What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a natural form of health care that seeks to assist the body in healing itself without the use of prescriptive drugs or surgery when possible. Chiropractic is a science and is based on proven scientific principles and research. The goal of chiropractic care is to find and correct the underlying causes of conditions rather than merely treating the symptoms. Chiropractic treats the entire body rather than the individual parts. We evaluate all aspects of a patient’s health and lifestyle and make recommendations accordingly. Common areas of interest are diet, nutritional supplements, exercise, sleep, family, work, hobbies, stress and ergonomics. The primary component of chiropractic treatment is the manipulation /adjustment of joints. The goals of chiropractic manipulation are to return bones to their normal position, restore normal joint mechanics and mobility, reduce spasm, reduce pain , reduce inflammation, reduce nerve pressure, reduce disc pressure, retard the degenerative process, allow the body to heal naturally, minimize the risk of future health problems and promote a general state of well-being.  

The fact that the brain is the computer which directly or indirectly controls all of our bodily processes is of primary importance to chiropractors. The brain communicates with every organ, tissue and cell in the body via the nervous system. The main neural pathway consists of the spinal cord which is protected by 24 spinal bones (vertebrae), the nerve roots which exit the spine through openings between the spinal joints and the peripheral nerves which innervate the organs, muscles, ligaments, skin and essentially every cell in the body. When spinal joints become misaligned through trauma, sports, repetitive stresses or normal every day activity, they can begin to put adverse pressure on the exiting nerves and spinal disc between the joints. This can cause pain, numbness, tingling, burning, weakness, spasm, headaches and other symptom throughout the body. More importantly, it can interfere with the normal communication and nerve signal transmission to and from the brain and the rest of the body resulting in suboptimal function and health.  When this happens an individual is more susceptible to disease and illness. Chiropractic manipulations aim to remove these interferences and allow the nervous system to function normally so that the brain can properly regulate and coordinate bodily functions promoting optimal levels of health, healing and wellness.

How Well Trained is the Doctor of Chiropractic?

Chiropractic doctors are well trained. Like medical students, prospective chiropractic students must attain a minimum number of undergraduate college hours in the areas of biology, anatomy, physiology, chemistry and physics.  Upon acceptance into chiropractic school, students receive approximately the same number of classroom hours as medical students in the basic sciences such as anatomy, biology, physiology, histology, pathology, psychology, obstetrics, gynecology, geriatrics and biochemistry. Chiropractic curriculum then consists of additional hours in the areas of spinal and extremity adjusting techniques, spinal anatomy, neuroanatomy, neurology, orthopedics, radiology, diagnosis, physiotherapy, physical therapy, nutrition, ergonomics and biomechanics. Additionally, students must then make rotations and complete a minimum number of clinic hours prior to graduation. Prior to licensing, a chiropractic graduate must successfully pass both national and state board written and practical examinations.  Chiropractors are required to attend board approved continuing education seminars each year in order to renew their licenses and remain up to date on the latest research and techniques.

Will You Work with my Medical /Osteopathic Doctor?

Yes! We have an established positive working relationship with many medical and osteopathic doctors in the community. Many of our new patients are referred to us by other doctors and health care professionals.   Similarly, we often detect conditions in our patients which require referral to these doctors for co-treatment. Your health care needs are best met when all providers coordinate care and function as team. 





Is Chiropractic Safe?

Yes! Chiropractic is very safe. The non-surgical, drug free approach to health places chiropractic among the safest of all the health care practices. Historically, chiropractic treatments and manipulations are extremely safe especially when compared to other common treatments, medications and surgery. However, as with all medical procedures, there is some inherent risk. That is why it is important to choose a doctor who is well trained, experienced and licensed to perform manipulation.  Chiropractors are able to recognize and screen for rare patients who should not receive certain types of manipulation. Upon identifying such individuals, alternative treatment methods can be safely utilized for those unique patients.

Do You Treat Pregnant Women?

Yes. Due to the many physical changes and stresses that occur during pregnancy, this is perhaps one of the most important times in a woman’s life to receive chiropractic treatments. Pregnancy is a period of rapid development, weight change, hormonal change and increased laxity of connective ligamentswhich can lead to pain and discomfort. Furthermore, the increasing weight and size of the baby put additional abnormal stress on the spine. Chiropractic treatments help alleviate the pain many expectant mothers experience during pregnancy and improve sleep patterns. Patients receiving chiropractic care often report shorter labor and decreased delivery pains.

Do You Treat Children?

Yes. Children are subjected to a multitude of spinal stresses at an early age. Difficult deliveries, crawling and learning to walk can be traumatic to the pediatric spine. School backpacks and sports are sources of additional stress as they grow older.  Furthermore, scoliosis is the most active and responsive to treatment in adolescence before the growth plates close in early adulthood. Symptoms may include neck pain, headaches, back pain, chronic reoccurring ear infections, irritability, anxiety, diarrhea, constipation and enuresis (bed wetting).

Do You Treat Auto Injuries?

Yes. Dr. O’Reilly is an Auto Accident Injury Specialist with extensive post-doctorate training in this area. He has over 18 years of clinical experience in the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of auto injuries. He works with other health care professionals in the area including medical / osteopathic doctors, orthopedists, neurologists and physical therapists in the event co-treatment is needed. Auto insurance covers the cost of our treatment in most cases. In some cases, legal assistance may be necessary. We can recommend local competent attorneys who specialize in this area and have a proven track record of resolving these cases to the patient’s satisfaction in a timely manner.

How Many Treatments Will I Need?

Every patient is unique and treatment plans are based on each individual’s condition. In minor cases, only a few treatments may be needed.  Healing correctly takes time. In some cases, the length of treatment will be determined by the patient’s own short and long term treatment goals. However, pain usually subsides before underlying permanent structural corrections have been completed. In general, the longer a patient has had a condition the longer it takes to heal and stabilize. Some conditions are not completely correctable but like diabetes they can be managed. We continually evaluate progress and adjust treatment frequencies accordingly in partnership with the patient. Furthermore, once their condition has been corrected and stabilized many patients choose to continue to receive periodic preventative maintenance care and spinal “tune ups”. If a patient is not making satisfactory progress we will order additional diagnostic testing and / or refer to another health care provider.

Is it expensive? Do You Accept Health Insurance?

Chiropractic has been proven to be one of the most cost-effective forms of health care in the market. We make every attempt to deliver quality health care at an affordable price. We do offer payment plans for self-pay patients.  We accept and file insurance. Furthermore, we are an “In Network Provider” for most insurance companies in Oklahoma including Medicare.  Using a network provider typically saves the patient less out of pocket costs. A partial list of insurance networks that we provide for and local companies whose insurance we accept can be found on our website under the “Insurance” tab. If you do not see your insurance carrier or employer, please call the clinic as this is NOT a complete list and we are constantly adding insurance carriers.