Frequently Asked Questions in Morton IL

Chiropractic care is built on the understanding that your body is designed to heal and regulate itself—if the nervous system is free to do its job. When joints lose motion or alignment, they can interfere with how the brain and body communicate. Over time, this can affect more than comfort; it can change how your body functions.

Chiropractors look beyond symptoms to identify and correct the underlying cause of imbalance or stress within the spine and nervous system. Through specific, gentle adjustments, we help restore proper motion and connection so your body can perform the way it was meant to.

Pain relief is often the first thing people notice, but the true goal of chiropractic is function—better movement, improved energy, stronger posture, and a nervous system that adapts more easily to life’s demands. When the body functions at its best, you don’t just feel better—you live better.

Chiropractors most often care for conditions involving the spine, muscles, and joints—such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, and sciatica. But chiropractic care goes beyond simply relieving muscle or joint discomfort. Because the spine protects the spinal cord, even small restrictions in movement can place stress on the nervous system. That stress may interfere with how signals travel between the brain and body, affecting overall function.

By gently improving motion and alignment, chiropractic adjustments help restore clear communication within the nervous system. Many patients notice improvements not only in pain relief, but also in posture, flexibility, energy, and the way their body functions.

A chiropractic adjustment is a gentle, specific movement applied to a joint—most often in the spine, but sometimes in other areas such as the shoulders, hips, or knees. The goal of an adjustment is to restore normal motion to joints that are restricted or not moving properly. When this happens, it helps reduce irritation on surrounding nerves and muscles, allowing the body to function more efficiently.

Adjustments are safe, natural, and tailored to each individual. Some techniques involve a quick, light movement that may produce a “popping” sound as gas is released from the joint, while others are slower and more subtle. Every adjustment is designed to improve comfort, support the nervous system, and help the body move and heal the way it was meant to.

Yes. Chiropractic care is widely recognized as a safe, non-invasive approach to healthcare. Adjustments are designed to be gentle and precise, and chiropractors are trained to adapt techniques for each patient’s age, size, and health condition. For most people, treatment feels comfortable and often provides relief right away.
As with any form of healthcare, there can be mild, temporary side effects such as soreness or stiffness—similar to what you might feel after starting a new exercise routine. Serious complications are very rare. Overall, research and patient experience show that chiropractic care is one of the safest ways to address musculoskeletal problems and support better nervous system function.

Every patient is different, but chiropractic care is rarely a “one and done” process. While many people notice relief early on, lasting results come from restoring function—not just reducing pain. Think of an adjustment like physical therapy for your spine and nervous system: it takes repetition to retrain joints, muscles, and nerve pathways so they can move and function the way they’re designed to.

Your chiropractor will begin with a thorough examination to understand your condition, history, and goals. From there, a personalized care plan is created to guide your progress. As your body adapts and improves, the frequency of visits typically decreases. The goal is always the same—help you build stability, reduce discomfort, and support long-term health.

The greatest benefit of chiropractic care is restoring function. When the spine and nervous system are working the way they’re designed to, the whole body performs better. Adjustments improve motion in the joints, reduce tension in the muscles, and clear stress from the nervous system—helping you move more freely and live with less discomfort.

Chiropractic care is also valuable across all stages of life. During pregnancy, adjustments help align the hips and pelvis, supporting comfort and function as the body changes. For kids, chiropractic care can help them unwind, sleep better, improve focus, and maintain a healthy spine and nervous system while they grow and stay active in sports. Adults and seniors often benefit from improved mobility and stability, which makes it easier to stay active and engaged in daily life.

Ultimately, chiropractic care is about more than just feeling better—it’s about helping you do the things you love for as long as you want to. Whether that’s golfing, fishing, gardening, or playing with your kids or grandkids, the goal is simple: keep your body functioning at its best so you can enjoy life to the fullest.

Like any form of healthcare, chiropractic treatment carries some risks—but they are very small. The most common side effect after an adjustment is mild soreness or stiffness, similar to what you might feel after beginning a new workout. These effects usually resolve within a day or two.

Serious complications are extremely rare. Research consistently shows that chiropractic care ranks among the safest forms of healthcare available, especially compared to the risks of medications or surgery. Chiropractors are highly trained to evaluate your condition and adapt techniques to your age, size, and health needs to keep treatment safe and effective.

For most patients, the benefits of improved function, mobility, and quality of life far outweigh the minimal risks.

Chiropractic adjustments are generally not painful. In fact, many patients describe them as comfortable or even relieving. The adjustment itself is a controlled, gentle movement designed to restore motion to a joint. You may hear a “popping” sound as gas is released, but this is normal and not a sign of pain or damage.

If an area has been tight or inflamed, some people may notice mild soreness afterward—similar to how you might feel after stretching muscles you haven’t used in a while. This is temporary and typically fades as your body adjusts to better movement.

Most importantly, adjustments are always customized to your body and comfort level. For many patients, they feel like a release of tension that helps the body move and function more naturally.

Choosing a chiropractor is about more than just finding someone to adjust your spine—it’s about finding a doctor you can trust with your health and your goals. My focus is on restoring function, not just chasing symptoms. Every care plan is personalized based on a thorough examination, your lifestyle, and what you want to get back to doing—whether that’s playing golf, fishing, gardening, or simply moving through your day with less pain.

I also bring a family-centered approach to care. Chiropractic is for all ages, from kids and athletes to expecting mothers and grandparents. My goal is to help every patient feel comfortable, supported, and confident in their care. You’ll never be rushed through an appointment, and you’ll always be part of the conversation about your health.

At the end of the day, I want to help you feel well enough to keep doing the things you love for as long as you want to—and to know you have a chiropractor who genuinely cares about your journey.

Most chiropractic appointments last about 10–15 minutes. During that time, your chiropractor checks how your spine and joints are moving, provides any needed adjustments, and makes sure your care is progressing as planned.

Because adjustments are focused and efficient, visits don’t need to be long to be effective. Many patients appreciate that care can fit easily into their busy day while still making a lasting difference in how their body functions and feels.

Chiropractors complete a rigorous education before entering practice. After undergraduate studies, chiropractors attend a doctoral program that typically takes four years and includes extensive coursework in anatomy, physiology, neurology, radiology, and clinical diagnosis. In addition, students complete thousands of hours of hands-on training in adjusting techniques and patient care before earning their Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree and passing national and state board exams.

Beyond this foundation, many chiropractors pursue advanced post-doctoral training to serve patients with specific needs. Both Dr. Holly and Dr. Jeff have completed certification with the Pediatric Experience through PWC Chiropractic, giving them advanced expertise in caring for children and pregnant mothers. This training allows them to provide safe, gentle, and effective chiropractic care for families at every stage of life.

Yes. Chiropractic care is safe and highly beneficial during pregnancy. As the body changes, extra stress is placed on the hips, pelvis, and lower back. Gentle chiropractic adjustments help keep these areas aligned and moving properly, which can reduce discomfort and support overall function throughout pregnancy.

Special techniques are used to ensure that adjustments are both comfortable and safe for mother and baby. Many women find that regular chiropractic care during pregnancy helps them stay more active, rest more comfortably, and prepare their bodies for labor and delivery.

No. Chiropractic care is not addictive. The idea that “once you start going, you have to keep going” is a common misconception. In reality, most people choose to continue with chiropractic care because they value the improvements they’ve made in their spine and nervous system during the first phase of care.

Just like exercise or healthy eating, the benefits build over time. Many patients decide to schedule periodic maintenance visits to help keep their body functioning well and to prevent old issues from returning. Chiropractic is designed to support you through all stages of life—helping kids grow, expectant mothers stay comfortable, adults stay active, and seniors maintain their independence.

The “crack” or “pop” you may hear during a chiropractic adjustment is simply the release of gas from a joint. Joints are surrounded by fluid, and when pressure changes inside the joint, tiny bubbles of gas can form and then quickly release. This is called cavitation, and it’s very similar to the sound you hear when you “crack” your knuckles.

The sound itself is harmless, and it’s not bones rubbing or anything being damaged. In fact, some adjustments make no sound at all and are still just as effective. The true benefit comes from restoring motion and function—not from the noise.

You might be able to make your back or neck “crack” by stretching or twisting, but that’s not the same as a chiropractic adjustment. When people try to adjust themselves, they usually move joints that are already loose, while the restricted joints—the ones that actually need to move—stay stuck. This can create more instability over time without truly fixing the problem.

A chiropractic adjustment is a precise, controlled movement applied to a specific joint with the goal of restoring proper motion and improving nervous system function. That level of specificity is something you can’t achieve on your own. For safe and effective results, adjustments should always be performed by a trained chiropractor.

Yes. Many insurance plans provide coverage for chiropractic care, including treatment for back pain, neck pain, and other musculoskeletal conditions. The details of coverage—such as the number of visits allowed or the amount of copay—depend on your specific plan.

Our clinic is in-network with many major medical insurance providers as well as Medicare. We’re happy to review your benefits, explain what your plan covers, and help you understand any out-of-pocket costs before starting care.

Yes. Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek chiropractic care. When the joints of the spine aren’t moving properly, it can lead to muscle tension, nerve irritation, and pain. Chiropractic adjustments restore normal motion, reduce stress on the nervous system, and help the body heal more effectively.

Unlike simply masking pain with medication, chiropractic care addresses the underlying cause of the problem. For many patients, this means not only finding relief but also improving flexibility, posture, and overall function—so daily activities like work, exercise, or even just getting a good night’s sleep become easier.

Yes. Chiropractors commonly treat neck pain, whether it’s caused by poor posture, stress, muscle tension, or an injury such as whiplash. When the joints in the neck lose proper motion, it can irritate surrounding nerves and muscles, leading to pain, stiffness, or even headaches.

Through gentle, precise adjustments, chiropractors restore normal movement to the cervical spine. This helps reduce irritation, ease muscle tension, and support better nervous system function. Many patients find that chiropractic care not only relieves neck pain but also improves flexibility, posture, and overall comfort in daily life.

Yes. Chiropractic care is especially effective for tension headaches and migraines, which are often linked to muscle tension, posture, or restricted movement in the neck and upper back. When these areas aren’t moving properly, they can irritate surrounding nerves and muscles, leading to pain and discomfort.

Gentle chiropractic adjustments restore proper motion to the spine, ease muscle tightness, and support better nervous system function. Many patients report fewer episodes, reduced intensity, and an overall improvement in quality of life. Chiropractic offers a safe, natural way to manage headaches and migraines without relying solely on medication.

Chiropractic care and physical therapy often complement each other, but they focus on different aspects of restoring health.

Chiropractic care centers on the relationship between the spine, nervous system, and overall function. Chiropractors use precise adjustments to restore motion in restricted joints, reduce stress on the nervous system, and improve how the body moves and functions as a whole.

Physical therapy focuses on strengthening muscles, improving flexibility, and rehabilitating injuries through guided exercises, stretches, and other therapies.

Think of it this way: chiropractic adjustments restore motion and nervous system function, while physical therapy builds strength and stability around that improved movement. Many patients benefit from one or the other, and sometimes both together, depending on their needs and goals.

Yes. Chiropractors often work with athletes of all ages to recover from injuries and perform at their best. Sports can place a lot of stress on the spine, joints, and muscles. When these areas aren’t moving properly, it can lead to pain, stiffness, or reduced performance.

Through chiropractic adjustments, soft tissue work, and functional movement support, chiropractors help restore normal motion, reduce irritation, and promote faster recovery. Care is also aimed at improving balance, flexibility, and coordination—helping athletes not only heal but also lower their risk of future injuries.

Whether it’s a sprain, strain, or repetitive-use issue, chiropractic care supports athletes in getting back to the activities they love and performing with greater confidence.

Yes. Poor posture often develops when the spine and joints aren’t moving the way they should. This can place extra strain on muscles, ligaments, and nerves, leading to stiffness, pain, and even fatigue. Chiropractic adjustments restore motion to restricted joints and reduce stress on the nervous system, helping the body return to a more natural, balanced alignment.

Along with adjustments, your chiropractor may recommend simple stretches, strengthening exercises, or lifestyle changes to support better posture throughout the day. Over time, this combination not only helps improve how you look when you stand or sit—it also improves how your body feels and functions.

During a chiropractic adjustment, your chiropractor applies a gentle, controlled force to a specific joint—most often in the spine, but sometimes in other areas like the hips, shoulders, or knees. The goal is to restore normal motion where the joint has become restricted or isn’t moving properly.

You may feel light pressure and sometimes hear a “popping” sound, which is simply gas releasing from the joint. The adjustment itself is quick, precise, and tailored to your needs. Some techniques are fast and subtle, while others are slower and more gentle, depending on your comfort level and the area being treated.

Afterward, many patients notice a sense of relief, greater ease of movement, or reduced tension. The true benefit, however, comes from restoring function to the spine and nervous system so your body can work at its best.

Yes. Chiropractic care is safe for children—even for babies. Pediatric adjustments are very gentle and specifically adapted for a child’s age, size, and stage of development. In many cases, chiropractors use light fingertip pressure or a spring-loaded tool to deliver the adjustment.

Because children’s nervous systems are still developing and highly dynamic, adjustments typically involve fewer segments than those given to adults. The goal is to support healthy motion, reduce irritation, and help the nervous system function at its best while kids grow and stay active.

Parents often seek chiropractic care for their children to help with posture, sports performance, recovery from everyday bumps and falls, and to support overall wellness.