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 the same services as 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. 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. 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.
