Practice Information
Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
Glossary of Chiropractic and Health Terms
Patient Forms
Specializing in traditional and modern chiropractic care for all ages, and for injuries occurring in the car, at work, at home or at play, as well as help for allergy sufferers and chronic resistive cases. With a Certified Nutritional Therapist on staff, we can provide individualized diet and nutrition programs, and information about improving the overall quality of your health... and life.
Practice Message
"Restoring lost health and function through natural modern and
traditional methods."
By removing the blockages that interfere with normal body function and supporting weaknesses as needed, a quality state of health can be achieved. While the reduction of nerve interference through Chiropractic care, the elimination of nutritional deficiencies through proper diet and supplementation, and the relief of allergy symptoms may not resolve all of your health problems... there is no complete answer today without them.
Insurance at Westside Chiropractic
Insurance / Managed Care Plans Accepted:
- We are preferred providers in most Oregon plans including:
- Blue Cross / Blue Shield
- Cigna * * LifeWise
- American WholeHealth Network / Alternare
- PacifiCare * * ODS
- Providence Preferred / ASHN
- HealthNet * * United Healthcare
Call to check for other plans we are in. Not all services are covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts based upon the understanding that good health depends, in part, upon a normally functioning nervous system (especially the spine and the nerves extending from the spine to all parts of the body). The word "Chiropractic" comes from the Greek word chiropraktikos, meaning "effective treatment by hand." Chiropractic stresses the idea that the cause of many disease processes begins when the stresses on the body become too great (including injuries, poor diet, toxic accumulation, lack of exercise, etc.) and the body fails to adapt. It looks to address these diseases not by the use of drugs or surgery, but by locating and correcting the impaired communication to an area of the body which is has begun to function improperly. This process can be likened to an electrician tracing the cause of an over-loaded circuit to its source and fixing that, rather than by replacing all the appliances in the house one by one in hopes of eventually finding the culprit.
What conditions benefit from Chiropractic care?
Although Chiropractic is sought most frequently to relieve headaches, neck and back pain, studies have found it to be effective for a variety of conditions, such as shoulder, arm and leg pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica and leg pain, automobile and sports injuries, fibromyalgia, migraines and infantile colic. Since the nervous system is involved in the control and coordination of all functions of the body, almost any condition resulting from the malfunctioning of the body systems can be benefited. Ongoing international scientific research continues to validate the
effectiveness of Chiropractic care in helping various named conditions.
Does Chiropractic hurt?
Under normal non-severe circumstances, manipulations (called adjustments or alignments) don't hurt. The patient may experience a minor amount of discomfort during the adjustment which lasts only seconds. As an alternative to traditional manual adjustments, Dr Aungst is also trained in low-force and completely non-force style adjustments, such as the Activator Methods procedure, and these are preferred for infants, the elderly and those in severe pain.
Is Chiropractic safe?
Chiropractic adjustments are extremely safe. The risk factor for an adverse outcome is estimated to be in excess of one million to one. This cannot be said for others in the healing arts who are not Chiropractors. Just as you would not want an untrained person removing even a simple cyst from the surface of your body, you would not want a non-chiropractor attempting spinal manipulations.
What kind of education and training do doctors of Chiropractic have?
Chiropractors receive virtually the same thorough education in the basic biological and health sciences as all doctors (anatomy, physiology, histology, biochemistry, clinical and radiological diagnosis, etc.). They receive additional studies in the physical sciences that emphasize neuromuscular diagnosis and treatment, specialized training in the philosophy, science, applications and practice of the Chiropractic discipline, and extensive clinical training and practice prior to graduation. Continuing education studies are required throughout their practice years to stay abreast of current advances.
What can I expect on my first visit?
The first thing we will do is ask you about the health complaints about which you are chiefly concerned. You will also be asked about your family history, dietary habits, other care you may have had (chiropractic, osteopathic, medical, naturopathic, acupuncture, physical therapy, self-care, etc.), your past and current occupation(s) and injuries, past and current involvement in sports, and other questions designed to help determine the nature of your condition and the best way to go about treating the problem(s).
An examination will be performed which will include an evaluation and analysis of your general physical, nerve and muscle function to detect any structural abnormalities which may be affecting or causing your condition. Recommendations for x-rays, laboratory analysis, other diagnostic procedures or referral to another specialist may be made.
Treatment may be initiated on the same day to begin the process of relieving your pain/symptoms and correcting any accumulated damage done to your systems.
What other services do you offer besides chiropractic?
We offer a variety of alternative health treatments, including cold laser therapy (aka low level laser, soft laser, phototherapy), acupressure, physiotherapy (ultrasound, muscle stim, stretching/stabilizing exercises) and nutritional consulting (including dietary recommendations; vitamin, mineral, herbal and homeopathic remedies; programs for detoxing heavy metals, accumulated toxins and addictive drugs). Also, see our services page.
Glossary of Chiropractic and Health Terms
Click here to see the glossary of chiropractic terms provided by the Consumers' Research Council of America.
Patient Forms
In order to better understand your present condition, please download, print and fill our New Patient Intake Forms before you arrive at the clinic. This will also help to your time.
Bring all forms in with you on your first visit. All personal health information is held in the strictest confidence.
See you soon!
Patient Intake Form
Auto Accident Questionnaire
New Patient Signup Form
