I've been going to Ruth Fernandez, Doctor of Chiropractic and Clinical Director of Max Health, for over 20 years.  My treatment began following a dance injury.  I've found a lot of fitness clients are curious about chiropractic care and might benefit but still haven't gone so I’m including Dr. Ruth in this series of health and fitness interviews to explain more about the process.

Allison Easter: Why do people come to you?

Dr. Ruth Fernandez: People usually come in because they’re starting to feel pain and discomfort and it’s not going away after a few days or weeks. 

What can we expect from a session?

During the initial visit we’ll talk and take an extensive history to understand how the body is used on a daily basis… at work, on the weekends, etc.  It also includes a physical exam, possibly an x-ray, and often some sort of conservative therapy to re-introduce movement to the spine. 

Are there “best habits” of your ideal patient?

It’s important for people to follow the recommended lifestyle modifications, particularly for the first 4 weeks.  Modifications may include: adjusting the ergonomics of your work-station, doing stretches before bed or in the shower, core stabilization exercises, even cardio.  We also offer nutritional counseling when needed to achieve the patient’s health goals.

What should patients do to get the most of their chiropractic session?

Stretching before the session and relaxing after the treatments session (rather than going to the gym or for a run) so that the body can absorb the changes produced in the session.

What are the biggest mistakes people make in treatment?

People often stop treatment prematurely because they feel better.  When they do their pain usually comes back.  Our real focus is restoring full function in the joints so that the pain doesn’t return.

Max Health works with most insurance plans and has affordable private-pay plans.

-Allison Easter