Question 1

What is Chiropractic?

Accepted Answer

Misalignments of your spine and poor health
No part of your body escapes the dominance of your nervous system. Improper function of the spine due to slight misalignments-called subluxations-can cause poor health or function, even in areas far removed from the spine and spinal cord itself. Misalignments can also reduce the ability of your body to adapt to its ever-changing environment. Even the slightest malfunction of your spine may alter the regular transmission of nerve impulses, preventing that portion of your body from responding optimally.
 
Natural health care without drugs or surgery
Chiropractic is a natural form of health care that uses spinal adjustments to correct these misalignments and restore proper function to the nervous system, helping your body to heal naturally. Chiropractic doesn't use drugs or surgery. Rather, a chiropractic spinal adjustment-the application of a precise force to a specific part of the spinal segment-corrects the misalignment, permitting normal nerve transmission and assisting your body to recuperate on its own.

Question 2

Who is Dr. Gonstead?

Accepted Answer

The system of Gonstead chiropractic represents an amazing man’s life work. It all began in 1923 when Dr. Clarence S. Gonstead opened his first practice. His patients experienced amazing results and his reputation quickly grew. He ultimately built the largest clinic in the profession in a small farming community with 1200 residents. To accommodate a growing number of travelers seeking Gonstead’s unique brand of chiropractic, he built a 78 room full-service motel and air strip. The legacy of his work is evident in that his technique is now taught in most chiropractic colleges around the world.
At NJ Gonstead Chiropractic, every patient receives an individualized approach. Have you ever felt like you’re getting the same treatment over and over? Not with Gonstead Chiropractic. We perform an exam on every visit to determine where and if you need an adjustment!
Gonstead Chiropractic is a very precise approach. After conducting a thorough history and exam, which include full spine x-rays, we only adjust the specific bone or joint indicated, not ALL of them! Doctors who use Gonstead chiropractic take great care to limit rotation during your adjustment so it is safe and comfortable.
Dr.Yoo is trained exclusively in the Gonstead Chiropractic technique. He has received extensive post graduate training to become proficient in this system. You’re never too young or too old to see what Gonstead Chiropractic can do for you!

Question 3

What is Gonstead System?

Accepted Answer

The Gonstead Technique was founded by Clarence Gonstead in 1923 in his clinic in Mt. Horeb, WI. Dr. Gonstead refined his technique by seeing thousands of patients and achieving renowned benefits while adhering to Chiropractic's original principles of being as specific as possible and locating and adjusting the cause.
While at Palmer College of Chiropractic, Dr. Yoo found his calling in this technique due to its devotion in specificity, as well as its analytical nature in finding the cause of each patient's sub-optimal state. The technique prides itself on being specific in its protocols. A Gonstead Chiropractor utilizes many tools in order to be assured that the adjustment given is to the subluxation and not merely a compensation. The importance of this is so that the doctor is not performing an adjustment on a segment that is unnecessary and could potentially create what Chiropractic is intended to remove. In order to achieve this, Dr. Yoo will analyze each patient utilizing the 5 main criteria that the Gonstead Technique evaluates: Visulization, Instrumentation, Static Palpation, Motion Palpation, and X-ray Analysis.

Question 4

What conditions do chiropractos treat?

Accepted Answer

1. 
The Primary Condition
The primary condition that chiropractors treat is the vertebral subluxation complex (VSC) or subluxation. A subluxation is defined as a misalignment in the spine or extremity causing abnormal function of the joint and resulting nerve dysfunction. Therefore, anytime there is a subluxation present, there will be associated signs and symptoms. The common signs and symptoms of a subluxated joint include swelling, heat, altered function, redness and pain.
 
2. 
Secondary conditions may result from a subluxation.
Secondary conditions that may result or benefit from chiropractic care include :
Acid Reflux
Allergies
Asthma
Arthritis
Attention Deficit Disorder
Autism, Bell’s Palsy
Bone Spurs
Blindness/Visual Disorders
Blood Pressure, Cancer
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Cerebral Palsy
Chronic Neck Pain
Colic
Crohn’s Disease
Deafness
Degenerative Joint Disease
Disc Bulges and Herniation
Dizziness
Epilepsy
Female Issues
Fibromyalgia
Forward Head Posture
Headache
Immune Function
Infertility
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Knee Pain
Learning Disorders (children)
Low Back Pain
Maintenance Care and Wellness
Mid back Pain
Migraines
Multiple Sclerosis
Non-Musculoskeletal Disorders
Numbness and Tingling (hands and feet)
Neck Pain
Neurologic Dysfunction
Otitis Media (ear infections)
Parkinson’s Disease
Pregnancy-related Pain
Radiculopathy
Repetitive Stress
Scoliosis
Sciatica
Seizure Disorders
Shoulder and Arm pain
Skin disorders
Sleep Disorders,
Sports Injuries
Spinal Alignment/Cervical Curve
Spinal Pain, Stress
Temporomandibular Joint
Torticollis
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Vertigo and Balance
Ulcers
Whiplash

Question 5

Is chiropractic care safe?

Accepted Answer

Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal complaints. Although chiropractic has an excellent safety record, no health treatment is completely free of potential adverse effects. One way you judge the safety of a health profession is by how much they pay for malpractice insurance. Chiropractic malpractice insurance is one of the lowest of all healthcare disciplines.

Question 6

Is chiropractic care appropriate for children?

Accepted Answer

Yes, children can benefit tremendously from chiropractic care. Children are physically active and experience many types of falls and blows from normal actives of life as well as from participating in sports. Injuries such as these may cause many symptoms including back and neck pain, stiffness, soreness or discomfort.  Chiropractic adjustments are safe and gentle and are always adapted to the patient.

Question 7

Is chiropractic care ongoing?

Accepted Answer

The hands-on nature of the chiropractic is essentially what requires patients to visit the chiropractor a number of times. To be cared for by a chiropractor, a patient needs to be in his or her office. In contrast, a course of treatment from medical doctors often involves a pre-established plan that is conducted at home (i.e. taking a course of antibiotics once a day for a couple of weeks). A chiropractor may provide acute, chronic, and/or preventive care thus making a certain number of visits sometimes necessary. Your doctor of chiropractic should tell you the extent of treatment recommended and how long you can expect it to last.
In the Gonstead System of Chiropractic the idea is to, “Find It, Accept It, Fix It, Leave It Alone.” Meaning once the problem has been identified, the goal is to correct the problem, which may require an initial series of visits.

Question 8

If I start going to a chiropractor do I need to go for the rest of my life?

Accepted Answer

The obvious answer is no. You as a patient have the control of your healthcare choices. 
 
However, if we do our job through education, you as a patient will understand the benefits of getting spinal checkups on a regular basis.
 
For example, can you decide to brush your teeth 10 times during the day to not brush for the next couple of days? This may sound silly or even ridiculous, but not maintaining your spine has a similar effect. The spine is an organ that is constantly in use 24/7 even while sleeping. If you are using your spine 100% of the time, what are we doing for your spine to correct dysfunction? With teeth we can brush, floss, stimulate gums, mouthwash, dental cleanings etc.
 
What is your spinal hygiene? That is when chiropractic fits in as a regular routine for optimal spinal health.

Question 9

Why is there a popping sound when a joint adjusted?

Accepted Answer

Adjustments of a spinal or extremity joint result in a release of gas bubbles, similar to popping your knocking. The gas bubbles result from a change in joint pressure during the adjustive procedure.  In the Gonstead System of Chiropractic, the sound is usually a deeper hollower sound due to the specific nature of the adjustment given, with the intention of correctly repositioning the misaligned joint.

Question 10

Is the sound from a chiropractic adjustment, the result of bones rubbing on each other?"

Accepted Answer

No. The sound is not from bone rubbing on bone. It is from the stretching of ligament(s). When a ligament is stretched there is a gaseous release. This gaseous release is nitrogen that is stored in the ligament. This nitrogen is restored in about a 20 minute period. That does not mean your spine needs to be worked on in 20 minutes. It simply means the ligament will make another sound (pop) if stretched again.

Question 11

Do I have to get an X-ray?

Accepted Answer

No. Again the patient is in control of all their healthcare decisions. For instance a pregnant patient would not get x-rays for obvious reasons. At our office we take a very specific digital x-ray with state of the art equipment that is not done at a typical facility.  
 
The x-rays provide a ton of information and serves as an educational tool for both doctor and patient. Patients are often surprised by what they see on an x-ray no matter the age of the patient.

Question 12

How long is a typical treatment plan?

Accepted Answer

Treatment plans often depend on the state and condition of the patient. Every case, patient, and spine is unique and we tailor the course of care taking all factors into consideration. Dr. Yoo is typically conservative, so his recommendations when given are usually the bare minimum necessary to get to the desired goal.

Question 13

Will my insurance cover chiropractic care?

Accepted Answer

We can verify your insurance regarding coverage and benefits for chiropractic services instead of you. We need to know
1. Whether your insurance can waive a deductible
2. How much is a co-pay or co-insurance 
3. How many visits per year they can cov
4. Whether you need a pre-authoriziation or referral from a primary doctor

Question 14

What forms of payment are accepted?

Accepted Answer

Payment is expected at the time services are rendered
Payment methods include: Cash, Check, American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and Mobile Pay

Jeongho Yoo, D.C.

Chiropractor

FAQ

Frequently asked questions