expert type icon EXPERT

Stephanie Morales

Chiropractor

Dr. Stephanie Morales is a chiropractor practicing in San Jose, CA. Dr. Morales specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions associated with the neuromusculoskeletal system, while improving each patients functionality and quality of life. Conditions treated include sciatica, neck pain, and arthritis pain, among many others. Dr. Morales seeks to reduce pain and discomfort through manipulation and adjustment of the spine.
5 years Experience
Stephanie Morales
  • San Jose, CA
  • Palmer Chiropractic West
  • Accepting new patients

Is physiotherapy good for back pain?

Hi there! Back pain can be from different structures that are injured. It would be best to get evaluated by a Chiropractor to figure that out; depending on what they find, READ MORE
Hi there!

Back pain can be from different structures that are injured. It would be best to get evaluated by a Chiropractor to figure that out; depending on what they find, the treatment plan will include adjustments and may include physiotherapy get you out of pain.
I hope this helped.

Sincerely,

Dr. Morales, D.C.

Can acupressure help with rheumatoid arthritis?

Hi there and thank you for the question! RA is a chronic inflammatory condition and there has been a recent article published citing that acupuncture can be helpful. I would advise READ MORE
Hi there and thank you for the question! RA is a chronic inflammatory condition and there has been a recent article published citing that acupuncture can be helpful. I would advise to get a consult with a licensed professional acupuncturist who works with inflammatory conditions.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

Sincerely,
Dr. Morales, D.C.

Can a chiropractor help with leg nerve pain?

Hi there and sorry to hear you are experiencing this pain. Yes, Chiropractic care is non-invasive, conservative care. It would be wise to bring in with you the different studies/reports READ MORE
Hi there and sorry to hear you are experiencing this pain. Yes, Chiropractic care is non-invasive, conservative care. It would be wise to bring in with you the different studies/reports you may have such as x-rays, MRI's, or CT's. Having these will allow the Chiropractor a chance to see the extent of any bony changes or tissue damage and will help in the treatment plan.

Thanks again and good luck!

Sincerely,
Dr. Morales, D.C.

How long does foot adjustment take?

Thanks for the question! Assuming there are no contraindications, bilateral foot adjustment would take about 5 minutes.

Sincerely,
Dr. Morales, D.C.

How do I know if my back injury is serious?

This is a beautiful question, but I need more information before answering definitively. I would be very concerned if you had any problems with the following: using the restroom READ MORE
This is a beautiful question, but I need more information before answering definitively. I would be very concerned if you had any problems with the following: using the restroom both peeing and bowel movements, numbness/tingling in the area or in your legs/feet, shooting pain going down to your legs/feet. These things are indicative of a possible disc injury. Please make an appointment with your local chiropractor to get evaluated.
I hope this helps and good luck!

Sincerely,

Dr. Morales, D.C.

Can you fully recover from a dislocated elbow?

Hi there, yes it's possible to fully recover, but it depends on the extent of nerve and muscle/tissue damage there is; an assessment of the nerves and muscles involved should be READ MORE
Hi there, yes it's possible to fully recover, but it depends on the extent of nerve and muscle/tissue damage there is; an assessment of the nerves and muscles involved should be done to get a baseline once it's re-located.

There is a small window of time we have to get the tissues to re-learn how they should function after a trauma such as a dislocation; we must take advantage of that. It's advised to not ONLY go to rehab/PT, but do the exercises they tell you to do both during and after you are discharged from the outpatient office. It's important to explain to the PT/OT the goals you have, the more specific the better!

I hope this was helpful and I wish you good luck on a full recovery!

Sincerely,
Dr. Morales, D.C.

Does hip arthritis require hip replacement?

Hip arthritis CAN require a hip replacement, that does not mean it will always mean that though. To determine the severity, it would be wise to bring your radiographs/X-rays and READ MORE
Hip arthritis CAN require a hip replacement, that does not mean it will always mean that though. To determine the severity, it would be wise to bring your radiographs/X-rays and the report to the chiropractor so they may explain the situation you are in and set you up with a treatment plan that will allow for maximum movement without creating more damage. The trick with arthritis is to keep the joints mobile because as time goes on without movement, the joints simply get more and more stiff, with the connective tissues acting as a kind of cast.
Thank you for the question, I hope it helped.

Sincerely,

Dr. Morales, D.C.

Do chiropractors work on fingers?

Hi and thanks for the question. Yes some chiropractors do work extremities. It would be useful to call ahead to the office you are thinking of visiting to make sure they'll be READ MORE
Hi and thanks for the question.

Yes some chiropractors do work extremities. It would be useful to call ahead to the office you are thinking of visiting to make sure they'll be able to help you specifically with your finger. Some chiropractors focus on the spine rather than extremities.

Sincerely,
Dr. Morales, D.C.

Can chiropractors make a herniated disc worse?

Hi there, there are instances where the adjustment is uncomfortable, however, that doesn't mean the disc was damaged further. Sometimes the joint needs an extra nudge to get in READ MORE
Hi there, there are instances where the adjustment is uncomfortable, however, that doesn't mean the disc was damaged further. Sometimes the joint needs an extra nudge to get in the correct position which leads to discomfort. I would like to see you go back if the pain persists to confirm if the disc is re-injured or if it's a symptom of something else. The doctor will inquire about the pattern of the discomfort both in timing of the day/postures and the physical pattern, meaning they'll ask you to trace the pain from beginning to end.

I hope this was helpful and that you are doing okay.

Sincerely,
Dr. Morales, D.C.

How do you professionally crack someone's back?

I would suggest to NOT adjust someone if you are not a trained Chiropractor. That is considered practicing medicine without a license. To know how to become a Chiropractor, I READ MORE
I would suggest to NOT adjust someone if you are not a trained Chiropractor. That is considered practicing medicine without a license.

To know how to become a Chiropractor, I would suggest taking a tour of a college you are interested in attending. They'll teach you everything you need to know.

Thank you,
Dr. Morales D.C.

Which treatment is best for tennis elbow?

Hi there! Tennis elbow is a muscle imbalance within the forearm musculature. Treatment would be based on which muscles are involved; your Chiropractor will give you exercises to READ MORE
Hi there! Tennis elbow is a muscle imbalance within the forearm musculature. Treatment would be based on which muscles are involved; your Chiropractor will give you exercises to do which will mitigate the discomfort, they may also perform soft tissue therapies. I hope this helps.

Sincerely,
Dr. Morales, D.C.

Is a chiropractor or physical therapist better for bad posture?

Great question! Physical Therapists are wonderful and are usually brought involved in the case of an acute injury to help retrain the muscle-groups involved. Posture is usually READ MORE
Great question! Physical Therapists are wonderful and are usually brought involved in the case of an acute injury to help retrain the muscle-groups involved. Posture is usually a chronic issue that develops over a lifetime of habit and possibly traumas. These habits take a period of time to correct. It would be advised to visit a Chiropractor for posture.

What is the best exercise for plantar fasciitis?

Hi there, There are a couple of exercises that can be done to improve this condition, however to determine which one, you need to get evaluated. The majority of people with this READ MORE
Hi there,

There are a couple of exercises that can be done to improve this condition, however to determine which one, you need to get evaluated. The majority of people with this condition recover with conservative care ie. adjustments of the ankle/foot, soft tissue therapy, and at home exercises.

Thank you for the question.

Sincerely,
Dr. Morales, D.C.

Why do my wrists pop when I roll them?

Hi thanks for the question. Usually that's indicative of using your arms and hands a lot, maybe you type a lot, or hold heavy things/postures for a long time; These postures will READ MORE
Hi thanks for the question. Usually that's indicative of using your arms and hands a lot, maybe you type a lot, or hold heavy things/postures for a long time; These postures will give you tension in the wrists due to the forearm tendons being tight. Assuming there is no pain associated with the popping noise, and that you aren't forcing any movement past what your wrist will allow, this is a typical response of the wrists.

If there are any symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or etc., it would be advised to see a Chiropractor for an evaluation.

Thanks again for the question.

Dr. Morales

I am having knee pain after dancing in heels. What should I do?

Hi there, thanks for the question. I recommend getting evaluated by a sports Chiropractor. There could be some muscle imbalances that need to be addressed. Sincerely, Dr. Morales, READ MORE
Hi there, thanks for the question. I recommend getting evaluated by a sports Chiropractor. There could be some muscle imbalances that need to be addressed.

Sincerely,
Dr. Morales, D.C.

Should I get a chiropractic adjustment if my back hurts?

Yes, please get evaluated by your local Chiropractor. Back pain can be more mechanical (alignment of bones) versus soft tissue (muscles). To understand further, they'll ask you READ MORE
Yes, please get evaluated by your local Chiropractor. Back pain can be more mechanical (alignment of bones) versus soft tissue (muscles). To understand further, they'll ask you questions such as, "when does the pain happen and how long does it last, what makes it feel better/worse, what are your daily activities, does the pain travel anywhere or does it stay locally,". These questions will help them understand where the pain is coming from and treat accordingly. I hope this helps!

Sincerely,
Dr. Morales, D.C.

Can you go to gym after chiropractor?

Yes! Thank you for the question. The best thing to do after an adjustment is to reinforce it by working out in the correct posture. The alignment is our part...the gym/working READ MORE
Yes! Thank you for the question. The best thing to do after an adjustment is to reinforce it by working out in the correct posture. The alignment is our part...the gym/working out/stretches etc. are yours. Keep up the good work!

Sincerely,
Dr. Morales, D.C.

Is it normal to have headaches after chiropractic adjustment?

Hi there, sorry to hear that you are experiencing headaches. I recommend going back to your Chiropractor to get reevaluated. This could be "simple" muscle tension that happens READ MORE
Hi there, sorry to hear that you are experiencing headaches. I recommend going back to your Chiropractor to get reevaluated. This could be "simple" muscle tension that happens when the tissues aren't relaxed enough and "fight" the adjustment, this can result in headaches/tension. I hope you are feeling better by now.

Sincerely,
Dr. Morales, D.C.

How do you sleep after a chiropractic adjustment?

That's a great question! Try your best to keep your spine as neutral as possible. I recommend for side-lying that you use a pillow in between your legs and arms in order to keep READ MORE
That's a great question! Try your best to keep your spine as neutral as possible. I recommend for side-lying that you use a pillow in between your legs and arms in order to keep your knees from touching and your elbows from touching- this will allow your hips and arms to experience less stress and your muscles to relax in a more neutral position. Additionally, in this same position, make sure that the pillow meets your head, instead of your head meeting the pillow - again this will aid in keeping your spine neutral and muscles relaxed. I hope this helps!

Sincerely,
Dr. Morales, D.C.

Should you go to the chiropractor before or after a massage?

This is a great question! There is no rule per se, but it is ideal to have a massage before seeing your Chiropractor. The reason being the muscles get so relaxed that the adjustments READ MORE
This is a great question! There is no rule per se, but it is ideal to have a massage before seeing your Chiropractor. The reason being the muscles get so relaxed that the adjustments are easier on both the patient and the Doctor.

Sincerely,
Dr. Morales, D.C.