Frequently Asked Questions in Durango CO

Chiropractic, meaning done by hand, is the philosophy (the why), science (the what), and art (the how), of allowing the body to function the way it was designed to, through the use of spinal adjustments. Spinal adjustments help your nervous system function & communicate to your body more efficiently. Any stress on nerves from an accident, mental/emotional stress, or chronic health problems, reduces the nerve’s ability to communicate at the best of its ability.

We believe in the body’s innate intelligence, meaning we believe the body to be a self-healing entity when there is no interference. Chiropractic allows the body to move away from dis-ease, to a place closer to that of ease, thereby allowing the body to function as it should

We are in Durango, CO, at 202 West 22nd Street which is 1 ½ blocks West of Main Street.

We have been serving the Durango area since 2001. We also serve the surrounding communities and see patients from Bayfield, Hesperus, Ignacio, Hermosa, Mancos, Pagosa Springs, Cortez, and Northern New Mexico.

We are open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday for Chiropractic care, 8:30 AM-12:00 PM and 2:00 PM-5:00 PM. We proudly run on-time and by appointment only.

We are a cash office, meaning we do not bill insurance directly. We will happily verify your insurance coverage specific to your plan, and if you do have any type of Chiropractic coverage we will provide you with a superbill (medical receipt) that you can submit to your insurance for direct reimbursement. In some situations we can also offer an insurance benefit match, depending on what kind of coverage you have and what kind of care you need. We also accept both HSA & FSA.

Typically, the adjustment fee is $55. We also give generous family discounted pricing when more than one family member is under consistent care.

We accept cash, check, credit card, or Care Credit. Getting the care you need is the most important, we can customize a payment structure that works best for you.

Whether you are going on vacation or miss an adjustment because of an illness, we will modify your care plan as needed. You will never lose any visits that you’ve already paid for.

The side effects of Chiropractic care are amazing! Better quality of sleep, more energy, better mood, increased athletic performance, better memory, ability to better handle stress, overall feeling of calm, easier post-exercise recovery, relief from some allergies, etc. Pretty great!

Simply, Yes! Doctors of Chiropractic are educated as primary-contact healthcare providers, with an emphasis on diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to the musculoskeletal system (the muscles, ligaments and joints of the spine and extremities) and the nerves that supply them. Educational requirements for Doctors of Chiropractic are among the most stringent of any of the healthcare professions. The typical applicant for Chiropractic college has already acquired four years of pre-medical under-graduate college education, including courses in biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, physics, psychology and related lab work. Once accepted into an accredited Chiropractic College, the requirements become even more demanding — four to five academic years of professional study are the standard. Doctors of Chiropractic are educated in orthopedics, neurology, physiology, human anatomy, clinical diagnosis including laboratory procedures, diagnostic imaging, exercise, nutrition, rehabilitation and more. Because Chiropractic care includes highly skilled manipulation and adjusting techniques, a significant portion of time is spent in clinical technique training to master these important manipulative procedures. In total, the Chiropractic college curriculum includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical experience.

If necessary, we use digital x-rays to further evaluate your spine after your spinal exam and consultation, and prior to your first adjustment. We take them easily onsite. We proudly take motion study x-rays that allow us to see how and where your spine is moving (and not moving) correctly. We do not X-ray young children or pregnant women.

The answer is now! Our whole team wants you to feel both comfortable and informed during each and every visit. So throw those questions at us, whatever they may be; we are ready!

Most adjustments are not uncomfortable at all and in most instances can provide instant pain relief. From time to time, depending on your injuries or areas of discomfort, a particular point of contact could cause a short period of soreness.

Each body is different. Some get instant relief, and some will take more time and adjustments to correct the issue. Consistent adjustments allow the body to begin healing faster, resulting in a reduction of pain. You will begiven exercises and stretches to do at home to help support your healing process. If you have had a chronic ache, pain, or mobility issue for years, it will take more than a single adjustment to undo the deep patterns and heal the area. Also considering your personal health history and current state of health- that also determines how many specific Chiropractic adjustments you will need.

There are over 250 Chiropractic techniques. In our office, we utilize techniques tailored specifically to the patient, their needs, and their stage in health. We are a hands-on office and use a specific mixture of Diversified, Network, Gonstead, Upper Cervical, BGI, Toggle Recoil, and Thompson, along with specialized tables that support your body through the adjustment process. We also utilize Activator for young children, older adults, and by request.

Your body and your needs are different from anyone else’s. With this in mind, Dr. Trapper creates a customized treatment plan specifically designed for you. The home exercises that you will be given are tailored to support what your body needs.

If you choose to come to our office on a pay per visit basis, that is absolutely OK with us. As a doctor of Chiropractic, specifically trained in the needs of the spine and nervous system, we will give you care recommendations based on the results of your exam, consultation, and x-rays (if needed) and it is up to you how you want to proceed. We highly suggest consistency with your care, which allows your body to “re-adjust” back to your natural healthy state.

Short answer, no! You know your body better than anyone else and you know what you need to do to keep your body performing at its very best. That includes eating well, getting enough sleep, exercise, drinking enough water, and maintaining the health of your spine. We will make recommendations on what maintenance care may look like for your lifestyle, but ultimately that’s up to you.

The best way is to ask your family and friends in the area to see who they see for their Chiropractic care. You can also do an internet search and review offices to see who resonates with you and the care you are looking for. You want to find a doctor that you are comfortable with.

• Neck and Back Pain
• Sciatica and Hip Pain
• Numbness and Tingling
• Muscular Spasm/Tension
• Headaches and Migraines
• Pinched Nerves
• Herniated Disc
• Pre and Post Natal Care
• Pediatric Care
• TMJ
• Canal Stenosis
• Shoulder Pain
• Degenerative Disc Disease
• Degenerative Joint Disease
• Less Range of Motion
• Poor Posture
• Muscular Imbalance
• Dizziness or Vertigo
• Carpal Tunnel
• ADHD
• Ear Infections
• Colic
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• And so many more…

We want your healthcare to fit into your life, not fit your life around your healthcare. Visits that we allow extra time for are new patient visits, re-exams, and report of finding appointments. Outside of those, we always recommend allowing 15 minutes for appointments although they are generally much faster than that. We proudly run on time.

Unfortunately no. We have had many people come into our office after someone “cracked” their back and they then had intense pain, loss of mobility, and other issues. It's dangerous to attempt to adjust your own neck or back. You may damage your spine or make your symptoms worse. The safest option is to allow a trained Doctor of Chiropractic assess your spine and adjust it accordingly.

Most patients hear a popping or cracking sound during a spinal adjustment. This is not dangerous, and it typically does not cause discomfort for patients. Adjustments of a joint may result in the release of a gas bubble between the joints that makes a popping sound. The same thing occurs when you “crack” your knuckles. The noise is caused by the change of pressure within the joint, which results in gas bubbles being released.