You’ve Got Neck Pain. We’ve Got Solutions.

Your neck (cervical spine) consists of 7 vertebrae (spinal bones), intervertebral discs, joints, muscles, ligaments and fascia (connective tissue). Dysfunction of any of these structures could lead to pain and discomfort. People commonly complain of neck pain—is there any doubt as to why? For many Americans, the routine is clearly set. Drive to work (tense the neck), sit in front of a computer for 8 hours (tense the neck), stress-out about work (tense the neck), drive home from work (tense the neck). A common cause of neck pain is tension and stress. Stress hormones can cause your muscle to get too tight (especially those muscles where the neck/shoulder meet and at the base of your skull–chances are good you know just what we’re talking about…). Or perhaps you are like 120,000 other Americans who (this year) suffered from whiplash following a motor vehicle accident.  Maybe your work or play requires you to engage in slumped or hunched over postures. Because most causes of neck pain are musculoskeletal, most cases of neck pain respond well to chiropractic.

With chiropractic adjustments (known as spinal manipulation), manual therapy (mobilization, myofascial release), gentle stretching procedures, muscle relaxation exercises, rehabilitative exercises and ergonomic/biomechanical advice we’ll give you all the tools you need to get rid of that pain in the neck!

Chiropractic and Neck Pain: What the Research Shows

Recently, the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010 Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders was established to review scientific research and create reports which would discuss the management of neck pain. This task force has reported that neck pain is a widespread condition which tends to recur. They indicate that there are many causes of neck pain, and that various factors may contribute to the onset of neck pain. Interestingly, the treatments recommended by the Neck Pain Task Force (for the common causes of neck pain) are offered at Lehigh Valley Chiropractic. These include manipulation (chiropractic adjustments), mobilization, manual therapy and education. Treatments that are unlikely to help the most common causes of neck pain include cervical collars, passive modalities (TENS, ultrasound, electric muscle stimulation), injections (like corticosteroid injection in the cervical facet joints), radiofrequency neurotomies (heating of nerves in the neck to decrease pain) and surgery. Lehigh Valley Chiropractic offers evidence based non-invasive alternatives that may provide you with relief.  Want more info? Head to our Chiropractic Research Page.

Is Chiropractic Safe and Effective for Treating Neck Pain?

In a study published in the British Medical Journal, the researchers concluded this: ” Manual therapy (mobilization/manipulation) is more effective and less costly than physiotherapy or care by a general practitioner for treating neck pain. Patients undergoing manual therapy recovered more quickly than those undergoing the other interventions.”

Time and again, chiropractic is shown to be a useful, safe and preferred method for treating neck pain without all those drugs, injections or surgery. At Lehigh Valley Chiropractic, spinal manipulation (chiropractic treatments/adjustments) is combined with additional types of manual (hands-on) therapy like trigger point work and myofascial therapy, and therapeutic exercise in order to provide you with the fastest results. Unlike most other treatment methods for neck pain (injections, medication, surgery), chiropractic is generally not associated with serious side effects. The most common side effect is a temporary increase in spinal pain. Most often, after the initial increase in discomfort is preceded with relief and increased range of motion. The doctors at this Bethlehem Chiropractic practice are highly trained and skilled in the art and science of chiropractic adjustments for the treatment of neck pain. Click here to learn more about the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic care.

References

1. Haldeman S, Carroll L, Cassidy D, Schubert J, Nygren A. The bone and joint decade 2000-2010 task force on neck pain and its associated disorders: executive summary. Spine. 15Feb 2008; 33(4S): S5-S7.
2. Korthals-de Bos et al (2003), British Medical Journal.

You’ve Got Questions. We’ve Got Answers.

One of the goals of Lehigh Valley Chiropractic is to educate and empower you with knowledge.
We want to provide you with information that will enable you to live well.

• What is chiropractic?
• What does D.C. stand for?
• What types of problems do Doctors of Chiropractic treat?
• What type of training do Doctors of Chiropractic receive?
• What types of additional training have the chiropractors at LVC received? 
• Will the chiropractors at LVC work with my other doctors?
• How many treatments will I need?
• What types of tests do chiropractors order?
• What is manipulation?
• What is mobilization?
• What is Active Release Technique®?

What is chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts that focuses on the neuromusculoskeletal system and promotes healthy living practices such as nutrition, exercise, stress management and lifestyle modifications.
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What does D.C. stand for?

Doctor of Chiropractic
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What types of problems do Doctors of Chiropractic treat?

As neuromusculoskeletal specialists, doctors of chiropractic treat non-surgical disorders of muscles, joints, discs or nerves. Conditions seen commonly in a chiropractors office include mid and low back pain, sciatica, sacroiliac dysfunction, radiculopathy, TMJ disorders, neck pain, headaches, migraines, pain related to pregnancy, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndromes, rib joint pain and dysfunction, thoracic outlet syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis, tennis/golfer elbow and shoulder pain.
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What type of training do Doctors of Chiropractic receive?

Doctors of Chiropractic often hold a bachelor’s degree in a science related field and must complete a pre-chiropractic program before applying to Chiropractic College. Standard chiropractic education is typically 4-5 years of intense graduate level academic and clinical training. Students are required to pass 4 national board exams and a physiotherapy exam prior to licensure. Chiropractors are licensed in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and in countries worldwide.
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What types of additional training have the chiropractors at LVC received?

Dr. Scott Bentson holds a M.S. (Masters of Science) degree from New Jersey Institute of Technology in Biomedical Engineering. Dr. Kristen Bentson holds a M.S. in Human Nutrition from the University of Bridgeport and has biofeedback training from Widener University. Drs. Scott and Kristen Bentson are additionally certified in Active Release Technique®.
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Will the chiropractors at LVC work with my other doctors?

The chiropractors at LVC want to be a part of your healthcare team. They will make every effort to coordinate your care. If your condition will not respond to the therapies offered at LVC, you will be referred.
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How many treatments will I need?

The chiropractors at LVC stress the importance of individualized care. There is no way to predict the number of visits that will enable you to achieve your healthcare goals. Please be assured that the chiropractors at LVC will make every effort to release you from care as quickly as possible. They hope to teach you strategies that will enable you to manage your condition through lifestyle modifications and exercise without being reliant on an outside source for relief. However, if at any time your condition returns and you unable to manage the symptoms on your own, you are welcome to schedule a visit, and we will make every effort to help you.
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What types of tests do chiropractors order?

Depending on your case, special tests such as MRI, CAT scan, X-ray, or blood work may be ordered.
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What is manipulation?

Manipulation (also referred to as a chiropractic adjustment) is often used when a patient presents with a painful joint that is not moving properly; this is commonly referred to as joint fixation. In this type of manual therapy, a joint is moved beyond a passive range of motion with the goal of restoring proper motion and decreasing pain. There are many techniques used when performing manipulation. Often, with this type of treatment, you will hear a cavitation which is a slight popping noise. This is a release of a gas within the joint as it is moved through a rapid range of motion.
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What is mobilization?

Mobilization is a type of manual therapy where a restricted joint is gently moved within its usual range of motion. Mobilization is often used when a patient presents with a painful joint that is not moving properly, a condition commonly referred to as joint fixation.
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What is Active Release Technique®?

Active Release Technique (ART) is a soft tissue technique that involves a gentle yet firm contact to a painful or injured tissue while it is moved either actively or passively through its full range of motion. There are specific protocols for muscle, fascia, many of body’s ligaments, and nerves designed to decrease pain and improve function. Conditions that commonly respond to ART include headache, back pain, neck pain, carpal tunnel, shoulder pain, knee pain, plantar fasciitis, and tennis elbow. Athletes and performing artists (dancer, actors, instrumentalists and singers) often perform repetitive movements which make them prone to muscle imbalances and repetitive stress injuries. ART is a unique system of treatment that provides for optimum performance whether on the field or center stage.
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There are two ways to pay.

Option 1 is Insurance:

We are in-network with (just about) all major insurance companies. If you have insurance and you’d like to use it, the LVC team will do our best to help you access your benefits. If we are not in network with your insurance, we will gladly submit an out-of-network claim on your behalf.

Here’s how our system works

When you call to schedule your first appointment, our front desk staff is trained to take down information that you will find on your insurance card (so, having it on-hand is helpful). As a courtesy, our insurance coordinator will call your insurance company and get all the information she can regarding your chiropractic benefits. She will then communicate back to you what she learns and provide you with a reference number from the call.

At the end of the day, you (not your insurance company) are ultimately the one financially responsible for the cost of your care. So, we’re going to ever so strongly suggest that you also call your insurance company to discuss and confirm your benefits.  We can’t make any kind of guarantee as to your coverage. Again, surprise packages = fun  |  surprise bills=not so fun. Trust us, we’re not looking to surprise you.

So here’s what you will probably need to pay for:

• Deductible: This is the amount of money that you are responsible to pay before your insurance benefits kick in. Generally, deductibles renew yearly (most of the time at the start of the year).
• Co-Payment/Co-Insurance: This is the amount of money that you are responsible to pay for your visit. This payment is in addition to the payment made by your insurance company.
• Maintenance Care: This is care that happens once you’ve reached (what we determine to be) your maximum improvement level or the end of your active care phase.
• Non-Covered Products & Services: Examples include — YouAnew Lifestyle Nutrition Programs and Products (like DVDs, KT Tape, Chiroflow Water Pillows, Biofreeze, Tiger Balm, etc)

Really Important Insurance Notes:

• Once you’ve reached a certain level of improvement, you will have the option to continue with maintenance care. You will be alerted to this transition prior to the end of your active care phase. Please be aware, maintenance care is almost never covered by insurance.
• We must perform an examination on every new patient. Some insurance carriers (like Medicare) do not cover the cost of this initial exam.
• Our treatment programs almost always include chiropractic adjustments (spinal manipulation), therapeutic exercise and manual therapy. It may be that your insurance covers adjustment but not therapeutic exercise. If this is the case, you are financially responsible for that part of your treatment program.
• Please note, certain insurances REQUIRE us to collect multiple co-payments (commonly seen with Highmark and other Blue Plans). This means that if you are seen for an examination and are treated with chiropractic adjustments and physiotherapy, 3 (yes, you heard us right) 3 copayments may have to be collected. (we don’t make the rules but we have to live by them).

Option 2 is Self-Pay:

We totally get it that you need care but are concerned about the cost.  If you don’t have insurance, you don’t want to use your insurance or have limited coverage, the LVC team does our best to keep care affordable. While surprises can be fun, unexpected bills aren’t. To find out how much you can expect your care to cost, please call and speak with a team member at 610-868-6800.

Our treatment programs are centered around chiropractic adjustments. Diversified adjustments and flexion-distraction are the most common types of chiropractic adjustment techniques we use at Lehigh Valley Chiropractic. Our focus is on delivering safe, effective, and gentle chiropractic treatments that will facilitate and promote healing.

To get you the best results, we generally find it is important to combine our chiropractic techniques with therapeutic exercise, manual type therapy (like Active Release Technique and myofascial release) and therapeutic exercises (both performed in the office and taught to you to be performed at home). Our chiropractors have been “full body” trained in Active Release Technique. Additionally, we’ll provide you with instructions, educational information and the option for ongoing maintenance treatments that will enable you to experience lasting long term relief from your back pain, neck pain, headaches, migraines, TMJ disorders, or injuries.

Because what you eat affects how you feel and how you heal, Dr. Kristen Bentson created the YouAnew Lifestyle Nutrition Program. When you change your meals, you can change your life. Feel better, look better, and have more energy with YouAnew. One-On-One Individualized Programs and 30 Days to YouAnew group classes are available at our Bethlehem PA office.

Bottom line–we will treat you the way you deserve to be treated. We will treat you like we would want someone to treat our mother or our son. We will listen to you, take your concerns to heart and do everything we can to get you the results you need to get out of pain and back to your life.

We achieve great results with our gentle and effective treatment approach. Learn more about the conditions that respond really well to our treatments.

-Dr Scott Bentson

Back Pain

Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Facet Joint Dysfunction/Arthritis of the Spine

Back Pain in Pregnancy

Spinal Stenosis

Neck Pain

Whiplash Injuries

Headaches

Tension Headaches

Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ)

Sports Injuries and other Injuries

Iliotibial Band Syndrome

Tennis/Golfer’s Elbow

Piriformis Syndrome

Shin Splints

Office Hours:

Office Info:

Located next to the Bethlehem Wegmans

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Meet Team Bentson

Lehigh Valley Chiropractic in Bethlehem Pennsylvania opened it’s doors in 2008 with the goal of providing superior chiropractic care in a comfortable setting. Our compassionate and professional team takes this mission to heart every day. We work hard to make your experience at Lehigh Valley Chiropractic fully therapeutic. We love Bethlehem and the people of the Lehigh Valley–-even more, we love keeping them active, out of pain and full of life. We want to see to see you get relief from your back pain, neck pain, headaches, and sports injuries.

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  Dr Scott Bentson

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  Dr Kristen Bentson

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Chiropractic Care

Doctors Scott and Kristen Bentson are Bethlehem chiropractors trained as non-surgical spine specialists and experts in the fields of back pain, neck pain, headaches and sports injuries. Through a gentle, safe and effective treatment approach including hands-on chiropractic care, physical medicine techniques, therapeutic procedures and muscle therapy, these chiropractors have the tools required to relieve your pain plus they will teach preventive techniques and provide maintenance chiropractic care to minimize set-backs.

Chiropractic and Conditions

If you are pregnant and suffering from back pain, if you’re an athlete with a repetitive stress injury that’s keeping you from performing at your best, if you’re dealing with a disc herniation or a bulging disc causing back pain or neck pain, if sciatica is your issue, if you’ve got tight iliotibial bands (IT bands) that are keeping you from running your farthest distance and fastest time, if you’ve got chronic back pain that keeps you from comfortably driving long distances, if you’ve got headaches, neck pain or migraines that just won’t resolve, if you’ve got jaw pain or temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), or you’ve got back or neck muscle tightness, we’ve got a chiropractic treatment solution made for you.