Frequently Asked Questions

What is the focus of Dr. Matt Buffan & Rochester Spine & Sports Chiropractic?

Dr. Matt focuses on the diagnosis, conservative management and rehabilitative treatment of athletic, repetitive or overuse injuries. The goal is to identify your individual current health status and all of the factors relevant to any dysfunction, and then to treat each person according to their individual condition, goals, sport and lifestyle. Treatment is a blend of Active Release Techniques®, traditional chiropractic therapy, and physical rehabilitation. Wellness is provided by listening to one’s goals and educating on methods for that person to continue on a journey to improved health.

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic means “done by hand”. It is a licensed profession providing conservative healthcare in all 50 states. Treatment is performed using manual techniques to restore optimal function to the joints of the body. Chiropractors may also utilize rehabilitative procedures and provide lifestyle and/or nutritional counseling. Within this office Chiropractic provides all of the above as well as a means to educate patients regarding their health, why they may have developed symptoms, and a plan for allowing them to achieve their health & lifestyle goals.

What is Active Release Technique®(ART®)?

Active Release Technique® is a soft-tissue treatment that focuses on restoring the integrity of individual muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Many conditions are the result of scar tissue accumulation due to acute injuries, chronic postures, or repetitive use activities. Problems arise when the scar tissue accumulation is excessive and results in dysfunction. An ART® treatment is designed to break down the restrictive scar tissue in order to allow normal function and motion of the soft tissue structures.

What are the Benefits of Chiropractic?

Ability to perform life, sport, and daily activities without symptoms
Improved range of motion
Improved performance in athletic or occupational settings
Improved biomechanics, stability, and functional strength
Improved understanding of the role of Diet, Rest, Exercise, Alignment, Movement and Stress relief, to achieve health DREAMS

What makes Rochester Spine & Sports Chiropractic different?

Integrated approach within Natural Alternatives: the expertise of our diverse practitioners achieve our goal, which is to provide the best service to our clients and patients.
Treatment approach: A unique blend of ART®, traditional chiropractic therapy, and physical rehabilitation.
Test-Treat-Re-test model: Patients are re-assessed prior to, during, and after each treatment session to ensure effectiveness of the treatment and adjustments are made accordingly.
ART®. ART is the gold standard for soft-tissue and athletic injuries.
No passive modalities. Time in the office is spent identifying and treating dysfunction through manual methods.
Extremity conditions. The doctor enjoys evaluation and treatment of extremity conditions as they relate to your overall health.
Rehabilitation protocols - Easy to incorporate into your daily schedule.
Custom orthotics casting
Convenience: Clinic is located just outside of Rochester, between Penfield and Webster with easy access via Empire Blvd, Plank Road, as well as Routes 590 & 104 Natural Alternatives. Get Directions.

Chiropractic:

Is safe & gentle
Addresses anatomical imbalance in order to restore optimal function
Improves range of motion & recognition of how you use your body
Improves performance
Creates Healthy DREAMS (Diet, Rest, Exercise, Alignment, Movement and Stress relief)

Why Do People Seek Chiropractic care?

Sports injuries
Pain on movement
Numbness or tingling
Headaches
TMJ pain/ dysfunction
Golfer’s/ Tennis elbow
Carpal Tunnel syndrome
Plantar fasciitis
Shin Splints
Iliotibial (IT) Band Syndrome
Shoulder impingement syndrome
Rotator cuff syndrome
Achilles tendinopathy
Disc injuries
Mechanical Low Back or Neck pain
Postural re-education

Chiropractic provides care for all of the above as well as a means to educate patients regarding your health, why you may have developed symptoms, and a plan for allowing you to achieve your health & lifestyle goals.

What can I expect on my first visit?

The initial examination consists of a thorough history, a postural analysis, orthopedic & functional examination, diagnosis and treatment that usually lasts approximately 45 minutes. Subsequent visits are less than 30 minutes. You can download and complete forms from our website. Finally you can save time by verifying your insurance.

How Many Sessions are Needed?

Each case presentation depends on the nature and details of the complaint. Factors that determine your need are your individual ability to recover, your treatment goals, age, activity level (occupation, sport, daily living requirements), severity of the condition, length of time you have had the condition and adherence to the treatment and rehabilitation recommendations. Using a model in which reassessments are performed before and after every visit, we are both aware of the results of treatment. Usually 6-10 treatments will provide enough information to know whether we are making progress.

What services do you offer?

Active Release Techniques®
Chiropractic Adjustment or Manipulation Therapy
Treatment of Extremity conditions
Functional rehabilitative exercise
Custom orthotic casting
Postural analysis
Nutritional support
Sport specific exercise instruction and injury risk screening assessment
Training planning, seasonal or four year plan consultation for athletes, coaches & parents

Click here for full explanations of services.

How do overuse injuries occur?

Overuse injuries can result from repetitive athletic movements (running, golfing, biking, weightlifting), repetitive occupational demands, poor posture, or unresolved past injuries. Chronic soft-tissue stress (micro-trauma) can cause your body to produce tough, dense, scar tissue that alters normal movement patterns and joint function. Injuries then occur due to decreased range of motion, unequal distribution of stress on tissues, a lack of strength and pain. If a nerve is entrapped numbness, tingling and weakness may result.

What are the main components of an injury and how are they treated?

The body is an amazing dynamic machine. Many systems are interrelated in order to produce the activities of daily living and peak performance. Injuries typically involve components from the soft-tissue system (muscle, ligament, tendon, nerve), the skeletal/ joint system, and movement pattern dysfunctions. All components of an injury are equally important and must be assessed and addressed in order to completely resolve the condition. The nervous system constantly monitors the information received from all systems and also directs movement, stability and coordination, key components of any performance activity.

Soft-tissue dysfunction = Active Release Techniques®
Joint dysfunction = Chiropractic manipulative therapy
Movement pattern dysfunction = Rehabilitative exercise
Nervous system = Controls feel & function

What should I bring to my first appointment?

Any imaging such as X-rays, MRI, CT scans and their radiologist reports
Most recent laboratory/ bloodwork (if available)
Comfortable clothing, similar to exercise clothes(ie, shorts if you have a leg, lower body injury and a tank top if you have a shoulder problem)

Read our information for new patients.

I heard once you go to a chiropractor, you have to keep going?

Our goal is to treat you and your body to help you achieve your health goals. Ultimately our goal is to demonstrate the results you desire and empower you to move forward in a manner allowing you to have more tools to live in optimal health. Every six visits we will review your progress together.

I heard that Chiroprators only want to crack your back?

Our goal is to optimize your biomechanics. The spine is similar to a 26 member team, each individual segment and region(cervical, thoracic, lumbar) has an important role in creating movement, stability, and providing information to the nervous system. When members of the team do not perform their role an adjustment may be utilized to optimize spinal function. The adjustment is one of many powerful tools in a skilled doctor and manual therapist's toolbox.

Joint dysfunction = Chiropractic manipulative therapy
Soft-tissue dysfunction = Active Release Techniques®
Movement pattern dysfunction = Rehabilitative exercise
Nervous system = Controls feel & function

Do you take my insurance?

We are currently in-network with Excellus BC/BS, other regional BC/BS plans and Aetna health plans. All other health plans we are an out-of-network provider. We suggest all patients contact their insurance company to determine their benefits. Superbills and receipts are provided for easy reimbursement from your insurance carrier. Insurance Verification Form [PDF]

How Do I Schedule An Appointment?

Call Natural Alternatives at (585) 678-1362 or schedule your appointment online today to help your body Move Well. Live Well!