipulation or "adjustments" to the different joints of the body, particularly the spinal joints. This relieves pressure and irritation to the joints, muscle and/or nerves, as well as increases motion at these joints.

Some of the more common conditions seen by Dr. Jongeward at ChiroCenter One of Grand Forks include lower back and neck pain, headaches and migraines, arthritic conditions, fibromyalgia, sprains and strains, numbness and tingling in an extremity, nerve problems, sciatica, disc problems, tendonitis and bursitis, as well as many others. Some extremity problems such as golfers/tennis elbow and plantar fasciitis respond quite well to chiropractic treatment as well.

Remember that any type of muscle, joint, or nerve problem can be evaluated at ChiroCenter One.  If the problem is not best suited to chiropractic treatment, Dr. Jongeward works with a number of medical specialists and can make the appropriate referral.

Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy (CMT) is the medical term, but most chiropractors and people call it a chiropractic "adjustment". Adjustments usually involve a quick thrust that helps add motion to spinal or other joints that are not moving properly. This helps alleviate pain, muscle tightness and swelling, allowing tissues to heal. There are many ways to adjust the spine, and each patient at ChiroCenter One receives a customized adjustment suited to their particular condition and age. An adjustment is usually a totally pain free procedure.

Yes. Addressing your back after surgery may be more important than ever as surgery will often lead to more stress on other joints in your back above or below the surgical area. We will be able to work with the changes that were surgically made.

No. Even though some people can make their joints "pop" by twisting and turning their spine, this is certainly not a chiropractic adjustment. Worse, damage can occur by continually moving a wrong joint. Chiropractic adjustments are very specific, and take many years of training and practice to master.

Even Dr. Jongeward must consult a colleague to receive treatment.

No, you do not need a referral to see Dr. Jongeward. Following a consultation and examination, Dr. Jongeward will arrive at a diagnosis and recommend either a course of chiropractic treatment, or make a referral to the appropriate health care provider if it is determined that your condition is not chiropractic related.

Rest assured that nobody knows better than a chiropractor which conditions are suited for chiropractic treatment, and which are not.

Of course every case is different, but suffice it to say that chiropractic treatment has been proven in studies time and again to be quicker, safer, less costly, and with more patient satisfaction than other types of treatments. Typically a treatment plan needs to include several visits to stabilize, then correct the problem. Generally, the longer the problem has been apparent the longer it takes to correct.

Almost every insurance plan now has coverage for chiropractic treatment. Typically there will be a "co-pay" with each office visit. This is often the same co-payment you pay when you see other doctors at a medical clinic. In our area, for example, a lot of people have co-payments between $20-$30. If you have any questions about your insurance please contact our office with your information and we will confirm your insurance benefits for you. Even if you do not have insurance coverage, chiropractic care is one of the most cost-effective treatment options.

No, we do not routinely take radiographs of new patients.  Rest assured, however, if x-rays are needed to confirm a diagnosis or rule out other problems such as a fracture, we are able to do this at ChiroCenter One on premises.

Yes. The discs of the spine act like spacers and shock absorbers--made of an outer fibrous ring which holds a softer, jelly-like material on the inside. A bulged disc is one that has swollen and the disc has increased in size, but its structure is intact. This can cause significant lower back and neck pain, but nerve involvement such as leg and arm pain and/or numbness/tingling are less severe. With a disc herniation, there has been an actual tear of the outer ring structure and some of the soft inner center has leaked outside of the disc itself. This too can cause significant back and neck pain, but nerve involvement such as pain into the extremities, numbness/tingling, and even weakness are more severe. The good news is that chiropractic treatment is an effective option for either type of disc problem, and more often than not, back and neck surgery can be avoided.

Headaches are one of the most common complaints we see at ChiroCenter One. Headaches arising from the cervical spine respond quite favorably to chiropractic treatment. These usually start along the base of the head in back and shoulders, but can radiate around the head or on top of the head, causing pain and pressure behind or above the eyes, or along the side of the head in the temple region. Many people assume that severe or one-sided headaches are all migraines, but this is often not the case.

Of course not. How long you decide to benefit from chiropractic treatment is always up to you. However, just like other healthy habits such as getting your eyes and teeth checked regularly, we do recommend periodic chiropractic checkups to keep your spine and joints in good health. Once the joints of the spine and body start to deteriorate, it is already too late. Unfortunately, many people wait until this happens before finally turning to chiropractic as a last resort. And although many still experience significant relief of their symptoms from treatment, they will often require periodic care to keep the problem from worsening. Just like a person with diabetes can take insulin and live quite normally, many people with permanent spinal problems choose supportive chiropractic care to live an active and pain free life.

Children have joints, muscles, ligaments and nerves just like adults, and as such, they can experience the same type of problems. Chiropractic treatment is a great treatment option for kids because it does not use drugs and is non-invasive. Treatment is very gentle and very safe--and correcting problems now can prevent permanent problems later in adulthood.

The most common problems we see at ChiroCenter One are recurrent ear infections and colic. Dr. Jongeward has also had good results with older children and bed wetting.  If you have any questions regarding treatment of your child Dr. Jongeward is always available to talk.