The Backbone of Saporito Chiropractic!
At Saporito Chiropractic patient care is our priority! Our team of caring, experienced and knowledgeable providers stand ready to assist you on the road to a speedy recovery. Both Drs. Saporito and Shepherd are board certified and are members of the American Chiropractic Association.
Richard Saporito DC, DABCO – Chiropractic Orthopedist
Dr. Saporito has 31 years of practice experience. He is a graduate of the New York Chiropractic College and a diplomate of the American Board of Chiropractic Orthopedists. Dr. Saporito is an associate professor of Clinical Sciences at The University of Bridgeport College of Chiropractic, where he also teaches courses in Biomechanics and Physiotherapy.
Davia Shepherd MS, DC – Chiropractor and Clinical Nutritionist
Davia Shepherd D.C. received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from The University of the West Indies. Following her undergraduate education, she pursued a Master of Sciences degree in Pharmacology also at the University of the West Indies. She is a suma cum lade graduate of the Nutrition Institute of the University of Bridgeport and holds a Master of Sciences in Nutrition and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from The University of Bridgeport. She has over 12 years of experience working in health care.
Excerpt from an interview with Dr. Shepherd
Interviewer: Dr. Shepherd, what qualifies you to treat patients with pain, why should they come to see you?
Dr Shepherd: To better answer this question please allow me to share with you a defining moment that brought me to chiropractic.
From as long as I can remember I always knew I was destined for healthcare but being a chiropractor is a second career for me. I started out early on thinking just like I imagine most pharmacologists think, that I was going to be a super hero and develop a super-drug that cured something huge! Over the years though, I learned that about 80% of chronic conditions can be managed with lifestyle interventions. The more I spent time with actual patients, real people with real concerns, what stood out for me was that many of them (not all but many,) didn’t seem to need a new super drug at all. In my opinion, most needed to learn how changing their lifestyles would influence their condition and they wanted the tools to help themselves. I would have to say the search for a holistic solution started there. I did my research and found out that chiropractors are the #1 holistic health care providers in the USA. I’d also heard plenty about how wonderful chiropractors were. Personally, my chiropractors helped me survive severe pelvic pain during pregnancy. I finally came home one day and told my husband that I wanted to quit my well paying job to go back to school for yet another 4 years to be a chiropractor.
Back in 2006 I quit my very well paying job after being in my field for over 10 years. Going back to school as a mature student posed its own challenges but I can truly say it was worth every moment. Chiropractic school proved to me that there is a growing movement of people who are willing to try more conservative options to care before pulling out the heavy hitters – the drugs, the surgery. Choosing my specialty was easy. Clinical nutrition: helping patients to live healthier lives and treat chronic conditions through nutrition therapy – well that was a no brainer for me, that’s what I had wanted all along! I have since made a commitment to dedicate the rest of my professional life to helping people realize that, they can live healthier pain free lives. And in this age of improper use of narcotic pain relievers, I offer patients an option for pain relief that is efficacious and 100% natural.
Who are Chiropractors anyway?
Chiropractors are doctors who treat disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous system and their effects on overall health. They use manual medicine, no drugs and no surgery.
They are licensed in all states as physicians. Just like all other professionals (e.g. your optometrists, dentists MD’s DO’s etc) they train intensively for 4 years after an undergraduate degree, and then most spend between 2-5 years beyond chiropractic school pursuing a diplomate, residency, fellowship or other specialization or concentration.
So what kinds of conditions do they treat?
Mostly back pain, neck pain, some neuralgia, joint pain in legs and arms, headaches, whiplash, work and sports injuries, carpal tunnel, lifestyle diseases.
What does the research say about these Chiropractors though?
Lots of studies come to the same conclusion: ” Acute and chronic chiropractic patients experienced better outcomes in pain, functional disability and patient satisfaction than patients seen by other health care providers.” Journal of manipulative ans physiological therapeutics 2005. “[Chronic LBP better outcomes in one month than patients treated by PCP.]” JMPT 2000. “[Cervical manipulation showed significant improvement in… neck pain and dysfunction and headache.]” Duke evidence report 2001
What kind of craziness actually goes on in a Chiropractors office? What about this cracking of the back?
To treat pain and mobility issues chiropractors may mobilize joints (the spinal manipulation/ adjustment.) Some specially trained MD’s DO’s and PT’s offer this service too. Additionally Chiropractors may also use therapeutic modalities such as ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, thermotherapy, cold lasers etc. Treatment may also usually include soft tissue mobilization, rehabilitative exercises, ergonomic evaluation, orthotics, supports and some durable medical devices and nutritional and lifestyle interventions. On the first visit there is a physical examination. Where necessary standard diagnostic tools like imaging and blood work may be ordered. Where indicated patients may be referred to another provider for their management or co-management.
Ok that sounds fine but what about special populations and insurance coverage?
Children may see the chiropractor if needed, even infants benefit. We manage pregnant patients as well as elderly patients. Visits to a chiropractor are covered by medicare and almost all health insurance plans.
Is a chiropractic adjustment safe?
Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest, drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of headache, and neck and back pain. Prior to any adjustment it is imperative that a physical examination is performed to determine what type of adjustment is required. Adjustments (Spinal Manipulative Therapy) have an excellent safety record. However, no health treatment is completely free of potential adverse effects. Even common over-the-counter medicines carry a risk. Most patients experience immediate relief following an adjustment, however, some may experience temporary pain, stiffness or slight swelling. Some patients may also experience temporary dizziness, local numbness, or radiating pain. However, adverse effects associated with spinal adjustment are typically minor and short-lived.
I am not sure if I would like an adjustment, is that ok?
Part of the first chiropractic visit is the process of obtaining consent to treat you. Your chiropractor will explain the risks and benefits associated with treatment, and it is up to you to decide if you would still like to proceed. If you do not wish to receive an adjustment but still want treatment, there are alternatives to treatment such as mobilizations, which do not involve as much pressure and does not usually result in a cavitation (the ‘popping’ sound you hear, much like cracking your knuckles). The treatment you receive is entirely up to you, and your chiropractor will tailor the treatment to suit you and your specific needs.
Does chiropractic care require a referral from an MD?
Chiropractors are legislated as primary contact health professionals in the USA. This means that patients can consult them directly. However, chiropractors often work closely with medical doctors, many of whom refer to chiropractors when they believe chiropractic treatment will help alleviate a patient’s condition. Similarly, chiropractors frequently refer to medical doctors when necessary.
What is the risk with neck adjustment?
There is a rare risk of stroke or stroke-like symptoms associated with adjustment of the neck. Reports on the subject over the past 40 years present a range of estimates based on different research methodologies. However, all the published studies to date agree that the risk is extremely low. Overall, a ratio of one to two cases per one million neck adjustments represents a conservative and generally recognized estimate. There are many risk factors for stroke including blood clotting problems, hypertension, smoking, high cholesterol, use of birth control pills, heart problems, and trauma such as sports injuries or blows to the head from accident. All carry a greater degree of risk than spinal adjustment.
Do I have to have my neck adjusted?
No. After a thorough history and examination, your Chiropractor will discuss your treatment options with you. There are alternatives to neck adjustments that some people prefer. The risks associated with each type of treatment will also be discussed, allowing you to make an informed decision about your care.
Can chiropractic adjustments treat other ailments besides back pain?
There is some evidence to indicate that chiropractic adjustments may have a beneficial effect on a variety of conditions.
Can’t I just adjust myself?
Please do not. This may cause more damage. A joint manipulation is a specific and low force thrust that is applied in a specific direction to a particular joint(s). If you twist, turn or bend in a particular way then you might produce a similar popping noise but that does not mean that you adjusted yourself. By attempting to adjust, you could worsen your condition.
Is chiropractic safe while I’m pregnant?
YES! You are now not only caring for yourself but the life of your child. Pregnancy puts a lot of stress on a woman’s body creating nausea, vomiting, back pain, hip pain, etc. Getting adjusted throughout a pregnancy helps alleviate all these symptoms but the benefits don’t stop there. Getting regular chiropractic care during pregnancy has been shown to reduce labor time by up to 50%. There is also decreased likelihood for the need for drugs during delivery.
Should I get my child(ren) adjusted?
If you consider how a child grows in a womb and the birthing process, it is a very physically traumatic experience. In Germany there was a medical study that found that because of all this physical stress 82% of all children are born with subluxations in their neck. Later, another exam was performed on the same children and it was discovered that 96% of all health conditions in the children were eliminated after the children received chiropractic adjustments.
Can I get adjusted if I have had back surgery?
Absolutely. It is a sad fact that back surgery only has a 15% success rate and only 50% of spinal fusions are considered successful. Most also have to return for more surgery because the symptoms return within the first year post surgery. Chiropractic can help prevent one back surgery but has the potential to prevent continuous surgeries.
Once I start, do I need to keep coming for the rest of my life?
No. Contrary to some myths, chiropractic care is not addictive and, when delivered properly, does not create any physician dependence. Care is always optional and patients should choose whether or not to continue based on whether they are seeing tangible benefits. Additionally, good chiropractic care will include efforts to teach a patient how to improve work, home and sleep habits to reduce stress on the joints and connective tissues and lessen the need for treatment.