Frequently Asked Questions

What to Expect

Should chiropractors take x-rays?

Yes. Chiropractors have extensive training in radiology and are licensed to take x-rays. It is very important to have x-rays taken for the detection of abnormalities and to assess severity of degeneration that has occurred at the injured region. It is essential for the Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractor to analyze x-rays of the head and neck in order to determine the patient’s specific adjustment and confirm that there are no contraindications that would prevent the patient from this treatment. We use the most up to date digital x-ray system, reducing exposure and time. X-rays are performed on site.

What does a chiropractic adjustment do?

An adjustment realigns the bones in the spine through which the spinal nerves and arteries pass through. These nerves send information to and from the brain dictating the function of your body. Blood vessels flow through to nourish different regions of the body. Misalignment of the spine may cause interference in these pathways, thereby, causing dysfunction, malnourishment and poor communication between the body and the brain which all result in a state of dis-ease and pain. Opening these pathways with the chiropractic adjustment will allow the body to perform at its most optimal level, and in turn, be at its strongest to fight off disease

Are all patients adjusted in the same way?

No. Patients have their own distinct identity. The body is very complex and not everyone has the same issues nor do they respond in the same way to treatment. Therefore, Dr. Albers finds it necessary to customize an individual’s treatment accordingly. Upon completing a comprehensive chiropractic examination that includes; historical gathering, postural, orthopedic, neurological testing and radio-graphic evaluation (if warranted) all of this information is meticulously reviewed, and necessary treatments are determined to best fit the patients’ health goals.

Do you accept Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, or Health Insurance?

No. We are out of network with all insurance companies. We do not accept Medicaid or Medicare.

Unlike most offices, we feel being properly informed of your anticipated out of pocket expense prior to treatment is a very important aspect of your health and healing, so all benefits are clearly explained to the patient. Coverage depends on the particulars of your individual plan.

Should I Schedule an Appointment?

If I had back surgery can I see a chiropractor?

Yes. Depending on what type of back surgery and its exact location, there are treatment options available.

How old do you have to be to have chiropractic care?

Everyone has a spine; therefore, people of all ages can be adjusted. You are never too young or old to start chiropractic treatment. Dr. Albers has worked with patients ranging from 1 day to 97 years old.

Does Dr. Albers treat Pregnant and postpartum mothers?

ABSOLUTELY! Dr. Albers is passionate about helping you through your pregnancy with safe, natural, & drug-free care. We know how uncomfortable you can be during your pregnancy. Over 75% of pregnant women not only have symptoms such as low-back and pelvic pain but have increasing degrees of suffering as their pregnancies progress. Chiropractic care can help! Research shows that Chiropractic care and patient education as part of a comprehensive prenatal care team has been shown to hold greater benefit for pregnant patients than traditional obstetric care alone!

Is Chiropractic care effective for your Infant?

Dr. Albers is known for her gentle adjustments for babies. No infant is too young for an adjustment. The birth process itself can be very traumatic and Baby’s first chiropractic adjustment can aid in recovery. Chiropractic care has been shown to have positive effects in infants that may struggle with various things such as, difficulty breast feeding, colic, asthma, digestive issues and constipation, just to name a few.

Should my child receive chiropractic care from Dr. Albers?

Studies show that children that receive regular chiropractic care are healthier than those that don’t! Pediatric chiropractic care for children as they age creates a solid foundation of continued health and nervous system function that will lead to better growth, healthier development, and an improved life.

Why should I continue with chiropractic care after the pain is gone?

Consistent chiropractic care and good lifestyle practices can combat the all-too-common issues of today such as chronic stress or posture problems from screen use and desk work. Whether it’s hiking up the Rockies, navigating the rivers, off to work or chasing your children chiropractic care can improve your performance and help maintain your health for the future. It’s important to keep your spine aligned to allow the nervous system to do its job, keeping every part of your body functioning properly. It has the ability to help in reaction time, improve balance, and allow the brain to coordinate all functions of your body.

Should my Whole Family receive Chiropractic Care?

What if you learned that the key to health is to be proactive rather than reactive? Unfortunately, too much of our health care system is built on responding to acute conditions instead of promoting a healthy lifestyle that prevents disease. Many people wait until health problems arise before taking steps to improve their wellness.

Just because you don’t feel sick, does not mean you feel as great as you could. It is common in our culture to accept a slow decline in health as we age, but it is also unnecessary. We now have information and the advances in the field of health and wellness to live a life of optimal health which, contrary to popular belief, can actually get better as we grow older.

The whole family can benefit from chiropractic care. Research shows that children who receive regular chiropractic care can find relief from common childhood health conditions such as chronic allergies, asthma, colds and ear infections. Active adults can boost their energy levels, enhance their performance at work and leisure, and seniors can find relief from issues such as range of motion, balance and pain.

Can I be adjusted if I'm pregnant?

Yes. Chiropractic adjustments are recommended during pregnancy to assist the females changing body. Chiropractic care has even been known to help a woman become pregnant as nerve interference to the reproductive system can negatively affect conception.

Specific Services

Who could Benefit from Atlas Orthogonal Care?

Atlas Orthogonal spinal corrections can help you and your family resolve pain and suffering and can aid in the healthy growth and development of your children. Precision spinal care can eliminate the need for medication and surgery in many cases. After you have experienced the results of Atlas Orthogonal spinal corrections for yourself, tell someone else about your experience. When most people think of chiropractic corrections, they think of neck pain, back pain, or muscle aches. The Atlas Orthogonal Spinal Correction can help your body work better no matter what type of health problem you may have.

Is AO Chiropractic care effective for Headaches & Migraines?

Headaches are not fun, and migraines are another level of awful. Living with either of these issues can make you feel grumpy, and in the worst-case scenario, leave you unable to function. Medication can help in the short term, but when the problem is ongoing or re-occurring, pills are not enough. Oftentimes, the source of your headaches and migraines is structural and with proper treatment, it is possible to permanently overcome this debilitating issue.

Whether you are dealing with a persistent ache in your head, or the worst symptoms associated with migraines, including light and noise intolerance, nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, depression, and irritation the cause may be a structural issue. When the spine moves out of position because of developmental issues, trauma, repetitive stress, and other incidents, it can put pressure on the surrounding nerves. When the nerves are compressed or irritated, they send a message to the muscles of the back, neck, and jaw to tighten. This tightness can lead directly to an acute headache or migraine. Over time the tightness can also pull your bones out of alignment leading to more persistent headaches and migraines. A headache or migraine can be a sign that there are deeper problems arising in your spinal column, and because every other system in your body is impacted by your spinal health, it is very important to deal with these issues when the signs begin to arise. Dr. Albers has a long history of successfully treating headaches and migraines, including her own.

Chiropractors have an extensive understanding of subtle issues occurring in the spine which, due to its connection with the nervous system, is very often the source of pain. A chiropractic treatment starts with a thorough evaluation that will rule out other possible causes of your headache and examine your spine for issues of misalignment.

The assessment will determine the exact type of treatment that is necessary for the specific issue at the root of the pain. Using gentle and non-invasive techniques a chiropractor is able to achieve adjustments to the spine that, although they may seem subtle, can provide almost instant relief and restore your long-term health. Unlike medications which treat the problem on the surface level and provide only short-term relief, a chiropractic adjustment will address the cause of your headache or migraine and provide lasting results that will improve your quality of life.

If you are struggling with migraines or headaches call The Restorative Solution and make an appointment with Dr. Albers today!

Is AO Chiropractic care effective for Neck pain?

Although the neck is a relatively small area of the body, it is comprised of some complicated structures which do the important job of holding your head up. The small size of the vertebrae of the neck allows for a lot of mobility, but can also make the neck more vulnerable to injury and pain. Some of the causes of neck pain include trauma/whiplash, sleeping position, poor posture, repetitive stress, abnormalities in the bone structure, joint issues, and muscle strains and pulls.

Most of these issues are either caused by, or impact, the alignment of the spine. When muscles in the neck go into spasm, the spine gets pulled out of alignment. When the spine is misaligned, the nerves become irritated and cause further tension and other systemic problems. Because every nerve in the body has its root in the spinal column, issues that have their source at the neck can have a major impact throughout every other system.

Many people let spinal problems go uncorrected. They hope that if they wait long enough the pain will simply go away. In some cases it will go away, but the misalignment that caused the problem is usually still there and you body is compensating for the issue. Over time, that area can become aggravated, and the pain can return. If the problem is not corrected it can become much more serious.

What does "Atlas Orthogonal" mean?

The Atlas is the first bone in the spine, located at the base of the skull. Orthogonal means at a right angle or 90 degrees. The goal of the Atlas Orthogonal (AO) adjustment is to realign the misaligned atlas bone to an orthogonal position. You might say the Atlas bone is the leader of the spinal column. Sitting at the top of the spine, it is like the steering wheel. The other vertebrae follow the position of the Atlas similar to a twisted rope. If you untwist a rope in the center and let it go, the rope will go back to the twisted position. However, if you untwist a rope from the very top and let it go, the entire rope will hold in the straightened position. Your head rests on the Atlas bone. When the Atlas is misaligned, your head will shift in order to see a level horizon line. However, the rest of your body will shift to compensate, thereby causing leg length inequality. This can result in low back and leg pain.

The Atlas has the most range of motion of all the vertebrae, making it most susceptible to misalignment. It is also of vital importance because it has major arteries as well as nerves passing through it. When the Atlas bone becomes subluxated, it often chokes the artery that provides roughly 75% of blood flow to the brain as well as local nerves and nerves that go to the entire body! This is unlike any other area region in the body. When this happens, you may feel burning, numbness, and tingling effects from the nerve, as well as symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, facial pain, sinus pain, allergies, and a multitude of other symptoms due to the lack of blood supply to and from the brain.

What is an Upper Cervical Chiropractic Technique?

Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractic, an upper cervical chiropractic technique, is a way of healing that can help restore the body’s balance and promote an ideal state of well-being. Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractic is a very gentle chiropractic technique; there is no “cracking” associated with the procedure. Upper cervical chiropractic techniques work with the unique relationship between the upper cervical spine (neck) and its influence on the central nervous system and brain stem function. This specific relationship affects every aspect of human function from the sensations in your fingers to regulating hormones, controlling movement, and providing the ability to hear, see, think, and breath.

How does Atlas Chiropractic determine if my atlas needs correction?

It is the expertise of board certified Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractors to specifically and gently deliver an adjustment with use of the Atlas Orthogonal Precision Adjusting Instrument. The doctor will take several x-rays of the patient’s head and neck, which will give the necessary and accurate readings to figure the precise adjusting angle for each individual. Every patient has an angle specific to them. The force used to create the correction is a percussive force. You may be familiar with a common example of such a force with the Newton’s Cradle. This model demonstrates that if you pull one ball back and release it, the balls in the middle stay put, while the ball on the end bounces away…the Atlas Orthogonal Percussion Adjusting Instrument works on this same principle.

In the adjusting head of the instrument, there is a solenoid that strikes a stylus. The stylus does not move, but percussion is transmitted through the tip. The tip is placed over the bony process (located behind the ear) of the 1st vertebra and this percussive force moves the Atlas in the desired direction, based on the vector (aka angle) set by the doctor.

Once the x-rays are completed, the Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractor then uses other methods to determine whether a patient’s Atlas is in or out of adjustment. The doctor will skillfully feel for specific nerves in the back of the neck. This will reveal if the nerves are pinched, tender, or inflamed. The patient will also be instructed to lie down, allowing the length of their legs to be measured. If the criteria calls for an adjustment, the doctor will appropriately position the patient on the table and administer a low force adjustment using the angle determined to be specific to the individual. Immediately following the adjustment, the doctor will re-check the nerves and the leg length.

The proper adjustment will free up the nerves in the neck, which will reduce inflammation and tenderness and the leg will drop to measuring even, thereby restoring both a structural and chemical balance in the body. The Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractor will take two post x-rays to confirm the proper adjustment was administered and the patient will be on their way with the restoration of health into their system.