Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we are asked most often about structural correction at Optimus Spine & Posture.
When do you take X-rays?
When imaging is clinically indicated, X-rays let us see the structural alignment of your spine objectively, measuring angles, how far segments have shifted (translation) and disc spacing to identify measurable structural findings. We image when it will meaningfully inform your care, not by default. Where X-rays are used, they are one input into the correction plan, read alongside the examination and posture findings, and they let us document change over time. When imaging is not indicated, posture and functional measurement provide the baseline instead.
What is structural correction?
Structural correction is a focused approach to chiropractic care. A structural correction chiropractor identifies measurable structural findings in your spine (what we call a Primary Condition) and develops a targeted plan to address them. Using objective measurements (posture analysis and, when clinically indicated, X-rays, including stress films taken while you bend), we create a personalized plan designed to move your spine toward its normal structural position.
How is this different from traditional chiropractic?
Much chiropractic care is organized around how you feel: reducing pain and improving mobility, which is a legitimate goal and sometimes all a person needs. Structural correction asks a different question: what is this spine measurably doing, and is that changing? We take measurements before, during and after care so you can see whether it is, similar to how an orthodontist tracks teeth over time. That is what structural correction chiropractic means here.
Can you help spondylolisthesis?
Dr. Bury evaluates spondylolisthesis and, where appropriate, treats it with structural correction and corrective traction. The examination measures the degree of vertebral slippage and, when clinically indicated, uses stress films (X-rays taken while bending forward and backward) to assess how stable the segment is. Recommendations depend on those findings, on your symptoms and function, and on Dr. Bury's clinical judgment. Repeat imaging is used only when clinically indicated. Results vary by case, and the New Patient Structural Examination is required to determine whether you are an appropriate candidate.
What is Anterior Head Syndrome?
Anterior Head Syndrome occurs when the head shifts forward relative to the shoulders. Research on forward head posture, the term used in studies for this shift, suggests it increases the load on the neck. This finding has been associated with neck pain and headaches, and some studies link it with disc changes over time, though association is not proof of cause. We measure it objectively and, where the examination shows it is relevant, address it through structural correction and posture rehabilitation.
How long does correction take?
Correction timelines depend on examination findings, diagnosis, severity, individual goals, response to care, and adherence to the recommended plan. Every patient is different, and we do not make blanket promises about timelines. We reassess regularly using objective measurements so you can track your structural progress over time.
Can exercises alone change cervical spine alignment?
Exercise matters: it builds the strength and endurance that hold a position, and it is part of most plans here. Two small controlled trials in our research library compared stretching alone with stretching plus corrective traction and measured the neck curve on X-ray. In both, the curve changed only in the groups that also received traction. Those two trials came from a single research group, tested stretching rather than every form of exercise, and describe groups rather than any one person. They do not show that exercise can never affect alignment. They do suggest that when the finding is a reduced cervical curve, exercise by itself may not be enough to change the curve, which is why we measure first and again during care. If the finding is muscular, exercise may be the main part of the plan.
How do chiropractors measure cervical lordosis?
On a standing side-view X-ray of the neck, taken only when clinically indicated, the curve is measured as an angle between the upper and lower neck vertebrae and compared with reference values, and the forward position of the head is measured in millimeters. Posture photographs measure the surface of the body, which is useful but not the same number. We use the same measurements at baseline and at reassessment so the comparison is like for like.
How is progress measured during structural correction?
Against your own baseline, at scheduled reassessments: the same posture and functional measurements, comparative X-rays only when clinically warranted, and your own report of function and symptoms. We separate the two kinds of change. A measured change in alignment is objective; feeling better is real but subjective, and either can occur without the other. We do not promise an outcome in advance, which is exactly why we measure.
Do you accept insurance?
Optimus Spine & Posture is primarily a direct-pay practice. We can provide an itemized superbill upon request for patients who wish to submit their expenses to their insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Reimbursement is not guaranteed and depends on the patient’s individual insurance plan, benefits, and coverage. We accept HSA and FSA payments. We do not bill insurance plans directly and we do not submit claims on your behalf, and Medicare in particular has specific coverage and billing limitations, so please ask us about your own situation rather than assuming a service is covered. Your initial structural consultation is complimentary. The comprehensive examination, any diagnostic imaging and treatment are paid services, and imaging is performed only when it is clinically warranted. Fees and the care we recommend are explained to you before you agree to anything.
What conditions do you evaluate?
Our approach is organized around measurable structural findings as well as symptoms. We identify structural factors that may contribute to a patient's condition. Patients commonly present with sciatica, migraines, neck pain, back pain, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis, disc injuries, stenosis, neuropathy, and whiplash injuries. Where a measurable structural finding is relevant to your symptoms, care is directed at that finding and progress is re-measured at scheduled examinations. Individual results vary based on diagnosis, severity, and adherence to care.
What should I expect on my first visit?
Your visit begins with a complimentary structural consultation, a conversation with Dr. Bury about your history, your goals, and whether this approach may be appropriate for you. There is no obligation to go further. The consultation does not include the comprehensive examination, diagnostic imaging or treatment. If you choose to proceed, the comprehensive examination is a paid service and may include orthopedic and neurological testing, an objective posture analysis measured in millimeters, and structural X-rays when clinically warranted. When appropriate, the consultation and examination can take place during the same visit. We then schedule a separate Patient Recommendation Conference, the visit where we explain what we found, what we recommend, and the proposed plan, including the fees, before you agree to anything.
Do I need a referral?
No referral is needed. You can schedule a complimentary structural consultation directly. We welcome patients who are seeking a different approach to their spinal health, whether they have tried other treatments before or are looking for objective, measurable care from the start.