Frequently Asked Questions in La Crosse WI

A chiropractor is a doctor that focuses on the Nervous System and the Spine. They analyze the spine to find joints that aren’t functioning properly, which negatively affects the function of the Nervous System. Chiropractors will then make adjustments to the spine to restore function and allow the body to heal properly. This allows you to live and function as your body was meant to!

Chiropractic care restores proper function to the Nervous System through specific adjustments to the spine, allowing your body to heal and function optimally.

Yes. DC stands for Doctor of Chiropractic. Chiropractors go through extensive schooling comparable to that of Medical Doctors.

Chiropractic was founded in 1895 by a man named DD Palmer. The first Chiropractic school, Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport Iowa, was opened in 1897. The profession was continued to be developed by DD’s son, BJ Palmer. Since then, the chiropractic profession has continued to expand and millions of people have been helped by Chiropractors!

Our Chiropractors at Barge Berkley Chiropractic are unique because they come from a family that has been involved in chiropractic since 1923. Dr. Henry Barge was the founder of Barge Chiropractic and his son Dr. Fred Barge took that over. Dr. Fred Barge is one of the most well know Chiropractors in the professions history. Dr. Fred spoke and taught all over the world on chiropractic and it’s unique philosophy. He wrote 9 chiropractic textbooks that are still used worldwide in colleges and by chiropractors today. His daughter Dr. Patty Barge and her husband, Dr. Mike Berkley, are the current owners of Barge Berkley Chiropractic Clinics in La Crosse and Holmen. Their daughters, Dr. Amanda and Dr. Angela, are 4th generation chiropractors! There are 22 chiropractors in the Barge Berkley family, making them one of the largest chiropractic families!

Chiropractors analyze your spine to find subluxations (misalignments) and then make an adjustment to correct those misalignments. This allows the Nervous System to restore proper function and start healing. Chiropractors help your body function optimally so you can live a healthy life.

Yes, Chiropractic works wonders! Because of the influence that the spine has on your Nervous System, Chiropractic impacts the entire body and can help many different things. “Chiropractic, like gravity, works whether you believe it or not” - Dr. Sid Williams.

Yes, Chiropractors and Chiropractic is very safe! There is extensive schooling that goes into learning the art of Chiropractic.

Sometimes, people can get sore after an adjustment if they have a lot of inflammation surrounding the affected joint or if there has been a chronic problem in the spine. This usually goes away quickly as the body learns to function better and heals. Most people find out that adjustments positively affect other areas of their body or life positively! Someone that comes in for low back pain may experience better sleep, improved digestion, and a stronger immune system on top of the back pain relief.

This depends on each individual case. Some patients respond faster than others. Things that influence how many adjustments are needed can include: how long the problem has been going on, how the onset occurred, the general health of the patient, age, lifestyle and daily routines, etc. Your chiropractor will take a thorough history and be able to determine a care plan that will be best suited to take care of your problem.

Chiropractic costs vary depending on where you live, but most offices have affordable self-pay rates and some also take insurance. People that are under consistent chiropractic care often save money on other healthcare expenses because they get sick less often, are less prone to injury, and recover faster! Investing in chiropractic care is a great way to help keep yourself and your family healthy.

The best way to find a chiropractor near you is to simply ask your friends and family who they see and trust with their own care. Another way to find a chiropractor near you is to do a google search and read reviews. Look at websites and find a chiropractor that looks right for you!

There are many chiropractic techniques. Depending on where your chiropractor went to school will determine different techniques they learned. Many people are familiar with “Palmer Package”, which is a group of different techniques taught at the Palmer School of Chiropractic. Some other common technique names are Gonstead, Upper Cervical or Nucca, Thompson, SOT, or Diversified.

Absolutely! Chiropractic care during pregnancy is essential to a properly functioning Nervous System, Spine, and Pelvis. Chiropractic care during pregnancy can help with pain, but more importantly it helps to prepare your body for a more comfortable delivery for you and baby.

By restoring proper function to the joints in the lumbar spine and pelvis using adjustments, the body is able to return to a relaxed state and heal. This reduces low back pain.

By restoring proper function to the joints of the cervical spine using adjustments, the body is able to return to a relaxed state and heal. This reduces neck pain.

Chiropractors help sciatica by adjusting the joints that are not functioning properly and may be causing irritation to the sciatic nerve. Restoring proper joint and nerve function helps the patient heal and reduces sciatic pain.

Chiropractors work with people that have pain from head to toe. Because Chiropractors work with the Nervous System, they can help all types of pain.

Chiropractic adjustments usually feel good! If you have an injury with a lot of inflammation, you many experience discomfort during the first few adjustments while your body starts to heal. This usually resolves quickly and then adjustments feel good again.

Yes, Chiropractic adjustments are very safe!

The noise you hear during Chiropractic adjustments is gas releasing from the joint space, similar to when you crack your knuckles. Not all adjustments will make a sound depending on the technique used or the area being adjusted, but it is very common to hear a “crack” or “pop”.

While the technique used might be the same, each adjustment is tailored to the specific misalignments/subluxations of the patient. Each patient is adjusted how and where they need it, and that can vary between appointments too.

While every case is unique, chiropractic care has completely removed many people's back pain.

No. It is not possible for someone to properly adjust themselves. You make be able to “crack your own back” but that sound does not mean an adjustment was made. Most of the time that “pop” comes from the joint above or below the one that is actually causing you discomfort. Forcing your own back or neck to crack can cause unneeded stress to the ligaments and muscles surrounding the spine, and may lead to increased risk of injury.

Depending on the techniques used at the chiropractic office, you may be asked to wear a gown to provide access to the spine during scans or examination. The gowns are closed in the front and usually have a snap opening or Velcro opening in the back to allow the Chiropractor to see the spine. These are used during X-rays as well to help prevent any unwanted marks on the films.

Chiropractic care is amazing for children. It helps them grow up with an optimally functioning body and sets them up to be a healthy teenager and adult. Chiropractic care helps children with many things including: ear infections, constipation, bed wetting, colic, breastfeeding troubles, reaching milestones on time, improved immune system function, ADHD and attention disorders, behavior problems, sports performance, and more! Many parents choose chiropractic as their child’s primary healthcare once they see the positive impact it has on their lives!

Chiropractors go through extensive schooling, very similar to that of a Medical Doctor. Chiropractors must have a 4 year undergraduate degree, usually in the field of Science. Then they go on to Chiropractic College where they do an additional 3.5 - 4 years of school and training specific to Chiropractic. Many Chiropractors have additional certifications that are done outside of school hours as well. Every year, Chiropractors have to do a certain number of hours of continuing education to maintain their license. In Wisconsin, they need 40 hours every 2 years.