If you're looking for the best sports chiropractor near you, look no further than Dr. Carson Aune and the team at Capital Sports Medicine in Silver Spring, MD. He has been an invaluable resource for active athletes and adults since 2011 and can help you get back to doing the activities you love with no pain. Dr. Carson has a wealth of experience working with collegiate and professional athletes and has seen tremendous success with his patients in helping them reach their goals.
In this FAQs page written to help "lift the lid on chiropractic," I share some of the most common questions, provide answers, offer clarity, and debunk myths (and the skepticism) many people have and hold concerning chiropractic.
Below are the questions I get asked every single day in my office. Some are from frightened patients, and others are inquisitive email replies. Several came during phone calls with our front office team, and a couple even came from direct messages on social media.
But before I get to the questions, let me tell you why I compiled this FAQs page. Having been in practice for over a decade, I noticed a common theme after working with a patient. After a visit or plan of care, they would say, "You know, most chiropractors say they are different, but you really ARE different!" Honestly, I became mad that the only way for someone to see that we were different was for them to experience it.
This page is my best attempt to help people understand what we do at Capital Sports Medicine. I want you to see how we differ from any other provider you've seen. And most important, I want you to know how we can help you.
And it's the last point that is important for you to understand. Because very few, if any, chiropractic clinics in Washington DC (or the East Coast) offer the service we do in the way that we do it.
1. How likely is it that you will be able to help me?
Dr. Carson: If you have pain or stiffness in any of the following areas: back, hip, knee, ankle/foot, neck, shoulder, elbow/wrist, then there is an excellent chance that we can help. If we can not, we will tell you that and help find the right person who can!
2. I'm already seeing another chiropractor. Why would I come to see you?
Dr. Carson: Most chiropractors do less than 10% of what we do at Capital Sports Medicine. In addition to chiropractic adjustments, we offer many other services like soft tissue treatment, rehabilitative exercise, and dry needling. Most importantly, any treatment plan you receive has been created in collaboration with you and is custom-tailored to your wants and needs.
3. Is chiropractic treatment painful?
Dr. Carson: In general, no. It's not meant to be painful, and we don't subscribe to the idea of "no pain, no gain." However, in some cases, people do experience muscle soreness after treatment. The soreness is similar to if you worked out for the first time in a while. Before we treat you, we will always tell you what will happen and what to expect when you leave.
4. I don't want to be adjusted. Do I have to be?
Dr. Carson: Of course not! We have many patients who don't! We aren't one trick ponies. We have a variety of treatment techniques and protocols that we can use you get you the results you need.
5. How long before I feel the difference from chiropractic care?
Dr. Carson: There are two ways chiropractic can help. A good chiropractor will lift your concerns and ease your worries by telling you what's happening, often within 10-15 minutes, and it shouldn't take much longer than that.
Next, the speed at which the physical problem is relieved depends entirely on your age, how long you've had it, how severe it is, and the treatment skills of the doctor.
6. I'm going to physical therapy. Why would I come to see you?
Dr. Carson: Capital Sports Medicine provides services like a typical physical therapy clinic. The significant difference is the time and personal attention you get at our office. Your entire visit is 1-on-1 with a doctor/therapist, and we don't hand you off to an aide or assistant.
7. I've already got exercises from my physical therapist. Why would I need MORE exercises?
Dr. Carson: The truth is that most of the exercises you get in physical therapy are "cookie cutter." Heck, your exercises may even come on a sheet photocopied from a book hundreds upon hundreds of times! In other words, every person that walks in with back pain gets the same set of exercises, no matter what. Sometimes they work, and sometimes they don't. You may have exercises you are supposed to do, but that's not to say they are the right exercises.
8. You talk so much about exercise. What does this have to do with chiropractic?
Dr. Carson: We believe that to be pain-free, you need to move well and move often. Home exercises are a great way to do both. The key is doing the right exercises, at the right time, in the right order, and for the right reasons. A good chiropractor will help with that.
9. Can I talk to a chiropractor before I book to confirm it's right for me?
Dr. Carson: Absolutely! Just give us a call at 301-328-0186 or email me directly at drcarson@sportsmeddc.com
10. What will happen if I don't do anything about my injury?
Dr. Carson: Your current situation will continue, and you'll continue to live with pain. This is obvious, and what's not so obvious is that other parts of your body will begin to overwork to avoid that pain. That extra work leads to new aches and pains that will limit you long-term.
11. What types of patients do you work with?
Dr. Carson: Here's a list of people we can help:
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Active adults 35-64 looking to get back to exercise, pain-free after getting injured while exercising.
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Adults 35-64 who would like to be more active but get hurt every time they try to exercise.
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Weekend Warriors who love competing but work long hours in high-stress jobs and don't always take the time to get the medical care they need.
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Serious youth and college athletes who never want to miss a minute of their games or take time off from their workouts.
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People who take their health very seriously and know that painkillers are not the best answer. They feel let down by traditional medicine, which only offers them medication, surgery, or rest. They also enjoy exercising to avoid "serious" threats like arthritis, joint pain, and "getting/feeling old."
12. Do I need a referral from my doctor?
Dr. Carson: No. You do not need a referral for chiropractic care. Just give us a call and book!
13. How quickly will I be seen?
Dr. Carson: Our goal is to get people in within days. Many times, we've been able to get people in within 24 hours.
14. How long will I have to wait once I get to your office?
Dr. Carson: We do everything we can to keep your appointments for your scheduled time. Circumstances do happen, but this is the exception, not the rule. We realize people are busy and deserve to be seen on time.
15. What should I wear for my appointment?
Dr. Carson: You'll never have to remove large chunks of clothing. To make your chiropractic experience as comfortable as possible, we recommend wearing comfortable clothing so you can move freely. For example, shorts and a t-shirt are ideal. You can also bring a change of clothes to the appointment and change in the treatment room before we start.
16. What if I come for a first visit and don’t want to make another appointment?
Dr. Carson: That’s totally fine by me! Our number one goal is to help you understand what’s going on and collaborate with you on a treatment strategy. Once we have done that, it’s up to you how you would like to proceed. You can ask to become our patient or take that plan to another provider of your choosing!
17. How often will I need treatment?
Dr. Carson: That depends on the nature of your injury and how quickly you want to see improvements. We aim to return you to full fitness quickly and safely. Your chiropractor will more confidently answer this following your initial consultation.
Big Tip: Getting in early nearly always means less recovery time and fewer chiropractic sessions needed.
18. Will you do anything at the first session to help my pain?
Dr. Carson: It’s always our intention to start making progress on the pain and/or stiffness you’ve got right away, as well as to help ease your other psychological concerns and frustrations.
19. Will I get any exercises or anything like that to take home with me?
Dr. Carson: Early on, our focus will be giving you tips and tricks on managing your “8 hours a day” tasks without pain. Things like sitting comfortably, standing comfortably, or getting up out of a chair. That way, you can get fast relief you can feel day-to-day. As we progress into higher-level skills, we will work with you to find what works for you and your needs. Many people find that they get faster results when implementing home exercise, while some would prefer us to take care of it.
20. Will you tell me to stop working out or training?
Dr. Carson: In most cases, no! Our goal is always to help you continue to train or exercise even while seeking treatment.
21. What happens if I come in and the spot hurting me doesn’t really hurt then? Should I still come in?
Dr. Carson: Not only should you come in, but it may be the best time for treatment! We commit much of our time and energy to pain reduction when you’re in pain. When you don’t have pain, we can zero in on the reason (or reasons) the pain came about in the first place. When we can focus on the cause, you’ll make pain a thing of the past.
22. I’m not in any pain per se, I’m just experiencing lots of stiffness and tightness, and I’m worried that something’s about to go “pop” -- and I will be in pain after that. Am I right to be considering chiropractic?
Dr. Carson: You are perfect for chiropractic (and us). Some people think chiropractic is about ending pain – that’s only one thing we do. But it isn’t the best.
The aim is to stop you from ever getting to the point where you’re in lots of pain by making you stronger, more flexible, more resilient, and able to withstand the amount of activity you want to do, no matter your age.
23. “This only happened the other day,” how long should I wait before coming in?
Dr. Carson: The sooner, the better. Think of it this way: “The longer something has been around, the longer it will stay around.” The quicker you begin treatment, the faster you will get your desired results.
24. Does this sort of thing happen to other people like me?
Dr. Carson: We see many people with the same sorts of injuries all day long. Notably, the 40-60 age group who suffers from aches, pains, and stiffness.
25. My other chiropractor lays me on the table, cracks my back, and I leave. Is that what you do?
Dr. Carson: No. That treatment method is about as far from what we do as possible. The Capital Sports Medicine Approach uses the 80/20 rule: 20 percent of the time focusing on pain relief, 80 percent of the time focusing on what caused the pain in the first place. Hands-on treatment is essential, but we firmly believe you need to move well and move often. The key is you’ve gotta move!
26. Carson, why did my family doctor tell me not to try chiropractic and just to rest instead?
Dr. Carson: Many MDs take an ‘old-school’ approach, believing rest and pain medications are the best way to manage pain. Some may have never interacted with a chiropractor and need clarification on what we do. And those that think they know what chiropractors do, I assure you have never worked with chiropractors with an approach like ours at Capital Sports Medicine.
27. My doctor says I need surgery, but I don’t want to get it. What should I do?
Dr. Carson: First, let’s be clear. This question is not about life-or-death procedures for your heart, brain, lungs, etc.; those are not our areas of expertise, so we defer to your doctor’s recommendation.
When discussing surgery on a muscle, bone, or joint, many can be delayed or avoided with the proper treatment. The surgical route will always be there if more conservative treatment (like chiropractic) does not resolve your symptoms.
28. Can a chiropractor help me if I have arthritis?
Dr. Carson: Yes! But please understand that there is no cure for arthritis, and chiropractic care can help manage the symptoms that arthritis causes. It’s common for people aged 40-60 to seek out chiropractic care when suffering from some degree of “wear and tear” inside their shoulders, knees, backs, etc., and many of them get to a point where they have no pain at all!
29. Is there anyone that chiropractic isn’t right for?
Dr. Carson: Yes. Chiropractic is unsuitable for anyone expecting a miracle and hoping for a one-visit “fix.” Those outcomes are rarely possible, particularly for injuries happening to men and women aged 40+.
30. I’ve heard that once I start seeing a chiropractor, I’ll have to go for the rest of my life. Is that true?
Dr. Carson: Absolutely not! This common misconception stems from previous generations of chiropractors demanding that patients endlessly return for care. We are not known to “demand” patients come in for treatment once they have met their needs and wants. However, some of our patients choose to stay on their own because of the value and long-term health we have been able to provide.
31. Is chiropractic expensive?
Dr. Carson: Not in my opinion. As with most things, it comes down to what you value. Most people will spend more money going out to eat over a month than at Capital Sports Medicine.
And by the way, there is no “set price.” That’s because everything we tailor your plan to suit you, your needs, and what you hope to achieve. Thus the “cost” for a visit to a chiropractor at our office is based upon what you want and need to achieve moving forward.
32. Is chiropractic guaranteed to help me, as I hope?
Dr. Carson: No. And no decent chiropractor or physical therapist will ever claim such a thing is possible when it simply isn’t. From the beginning, we will tell you point-blank if we think we can -- or can’t -- help you. And after a few sessions, we will know if treatment will benefit your situation. We have great success, but if there’s an underlying issue that we cannot see or find, we will refer you to the right person/people who can help.
33. Will chiropractic help me with my flexibility? I’m ‘stiff as a board’ for a few hours after I’ve been out for a run or at the gym, and I know this is causing my achy lower back.
Dr. Carson: Yes. We’ll guide you through simple exercises you can do daily to help eliminate this. Oh, and we’ll fix your “achy” back too!
34. What’s the longer-term benefit of my choosing to go and see a chiropractor?
Dr. Carson: You will be free to do what you want and when you want to do it, unrestricted by pain or stiffness.
35. I have “clicking,” “clunking,” and “cracking” noises happening in my joints for a few years now. And the pain is just starting to get worse with it. I’m 45 years old. Is chiropractic right for me?
Dr. Carson: Yes. You’re an almost perfect candidate for chiropractic. This is a typical story. Most joint problems begin with warning signs like the “clicks and cracks” you’ve heard. And then a few years later comes the pain.
36. I am a golfer; can you help?
Dr. Carson: Yes! The Capital Sports Medicine team has completed the Titleist Performance Institute medical track, so we are at the forefront of treating golf injuries and improving your performance. We uniquely understand what you need to add yards to your swing without adding wear and tear to your body!
37. I’m a runner, and I don’t have any pain at rest -- or even when I’m walking -- but the outside of my knee ‘flares up’ whenever I start running. Is that common, and can chiropractic help?
Dr. Carson: Yes, and yes. Most sports injuries settle down so you can walk around and do simple everyday things without pain. But as soon as you pick up the pace a notch or two, if the problem is still there, it lets you know by way of tightness, pain or swelling, and stiffness.
38. I’m working out with a trainer. Will you be able to coordinate with them as to what I can and can not do?
Dr. Carson: 100% yes! Many patients find us this way, frustrated that their doctor and trainer are not on the same page, and they are wasting time at both! During your first visit, we will get your trainer’s information, and (with your permission) we will connect with them to discuss how we can work as a team to get you your desired outcome!
39. Be honest, Carson – what’s the number 1 reason I should come in and see you? As in, what’s the best thing about seeing a chiropractor?
Dr. Carson: The best thing is getting to the real, actual “root cause” of your problem. Once you know that, everything is really easy.
40. What’s the difference between a good chiropractor and a bad one?
Dr. Carson: Three things really:
- The amount of “care” taken (easy to spot)
- The hands-on techniques and skills used
- The ability to accurately diagnose an injury
41. Will I get some things (tips) that I can do at home to help myself get better quicker?
Dr. Carson: Absolutely! We aim to help you in every which way that we can. In reality, you’re only with us for 30 minutes at a time, so we strive to arm you with tools, hints, and tips that you can use to make a difference and produce results you can feel quickly on your own.
42. I’m in the early days of joint pain and stiffness. I got to my 50th birthday without any problems, but now I’m worried I’m next in line for joint troubles like the rest of my friends of a similar age. I’m active and love running, playing golf, walking, and playing with my kids (or grandkids). Can chiropractic help someone like me?
Dr. Carson: Yes. It’s a simple case of strengthening your body to limit the impact of arthritis before it’s too late. Chiropractic will give you the confidence to go places (and do things) and will let you get active again...and fast.
43. How long will it take for chiropractic to settle my pain?
Dr. Carson: It will take as long as it takes you to call up and book! If you had tooth pain, I bet you wouldn’t hesitate to call the dentist the very first day you noticed the pain – and you’d do it because you know that it’s the best possible way to get rid of that tooth pain, fast.
So to answer the question, it will take as long as it takes you to make an inquiry and then come in to see us. Know this: it will happen much quicker than if you leave it to “Father Time” or, even worse, take a risk by taking painkillers or seeing the family doctor!
More importantly, you have just read the most common concerns, questions, and myths surrounding Capital Sports Medicine. I hope my answers have provided clarity, debunked any myths, and put to bed any skepticism that may or may not be stopping you from accessing this rare service - one that can quite literally allow you to get back to the active lifestyle that means so much to you.
I hope this is the beginning of a great, long-term relationship where my team and I become a source of cutting-edge health advice for you and make a real difference in your life.
For specific questions regarding our FAQs, please contact: info@sportsmeddc.com
We try to accurately represent the injury advice and prognosis displayed throughout this Guide.
However, examples of injuries and their prognosis are based on typical representations of the injuries we commonly see in our chiropractic clinic. The information given is not intended to represent every individual's potential injury. As with any injury, each person's symptoms can vary widely. Each person's recovery from injury can also vary depending on background, genetics, previous medical history, application of exercises, posture, motivation to follow medical advice, and other physical factors. It is impossible to give a 100% complete, accurate diagnosis and prognosis without a thorough physical examination. Likewise, the advice given for managing an injury cannot be deemed entirely accurate without this examination from Dr. Carson Aune or other doctors of Capital Sports Medicine. We can offer you this service at a standard charge. Significant injury risk is possible if you do not follow due diligence and seek suitable professional advice about your injury. No guarantees of specific results are expressly made or implied in this report.
