Dr. Gregory
Kolwaite |
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Some HMOs require medical referral for chiropractic care
Question: Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor? - Helen, Clark Mills.
Answer: Chiropractors are licensed primary-care providers so a referral is not required for an office visit. Some HMO plans such as MVP, however, do require a referral from a medical doctor before your treatment is authorized. Check your health insurance card for referral requirements.
Q: Will I have to go to the chiropractor forever once I start? - William, Utica.
A: That is a common question. More than likely you will be given a treatment plan at the beginning of care that will give you an idea of the length of treatment. Some spinal conditions are a result of years of damage and may require ongoing care to reach your goals. Remember, you are the ultimate authority on what you want to get out of your care.
Q: How did chiropractic originate? - Mickey, Clayville.
A: In 1895 in Davenport, Iowa, a healer by the name of Daniel David (D. D.) Palmer studied the nervous system and theorized that impulses traveling through the nerves may be vulnerable to interference from the vertebrae, which would interrupt nerve flow and cause disease in the tissues the nerves fed. He tested his theory on a man named Harvey Lillard, who had lost his hearing several years earlier after injuring his neck and back. After Lillard's spine was adjusted, his hearing returned. Chiropractic was born.
Dr. Gregory Kolwaite, whose column appears monthly in the Observer-Dispatch, operates Adirondack Chiropractic at 4947 Commercial Drive, Yorkville 13495. If you have a question, you can write to him at his office at www.adirondackchiro.com or call 768-7578.
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