Explore Our FAQs

A chiropractic adjustment is a procedure in which a trained specialist uses their hands or a small instrument to apply a controlled, sudden force to a spinal joint. Chiropractic is used primarily to treat pain conditions related to the human musculoskeletal system, ie. — your muscles, joints, and their function.

No! Chiropractic adjustments should not hurt. You might feel a “pop” during and some soreness after, but there is little to no pain involved during the actual treatment.

Chiropractic manipulation is a safe procedure when applied appropriately. There are some circumstances where it may not be advisable to have spinal or other joint manipulation. If you have a known connective tissue disorder with significant joint hypermobility, joint manipulation may not be an ideal intervention, and if it is used, the regions adjusted should be considered with caution. Advanced arthritic conditions, extremity weakness or functional deficits of the extremities or bowels/bladder, or sudden onset of “thunderclap” headache would be contraindications to undergoing spinal manipulation by a chiropractor or other trained healthcare provider. In these cases medical intervention is necessary.

Chiropractic can treat a range of issues such as:

— Pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, back, arms, etc.

— Migraines and tension headaches

— Sciatica

— Injuries and trauma

— Scoliosis

— Leg pain and nerve disorder

— Sports injuries and tendonitis

— Carpal tunnel

— Arthritis

— Fibromyalgia

Prenatal chiropractic care is safe. Dr. Pierce is Webster certified and has treated hundreds of women in the Newport Beach area experiencing pregnancy related back and hip pain, pelvic pain, headaches, sciatica and more. Prenatal chiropractors have the experience and confidence treated the pregnant patient. This is important to vet before choosing your chiropractor.

Each patient is individual, and therefore this question can’t be answered across the board! Much like a new exercise routine or physical therapy treatment, it takes several visits to create long-term change. That being said, with Dr. Pierce's approach to patient care, most patients do not require as many sessions as in a typical cycle of physical therapy, which could generally take 2-3 visits a week for 4-8 weeks.

The necessity of X-rays and other special imaging such as MRI, CT, diagnostic ultrasound, etc. will be determined on a case-by-case basis. If you have had any imaging studies performed it is requested that you bring the results of those studies to your first appointment at Dr. Pierce's office.

Based on your presenting complaints, history and examination, Dr. Pierce will determine if you require any special imaging and provide you with the appropriate prescription or referral.

After a chiropractic visit, you may feel a little sore in the areas treated, especially if it is the first time or if it has been a long time since your last adjustment. Sometimes the muscle manipulation/massage provided during treatment causes a little soreness as well. This soreness is likened to a post-workout soreness and usually only lasts a day or so. After this subsides you should feel better. A lot of people have no soreness and just feel great after their chiropractic treatments right away!

Educational requirements for doctors of chiropractic are among the most stringent of any of the health care professions. This extensive education prepares doctors of chiropractic to diagnose health care problems, treat the problems when they are within their scope of practice, and refer patients to other health care practitioners when appropriate.

Acupuncture involves inserting extremely thin needles into the body to stimulate sensory nerves in the skin and muscles. The needles rebalance the body’s energy or “qi” by stimulating acupoints along the 14 meridians (energy carrying channels) in the body. This stimulation prompts the body to release natural chemicals to fight illness and symptoms.

Pretty much everything! But to be more specific, acupuncture is used to treat a variety of different ailments and conditions such as:

— Arthritis

— Back, neck, muscle, and knee pain

— Headaches and migraines

— Insomnia

— Infertility

— Pregnancy discomfort

— Menopause, hot flashes, menstrual cramps

— Sports injuries

— Nerve discomfort

— Immune system disfunction

— Digestive disorders

— TMJ

— Vertigo

Yes! Acupuncture is very safe when practiced by a qualified practitioner. Disposable, sterile needles and clean needling protocols make the risk of infection negligible, and the only side effect after treatment might be a small bruise. Acupuncture, as practiced throughout North America, has one of the best safety records of any form of health care.

As far as pain goes, it isn’t painful at all. The extremely fine-gauge needles are about the width of a few human hairs. Acupuncture needles, unlike hypodermic needles, are neither hollow nor rigid, and the tip is shaped to increase the patient's comfort during insertion. Dr. Pierce's acupuncture patients often report that they don't even feel many of the needles!

Immediately after an acupuncture treatment, you may feel a little “out of it” or like you are floating. This is typical. It is encouraged that you move slowly at first and relax immediately after. It is typical to feel very relaxed the rest of the day after an acupuncture treatment and sleep especially well the first night after a session! You may feel a mild soreness at the site of some of the needle points, but this isn’t significant and usually dissipates quickly.

Much like chiropractic, every patient is different, as is reflected in each individual treatment strategy. Your amount of treatment depends on what you’re being treated for, as well as how long you’ve had the condition.

For patients seeking care for musculoskeletal pain, it is recommended that one to two visits per week are administered for at least two weeks. After assessing your reaction to treatment, additional visits will usually taper to less frequently from there.

For patients seeking treatment for internal medical conditions such as digestive issues, infertility, menstrual difficulty, anxiety/stress and insomnia — treatment is recommended twice a week for at least two weeks, with weekly visits recommended thereafter based on how you respond to treatment.

Dry Needling is a treatment technique where thin, filiform needles are inserted through the skin into pathological areas of the muscle known as "trigger points." They’re used to relieve myofascial pain and muscle spasm. The needles used are the same ones in traditional acupuncture therapy, and no medication is injected.

Dry needling is a safe and effective treatment for painful, stiff muscles that are causing functional issues. Restoring normal muscle tone through this “reset” improves how you feel and how you function. When performing dry needling, there may be a "twitch response" where the specific band of muscle involuntarily contracts as a reaction to insertion of the needle.

Acupuncture and dry needling share some similarities and some distinct differences. Both methods use solid needles. Dry needling is applied with different intention than acupuncture. Dry needling uses conventional orthopedic examination and historical findings to determine how and where treatment will be provided. Dry needling involves deep needling, with more manipulation or movement of the needle and is characterized by an involuntary twitch elicited in the muscle by the needles. The needles may be immediately removed or left in for 15-20 minutes. Electrical stimulation may also be applied.

Acupuncture is based in traditional Chinese medicine principles. Points along meridians are emphasized. There are techniques in Chinese medicine where non-meridian, tender points are used called “ashi” points. Acupuncture also uses needle manipulation and deep needling.

We strive to provide the best possible care, regardless of insurance coverage. We offer complementary insurance verification at your request and we take PPO plans based on coverage. If you do not have insurance or a participating HMO plan, you will be a “Cash Patient.”

Our cancellation policy is 24 hours. Any cancellations that are made outside of that period (or no-shows) will be charged a fee equal to the amount of the service booked.

Membership pricing applies to visits subsequent to the initial evaluation and treatment. Monthly dues will be charged on the same day each month that the membership begins, unless cancellation notice is received.

There is a three month commitment for memberships, and you can cancel any time after the three months are over. Please provide 14 days notice for all cancellations.

Members have 30 days to roll over unused sessions from each month.