(512) 416-7700 | CONTACT US | MAP
(512) 416-7700 | CONTACT US | MAP
Chiropractic is a holistic healthcare discipline that engages your nervous system, musculature and bones to restore a greater sense of health and balance in the body, without the use of drugs or surgery. It is a vitalistic approach towards healing, which recognizes that the body is primarily responsible for healing. The doctor’s role is to help your body to help itself.
Although many chiropractors make adjustments with cavitation (or “popping”) of a joint, we rarely do this. We do not put your body in a twisted position to move your bones into place (that is not our goal). We do not quickly move or jerk your neck or head. Instead we use a very gentle, specific force to re-engage lost sensory information. When sensory information is restored, your body will naturally readjust your bones to their proper location.
Our primary goal is to fully engage your nervous system. We identify areas of your body that are no longer sending good sensory information, and try to re-awaken those areas, so that your body has a better awareness of your internal and external environment. When your sensory information is faulty, your brain will misrepresent your environment, and your body will not adapt comfortably to the demands of its environment. Having accurate sensory information enables your unconscious bodily regulators to be completely effective, which in turn enhances your health and well-being.
When you are exposed to a physiologically overwhelming event (physical, mental, emotional, chemical), the sensory (afferent) receptor receiving this information is sometimes unable to accommodate to the load it receives, and stops accepting input (for its own protection). At that instant it loses function, leaving the sensory receptor unable to communicate.
A useful metaphor for this concept is an electrical surge that occurs when too many appliances in your home are turned on at once. The circuit breaker interrupts power to protect the appliances and wiring from damage. The breaker that monitors current is like your sensory receptor, the circuit is like your nervous system, the appliances are like your bodily tools (muscles, organs, glands). To turn on the appliances again we reset the breaker (or re-awaken the sensory receptor), allowing the circuit to receive current (giving proper function to the nervous system), which enables full use of the appliances (or muscles, organs, glands).
At Clear Point Wellness, we employ a very gentle approach, called “non-force adjustment”. Although we do not adhere to any one technique, we draw upon principles from Direct Non-Force Technique (DNFT), Activator Technique, Torque Release Technique, CranioSacral Technique, Sacro Occipital Technique (SOT), Chiropractic Manipulative Reflex Technique (CMRT), Cox Flexion/Distraction, and Network Spinal Analysis. We use all of our knowledge of physiology, anatomy, neurophysiology, neuroanatomy, and clinical findings to develop your care plan. This is a long way of saying that we tailor the treatment to your specific needs, because we spend the extra time understanding how your body operates.
Our main tools are our hands, but occasionally we use an activator or a set of soft blocks.
No. We use a very light force. That being said, when an area of your body is not functioning properly, simply touching the area may not feel pleasant. We do work in areas that are irritated, to address the cause of the irritation. Pain is felt differently by each person. Some people can barely feel the treatment, and wonder aloud how a minor movement can make such a big difference. Some people are very sensitive to touch and movement, but tolerate it because they feel so much better after treatment. Almost every initially sensitive client becomes more comfortable with treatment over time. We try to use the least force necessary for healing. Most everyone ends their session feeling relaxed, in less pain, and with less tension. Occasionally our clients find treatment so relaxing, that they fall asleep during sessions.
A Doctor of Chiropractic completes 14 graduate-level quarters with curriculum focusing on anatomy and physiology, basic and clinical sciences, as well as a clinical internship. We have a similar education to medical doctors except that we also learn chiropractic principles and physical adjustment techniques. Chiropractors actually take more semester hours than MDs, with significantly more training in anatomy and physiology. Unlike medical doctors however, chiropractors do not study pharmacology or surgery.
To be licensed in the state of Texas, chiropractors must complete undergraduate pre-med coursework, attend an accredited chiropractic college, complete the Doctor of Chiropractic degree, pass four national board exams, and pass a state jurisprudence exam. Licenses are renewed annually with proof of 16 credits of continuing education. The Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners contains more detailed information (https://www.tbce.state.tx.us/).
No. A Doctor of Chiropractic is a primary health care provider, and you need no referral for care.
We don’t think so, but it depends on your perspective. Most people invest more money in their cars than they do in their health. But consider this: compared to anything you own, your body is infinitely more valuable!
If you incorporate chiropractic care as part of your long term health strategy, chiropractic will save you money by keeping your body functioning optimally. This greatly reduces your risk of disease, pain, and the need for surgery or drugs (each of these can be much more expensive than chiropractic care). You either pay for your health today with your time, attention and money, -or- you pay for it tomorrow with pain, dysfunction, lifestyle compromises, and (eventually) a lot more money.
A chiropractor addresses your physical health similar to the way a dentist takes care of your teeth. Although you could visit the dentist only when your teeth hurt, regular checkups save you from the pain and expense of tooth decay. The same principle applies to your neuro-muscular-skeletal system. Proper chiropractic health care is an inexpensive investment that rewards you with increased mobility, strength, and energy while at the same time preventing sickness and big medical bills. See fees and insurance for more information.
Massage therapists are licensed professionals who focus on relaxing soft tissues such as muscles, ligaments, and fascia in your body. The skilled massage therapist at Clear Point Wellness are able to provide you with immediate benefits such as increased circulation, decreased tension in muscles, improved physical awareness, and rehabilitation after injury. Massage can help you to prevent injuries by improving your flexibility for active sports, while also allowing your bodily tissues to clear out lactic acids and other toxins.
Our massage therapists are trained around the world and offer many styles of massage depending on your preferences. All people are different and have unique goals for therapy. Thus we never provide a standardized menu of massage, but develop a custom treatment just for you. Our therapists are well versed in relaxing massage styles like Swedish and Shiatsu, to rehabilitative massage styles such as myofascial release, lymphatic drainage, and trigger point therapy.
Pilates is an exercise movement system created by Joesph Pilates utilizing equipment that he originally designed using hospital beds. Pilates is a creative rehabilitation tool because it can isolate and strengthen a particular part of the body and then integrate it to the rest of the body. Over time, posture and balance improve while building a stronger core.
Ki-Hara stretching is a unique form of active stretching that strengthens a muscle as it is being stretched. This method helps the brain and nervous system reconnect with dormant muscles in the body while also connecting with the core. Tension and lactic acid are released by using rotational patterns, producing a dynamically stronger and more flexible body.
Acupuncture is the use of sterile hair-thin needles inserted into points along meridians or pathways throughout the body. An acupuncturist uses diagnostic techniques that were developed over 2000 years ago to determine what traditional Oriental treatment is best suited to your needs. These different techniques will unblock, strengthen or reduce qi (or energy) in the body, allowing the body to heal itself.
Acupuncture needles are very fine, and sometimes cannot be felt on insertion at all. They are not like the needles used to draw blood or give injections. Some are as fine as a hair! There may occasionally be a heavy and achy sensation during an acupuncture treatment, but this is often a sign that the energy, or qi in your body is moving and helping you to recover or heal. Most people find the experience pleasurable and relaxing and some people even fall asleep during a treatment.
The amount of treatments required is entirely dependent on the individual and the condition being treated. At times you will see results right away, but often acupuncture is a subtle and cumulative medicine that could require 3-10 treatments for results. Treatments often build on each other. Speed of results may depend on the overall constitution of the client seeking treatment, age, and severity of disease. After your first treatment the acupuncturist will be able to estimate how many treatments you will need. The acupuncturist’s goal is to treat your condition as quickly and effectively as possible.
The side effects of an acupuncture treatment could include less stress, better sleep, more energy, mental clarity and better digestion! Occasionally there may be light bruising, also dependent on the type of treatment you receive, but this is rare. The side effects of acupuncture are most often very positive.
Sometimes an acupuncturist will use other modalities that fall under the umbrella of traditional Oriental medicine. These include cupping, gua sha, tui-na massage techniques, electro-stimulation acupuncture, and herbal medicine. Read here for more information about acupuncture methods. The same ancient techniques of diagnosis will apply when the acupuncturist decides which methods will best suit your needs.