Will my insurance pay for my treatment?

Some of the treatments that I provide are cutting edge breakthroughs in health care and are not covered by any insurance company. Advanced Allergy Therapeutics is one of those techniques.

Due to my interest in making treatment decisions without interference from insurance companies, for techniques that are covered by insurance, I am an “out of network provider.” This means that instead of filing for insurance directly, I will help you with the process of filing claims with your insurance company by supplying statements which include services rendered, fees paid and diagnoses. Please check with your insurance company for specific “out of network” benefit eligibility and instructions for seeking reimbursement.

This policy allows me to spend concentrated time with my patients rather than on mountains of paperwork so I can provide you, your family and friends the highest quality of care.

Because of the amount of time I spend with each patient, and in consideration of others waiting for care, the regular fee will be charged for missed appointments or appointments cancelled less than 24 hours in advance of the scheduled appointment time.

How soon will I see results?

Many cases respond quickly to the treatment and achieve long-term results within the first few treatments. However, each case is different and some patients require additional treatment.

What are the most common symptoms addressed in the clinic?

Bloating, cramping, reflux, heartburn, gas, diarrhea, nausea, runny nose, sneezing, congestion, post-nasal drip, itchy watery eyes, coughs, wheezing, shortness of breath, red, scaly or itchy rashes, blisters with oozing and crusting, dry leathery skin areas, hives, itchy skin, hyperactivity, mood swings, headaches, fatigue, tiredness, chemical sensitivities, reactions to the sun, any negative reaction to harmless substances.

How many sessions are needed?

The number of sessions required depends on the number of items causing a reaction. For example, a patient who reacts to five families of substances (dairy, wheat, corn, animal dander and pollen for instance) may require between 5 to 12 sessions to relieve the symptoms or resolve a condition.)

Is there an age restriction for the treatments?

No. All ages may be treated, including infants.

How long do I have to wait before I can have contact with the items that were addressed in my session?

Following a session, a patient should avoid the substance that was treated for 2 hours, if possible. Depending on the item addressed, avoidance is not always possible. It is recommended that the patient not have excessive contact with the item until the following day.

How much does it cost and what is included?

The Initial Session is $200, which includes an assessment and one treatment.
Follow-Up treatments are $125.

Can I have more than one treatment in a day?

Yes. Two treatments can be completed in one day. However, there must be at least 2 hours between sessions.

How long are the sessions?

The Initial Session takes approximately 30 minutes and includes an assessment and one treatment. Follow-Up Sessions take 15 minutes and include one treatment.

Do you take health insurance for the treatments?

No. We do not take health insurance.

How do I make an appointment?

You can make an appointment by calling the clinic directly at 410-717-6610. You do not need a doctor's referral.

Do I need to do anything before my appointment?

Patients should arrive 10-15 minutes prior to the Initial Session to complete the necessary forms.
(Alternatively, forms can be downloaded from the website and completed ahead of time.)

Please do not smoke or wear perfume or fragrances prior to coming in to the clinic. This is a courtesy to other patients who may be sensitive to those substances.

Please bring any allergy tests from medical doctors to the Initial Session.

Prescription or over-the-counter medications will not affect the treatment.

Patients who have other therapies (massage, chiropractic, acupuncture, etc) scheduled on the same day as the AAT treatment should schedule those therapies PRIOR to the AAT treatment, if possible.

If experiencing an acute stage of illness including an elevated temperature, the patient should contact the clinic to reschedule the appointment.

The Craniallergy Clinic of Dr Lisa Gordon Dabbs DOES NOT treat anaphylaxis or any life-threatening symptoms. Strict avoidance is always advised.

Do I need to stop taking any of my medications before the treatment?

No, patients do not need to stop taking medication that has been prescribed by a medical doctor without his/her authorization. You may continue taking over the counter medication to control current symptoms, as this will not affect the treatment.

Are any traditional medical allergy tests offered in the clinic?

We do not offer any conventional allergy testing. Patients are encouraged to bring in allergy tests from their physicians if they are available.

Are there any guarantees that my symptoms will be relieved?

Unfortunately, we can offer no guarantees. However, the majority of our patients respond favorably to the AAT treatment on a long-term basis. We cannot guarantee that new symptoms will not develop in the future.

What qualifications do the practitioners have?

All practitioners are fully credentialed health care practitioners.

Can a food intolerance be treated?

No. A food intolerance is different from an allergy or sensitivity in that there may be an enzyme deficiency which inhibits the body from properly digesting the substance. Such cases are not affected by the treatment.

Can you treat for anaphylactic symptoms?

No. We do not treat conditions involving anaphylactic reactions. However, patients with an anaphylactic reaction may be treated for other sensitivities that are not life threatening.

What is Neuro Cranial Integration (NCi)?

Neuro Cranial Integration (NSi) is a specific technique that aligns the cranial bones, brain and nervous system from the inside out and from the top down. The realignment takes tension off the nervous system, releases cranial, fascial and muscle tissue fixations, and returns proper cerebrospinal fluid flow to the spine, improving the function of the entire body.

When pressure is taken off the brain, it can do its job more efficiently and allow the body to function at a higher level.

*Courtesy of My Better Brain

Why is Neuro Cranial Integration Different?

We are able to access the brain, the spine and the entire nervous system in a way that is simply not possible through spinal manipulation or soft tissue techniques. Although other systems, such as craniosacral, cranial release and others also affect the cranium, CSi has been developed to purposefully and directly reach the dura mater, the vitally important tissue that is directly responsible for brain and nervous system balance and health.

How Long Does A Treatment Last?

The Neuro Cranial Integration procedure lasts only two to three minutes and does not includes any typical Chiropractic jerking, "popping" or "cracking." Instead, it feels like a profound stretch inside the back of the head (see illustration above).

Specific conditions, diseases or symptoms are treated. Instead, the treatment addresses the body's mastermind organ, the brain, and everything it connects to.

How does treating the brain affect the rest of my body?

".the nervous system controls and coordinates all the functions of the body and relates it to its environment."
- Gray's Anatomy

Because Neuro Cranial Integration allows the left and right brain hemispheres to re-balance and reintegrate in a profound way, the functioning of the central nervous system automatically improves.

The brain is the master regulator of every organ and hormone in the body. It communicates to the organs through the nerves. In fact, 80 percent of the nerves in your body originate in the brain. These nerves extend down the spine and to all your organs. The job of your nervous system is to carry critical signals to your organs and back. If this function is compromised, so is your health.

Neuro Cranial Integration restores optimal signal transfer and function to your nerves and brain. With signal transfer and optimal functioning back on track, the body is then able to restore health and balance in all its aspects - structural/physical, mental and emotional.

It is often said that CSi "Triggers the Body's Reset Button.®" What this means is that it releases (in some cases, restarts) the natural healing ability of the body.

How does the brain affect my back pain?

Research shows that the spinal alignment and cranial bone alignment follow the alignment of the Dura Mater.

The major portion of the nervous system is protected by the cranium (the 22 bones of the skull) and the vertebral bones. However, the brain and the spinal cord are protected in a tough material called the dura mater (translated from the Latin to mean, "tough mother"). The dura mater is a membrane which acts as a durable sheath holding the brain hemispheres together and extending down the spine and body. It is attached to the skull; to the spine at the first two neck vertebra and to the sacrum or tailbone.

When the dura is misaligned/distorted it causes an uneven pull, causing distortions (twisting) of the skull, the spine and the entire nervous system.

How does it feel?

Neuro Cranial Integration takes contractions out of the body, re-balances the cranial bones, brain hemispheres and vertebrae, and leaves the patient with a feeling of release.

The treatment lasts only two to three minutes. There is no jerking, thrusting or popping. Most people feel a stretching sensation or release, and an immediate sense of change.

The procedure can be performed on infants to the elderly. Note: many cranial problems occur at birth, so corrections early on can prevent years of suffering.

"I feel this loosening all the way down my back now and for two days afterward," said Rich Campbell, bass player for the rock band, America. "I sing the high notes and the way to make that happen is to have the neck and the back relaxed."

What conditions do chiropractors treat?

Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches.

Is chiropractic treatment safe?

Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal complaints. Although chiropractic has an excellent safety record, no health treatment is completely free of potential adverse effects. The risks associated with chiropractic, however, are very small. Many patients feel immediate relief following chiropractic treatment, but some may experience mild soreness or aching, just as they do after some forms of exercise. Current literature shows that minor discomfort or soreness following spinal manipulation typically fades within 24 hours. Neck pain and some types of headaches are treated through precise cervical manipulation. Cervical manipulation, often called a neck adjustment, works to improve joint mobility in the neck, restoring range of motion and reducing muscle spasm, which helps relieve pressure and tension.

Neck manipulation is a remarkably safe procedure. While some reports have associated upper high-velocity neck manipulation with a certain kind of stroke, or vertebral artery dissection, there is not yet a clear understanding of the connection. The occurrence appears to be very rare-1 in 5.85 million manipulations- based on the clinical reports and scientific studies to date. If you are visiting your doctor of chiropractic with upper-neck pain or headache, be very specific about your symptoms. This will help your doctor of chiropractic offer the safest and most effective treatment, even if it involves referral to another health care provider.

It is important for patients to understand the risks associated with some of the most common treatments for musculoskeletal pain -- prescription and over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) -- as these treatments may carry risks significantly greater than those of chiropractic manipulation. According to a study from the American Journal of Gastroenterology, approximately one-third of all hospitalizations and deaths related to gastrointestinal bleeding can be attributed to the use of aspirin or NSAID painkillers like ibuprofen.

Is chiropractic treatment appropriate for children?

Yes, children can benefit from chiropractic care. Children are very physically active and experience many types of falls and blows from activities of daily living as well as from participating in sports. Injuries such as these may cause many symptoms including back and neck pain, stiffness, soreness or discomfort. Chiropractic care is always adapted to the individual patient. It is a highly skilled treatment, and in the case of children, very gentle.

What type of education and training do chiropractors have?

Chiropractors are educated as primary contact health care practitioners, with an emphasis on musculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment. Educational requirements for doctors of chiropractic are among the most stringent of any of the health care professions. The typical applicant at a chiropractic college has already acquired nearly four years of pre-medical undergraduate college education, including courses in biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, physics, psychology and related lab work. Once accepted into an accredited chiropractic college, the requirements become even more demanding - four to five academic years of professional study are the standard. Because of the hands-on nature of chiropractic, and the intricate adjusting techniques, a significant portion of time is spent in clinical training.

In total, the chiropractic curriculum includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical experience. The course of study is approved by an accrediting agency that is fully recognized by the U.S. Department of Education

How is a chiropractic adjustment performed?

Chiropractic adjustment or manipulation is a manual procedure that utilizes the highly refined skills developed during the intensive years of chiropractic education. The chiropractor typically uses his/her hands to manipulate the joints of the body, particularly the spine, in order to reduce pain, and restore or enhance joint function. Chiropractic manipulation is a highly controlled procedure that rarely causes discomfort. The chiropractor adapts the procedure to meet the specific needs of each patient. Patients often note positive changes in their symptoms immediately following treatment.

Is chiropractic treatment ongoing?

The hands-on nature of the chiropractic treatment is essentially what requires patients to visit the chiropractor a number of times. To be treated by a chiropractor, a patient needs to be in his or her office. In contrast, a course of treatment from medical doctors often involves a pre-established plan that is conducted at home (i.e. taking a course of antibiotics once a day for a couple of weeks). A chiropractor may provide acute, chronic, and/or preventive care thus making a certain number of visits sometimes necessary. Your doctor of chiropractic should tell you the extent of treatment recommended and how long you can expect it to last.

Why is there a popping sound when a joint is adjusted?

Adjustment of a joint may result in release of a gas bubble between the joints that makes a popping sound - it's exactly the same as when you "crack" your knuckles. The noise is caused by the change of pressure within the joint that results in gas bubbles being released. There is no pain involved.

* The above faqs are from the American Chiropractic Association website www.acatoday.org.