What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic therapy can encompass spinal manipulative therapy (“adjustments”), massage, exercise, nutritional and dietary advice, physical therapy modalities, sports therapy and taping. But chiropractors are essentially health care professionals that specialize in spinal health.

Spinal manipulative therapy, which forms the bulk of our treatment, is a therapeutic intervention performed on vertebral joints in the spinal column to alleviate pain.

Chiropractors apply tension to the patient’s ligaments increase the movement of the vertebrae and change the tension in supporting musculature. Though most of the time this can be accomplished gently without a “pop” or “crack”, sometimes this requires a short, high-velocity thrust to achieve. The “adjustment” works by increasing vertebral mobility, balancing muscle tonicity, and improving blood flow to help reduce inflammation. It also changes nerve function which can result in improvement in the health of muscles, ligaments, and discs, improvement in posture and balance, and improved organ and tissue health.

What can I expect at an appointment?
At your initial visit, we’ll determine the cause of your problem through a examination consisting of neurological, orthopedic and chiropractic tests. For most patients we’ll use digital x-ray to get a more complete picture of your condition. If we feel that chiropractic care is indicated we’ll suggest an appropriate treatment plan.

On subsequent visits, gentle manipulations (or adjustments) will be performed to the appropriate spinal or extremity joints. At Ascent Chiropractic we correct problems in the spine and extremities using a gentle, low-force adjusting technique that’s both safe and effective for patients of all ages ranging from children to seniors. Other therapies such as mechanical massage therapy, kinesio taping, myofascial release therapy or intersegmental mobilization may also be used.

Is there scientific evidence for chiropractic?
So what does the evidence say about chiropractic’s efficacy? A Cochrane Review of spinal manipulation therapy for chronic low back pain shows that at minimum, it’s as effective as exercise therapy, standard medical care or physiotherapy.

(Interestingly, a Cochrane Review also shows that non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which doctors commonly prescribe to alleviate back pain, only have a slight effect for back pain but also have many side effects and cause adverse reactions.)

Spinal manipulation therapy gained prominence with traditional medical care practitioners in 2007 when the American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society recommended it as a treatment for chronic or subacute low back pain, alongside exercise therapy, acupuncture and yoga.

There have now been around 70 randomised control trials and 10 systematic reviews which support its use to treat lower back pain. Perhaps most notably, a 2004 study published in the British Medical Journal compared spinal manipulation therapy with exercise and reported better outcomes with spinal manipulation.

As with any health-care profession, we believe it’s important that chiropractors restrict their therapies to those that are based on evidence and have been proven to get results.

As with other scientific disciplines, the evidence base of chiropractic is constantly evolving, as researchers undertake new studies and trial the effects of different therapies. The body of chiropractic research that exists today has shown that chiropractic is incredibly effective at alleviating many neuromusculoskeletal disorders as well as headaches, migraines and other conditions.

Do you have imaging (x-ray) facilities? Will I need x-rays?
Yes – digital x-rays are performed on location. In most cases x-rays are required to reveal the internal alignment of the spine. We may also use imaging studies if we are concerned about underlying diseases or advanced disorders of the spine such as spinal deterioration, abnormal development, disc disorders, space occupying lesions or tumors. In these cases, x-rays can provide a blueprint for correcting the spine back to optimal alignment. If you already have recent imaging studies, we can often use those. We never x-ray pregnant women, nor do we x-ray children under the age of 18.
What conditions can be treated at Ascent Chiropractic?
While the majority of patients seen at our office suffer from back pain or neck pain, a growing amount of research indicates that chiropractic care can be extremely effective for a variety of neuromusculoskeletal conditions including shoulder dysfunction, carpal tunnel syndrome, migraine headaches, fibromyalgia, tension headaches, sciatica, infantile colic and more. These health conditions often involve issues with the nervous system, which can cause referred pain and other symptoms distant from the location of the injury.

As structure affects our overall body function, the benefits of chiropractic treatment extend to general health issues as well. Dr. Radermacher also provides counsel to patients on nutrition, diet, exercise, and lifestyle and occupational modification.

Is treatment at Ascent Chiropractic safe?
Chiropractic has been shown to be one of the safest non-invasive, drug-free treatments available for relieving neuromusculoskeletal complaints. While chiropractic has a great safety record, no form of health treatment is 100% free of potential side effects. The risks of adverse effects associated with chiropractic treatment, however, are minimal. Most patients feel instant improvement in their symptoms following a chiropractic adjustment, but temporary mild soreness following the first few visits is possible, similar to the soreness felt after beginning a new exercise program. The risk of serious adverse effects following spinal manipulation is extremely rare, with the best evidence indicating a frequency of 1 case in 5.85 million treatments.

It’s important to understand that even some of the most commonly prescribed treatments for musculoskeletal complaints, such as aspirin and prescription over-the-counter NSAIDS (ibuprofen), carry significantly greater risks than chiropractic treatment.

Does getting adjusted hurt?
Dr. Grant uses a unique combination of low-force chiropractic adjusting techniques in combination with stretches and exercises to make his adjustments comfortable, effective and very safe. Usually patients remark that they feel fantastic leaving our office.
What is the popping sound heard during some adjustments?
The popping sound is caused by a change in pressure within your joint that results in tiny gas bubbles being formed. The “pop” you sometimes hear during an adjustment is exactly the same as the sound you hear when you “crack” your knuckles.

If you have already been taking drugs prescribed by your home doctor, please bring them with you for clarification or possible drug interactions and correlations with the new condition.

Am I too young or too old for treatment?

No, in fact Dr. Grant’s unique technique has allowed his to treat everyone from newborns to patients over 100 years old! As a Milwaukee pediatric chiropractor, Dr. Grant is specially qualified to care for infants and other children, as his gentle, low-force adjusting technique can be modified to fit the patient.

Can I adjust myself?
While some people can make their joints “crack”, that’s not the same as an adjustment. In fact, doing so might lead to further damage by hypermobilizing already weakened muscles and ligaments. Chiropractic adjusting techniques take years to master and require a trained professional to perform safely.
Do chiropractors have medical doctor (M.D.) degrees?
Chiropractors have Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degrees granted from chiropractic colleges. Though chiropractic education and medical education are similar in scope, because chiropractors do not prescribe drugs or perform surgery and medical doctors do not correct the vertebral subluxation complex there are some differences. On average, a Doctorate of Chiropractic degree involves 372 more classroom hours than an M.D. degree. Doctors of Chiropractic also are required to complete more hours of training in anatomy, physiology, diagnosis, and orthopedics (the musculoskeletal system) than a medical doctor.
Can I still be treated if I've had back surgery?
Yes, Dr. Grant will take care to avoid the surgically repaired regions of your spine.It’s an unfortunate fact that up to half of those who had spinal surgery discover a return of their original symptoms months or years later. They then face the prospect of additional surgery. This too common occurrence is know as “Failed Back Surgery Syndrome.” Chiropractic may help prevent repeated back surgeries. In fact, if chiropractic care is initially utilized, back surgery can often be avoided in the first place.
I was in a car accident, should I see a chiropractor?
There are several reasons it’s important to be evaluated following an auto accident. As a Brookfield car accident chiropractor, Dr. Grant focuses on proper function of the spine, nervous system, muscles and ligaments, so his first concern following an accident is ruling out serious trauma such as fractures, disc injuries, etc.

Because soft tissue injury symptoms may not appear until up to seven days after trauma, a thorough examination is incredibly important. The way your spine moves can change due to an injury, so even after the initial symptoms improve your spine may continue to function differently.

Using pain medication, anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxers can help alleviate symptoms, but unless normal musculoskeletal function is restored your spine will be unbalanced. Left uncorrected, your body will eventually adapt to these altered biomechanics, leading to chronic problems.

How long does it take to see results?
During the initial visit, we observe your response to chiropractic care and your rate of recovery. The doctor then designs a personalized treatment protocol based on your history, rate of recovery and the status of your condition.
How much does treatment cost?
It depends on the type of services that you receive. We offer quality care for a competitive fee. Please call our office for details.
What makes your office different?
We listen and we care. We draw on decades of professional experience to provide you with excellent chiropractic treatment. We offer chiropractic care based on a broad spectrum of adjustment methods including the very gentle chiropractic treatment protocols which may include an adjunctive therapy before or after your care, physiotherapy taping, active release soft tissue therapy, home/gym exercise programs, nutritional support, ergonomic advice or custom orthotics (foot arch support) when indicated.
How long is an appointment at Ascent Chiropractic?
Your first visit is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes long, depending on the complexity of your condition. Follow up treatment visits are usually between 15 and 30 minutes long.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept cash, check, Mastercard, Visa and Discover, and are HSA-eligible. We are in network with most Wisconsin insurance networks as well as Medicare. We now also accept bitcoin (find us on Spendabit).