Welcome to our FAQ

QUESTION: Is the doctor an "in or out of network provider" for my insurance policy?

Dr. Svihlik is an "in network provider" for Blue Cross Blue Shield. However, virtually all other health insurance policies have chiropractic benefits even if the provider is "out of network". The deductible and co-pay will vary.

This office will always call and verify your insurance coverage for you prior to treatment.

L.S.

QUESTION: How many treatments/sessions, will I need ?
Depending on the soft tissues and diagnosis involved, most patients respond very nicely in 6-8 sessions. It is not uncommon to see issues resolve sooner.
L.S.

QUESTION: Will my health insurance cover my therapy ?
Yes, most major health insurance policies cover chiropractic care and specifically A.R.T. therapy It is the office policy to always call and vertify your exact benefits and out of pocket costs, before therapy starts. All health care insurance policies have different coverage. Most insurance plans cover 80 %.
L.S.

QUESTION: What is the cost of a therapy session ?
It varies according to the number of areas treated. The cost range from $ 76 TO $ 95 per visit. Treatment time ranges between 30-45 minutes because it also includes a biomechanical accessment/re evaluation for each visit.
L.S.

QUESTION: Are x rays always required ?
NO, however, X rays are recommended based upon the history and nature of the complaint/injury. If x rays and future imaging technques are required, it will first be discussed at length with the patient.
L.S.

QUESTION: What do those letters D.A.C.B.S.P. in Dr. Svihlik's title, represent ?
They mean Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians. It is a 3 year, national recognized, postgraduate, board certification program devoted entirely to the study of the diagnosis and treatment of sports injuries. There are only a handful of sports chiropractors in Illinois with this board certification creditial. Detailed information concerning the completion requirements of this program can be found on the link page of this web site.
L.S.

QUESTION: When should ice be used during the treatment of an injury ?
The general recommendation for most injuries is to use cold therapy the first 24-48 hrs immediately. The "golden rule" is if you ice within the lst hour of an injury, YOU WILL CUT YOUR RECOVERY TIME IN ONE HALF ! Some health care providers feel that cold therapy should be continued for the entired recovery period of the injury. Others feel that moist heat should be used during the end stages of the recovery. Specific recommendations are made on a individual basis.
L.S.

QUESTION: Are there any published books on Active Release Techniques ?
Yes, there is a 2003 published book entitled RELEASE YOU PAIN by a Dr. Biran Abelson, DC. It can be found in major book stores or at www.releaseyourbody.com or www.drabelson.com
L.S.

QUESTION: As a runner, what can I expect on the first office visit ?
A complete medical history is recorded and evaluated. A physical accessement of the patient's posture, strength and over all flexability is noted. Special attention is given to the evaluation of the hip, lower leg, ankle and arch/feet of runners. Wear patterns of running shoes are noted as well as the runner's gait patterns. Hamstrings, adductors/abductors and ITB tightness are just a few of the structures that are evaluated for abnormal tone and texture. We look for altered biomechanics of the running gait. In short, it is a "hands on" biomechanical functional exam.
L.S.

QUESTION: So...What is ART ?
Active Release techniques is a combination of both ART (pun intended) and science. ART, as a hands on technique, provides a means for both diagnosing and treating the underlying causes of cumulative trauma disorders. These disorders often results in symptoms of weakness, numbness, tingling, burning, aching and numerous other physical dysfunctions.

The goals of ART is to :

1. Restore optimal tissue texture, tension and movement.

2. Restore the strength, flexibility, relative translation & function of the soft tissue.

3. Release any soft tissue restrictions, entrapped nerves, restricted circulatory structures or lymphatic restrictions.

ART IS BASED UPON A STRONG UNDERSTANDING OF ANATOMY, PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOMECHANICS OF HUMAN MOVEMENT.

Dr. P.M. Leahy

QUESTION: Do I need to be in pain in order to be treated with A.R.T. ?
NO ! Your definately don't need to be in pain to benefit from care. Most athletes have accumulated injuries over the years and are suffering from compromise performance as a result. Often the athlete is aware of this but does not think that anything can be done. (i.e. "Ever since I sprained my ankle, I can't run as fast ) A.R.T. therapy is aimed at specifically addressing biomechical factors (abnormal tone,texture and length of muscles and ligament) which sigificantly influence performance.
L.S.