Dr. Gantos has been serving the Genesee County region for over 25 years through his practice of chiropractic therapy. He founded Gantos Chiropractic Center in 1990, less than five years after he graduated from Life Chiropractic College in Marletta, GA. It says a lot about a man who travels roughly 750 miles for schooling, only to return to his hometown of Flint, so he can serve the community he was raised in. Priding himself in providing personalized chiropractic care for each of his patients, Dr. Gantos takes time to get to know his clients as individuals.
Frequently Asked Questions on Chiropractic
- What is Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractic care is a health care profession based on interactions of the spine and nervous system, as well as the surrounding muscles.
- What Principles Underlie Chiropractic Care?
The chiropractic profession is built upon the principle that our bodies have an innate ability to heal themselves. A chiropractor’s main goal is to realign their patients in order to provide their body’s the means in which to foster its own healing.
- Are Chiropractors Doctors?
Yes, Doctors of Chiropractic (AKA Chiropractors) are not medical doctors, but they go through similar education processes to become licensed in the field. Educational requirements for chiropractors are among the most stringent of any health care profession.
- What is a Chiropractic Adjustment
A chiropractic adjustment is the art of using a specific, controlled force in a precise direction that is applied to a spinal joint not moving properly or “locked up”. The purpose of this natural and safe procedure is to correct structural alignment and eliminate interference in the nervous system. For the patient, this means improved spinal function, reduction in pain and an overall improvement in health and wellness.
- Do Adjustments Hurt?
Chiropractic manipulation (adjustment) is a highly-controlled procedure that rarely causes discomfort because there Is minimal force and gentle pressure being applied. In fact, most patients feel relief immediately following treatment. Any reported soreness after an initial adjustment has been described as similar to that associated with starting a new exercise program. Drinking plenty of water, using an ice pack, and engaging in light stretching after your first visit can help ease any discomfort promote healing.
- Are Adjustments Safe?
According to the ACA, chiropractic treatment is widely recognized as one of the safest “drug-free, non-invasive, and most cost-effective therapies available for the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal complaints”. Spinal adjustments are extremely safe when performed by a licensed chiropractor.
- Why do Adjustments sometimes make a Popping Sound?
The noises you hear resembling popping sounds are your joints releasing tiny pockets of air. A chiropractic adjustment does not affect the bones of either side of a joint; it affects the connective tissue that holds the joint together.
- Are all Patients Adjusted the Same Way?
Each patient’s care is unique and therefore customized to meet their specific condition and needs. Your chiropractor will modify adjustments based on your size, weight, age and health condition(s).
- Can I See a Chiropractor if I am Pregnant?
Many pregnant women find that chiropractic adjustments improve the pregnancy experience and make delivery easier. Adjustments are adapted to accommodate the stage of pregnancy and the unique needs of each patient.
- Is Back Pain Common?
More than 80% of people experience lower back pain at some point in their lives. In fact, it is one of the most reported reasons people miss work and is the second most frequent reason patients visit the doctor.
- Should I see a Chiropractor or a Medical Doctor for my Back Injury?
Depends what kind of treatment you are hoping for, however there are some statistics you should keep in mind when deciding between a chiropractor and a medical doctor. According to the ACA if workers with back injuries first sought treatment with a medical doctor they had a 42.7% chance of having surgery compared to only 1.5% who when to a chiropractic doctor to begin with.
It may be important to discuss the opioid epidemic consuming the American public. Abusing painkillers such as oxycodone and hydrocodone are among the leading causes of accidental death in the United States. Primary care medical doctors prescribe roughly 28.8% of painkillers in the U.S. while chiropractic physicians prescribe 0.0%. Only when a chiropractic doctor has exhausted their treatments will they recommend more invasive and riskier treatments such as medication or surgery.
- What Can Chiropractic Therapy Treat?
- Low Back Pain
- Arthritis and “Rheumatism”
- Scoliosis
- Headaches
- Whiplash and Neck Injuries
- Work Injuries
- Muscle Spasm and Trigger Points
- Mid-back and Rib Pain
- Sciatic and Leg Pain
- Pregnancy
- Hip, Sacroiliac and Leg Problems
- Spine and Disc Degeneration
- Cold and Flu