Frequently Asked Questions about Chiropractic in Troy MI

Chiropractic care helps the body move and function better by improving spinal and joint motion, reducing stress and tension and removing interferences in the nervous system so the body can function the way it was meant to.

Chiropractors commonly help with back pain, sciatica, neck pain, headaches, posture issues, sports related injuries, shoulder and elbow pain, hip and knee pain, plantar fasciitis, pregnancy discomfort, and increasing overall mobility.

An adjustment is a gentle force that is delivered to the segments in the spine that are restricted and not moving well. This helps restore motion and decrease pain. It can be performed using the doctors’ hands or using certain adjustment specific tools such as the activator. It can also be done without twisting, cracking, or popping. The goal is to increase movement in the spine.

Chiropractic adjustments are safe, gentle, and effective when performed by a licensed Chiropractor. It is a non-drug, non-surgery option to reduce pain and increase motion in the spine. As with any treatment, some side effects may occur, including mild soreness and tenderness in the areas worked on. Your doctor will take a detailed history and tailor the treatment appropriate to your individual needs.

The number of visits varies from person to person. There are several factors that may play a role such as age, how long you have had the problem for, how severe the pain or dysfunction is, and your overall health. On your first visit, you will receive a detailed consultation and exam, along with X-rays if needed. From there, we will go over a thorough report explaining exactly what’s going on and an individualized care plan focusing on correcting the root cause of the problem, not merely patching up.

Chiropractic care offers a wide range of benefits, including relief from back, neck, and joint pain, improve your posture and mobility, and reduce headaches and migraines. Restoring proper alignment helps to support better nervous system function and faster recovery from injuries while increasing sports performance. This is all without drugs or surgery. Many patients also report improved sleep, increased energy, and an overall better quality of life.

As with any treatment, some side effects may occur, including mild soreness and tenderness in the areas worked on. Your doctor will take a detailed history and tailor the treatment appropriate to your individual needs.

Chiropractic adjustments are gentle and tailored to each patient's needs, using only the amount of force necessary for effective treatment. Some patients may feel mild soreness after, similar to the feeling after a good workout, but the adjustment itself should not be painful. In fact, most patients leave feeling immediate relief and improved mobility.

Think of it as a spinal tune-up. Just like you visit the dentist for routine cleanings to prevent cavities, regular chiropractic adjustments help keep your spine and nervous system healthy and happy before problems have a chance to develop. Staying proactive with your spinal health can prevent small issues from becoming bigger and more painful problems down the road.

You have one body, take care of it.

Our office takes a personalized approach. There is no “one size fits all” care here. Every treatment plan is customized based on your individual findings and goals. Whether you're looking to get out of pain, stay active, play with your kids or grandchildren, or simply get back to feeling like yourself, we're here to help you move better and live optimally at every age.

We value your time and aim to make every visit as efficient as possible. That said, appointment length depends on the type of treatment being performed. A visit combining therapies such as spinal decompression, laser treatment, and an adjustment, may take around 30 minutes. For ongoing maintenance care, most visits run between 10 and 15 minutes.

Chiropractors are highly trained healthcare professionals who complete a minimum of 7 years of higher education, including an undergraduate degree followed by a 4-year doctoral program at an accredited chiropractic college. Their training covers anatomy, physiology, neurology, radiology, and diagnosis, along with extensive hands on clinical experience. Chiropractors must pass national and state board examinations before becoming licensed to practice.

Absolutely! Chiropractic care during pregnancy is safe and incredibly beneficial. At Embody Health Chiropractic, our doctors are certified in the Webster Technique, a specialized approach focused on creating pelvic balance and alignment to support a more comfortable pregnancy and optimal positioning for birth. We regularly receive referrals from OB-GYNs in the area because of this certification — which says a lot. Prenatal adjustments are gentle, safe, and tailored specifically to the needs of expecting mothers.

Not at all! Chiropractic care itself is not addictive. What patients do find themselves coming back for is simply the feeling of moving and functioning better. Once your body is moving in proper alignment, many patients choose to continue with regular maintenance visits, whether that's once a month or once a quarter, to stay feeling their best and get ahead of any issues before they start.

That sound is completely normal and nothing to worry about! It's simply the release of natural gas bubbles, (carbon dioxide) from the fluid inside the joint, a process called cavitation. Think of it like opening a carbonated drink.

What's important to know is that the "crack" is not what makes an adjustment effective. It's simply a side effect of the joint moving through its range of motion. A great adjustment can occur with or without the sound, so if you don't hear it, that doesn't mean it didn't work!

And if the idea of any twisting, cracking, or popping makes you uncomfortable, no worries, we also have instrument based tools that deliver a gentle, precise adjustment without any of that. There is truly an approach for everyone here at Embody Health Chiropractic.

While it may be tempting, adjusting yourself is not recommended. The problem is that it’s hard to be specific enough on your own body, so you end up creating excessive movement in one segment while the joints above and below become stiff and restricted, which leads to imbalance over time rather than relief.

You may notice popping sounds when you gently stretch your back, and it can feel like you're giving yourself an adjustment, but you're not. That sound is simply natural gas bubbles being released from the joint, which is harmless, but it is not the same as a true chiropractic adjustment. A proper adjustment is precise, controlled, and targeted to the specific joint that actually needs it.

Leave it to the professionals, your spine will thank you

We accept most major health insurance plans, and we always perform a courtesy benefits check so you have a general idea of your coverage going in. That said, every plan is different, and benefits can vary widely.

At Embody Health Chiropractic, we believe your care should be driven by what you need, not by what an insurance company is willing to cover. Our treatment recommendations are always based on your individual exam findings and what we feel is truly best for your health. We never want insurance limitations to get in the way of getting you the care you deserve.

Absolutely! Low back pain is one of the most common conditions we treat at Embody Health Chiropractic. Whether it stems from a muscular strain, ligament injury, or a herniated disc, we have the tools and expertise to help.

Our approach is multifaceted. We use mechanical traction and spinal decompression to take pressure off the disc and create the space needed for it to heal. Chiropractic adjustments help restore pelvic balance and improve muscular symmetry, allowing the spine to function the way it was designed to. We also incorporate diaphragmatic breathing techniques into our low back protocol, because proper breathing activates the deep core muscles that support and protect the spine, making it a crucial piece of the puzzle.

If you've been living with back pain, there's a good chance we can help.

Absolutely! Neck pain is one of our most commonly treated conditions and is often linked to poor posture, disc degeneration, or restricted movement in the cervical spine. At Embody Health Chiropractic, we take a thorough approach — starting with X-rays and a postural screen to get a clear picture of what's actually going on.

From there, we implement a targeted postural correction protocol designed to take pressure off the discs and restore proper alignment. We also utilize cervical decompression devices that help correct and maintain the natural curve of the neck, which is essential for long term relief and function.

One thing many patients don't realize is that headaches are frequently rooted in neck dysfunction. By addressing the underlying cause rather than just the symptoms, many of our patients find that their headaches improve significantly as their neck health improves.

Yes! Headaches can stem from a variety of causes, and it's our job to dig into your detailed history and ask the right questions to figure out where yours are actually coming from.

One of the most common and overlooked causes is cervicogenic headaches, which are headaches that originate from dysfunction in the neck and the muscles that compensate around it. Through chiropractic adjustments, postural correction, and targeted soft tissue work, many patients experience significant relief once the root cause in the neck is addressed. We may also recommend specific supplements to support the healing process and reduce frequency and intensity over time.

If you've been managing headaches with pain relievers and not getting to the bottom of it, we'd love to help you find a real, lasting solution.

Chiropractic care and physical therapy are both valuable approaches to treating pain and improving function, but they differ in focus and method.

Chiropractors focus primarily on the relationship between the spine, nervous system, and overall health. Through spinal adjustments, decompression, and soft tissue therapies, we address the root cause of pain by restoring proper alignment and nervous system function. When your spine is aligned and moving correctly, your body is better equipped to heal itself.

Physical therapists focus primarily on rehabilitating muscles and improving strength, flexibility, and movement patterns through targeted exercises and stretching protocols. Their approach is largely exercise based and works to restore function following injury or surgery.

In many cases, chiropractic care and physical therapy complement each other beautifully. At Embody Health Chiropractic, we incorporate elements of both worlds. By combining adjustments and advanced therapies with movement-based guidance to give you a well-rounded path to recovery. The difference is that we always start by identifying and correcting the structural and neurological root cause first.

Absolutely! Sports injuries are very much in our wheelhouse at Embody Health Chiropractic. Whether you're dealing with a sprain, strain, joint issue, or overuse injury, our goal is simple: To get you back in the game as quickly and safely as possible.

We work closely with athletes to not only treat the injury but also address the movement patterns and biomechanics specific to their sport, helping to reduce the risk of re-injury down the road. From weekend warriors to competitive athletes, we meet you where you are and build a plan around your performance goals.

Dr. Zoma holds a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician designation, meaning she has completed advanced coursework specifically in sports medicine and sports-related injuries. You're in highly qualified hands.

Yes! Posture is something we are extremely passionate about at Embody Health Chiropractic because poor posture is at the root of so many of the conditions we treat: from neck pain and headaches to low back pain and fatigue.

We have developed our own Posture Correction Protocol, the PCP Program. It is specifically designed to address the underlying causes of poor posture rather than just telling you to "sit up straight." Our program focuses on restoring the natural curve of the neck, correcting muscular imbalances, and building core strength, all of which work together to support lasting postural change.

The truth is, posture affects everything-how you move, how you feel, and even how your nervous system functions. Small improvements in posture can lead to big improvements in your overall quality of life. If you've been told you have poor posture or you notice yourself slouching at your desk, we'd love to do a postural screen and show you exactly where you stand.

A chiropractic adjustment is a precise, controlled movement applied to a specific joint in the spine or body that has become restricted or "stuck." When joints aren't moving the way they should, it can lead to pain, stiffness, muscle tension, and even affects how your nervous system communicates with the rest of your body.

During an adjustment, your chiropractor uses their hands or a specialized instrument to restore proper movement to those restricted joints. Think of it as unlocking areas that have been jammed up. The result? Better range of motion, less tension, and a nervous system that can function the way it was designed to. Simple things like turning your head to check your blind spot, bending down to tie your shoes, or waking up without stiffness can feel completely different after care.

Every adjustment at Embody Health Chiropractic is tailored specifically to you. Your doctor carefully evaluates your spine and determines exactly where to adjust to get you the best possible outcome — nothing is random, and nothing is one size fits all.

Absolutely! Chiropractic care is safe and beneficial for children of all ages, including newborns. Pediatric adjustments look very different from adult care. There is no twisting, cracking, or popping involved. In fact, the pressure used is so gentle it's often compared to checking the ripeness of an avocado.

Our approach to pediatric chiropractic is nervous system based. The goal is to activate the nervous system and remove any interference so the body can do exactly what it was designed to do: heal, grow, and function optimally. A healthy spine and nervous system from an early age can have a profound impact on a child's overall health and development.

The doctors at Embody Health Chiropractic are passionate about pediatric care — so much so that they have been adjusting their own children since birth. You're not just leaving your child in the hands of a clinician, but a parent who truly believes in what they do.