What is chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a health and healing science based on one foundational truth: your nervous system controls and coordinates everything in your body. When vertebrae shift out of position — what we call subluxations — they create interference in the brain-body communication channel. That interference is what creates dis-ease. Chiropractors clear neural pathways through specific adjustments to the spine and body so that you can function and heal naturally, from the inside out. At Cypress Chiropractic in Charleston, SC, that's the foundation of everything we do.

What is an adjustment?

An adjustment is administered by a chiropractor — it's a specific manipulation of a joint that removes subluxations, aka nerve interference. Adjustments are performed in a specific line of correction that requires in-depth knowledge of the spine and body. Dr. Sarah will provide adjustments with her hands. Adjustments can be performed in different manners and they are tailored to best suit your body at that time. The style of each adjustment will depend on health history, preferences, and how your body presents on that day.

Why do some adjustments make a “crack” sound?

The “crack” sound that you may hear along with a chiropractic adjustment is called a cavitation. It is NOT a bone making that sound, but it is the joint. Cavitation occurs when the synovial fluid in a joint releases oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. A cavitation is not necessary in order for a successful adjustment to take place, and there are many types of adjustments that are not accompanied by a cavitation at all.

Will my adjustment hurt?

Not at all! Usually adjustments provide a feeling of relief. Dr. Sarah safely adjusts people of all ages, from newborn babies, small children, pregnant women, to elderly adults. An adjustment will never be forced. The body will allow what it is ready for.

How many times do I have to come?

It depends on what you want to accomplish and where your health is when you start care — but you're encouraged to come as often and as long as you want to heal, function, and feel great. Come as long as you want to defy age and live a life of optimized potential. Dr. Sarah will estimate your initial schedule with your best interest at heart. One thing is for sure: your goals and your expectations will determine your care plan's frequency, duration, and outcomes.

Will I feel better after getting adjusted?

Most people feel better and better throughout their care. Many people feel relief immediately following an adjustment. It's also possible that symptoms and pain may require several visits to fade. A small percentage of people may experience a temporary increase in their symptoms before they start to get better. Your care is unique to YOU, and how your body heals and responds is also unique. Healing is not linear. No matter what your course of recovery takes, you should also know that beyond the removal of symptoms, chiropractic care offers an opportunity for much greater overall health, if you choose to use it for that purpose too.

Do you take insurance?

Cypress is not in network with medical insurance companies. Medical insurance, just like car insurance, usually only covers situations when you are in a crisis. Think about it — car insurance does not cover new tires, an oil change, or a very expensive new transmission. Medical insurance is similar. It does not cover what it takes to heal the root of your problem and/or to maintain health and wellness, but it covers you in a crisis emergency hospital situation — maybe.

Will chiropractic care be expensive?

You are always in control of your finances and it depends on how you define expensive. Is it going to require more of your money than an over-the-counter or prescription drug? What about a life surrendered to drugs and their side effects? Is it as expensive as an emergency hospital visit or a scheduled surgery? Does it cost as much as physical therapy for multiple hours a week for multiple months? What is the price of being sick and miserable in comparison to a life that is energized, happy, and healthy? Considering the cost of drugs, surgeries, lifelong medication, hospital visits, PT, not being able to work, and generally being unwell, chiropractic is very affordable! Chiropractic saves you and your family not only money, but time, energy and hardship.

Expensive depends on what you value most — and considering the benefits, the experience at this chiropractic studio, the all-inclusiveness of our services, and the cost of providing you with the best healthcare in Charleston, our prices are reasonably priced. Ask us for details. Investing in your health is of priceless value, because without your health, not much else matters.

How long will it take to get adjusted?

Even the busiest of practice members commit to making chiropractic care a priority in their lives and find the benefits well worth their time. Your adjustment may take between 5 to 15 minutes, making it perfect for the person on-the-go.

What if I feel fine? Do I need to keep coming back?

That is always up to you, however, why stop at fine? Chiropractic is about MORE! More health, more freedom, more ease, more life! The truth is that those who stop wellness care when they are feeling fine often return later with the same problem — only it's often worse. On the other hand, those that commit to regular wellness care find that their problem rarely returns and they enjoy a higher quality of life. If regular chiropractic care keeps you feeling great, why would you stop doing what's working for you? It's kind of like this: if your teeth feel fine, do you stop brushing them?

Do I have to get my neck adjusted?

If you hold fear around getting your neck adjusted, no worries! It is not a requirement! We will never do anything you do not want us to do. Our cervical (neck) adjustments are super gentle and specific, and we can utilize chiropractic techniques that do not require rotation, force, nor that “cracking” sound that you may be avoiding. Adjustments are tailored to your preferences and needs and there is always a way that is best for you.

What is the Webster Technique and do you offer it in Charleston SC?

The Webster Technique is a specific chiropractic protocol for pregnant women, focused on analyzing and adjusting the sacrum and pelvis. During pregnancy, misalignment in the pelvis can create tension in the uterine ligaments — which may affect the space and comfort available to your baby. Webster adjustments restore that balance gently and specifically. Dr. Sarah is Advanced Webster Certified through the ICPA and works with pregnant patients throughout all three trimesters. If you're looking for a Webster Technique chiropractor in Charleston SC, we'd love to see you.

Is chiropractic care safe during pregnancy?

Not only is it safe — for many women it's one of the most supportive things they do for themselves and their baby. Dr. Sarah uses the Webster Technique and other gentle approaches adapted specifically for the pregnant body. Chiropractic care during pregnancy supports a balanced pelvis, a more comfortable third trimester, and a nervous system that's communicating clearly with every system in your body — including the one growing a new life. Dr. Sarah sees prenatal patients from the first trimester through to delivery.

Do you adjust babies and children?

Yes — and this is some of the most important work we do. The birth process, even an uncomplicated one, places real physical stress on a newborn's spine and nervous system. That can show up as colic, feeding difficulty, or disrupted sleep — or it can accumulate silently over time. Pediatric adjustments are extraordinarily gentle. The pressure used is no more than you'd use to test the ripeness of a piece of fruit. Children's spines respond beautifully and quickly. Getting kids checked early gives their innate intelligence the clearest possible foundation to grow and develop from.

Can chiropractic help with headaches?

Many headaches — especially tension headaches and those that start at the base of the skull — are a cervical spine problem, not a head problem. Subluxations in the upper neck create nerve interference and muscle tension that refers directly into the head. Rather than suppressing that signal, chiropractic care removes the source. Restoring alignment to the cervical spine clears the nervous system interference driving the headache. Many practice members who've relied on pain relievers for years find that consistent chiropractic care dramatically reduces both the frequency and severity of their headaches.

What should I expect at my first appointment?

Your first visit is a conversation as much as it is an examination. Dr. Sarah wants to understand your full health history — not just the thing that brought you in today, but the whole picture. From there she'll examine your spine and nervous system to identify where interference is present. Most new patients receive their first adjustment at this visit. Your second appointment is your Report of Findings — that's where Dr. Sarah walks you through exactly what she found, what it means, and what she recommends. You'll understand your situation clearly before any care plan begins. No guesswork. No pressure.

How does stress affect my spine and nervous system?

Directly — and more than most people realize. Your nervous system doesn't distinguish between a physical injury and a brutal week at work. Both trigger the same stress response. Chronic mental and emotional stress produces sustained muscle tension along the spine that contributes directly to subluxation. This is why Dr. Sarah asks about your sleep, your stress levels, and your life — not just where it hurts. Physical, chemical, and emotional stressors all feed interference into the same nervous system. Chiropractic care addresses the physical component and helps your body shift out of a chronic stress state so that real healing can happen.

What techniques does Dr. Sarah use?

Dr. Sarah is trained in multiple specific chiropractic techniques and selects the right approach based on what your body needs at each visit. Her techniques include Gonstead, Thompson Drop, Toggle Upper Cervical, Logan Basic, Diversified, Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT), and the Webster Technique for prenatal care. Each has a different mechanism and application. You'll never receive a cookie-cutter adjustment at Cypress Chiropractic — your care will evolve as your spine changes and your health improves.

How do I book an appointment at Cypress Chiropractic?

You can book online through Jane App at cypresschirocare.com or call us directly at 843-277-4885. We're located at 635 East Bay St., Suite 1A, Charleston, SC 29403. A deposit is required to hold your appointment, and we ask for advance notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. If you have questions before your first visit, reach us at CypressChiroCare@gmail.com or by phone.