Frequently Asked Questions

Who is a Chiropractor?

A Chiropractor is a physician that focuses their attention and continued learning on how to best examine, diagnose and treat patients with health problems of the musculoskeletal system most effectively. Chiropractic Physicians tend to have a larger number of patients with back and neck pain and sports injuries so their experience in such conditions, its symptoms and its relief, tends to be greater. Not all back and neck pain requires surgery. Back surgeons prefer to see only those patients who require surgery and appreciate back and neck pain specialists who offer non surgical care.

What is chiropractic?

Chiropractic (done by hand) is the science and healing art of correcting vertebral joints mobility and restoring its movement, reducing degenerative changes to joint surfaces, alleviating pain induced through nerve traction and compression. Achieved through gentle specific spinal manipulations in the form of high velocity low impact thrusts, thus allowing your nervous system and consequently the whole body to function at it’s optimum potential.

Does it hurt to get adjusted?

No. Chiropractic adjustments feel great. I am confident that once you begin receiving your adjustments, you will begin to look forward to them. They will become one of the highlights of your week. When you allow the vertebrae in your spine to freely move with proper stretching of its ligaments, you will notice much less stress and tension.

Is chiropractic care safe?

Yes. Statistics prove that chiropractic care is one of the safest types of healthcare in the world. Statistics prove that 250,000 people will die this year as a result of bad medicine, making this the third leading cause of death in the United States of America (The Journal of The American Medical Association, JAMA; Vol.284, July 26, 2000). Of the millions of people receiving chiropractic adjustments, each year, only a handful will even make a complaint.

What should I expect on my first visit?

You will be warmly received by our caring staff, then you will be handed an “intake form” that you should read and complete. You will be asked for some personal information, that includes your ID as well as to establish a method of payment for your visit.

Dr. Habib will then start a medical history interview which will be focused on your current complaint as well as a full review of all body systems to rule out any underlying conditions. A physical general examination, then a neurological exam, followed by an orthopedic exam will be performed. Dr. Habib will then give you a report of findings with regards to your condition, any suggestions for further investigations such as x-rays, MRI or others will be recommended, and a provisional diagnosis of your condition will be discussed.

Dr. Habib will then propose a treatment plan explaining the benefits and expectations of such therapeutic solutions with side effects if any, and upon your approval the treatment schedule will be organized.

What clothes should I wear?

You should wear comfortable clothes (preferably not tight fitting jeans for example.) Most of our adjustments are done with your clothes on while only a few would need you to wear a gown. Hair pins and jewelry do get in the way.

Is it bad to “crack” your back or neck a lot?

This question is frequently asked because people associate the “cracking” or “popping” of one’s back or neck with a chiropractic adjustment. The two are not the same thing. If a person has a desire to “crack” his/her neck or back it is often because one area of their spine is fixated or jammed causing another area to move too much and “pop”, sometimes by itself.

It’s the fixated or jammed area that needs to be properly adjusted by a chiropractor so that the other parts of the spine will not be hyper-mobile and noisy. When you “crack” your back you may be relieving the tension for a little while. Do you notice how it keeps coming back? That is because you are not giving yourself a specific chiropractic adjustment. The cause of the spinal tension, the fixated or jammed vertebrae, has not been corrected. Any person who makes a habit out of “cracking” or “popping” their back or neck needs to go to a Doctor of Chiropractic to have their spine checked. Even a chiropractor cannot adjust him/herself.

Can I sit when I have low back pain?

Sitting for short periods of time if you need may be ok. Your back will guide you in this regard, but know that sitting increases intra-discal pressures which may increase pain. If you must sit, do so for short periods of time and take a break to stand up and walk around every 15 to 30 minutes.

Is it okay if I am pregnant?

Absolutely. Dr Habib will adapt his technique to accommodate pregnant women, where Chiropractic manipulation offers one of the best non invasive side effect free method for dealing with back and neck pains of pregnancy, it is the safest most effective way for dealing with “Back and Neck Pains of Pregnancy”.

What about shoulder and knee problems? Will chiropractic help?

Depends on the nature of the problem, once a diagnosis has been established a decision is taken whether surgery is required or not. If not, then a treatment plan is discussed with the patient and then implemented. In case surgery is indicated referral is arranged for an orthopedic surgery consultation.

Will it help cure my sciatica / Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

Absolutely, as these are cases of nerve traction and compression which can be relieved by utilizing several Chiropractic approaches as well as the use of Class IV Deep Tissue Laser therapy.

How is carpal tunnel syndrome treated?

Wrist braces or wrist splints may be prescribed but the mainstay for non surgical therapy is Chiropractic Manipulation and Deep Tissue LASER Therapy.The next level of intervention is cortisone injections into the carpal tunnel. Cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory medication. If successful, the injection can reduce pain for months. However, the danger of this is that the patient, being pain free may continue to overuse the hands, causing CTS to reappear more severely.The next level of intervention is surgery.

What is Deep Tissue Laser Therapy and how can it help conditions such as Plantar Fascitis, Tennis Elbow, Back/neck and wrist pain, Arthritis, and TMJ…when nothing else would?

Specifically designed to offer advanced pain relief and expedited healing times through a process known as photo-biostimulation.

• LASER works by flooding tissues with photons, energizing the damaged cells and increasing circulation to the painful area. This produces a cascade of healing responses in your body, rapidly reducing inflammation, thereby reducing or even eliminating your pain.
• Used by many professional sports teams to accelerate healing times for musculoskeletal injuries and keeping players on the field…or on the court.
• Deep Tissue Laser Therapy can dramatically reduce the pain associated with the following:
  1. Low Back and Neck Strain
  2. Bulging, Fused or Slipped Discs
  3. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS)
  4. Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow/Golfer’s elbow)
  5. Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)
  6. Arthritic Conditions (osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis)
  7. Post Surgical Recovery
  8. Headaches, including Migraine and Sinus
  9. Sports Injuries (Pulled Hamstrings, Rotator cuff, Calves Etc.)
  10. Plantar Fasciitis
  11. And many more joint, muscle, circulatory and inflammatory conditions

What is Flexion / Distraction, and how does it help with disc herniation, spinal stenosis, headaches?

An Evidence Based Chiropractic therapy for Disc-Related Back and Neck Pain. Flexion-distraction helps relieve spinal pain and return patients to their desired quality of life by:

• Dropping intradiscal pressure
• Widening the spinal canal
• Reducing pressure on the spinal nerves
• Returning motion to the spinal facet joints
• It is safe, comfortable, and best of all, does not require surgery!

Is my mattress/pillow to blame if I have back/neck pain every morning?

A lot of us keep changing mattresses and pillows because of back/neck pain or stiffness every morning still all is in vain since the main reason for such pains lies within the spine bricks called vertebrae. Misalignments and limitations in the movements of the joints involved allow for compression or traction of the spinal nerves exiting in between such vertebrae as well as straining and spraining some of the small muscles and ligaments involved causing stress and inflammation which increases the pain.

Golf is my favorite game but the low back pain that follows the very same night and next day is a concern, would chiropractic help reduce such effects?

Chiropractic manipulation would relieve the strain exerted on the muscles and the sprains of the ligaments involved, as well as restore the normal biomechanics of the joints (intervertebral) allowing faster recovery and a reduction of inflammation. We will help you modify your swing plane in a way that would not stress such structures thus allowing you not only to enjoy your game of Golf but also improve it.

Runny nose and wet eyes, maybe too much sweating and flushing of the face as well as dizziness and eye irritation by moderate light (photophobia), and nothing works including allergy or sinusitis medication. Could Chiropractic help me improve my quality of life in regards to those problems?

A considerable number of patients get misdiagnosed as being due to sinusitis or allergies,while actually caused by hypertonia (overstimulation and irritation) of a chain of nerves in the neck known as “Sympathetic Cervical Ganglia” that are in close association with the neck vertebrae. When those cervical segments are dysfunctional irritation of such nerves takes place.

Chiropractic Manipulation provides an opportunity for restoring the proper function of those joints thus allowing release of compression or traction of such an important chain of nerves allowing the relief of symptoms.

What is Gait Scanning and what is an orthotic?

Lack of proper foot care, ill-fitting shoes and general foot neglect are all responsible for the majority of foot and Knee problems especially with young children where the effects are only seen years later and might be the hidden factor behind back and neck pain especially by the time they approach their full growing potential and musculoskeletal maturity .

Orthotics or 'Orthoses' are inserts that comfortably fit into shoes; they are custom designed to support and tailor made to improve the functioning of feet. Dr. Habib will analyze your gait then prescribe orthotics to patients suffering from chronic foot or lower limb problems (knees) or to athletes to avoid recurrent injury and help maximize performance during sport.

How often should I be wearing my orthotics?

Your orthotics should be worn every time you are on your feet - during work, at home and play. Orthotics are like eyeglasses, they work when they are worn. As soon as you take your orthotics out of your shoes or take your shoes off your feet, the stress and discomfort you experienced before wearing your orthotics is likely to return.

What do you recommend if the orthotics are hurting my feet?

During the first few weeks of wearing your orthotics, you may experience aches and pains in your feet and legs. This is normal and is an indication that your orthotics are working. Your body has been conditioned to accommodate feet that do not function properly; as a result, it may need time to adjust. If your discomfort persists beyond a few weeks, please contact Dr. Habib’s office, your orthotics may simply need a minor adjustment.

Does the effectiveness of my orthotics rely on the type of shoes I wear?

Orthotics are most effective in shoes that are constructed well, fit properly and are in good condition. It is best to bring in your shoes when your health care practitioner is fitting you for orthotics. Knowing the type of footwear you wear the most will help Dr. Habib prescribe the right style of orthotics for your lifestyle. It is quite normal for some practitioners to prescribe two pairs of orthotics to patients (ie. Dress and Sport, Golf, tennis or jogging). When shopping for new shoes, it is also best to bring your orthotics with you for fitting purposes.

How can I book an appointment?

Contact our office via our email info@chiropracticegypt.com or by phone, Tel.: +(20) 2 517 5779 / Mobile: +(20) 160 87 4444, and be prepared to dedicate thirty minutes for your first visit as we offer a very thorough and comprehensive interview and examination to exclude any underlying conditions.