Frequently asked questions.
Essential Chiropractic Questions
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A chiropractor is a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) who diagnoses and treats disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, with a primary focus on the spine. At our North Charleston office serving Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, West Ashley, Daniel Island, Park Circle, Hanahan, and Goose Creek, we combine hands-on chiropractic adjustments with performance rehabilitation, corrective exercises, and personalized treatment plans to address the root cause of your pain—not just mask symptoms. Unlike traditional chiropractic offices that only adjust your spine, we take a comprehensive approach that includes sports injury rehab, post-surgical recovery, and TPI golf performance training to get you back to doing what you love, pain-free.
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Absolutely. Chiropractors earn a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree after completing four years of intensive doctoral education following their undergraduate degree. We have the authority to diagnose conditions, order imaging, and create comprehensive treatment plans. In South Carolina, chiropractors are recognized as primary healthcare providers, meaning you don't need a referral to see us. We work collaboratively with your other healthcare providers to ensure coordinated, comprehensive care for your recovery.
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Yes, chiropractic care is one of the safest, most effective non-invasive treatments for musculoskeletal pain. Our Doctor of Chiropractic serving the Lowcountry has extensive training— learning precise spinal manipulation techniques during a four-year doctoral program. We tailor every adjustment to your specific needs, age, and condition, ensuring safe, gentle, and effective care for everyone from youth athletes to active seniors. Unlike medications or surgery that carry significant risks, chiropractic adjustments rarely cause side effects and focus on helping your body heal naturally.
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No, chiropractic adjustments should not hurt. Most patients feel immediate relief and describe the experience as satisfying and therapeutic. You may hear popping or cracking sounds during adjustments—this is simply gas bubbles releasing from your joints, similar to cracking your knuckles. Some patients experience mild soreness for 24-48 hours after their first adjustment as their body adapts, similar to post-workout soreness. At our North Charleston clinic, we communicate throughout your treatment to ensure your comfort and never force adjustments beyond your tolerance.
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We operate on a self-pay model, which means we do not directly accept insurance. However, we provide a detailed Super Bill after each visit that you can submit directly to your insurance company for potential reimbursement. Many patients receive partial or full reimbursement depending on their out-of-network benefits. This model allows us to spend a full hour with you each visit—providing the thorough, personalized care you deserve without insurance company restrictions on treatment time or methods.
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No referral is needed! Chiropractors in South Carolina are primary care providers, meaning you can schedule an appointment directly without seeing another doctor first. You can call our North Charleston office today and book your appointment without any referral required.
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Most patients notice some improvement after their first visit, with about 60% experiencing pain relief immediately and another 30% feeling better within 2-3 visits. However, complete healing depends on several factors: the severity and duration of your condition, your age, activity level, and commitment to your treatment plan. Acute injuries (recent pain) typically respond within 2-6 weeks, while chronic conditions may require 8-12 weeks of care. Our approach focuses not just on relieving your pain quickly but on correcting the underlying problem so it doesn't return, which is why we emphasize performance rehabilitation alongside adjustments.
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The number of visits depends on your specific condition, goals, and how your body responds to treatment. Acute injuries might require 12-16 visits over 8-12 weeks, while chronic conditions may need 16-24 visits over 12-16 weeks. Unlike other chiropractors who lock you into long-term contracts, we focus on getting you better as quickly as possible through our performance rehabilitation approach. We'll reassess your progress regularly and adjust your care plan accordingly. Many patients choose ongoing maintenance care (monthly or bi-weekly visits) to prevent future injuries and maintain peak performance.
Treatment Experience
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Your first visit to our North Charleston practice takes a full hour. We'll start with a detailed conversation about your injury, pain, medical history, and goals. Then we'll perform a comprehensive physical examination including posture analysis, range of motion testing, orthopedic tests, neurological screening, and functional movement assessment. We may refer out for diagnostic imaging if medically necessary. Once we understand your condition, we'll explain our findings in clear language (no confusing medical jargon), create your personalized treatment plan, discuss expected timeline and costs, and often provide your first treatment that same day. You'll leave with a clear understanding of what's wrong, how we'll fix it, and what to expect moving forward. We serve patients from Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, West Ashley, Daniel Island, Park Circle, Hanahan, and Goose Creek.
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Every appointment at our North Charleston practice is a full hour. This includes your comprehensive evaluation during the first visit and all follow-up sessions. Unlike other practices that rush you through 15-minute appointments, we dedicate a full 60 minutes to understanding your condition, performing thorough treatments, teaching you corrective exercises, and ensuring you're progressing toward your goals. This personalized, one-on-one approach is how we deliver superior results for patients throughout Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, and the surrounding Lowcountry communities.
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The popping or cracking sound you hear during an adjustment is gas (primarily nitrogen) being released from the fluid between your joints. When we apply a controlled force to a restricted joint, it creates a change in pressure that causes these gas bubbles to release—producing the pop. This sound is completely normal and not your bones cracking. It's the same phenomenon that occurs when you crack your knuckles. Not every adjustment produces this sound, and the sound doesn't indicate the effectiveness of the treatment.
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Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows easy movement—athletic wear like joggers, shorts, leggings, and t-shirts work perfectly. Avoid jeans, skirts, or restrictive clothing. You'll keep your clothes on during treatment, but we need to be able to move your joints through their full range of motion and perform adjustments without restriction. Most patients come straight from work or the gym, so don't worry about dressing up, we have changing rooms for your use!
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Yes! We understand that injuries and pain don't wait for convenient times. Our North Charleston location offers same-day appointments for acute injuries and urgent conditions whenever possible. We prioritize getting you in quickly so you can start your recovery right away. Call us in the morning, and we'll do our best to see you that same day.
Sports Injuries & Performance Rehabilitation
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We treat the full spectrum of sports injuries affecting athletes throughout the Lowcountry: ACL tears, meniscus injuries, rotator cuff strains, tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, ankle sprains, hamstring strains, shin splints, runner's knee, and IT band syndrome. From high school athletes at Wando and Ashley Ridge to College of Charleston players to professional athletes competing in the NHL and NBA, we provide sport-specific rehabilitation that gets you back to competition stronger and more resilient than before.
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Performance rehabilitation combines chiropractic adjustments with targeted strength training, functional movement patterns, and sport-specific exercises to not only relieve pain but also optimize your body's performance. While traditional chiropractic focuses mainly on spinal adjustments, our North Charleston performance rehab program addresses the root cause of dysfunction through corrective exercises, movement assessment, and personalized training. We don't just want you pain-free—we want you performing better than before your injury, whether you're a weekend warrior, competitive athlete, or someone who wants to stay active in the Lowcountry lifestyle. With a full hour dedicated to each appointment, we have time to properly assess, treat, and train you for optimal results.
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Return-to-sport timelines vary significantly based on your injury type, severity, and sport demands. Minor sprains might allow return in 2-3 weeks, while ACL reconstruction typically requires 9-12 months. We follow evidence-based return-to-play protocols, and never rush your return—our goal is getting you back safely and preventing re-injury through comprehensive sports rehab programming.
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Absolutely. We specialize in treating running-related injuries common in Charleston's active community: plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, IT band syndrome, runner's knee, shin splints, and stress fractures. Our performance rehab approach includes gait analysis, biomechanical assessment, strength training for runners, and return-to-running protocols. Whether you're training for the Boston Marathon or just enjoy running the Ravenel Bridge, we'll get you back on the road pain-free.
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In many cases, yes. Research shows that conservative treatment including performance rehabilitation, chiropractic care, and physical therapy can be just as effective as surgery for many conditions including rotator cuff tears, meniscus injuries, and even some ACL tears. At our North Charleston practice serving the greater Charleston area, we've helped countless athletes avoid surgery through evidence-based rehabilitation protocols. However, some injuries do require surgical intervention. We'll conduct a thorough evaluation, coordinate with your physician if needed, and provide honest recommendations about whether conservative care or surgery is your best option.
why choose our clinic
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Unlike traditional chiropractors who only provide spinal adjustments in 15-minute appointments, we offer comprehensive performance rehabilitation with full one-hour sessions dedicated entirely to your recovery. We combine chiropractic care with corrective exercise, sports medicine, and functional training. We don't just treat your symptoms—we identify and correct the root cause of your dysfunction through movement assessment, strength training, and sport-specific rehab. Our Doctor of Chiropractic has advanced training in rehabilitation, sports injuries, and performance optimization. We're the only practice in the Lowcountry offering TPI golf performance screening, return-to-sport protocols, and post-surgical chiropractic rehabilitation with this level of personalized attention. Every hour is focused solely on you.
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Both are excellent options, and we actually integrate the best of both worlds. Traditional chiropractic focuses on spinal adjustments to restore joint mobility and nervous system function, while physical therapy emphasizes exercise and strengthening. Our performance rehabilitation model combines chiropractic adjustments with the corrective exercises and functional training you'd get from physical therapy. The result? You get better faster. Plus, you don't need a referral to see us, and with full hour-long appointments, we can provide the comprehensive care you need in each session—adjustments, soft tissue work, rehabilitation, and movement coaching all in one visit.
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Not at all. While we're experts in treating spine-related conditions (back pain, neck pain, sciatica, disc herniations), we also treat shoulder injuries, knee pain, hip dysfunction, ankle sprains, elbow tendonitis, headaches, sports injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation, and performance optimization. We treat the entire musculoskeletal system—from head to toe. We've successfully treated everyone from golfers with shoulder pain at Wescott to runners with knee issues training for marathons to office workers with posture-related headaches throughout Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, and surrounding areas.
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Your treatment plan is completely individualized based on a comprehensive evaluation that includes: your medical history, current symptoms, physical examination, movement assessment, functional testing, and your specific goals. We use evidence-based protocols combined with our extensive clinical experience treating athletes and active individuals throughout the Lowcountry. Your plan will typically include chiropractic adjustments, corrective exercises, manual therapy, and home care instructions. With full one-hour appointments, we have the time to properly assess, treat, and educate you at each visit. We reassess your progress regularly and adjust your plan as needed—you're never locked into a one-size-fits-all protocol.
Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
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Nearly all orthopedic surgeries benefit from structured rehabilitation: ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair, rotator cuff repair, total knee replacement, total hip replacement, spinal fusion, shoulder arthroscopy, and fracture repair. Our practice provides comprehensive post-op rehab that accelerates recovery, restores strength and mobility, reduces pain, and prevents complications like blood clots, muscle atrophy, and scar tissue buildup. Serving patients from Charleston, Mount Pleasant, Summerville, West Ashley, Daniel Island, Park Circle, Hanahan, and Goose Creek.
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Post-surgical rehabilitation should begin as soon as your surgeon clears you—often within days to weeks after surgery, depending on the procedure. Early mobilization prevents stiffness, reduces scar tissue formation, improves circulation, and accelerates healing. At our North Charleston clinic, we coordinate directly with your surgeon to ensure our rehabilitation program aligns with your surgical protocol and healing timeline. The sooner you start appropriate rehab, the better your long-term outcomes.
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Recovery timelines vary significantly by surgery type. Simple procedures like arthroscopy might require 6-8 weeks of rehab, while ACL reconstruction typically needs 9-12 months, and total joint replacements require 3-6 months. We create personalized rehabilitation plans based on your specific surgery, surgeon's protocol, baseline fitness level, and recovery goals. We progress you through structured phases—from controlling pain and swelling to restoring mobility, rebuilding strength, and finally returning to full activity.
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Yes, research clearly shows that proper post-surgical rehabilitation significantly reduces the need for pain medication. Our rehabilitation program uses manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, and modalities like ice, heat, and electrical stimulation to manage pain naturally. By improving circulation, reducing inflammation, and restoring normal movement patterns, we help your body heal more effectively—often allowing patients to reduce or eliminate their reliance on prescription pain medications.
TPI Golf Performance
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TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) screening is a comprehensive physical assessment that evaluates how your body's mobility, stability, and strength affect your golf swing. Through 16 specific tests, we identify physical limitations—like restricted hip rotation, limited shoulder mobility, or poor core stability—that prevent you from swinging optimally and may cause pain. Every golfer can benefit from TPI screening, whether you're a scratch golfer trying to add distance at Patriots Point or a recreational player dealing with lower back pain after 18 holes at Legend Oaks. As a TPI-certified professional, we help Lowcountry golfers swing pain-free and perform better.
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Yes! Through our TPI golf performance program, we identify physical limitations restricting your swing speed and create customized training plans to address them. Research shows that every 1 mph increase in clubhead speed adds approximately 2.3 yards of distance. We focus on improving hip mobility, core power, rotational strength, and the kinematic sequence of your swing. Golfers throughout Charleston, from Dunes West to Patriots Point Links, have added 10-20 yards to their drives through our golf-specific training program.
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Lower back pain is the most common golf injury, affecting up to 34% of amateur golfers. Common causes include restricted hip rotation (forcing your spine to compensate), poor core stability, limited shoulder mobility, muscle imbalances, and swing faults. Through a TPI screening at our North Charleston practice, we identify the specific physical limitations causing your pain and create a customized program to address them. Our goal isn't just to eliminate your pain—it's to correct the body-swing connection so you can play 18, 36, or even 72 holes pain-free.