Frequently Asked Questions in Gig Harbor WA

Chiropractic is a licensed healthcare profession centered on diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal problems—especially spine and joint-related issues—and how those problems can influence function and quality of life. Chiropractors focus on musculoskeletal and nervous system disorders and use a conservative approach (non-surgical, non-invasive and nonpharmacologic care) that can include spinal manipulation, therapeutic exercise, and lifestyle recommendations.

A chiropractic adjustment (also called spinal manipulation) is a procedure in which a trained clinician applies a controlled force to a specific joint within the spine or elsewhere—sometimes by hand and sometimes instrument-assisted—with the goal of improving motion and reducing discomfort.

Most commonly, you’ll be positioned on a specialized table so the chiropractor can target a specific joint; the chiropractor uses precise hand placement and controlled movements, often working one joint at a time.

Some people hear a popping/cracking sound; that sound is common but not required for an adjustment to be effective.

Here at Convergent Therapies, the adjustment often begins on the first day following consultation and may be paired with other services such as laser therapy and/or cupping therapy along with exercise-style rehab recommendations.

The “crack” is widely explained as a joint cavitation event—gases in the joint space shift as pressure changes, creating an audible pop.

Direct imaging research (real-time MRI) has supported that the sound is associated with cavity formation within the joint (a cavitation-related event), rather than bones “grinding” or “breaking.”

Chiropractors most commonly manage musculoskeletal conditions such as mechanical low back pain and neck pain, some headache types (especially cervicogenic and tension-type headaches), and a range of extremity joint/tendon complaints.

Convergent Therapies treats a wide range of conditions, including back pain, neck pain, sports/auto accident/work injuries, plantar fasciitis, chronic pain, and extremity work (including knee pain, elbow pain, wrist/carpal tunnel pain, TMJ pain, sprains, and strains)—using individualized plans and multiple modalities as appropriate.

Yes—many clinical guidelines include spinal manipulation among recommended non-surgical/non-drug options for low back pain, especially when the pain is non-specific/mechanical and appropriate “red flags” have been ruled out.

The American College of Physicians guideline for non-radicular (mechanical, non-nerve related) low back pain recommends starting with non-drug therapies for acute/subacute low back pain, including spinal manipulation.

Convergent Therapies takes a noninvasive approach to relieving back pain and often combines adjustments with other therapies (for example, cold laser therapy & cupping) depending on the case.

Yes—chiropractic care can often help relieve symptoms associated with TMJ/TMD (jaw pain, clicking, tension, and headaches).

The jaw is closely connected to the neck and upper spine. Misalignments or tension in these areas can contribute to dysfunction in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). By improving alignment, reducing muscle tension, and restoring proper movement in the neck and surrounding structures, chiropractic care can help reduce strain on the jaw and improve overall function.

At Convergent Therapies, treatment may include a combination of gentle adjustments, soft tissue work, and targeted exercises to address both the jaw and the underlying contributing factors—helping to relieve pain and support long-term improvement.

Chiropractic care is commonly used for mechanical neck pain, and research suggests spinal manipulation or mobilization (often as part of multimodal care) may reduce pain and improve function for some patients.

Convergent Therapies uses noninvasive therapies for neck pain (including manual adjustments, cupping, and therapeutic exercises) after evaluating likely contributors such as posture issues, injury, or degenerative changes.

Some headache types—especially those related to neck or TMJ dysfunction (cervicogenic headache) and tension-type headaches—are commonly managed in chiropractic settings as part of conservative musculoskeletal care.

For migraines and other neurologic headache disorders, chiropractic care is not a substitute for medical evaluation; co-management may be appropriate depending on symptoms, triggers, and diagnosis.

Convergent Therapies promotes evaluation-based care for headache, and neck & TMJ pain and offers multimodal options (e.g., adjustments and soft tissue approaches); grounding all treatment plans in diagnosis, red-flag screening, and appropriate referrals when needed.

Sports injuries often involve joints, muscles, tendons, and movement mechanics—areas where conservative musculoskeletal care can be relevant. Similarly, work and auto injuries can often involve overuse or traumatic, acute injury of joints, muscles, tendons, and disruption to movement mechanics, all of which can and are routinely treated by Convergent Therapies staff through conservative musculoskeletal care and phased treatment plans depending on the severity of the injury. We provide thorough, guided care to support recovery, restore movement, and help you navigate the claims process.

Posture-related concerns are often inseparable from strength, mobility, endurance, lifestyle habits, ergonomics, and sometimes pain. Conservative care that combines manual work with corrective exercise and coaching can be reasonable for many patients when clinically appropriate. 

Convergent Therapies provides posture and spinal/extremity imaging (x-rays) as a part of new patient exams to establish a patient baseline that in turn informs the “blueprint” for treatment plans, laddering up to patient-specific care, posture improvement, corrective exercises, and lifestyle coaching to promote long-term health goals (healthcare to treat, teach and heal). 

Largely, benefits depend on the condition being treated, the treatment plan, patient adherence, and how well the care plan fits the patient/condition’s needs.

Common benefits generally include reduced pain, improved joint range of motion, improved function, and support for self-management strategies (e.g., home exercises and ergonomic changes), especially when care is multimodal rather than “adjustment-only.”

Convergent Therapies takes a combined approach—adjustments plus laser, cupping, suggested exercises, and lifestyle guidance—to improve effectiveness and help patients maintain results outside of the office.

There is no one-size-fits-all number. Often, an initial care with clustered visits over a limited time followed by reevaluation to decide whether to continue, modify, refer, or escalate care is a common approach. That said, generally if a condition is in a more acute stage, more routine treatments are needed to reestablish a stable baseline in which the body hold structure on its own, followed by maintenance care thereafter.

Convergent Therapies takes the stance that pain is often a late indicator: symptoms can show up after a problem has progressed, and pain may improve before the underlying drivers are fully resolved.

In that framework, continuing care after relief is aimed at reducing recurrence risk while tissues heal and movement patterns change (the “corrective/restorative” phase).

We at Convergent Therapies describe a wellness/maintenance phase as similar to continuing exercise and healthy habits to sustain benefits—focused on prevention and maintaining musculoskeletal function over time.

Spinal manipulation is generally considered safe when performed by a trained and licensed professional, with serious complications being a rare occurrence.

Most reported reactions are mild and temporary (for example, temporary soreness, stiffness, or headache likened to what is felt after a workout). Risk can be higher in people with certain underlying health problems—one reason thorough screening and full health history matter.

At Convergent Therapies, nothing is done without your consent, which aligns with our best-practice expectations around clear communication and patient-centered decision-making to ensure we have thoroughly screened and spoken with you to understand if there are any red flags that would indicate when not to adjust (for example, severe osteoporosis, fusions, recent surgeries, etc.).

Like any healthcare intervention, there are potential risks. Common, lower-severity side effects include short-lived soreness, stiffness, fatigue, or headache.

Rare complications largely center around pre-existing conditions or reactions to an adjustment that should not have been performed. As such, Convergent Therapies screens thoroughly for herniated disc, nerve compressions (especially in the lower spine) and other conditions that might rule out neck manipulations as to ensure those conditions are not made worse.

Most patients report little to no pain during the adjustment itself—more like pressure or a quick movement—though it can feel momentarily intense if tissues are very irritated. 

It is common to feel mild soreness afterward (similar to post-workout soreness), which typically resolves within about a day. 

In general, spinal manipulation during pregnancy has very few reports of serious adverse events and we at Convergent Therapies treat many pregnant women. As always, we are open in our communication and routinely will discuss findings, concerns, or potential risks and benefits with you and in conjunction with your health provider. We always encourage you to discuss risks and benefits with your prenatal clinician as well. 

Chiropractic is safe for children and can often provide support and help with growing pains and sports-related injuries.

At Convergent Therapies, we routinely work with pediatric patients, ensuring we are clearly defining the child’s goal of care (often musculoskeletal), screening for red flags (neurologic symptoms or systemic illness signs), and coordinating with the pediatrician—especially for infants. 

Self-manipulation (especially of the neck) is not recommended as a substitute for professional evaluation because it can encourage repeated high-force movements and joint irritation without addressing root causes (mobility limits, strength deficits, ergonomics, or an underlying diagnosis).

If you feel the urge to repeatedly “crack” your neck or back, the safer next step is usually an assessment with us at the clinic in conjunction with an individualized plan that includes mobility/strength work and habit changes—not stronger self-thrusts.

Chiropractic care is not chemically addictive (it does not involve substances that create pharmacologic dependence), and chiropractors generally provide non-drug, conservative care rather than medications. 

That said, some patients choose ongoing care because it helps them feel and move better, similar to choosing ongoing exercise or periodic preventive check-ins. At Convergent Therapies, we ultimately aim to get patients to the wellness/maintenance phase to ensure they can overcome injury or health setbacks and return to lifestyle-based prevention and long-term musculoskeletal health.

Overseen by the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), Chiropractors complete a doctoral-level professional program and must meet jurisdiction-specific licensing requirements; a common expectation is extensive basic science and clinical training plus board-style examinations. 

In the U.S., the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) acts as the accrediting agency for Doctor of Chiropractic programs and notes that accreditation provides assurance of educational quality for multiple stakeholders. The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) develops and administers the national exams required for licensure in all 50 states

In Washington, the Washington State Department of Health outlines requirements including graduation from an approved, accredited chiropractic college with at least 4,000 classroom hours, completing National Board of Chiropractic Examiners Parts I–IV, and passing a state jurisprudence exam; it also sets continuing education expectations for maintaining licensure. 

Both professions can overlap in musculoskeletal care, and many patients benefit from using them together. In simple terms:

• Chiropractic often emphasizes joint-focused manual therapies (including spinal manipulation) as part of conservative care for musculoskeletal complaints, with the ability in many settings to act as a point-of-contact provider for those complaints.
• Physical therapy is centered on restoring and optimizing movement and function through assessment plus therapeutic exercise and rehabilitation strategies (often combined with hands-on care and education).

At Convergent Therapies, we take a blended, multimodal approach—focusing treatment on adjustments, layering some rehab-style care/therapeutic exercise suggestions and soft-tissue massage on top of chiropractic adjustments depending on specific patient needs.

At Convergent Therapies, we want chiropractic to be the first choice in your healthcare journey. Oour approach is centered on helping you understand your body, relieve pain, and move toward lasting healing not just short-term fixes—healthcare to treat, teach, and heal.

Dr. Chau brings a uniquely analytical and personalized approach to care, shaped by his background as a U.S. Navy nuclear engineer and refined through an extensive massage therapy career and more than a decade of chiropractic practice. By combining a deep understanding of anatomy and kinesiology with his foundation in massage therapy, he delivers a comprehensive treatment experience that goes beyond what most patients have encountered elsewhere.

Your first visit is designed to be thorough and meaningful. It includes a detailed consultation, posture analysis, and imaging when appropriate, along with a comprehensive review of how your body’s systems are working together. Whenever possible, care begins that same day—so you leave not only with answers, but with a clear path forward and hands-on treatment already underway.

Convergent Therapies is not in-network with traditional health insurance plans. However, many of our patients still choose to use their out-of-network benefits and may receive partial reimbursement for their care.

We make this process as simple as possible by providing a superbill—an itemized receipt that includes the necessary diagnosis and treatment codes your insurance company may require.

How it works:

• You pay for your visit at the time of service
• We provide you with a superbill
• You submit it to your insurance for potential reimbursement

While coverage varies by plan, many patients are pleasantly surprised to find they are eligible for reimbursement. If you have questions, we’re always happy to help you understand your options.

Auto Injury & Workers’ Compensation Cases

For auto injury (PIP) and workers’ compensation claims, we do work directly with insurance and/or attorneys and often act as either the primary healthcare provider on the case or in conjunction with your care team.

If you are seeking care for one of these cases, we will gather the necessary details at your initial visit, such as:

• Claim number
• Attorney (if applicable)
• Employer or insurance information

This allows us to coordinate your care appropriately and ensure everything is handled correctly from the start.

Medicare

Medicare Part B may cover manual spinal adjustments for correction of a vertebral subluxation. However, it does not cover additional services such as exams, X-rays, or therapies.

For this reason, Medicare patients will pay Medicare-based rates, which are lower than standard out-of-pocket fees.

Flexible Care Options

Our focus is on delivering high-quality, personalized care without the limitations often imposed by insurance. To support this, we offer care plans and membership options designed to make treatment accessible and sustainable.

No matter your situation, we’re here to help you find the best path forward—and to support you in achieving long-term health and wellness.