Frequently Asked Questions

What insurance do you accept?

We are currently contracted with Blue Cross / Blue Shield, Humana, United Healthcare, Optimum Healthcare, Aetna, and Cigna. Please call if you have questions about others.

How are you different from most Chiropractors?

We treat the muscles, tendons or "soft tissue" as well as the joints that are dysfunctional or injured.

How are you different from a Physical Therapist?

The work we do treats the injury itself. Not all injuries need strength training. The treatment we provide helps the body heal itself by stimulating the tissue and encouraging the healing without adhesions or scar tissue. At Austin Family and Sports Chiropractic, we work in conjunction with a physical therapist if part of the healing process involves strengthening the muscles to prevent recurrence.

How often would I need to be seen?

Frequency of visits depends on the type and severity of the injury. We ask patients to try at least three treatments to see if there is improvement. If there is no improvement, we may refer patients to another medical provider who might offer a different approach or perspective. We also ask that patients do exercises at home, so that they can better manage their care and avoid simply treating the symptoms.

Why is rest not the best option for certain injuries?

Avoiding activity that stresses the injury is our definition of rest and is often our recommendation. The body needs time to heal but unfortunately, the body will lay down collagen to heal soft tissue which creates adhesions and even scar tissue. These tend to restrict the mobility of certain muscles and then cause other muscles to overcompensate. After treatment helps that tissue to heal, we identify other imbalances and treat those areas too. For example, knee pain may be caused by problems in the low back area. We will treat both locations and may recommend stretches to help strengthen the low back and prevent pain.

What happens during a typical visit?

We perform a medical history and examination to evaluate the injury. We then treat patients with either Active Release Technique®, FAKTR, Graston® or adjustments, depending on what type of soft tissue treatment we determine is needed. Patients will receive treatment such as traction, ultrasound, electrical stimulation or massage depending on our diagnosis. If rehabilitation is necessary to improve strength, balance and/or stability and thus prevent further injury, we will partner with a team of physical therapists to create an exercise rehabilitation plan for the patient.