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.  Verbebral, meaning the bones of the spine.  Subluxation, 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.

 What is Chiropractic Technique?

Chiropractic Technique is any method of analyzing and adjusting (manipulating) the spine and extremities taught through an accredited chiropractic college.

How Does Chiropractic Work?

Chiropractic works because you are a self-healing, self regulating organism controlled by your nervous system.  Millions of instructions flow from your brain, down the spinal cord and out to every organ and tissue.  Signals sent back to the brain confirm if your body is working right.  Improper motion or position of the moving bones of the spine called a subluxation can interfere with this vital exchange by irritating nerves and compromising the function of affected organs and tissues.  Specific spinal adjustments can help improve mind/body communications.  Health often returns with improved nervous system control of the body.

Are Chiropractic Adjustments Safe?

Yes, A New Zealand government study found that adjustments are “remarkably safe.”  By avoiding drugs and risky surgery, chiropractic care enjoys an excellent track record.  A thorough exam can identify the rare person for whom chiropractic care might be unsuited.

Compare the statistics.  Adjustments are about 100 times safer than taking an over-the-counter pain reliever.

How Do You Get Sublxations?

There are three basic causes of subluxations.  Physical causes could include slips and falls, accidents, repetitive motions and improper lifting.  Emotions such as grief, anger and fear can cause subluxations.    Chemical causes could include alcohol, drugs, pollution and poor diet.

How Do I Know If I have a Subluxation?

You can have subluxations and not even know it.  Like the early stages of tooth decay or cancer, subluxations can be present before warning signs appear.  The results of a thorough examination can show the location and severity of subluxations you may have.

What’s An Adjustment?

Chiropractic adjustments usually involve a quick thrust that helps add motion to spinal joints that aren’t moving right.  Some methods use the doctor’s hands an insturment, a special table or the force of gravity.  There are many ways to adjust the spine.

What Makes the Sound During the Adjustment?

Lubricating fluids separate the bones of each spinal joint.  Some adjusting methods can produce a sound when the gas and fluids in the joint shift.  It’s much like opening a bottle of champagne or removing a suction cup.  The sound is interesting, but it isn’t a guide to the quality or value of the adjustment.

What Type of Education Do Chiropractic Doctors Get?

Doctors of Chiropractic are 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 ciurriculum prepares chiropractic doctors to locate the Vertebral Subluxation Complex and help correct the resulting nervous system dysfunction.

To graduate with the Doctor of Chiropractic degree, each candidate passed 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.

Do I Have a Slipped Disc?

The disc is a soft pulpy “shock absorber.”  It has a fibrous outer ring which holds in a jell-like material.  A “slipped disc” is a common way to refer to a wide variety of disc problems.  However, a disc can’t slip because of the way it attatches to the spinal bones above and below it.  A disc can bulge.  It can tear.  It can herniate.  It can thin.  It can dry out.  And it can collapse.  But it can’t slip.

Do I Have A Pinched Nerve?

A pinched nerve is rare.  It is more likely that an adjacent spinal bone irritates, stretches, rubs or chafes a nerve.  These subluxations distort the nerve messages sent between the brain and the body.  This can produce unhealthy alteration to the organs and tissues connected by the affected nerves.

Are All Patients Adjusted the Same Way?

No.  Each patients spine and care plan is unique.  With 24 moving bones in the spine, each of which can move in seven different directions, we see a wide variety of spinal patterns.  Each patients care is custom-tailored for their age, condition and health goals.

Can I Adjust Myself?

No.  Some people can make their joints “pop”, but that’s not an adjustment!  Worse, damage can occur by mobilizing a joint with weakened muscles and ligaments.  Adjustments are specific and take years to master.  Even your chiropractic doctor must consult a colleague to benefit from chiropractic care.

How Many Adjustments Will I Need?

The number of adjustments varies with each patient and their individual health goals.  Many patients sense progress within a week or two of frequent visits.  Visits become less often as your spine stabalizes.  In chronic cases, complete healing can take months or even years.

Why Do Children Need Chiropractic Care?

Since significant spinal trauma can occur at birth, many parents have their newborns checked for the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.  Learning to walk, ride a bicycle, and other childhood activities can cause spinal problems.  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 late in adults.  Naturally, chiropractic adjusting procedures are modified to a child’s spine.  Most parents report that their children enjoy their adjustments and seem healthier than other children.

Why Do Newborns Get Adjustments?

Even today’s “natural” childbirth methods can affect an infant’s spine.  Preliminary studies suggest that colic, unusual crying, poor appetite, ear infections or erratic sleeping habits can be signs of spinal distress.  Pediatric adjustments are gentle.  Knowing exactly where to adjust, the doctor applies no more pressure than you’d use to test the ripeness of a tomato.

Am I Too Old for Chiropractic Care?

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.

Can Subluxations Clear Up on Their Own?

Sometimes.  Today’s hectic lifestyles are a constant source of subluxations.  Our bodies have the ability to self-correct many of these problems as we bend and stretch, or when we sleep at night.  When subluxations don’t resolve, you need to see a chiropractor!

Can I Have Chiropractic Care After Back Surgery?

Yes.  Rest assured that your chiropractor will avoid the surgically modified areas of your spine.  Surgery often causes instability above or below the involved level.  These areas will be the focus of your chiropractic care.

Can Patients with Osteoporosis Get Chiropractic Care?

Of course.  When developing a care plan, your chiropractor considers the unique circumstances of each patient.  There are many ways to adjust the spine.  The method selected will be best suited to your age, size and condition.

How Long Until I’ll Feel Better?

Some patients experience almost instant relief.  Others discover it can take many weeks or months.  Many factors can affect the healing process.  How long have you had the problem?  Are you keeping your appointments?  Are you getting the proper rest, exercise and nutrition?  Do you smoke?  Are you in otherwise good condition?  Within a short period of time, most patients sense enough progress to fully carry out their doctor’s recommendations.

How Long Will I Need Chiropracti Care?

After patients get te relief they want, many choose to continue with some type of periodic care.  These patients show up for their visits feeling great.  These visits can help support the final stages of healing and help detect and resolve new problems before they become serious.  A chiropractors job is to offer the very best care and your job is to decide how much of it you want.

What If Chiropractic Doesn’t Work?

If a chiropractor is unable to find and correct the cause of your partricular health problem, they will refer you to other specialists who may be able to help.  You health is their primary goal.