Frequently Asked Questions

Many patients come to us when their nervous system is “talking” to them. This comes in form of chronic pain, mobility, or discomfort in your back, neck, or joints. With increasing technology also comes increased changes for the worse in posture. Poor posture and movement restrictions are visuals of a need for chiropractic care. Under the surface are the silent needs for chiropractic care such as poor sleep, fatigue, anxiety, depression and other mental health concerns.

With proper chiropractic adjustments, the nervous system can function at a higher level which improves many of these ailments for our patients. After an examination, neurology checks, X-rays, and palpation, our chiropractor will create a game plan to living an amplified life! 

Chiropractors undergo extensive training before treating patients for spine-related ailments. On average, chiropractors spend at least four years working on their Doctor of Chiropractic (DC). They cannot pursue this degree until they attend at least three years of undergraduate courses.

Doctor Christy Rody is a chiropractor at Converse Chiropractic in Spartanburg, SC. She was introduced to chiropractic care in high school due to back problems from cheerleading and gymnastics. She loved the natural healing approach of chiropractic and treatment without the use of medications. This sparked a desire to learn and continue to use chiropractic care as a college athlete. After graduating from The University of Oklahoma with a bachelor’s in Health and Exercise Sciences, Dr. Rody completed her doctorate at Sherman College of Chiropractic.

Chiropractors emphasize the importance of aligning the body’s musculoskeletal structure and allowing proper nerve flow to prevent health problems. This is why chiropractic care often concentrates on the condition of the spine. Each patient receives personalized treatment based on their unique needs. When you go to a chiropractor, the services provided may involve joint adjustments, spinal decompression, and laser therapy. Chiropractic treatments are a natural form of healthcare do not involve surgery or medicine and are non-invasive. Your body has ability to heal such as when you get a papercut. We know the band aid doesn’t perform the healing, it just assists in the healing process to keep the cut free of debris. There is an innate and intuitive system that fights to keep your body well and healthy.

Chiropractic care allows the nervous system to function at a high level by removing nerve interference so the brain and nerves and communicate effectively to the rest of the body.

Chiropractic care is similar to exercise in the aspect that adjustments get the spine moving. Chiropractic treatments are generally not painful, but similar to starting a new exercise routine, some patients may feel slight discomfort in the first few appointments that will quickly resolve. It takes time to see progress, but you may feel immediate relief after an adjustment or ongoing treatments.

At Converse Chiropractic, we do all we can to make your visit more pleasant and will start your adjustments gradually so you can comfortably ease into care.

Yes, chiropractic care is safe for children and can address issues such as colic, ear infections, and growing pains. It helps ensure proper spinal alignment and overall health. In fact, some parents bring their children in for visits shortly after birth. If you wait until your child gets older, you may notice they have neck or back pain. These are common complaints regardless of whether your kids lead active or sedentary lifestyles. Active kids can knock their spine out of alignment as they run, jump, or fall. Kids who log plenty of screen time often experience neck pain or aches in their wrists.

Learn more on our page about chiropractic care for kids.

Chiropractic care dates back to the late 19th century. Daniel David Palmer launched the profession in 1895 after allegedly restoring the hearing of a deaf janitor. Palmer performed a spinal manipulation on the janitor, helping him eliminate his hearing loss.

Standards for chiropractors were somewhat lax in the 1960s, which inspired some criticism regarding the profession. It has evolved with advancements in medical research, technology, techniques,  and more stringent standards making it a more effective and widely accepted form of treatment. 

Yes! In fact at Converse Chiropractic, Dr. Rody specializes in Chiropractic Care for Pregnancy. She is Webster and Perinatal certified with the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA). Chiropractic care is safe and beneficial during pregnancy, helping to alleviate back pain, improve pelvic alignment, and support overall wellness for mom and optimal development for baby.

Patients of Converse Chiropractic find chiropractic treatments to be effective for a number of issues, including neck pain, back pain, and headaches. In fact, chiropractic care helps many of our patients experience relief without the need for prescription medication or surgical procedures. Depending on the state or overall condition of the person receiving chiropractic care, chiropractic adjustments can influence the preservation and restoration of functional well-being noticeably right after receiving the chiropractic adjustment. 

But your circumstances may differ. Chiropractic care, like any sort of physical rehabilitation, can have positive results in weeks, months, or years. 

Chiropractic care is generally considered safe. However, these risks are minimal compared to other medical treatments like prescription drugs and surgical procedures.

Every year, millions of patients are hospitalized due to adverse reactions from prescription medications. Surgical procedures also carry risks, including permanent disability or death, which patients acknowledge by signing waivers. These precautions are not unnecessary, as over 250,000 people die annually from medical errors. In contrast, the risk of injury or complications during chiropractic care is much lower and less concerning.

During spinal manipulation, many patients hear a popping or cracking sound. This sound is not harmful and usually does not cause any discomfort. It occurs due to the movement of gas and fluids in the spine. Your body relies on fluids to lubricate the bones in your spinal joints, so having this fluid in your skeletal system is normal.

We don’t recommend it, as it can be dangerous to adjust your own neck or back if you don’t have training in chiropractic care. You might damage your spine or make your symptoms worse. We’re available Monday through Thursday every week, so contact us immediately if you’re tempted to perform your own chiropractic adjustments. We’re here to help.

Yes, we can see patients who do not have referrals from their primary care physicians or other medical providers. Some patients visit us before they see another doctor. Our office is happy to set your first appointment and get you started on the road to health!

A misconception that is often held is that chiropractic care is costly. A number of our patients only have to pay a small co-pay before their insurance covers the rest of their treatments, and they believe it is preferable to paying for a surgical procedure. Additionally, you may discover that chiropractic care is more economical compared to the various medications and injections that certain patients undergo prior to seeing a chiropractor.

If you are worried about the cost of chiropractic care, please inform us. We can assist in creating a treatment plan that fulfills your medical requirements without causing financial strain.

Patients visit Converse Chiropractic in Spartanburg for a variety of conditions, ranging from minor ailments to severe conditions that haven’t benefited from conventional medicine. Here are some conditions that Dr. Rody and the team can help with:

• Neck, back, shoulder, leg, and foot pain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tendonitis
• Tennis elbow
• Headaches and Migraines
• Sciatica
• Herniated discs/disc injury

The list is a set of examples and ailments that we can assist with. Talk to us if you have a condition that is not listed in our services and we’ll let you know how we can help. 

Symptoms of subluxation include pain in the back or neck, tenderness, inflammation, numbness in limbs, difficulty bending or twisting, burning and tingling sensations in the back, and persistent headaches. A chiropractic adjustment is necessary to realign the vertebrae and treat spinal subluxations. If left untreated, subluxations can lead to a lack of communication of the nervous system, muscle deterioration and nerve damage. 

Learn more about Subluxations.

At our office we take your health seriously and we want to make sure we provide a thorough exam and x-rays when possible. This provides our chiropractor more detail and better treatment which results in better outcomes for our patients. Our office provides alternative testing when x-rays are not feasible such as pregnant moms and young children to assure we are addressing the health of each patient at the highest level.

The demands of our lives trigger many spinal issues (amongst others). Some stress in the spine occurs I childhood and goes years without ever being addressed. This can lead to long term subluxations that arise from not addressing issues in the spine in adolescence. Every patient develops symptoms for different reasons, but common culprits include:

• Automobile accidents
• Work-related injuries
• Fall-related injuries
• Pregnancy or other medical conditions
• Frequent use of electronics or digital devices (staring down at your phone all the time)
• Heavy lifting
• Emotional stress
• Obesity
• Physical activities, including yard work, sports, and exercise routines

This is not all-inclusive however. Some patients can pull a muscle or have a back issue simply from doing household chores. Sleeping in poor conditions such as worn out beds and pillows can also cause long-term damage.