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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chiropractic?
How Does Chiropractic Work?
What do Chiropractic Doctors Do?
What type of Education Do Chiropractic Doctors Get?
What
is an Adjustment?
Are All Patients Adjusted the Same Way?
Can I Adjust Myself?
Is Chiropractic Care Safe?
Can I Speed the Healing Process?
Do Children Need Chiropractic Care?
Am I Too Old for Chiropractic Care?
How Long Will I Need Chiropractic Care?
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is based on the
scientific fact that your body is a self-regulating, self-healing
organism. These important functions are controlled by the brain,
spinal cord and all the nerves of the body.
The skull protects the delicate
tissues of the brain. The moving bones of the spine protect the
vulnerable communication pathways of the spinal cord and nerve roots.
If the nervous system is impaired, it can cause malfunction of the tissues
and organs throughout the body. Doctors call this the Vertebral
Subluxation Complex. Vertebral, meaning the bones of the spine,
Subluxation, meaning less than a total dislocation, and Complex, meaning
consisting of more than one part.
Chiropractic is the science of
locating offending spinal structures, the art of reducing their impact to
the nervous system, and the philosophy of all things natural.
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How Does Chiropractic Work?
Chiropractic works by restoring
your own inborn ability to be healthy. When under the proper control
of your nervous system, all the cells, tissues and organs of your body are
designed to resist disease and ill health. The chiropractic approach
to better health is to locate and help remove interferences to your
natural state of being healthy.
A common interference to the
nervous system is the 24 moving bones of the spinal column. A loss
of normal motion or position of these bones can irritate or impair the
function of the nervous system. This can disrupt the transmission of
controlling nerve impulses.
With improved spinal function
there is often improved nervous system function. Your chiropractic
doctor can help remove interferences that may be impairing normal health.
Since the primary focus of your
care is improved nervous system function, chiropractic can have a positive
effect on many health conditions not normally thought of as "back"
problems.
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What Do Chiropractic Doctors Do?
Helping to restore proper
spinal biomechanics and improved nervous system function begins with a
case history. This gives the doctor a background about your health,
such as surgeries, accidents, the onset of your condition and other
details affecting your current health.
After reviewing your history
and discussing your specific problem, a thorough orthopedic, neurological
and chiropractic examination is performed. X-rays may be taken to
uncover structural and functional problems associated with the spinal
column. These examinations help identify areas of spinal malfunction
and resulting nervous system deficit.
The findings of these
examination are explained and a plan of chiropractic adjustments are
recommended. Progress is monitored with periodic examinations and
follow-up reports.
Since the word "doctor" comes
from the Latin word meaning teacher, regardless of your doctor's unique
clinical approach, he or she has a strong commitment to patient education.
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What type of Education Do Chiropractic Doctors Get?
Today's Doctor of Chiropractic is well-educated. The science of
chiropractic requires a special emphasis on anatomy, physiology,
pathology, neurology, biomechanics, X-ray, spinal adjusting techniques and
related subjects. This demanding curriculum prepares chiropractic
doctors to locate the Vertebral Subluxation Complex and help correct the
resulting nervous system dysfunction.
To graduate with a Doctor of
Chiropractic degree, each candidate passes the demanding National Board
Examination. Then, doctors apply to a governmental or professional
licensing board and pass a still more difficult test before being granted
the privilege to practice.
A chiropractic education never
ends. Most doctors complete postgraduate instruction for license
renewal and to stay current on the latest scientific research.
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What is an
Adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment is
the art of using a specific force in a precise direction, applied to a
joint that is fixated, "locked up," or not moving properly. This
adds motion to the joint, helping the bones gradually return to a more
normal position and motion. The purpose of this safe and natural
procedure is improved spinal function, improved nervous system function
and improved health.
There are many ways to
adjust the spine. Usually the doctor's hands or a specially designed
instrument delivers a brief and highly-accurate thrust. Some
adjusting methods are quick, whereas others require a slow and constant
pressure.
After years of training and
clinical experience, each chiropractic doctor becomes highly skilled in
the delivery of a variety of adjusting approaches.
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Are All
Patients Adjusted the Same Way?
The doctor evaluates each
patient's unique spinal problem and develops an individual course of care.
The resulting recommendations are based upon years of training and
experience.
Some patients who complain
of headaches may actually have a lower back problem that is causing a
compensation reaction at the base of the skull. Other patients may
be experiencing numbness and tingling in their fingers, when the actual
problem is in the neck. Every patient presents a uniquely different
spinal pattern.
Patients notice that their
chiropractic care is delivered with confidence and precision. Each
visit builds on the one before, and while visits may seem similar, each
patient's care is uniquely different from every other patient.
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Can I Adjust
Myself?
Since a chiropractic
adjustment is a specific force, applied in a specific direction, to a
specific spinal joint, it is virtually impossible to adjust oneself.
It is possible to turn or
bend or twist in certain ways to create a "popping" sound, like the sound
that sometimes accompanies a chiropractic adjustment. Unfortunately,
this type of joint manipulation is usually counterproductive, often making
an already unstable area of the spine even more unsteady. Adjusting
the spine is not for amateurs!
The best way to enjoy the
healthful benefits of chiropractic is to receive adjustments from a Doctor
of Chiropractic. Even your doctor must seek out the services of
another colleague to help restore and maintain proper spinal function.
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Is
Chiropractic Care Safe?
In the words of New Zealand
government's inquiry, chiropractic care is "remarkably safe."
Chiropractic has an
excellent safety record. It is the result of a conservative approach
to health that avoids invasive procedures or addictive drugs.
A thorough case history and
examination help reveal areas of the spine that may be causing nervous
system malfunction. This information will be used to determine the
best course of care for each patient.
Chiropractic care is a
natural approach to better health that is proven safe and effective.
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Can I Speed
the Healing Process?
While there aren't any
shortcuts to speed your body's natural healing process, there's a lot you
can do to give yourself the best chance of a quick recovery.
Learn proper sitting and
lifting methods. Specific exercises may be suggested to help retrain
the muscles that support your spine.
Proper rest is an important
aspect of the healing process, too. Get the appropriate amount of
rest your body needs and avoid sleeping on your stomach.
During the healing process,
proper nutrition is more important than ever. Make sure you eat
balanced meals, and if you're overweight, now would be a good time to slim
down and reduce unnecessary stresses to your spine.
Perhaps most important of
all, keep your appointments and follow your chiropractic doctor's
recommendations for optimum results.
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Do Children
Need Chiropractic Care?
Since significant spinal
trauma can occur at birth, many parents have their newborns checked for
the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Later, learning to walk,
ride a bicycle, and other childhood activities can cause spinal problems.
While a bandage and some comforting words can help a skinned knee, the
unseen damage to the child's spine is the unique domain of a chiropractic
doctor.
Many childhood health
complaints that are brushed off as "growing pains" can often be traced to
the spine. Regular chiropractic checkups can identify these problems
and help avoid many of the health complaints seen later in adults.
Naturally, chiropractic
adjusting procedures are modified to a child's spine. Most parents
report that their children enjoy their chiropractic adjustments and seem
healthier than other children.
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Am I Too Old
for Chiropractic Care?
More and more people are
consulting chiropractic doctors, especially in their later years.
With growing concerns about over-medication and the side effects of
combining various prescription drugs, safe, natural chiropractic care is
growing in popularity.
Restoring better spinal
function can help improve mobility, vitality, endurance and appetite.
Many patients report improvement with arthritic symptoms and other chronic
ailments often associated with the aging process.
The adjusting technique used
by your doctor will be modified for maximum comfort and results.
As we get older and wiser,
the simplicity and effectiveness of chiropractic care becomes more and
more obvious.
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How Long
Will I Need Chiropractic Care?
Spinal problems, neglected
since early childhood, may require ongoing supportive care for optimum
spinal function. These long-standing problems are often associated
with muscle weakness, soft tissue damage and degenerative changes to the
spine.
Most patients find that
periodic chiropractic checkups help keep them in tip-top shape.
Those who are active, have stressful jobs or want to be their very best,
find that a schedule of preventative care is helpful in the maintenance of
good health.
Some patients seek
chiropractic care only when their ache or pain becomes unbearable.
While this style of "crisis management" is usually more costly and
time-consuming, our office stands ready to help all patients, regardless
of their health goals.
How long you decide to
benefit from chiropractic care is always up to you.
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