FAQ

 

Frequently Asked Quesitons about Chiropractic Care

 

 What is chiropractic care?

There's nothing mysterious about chiropractic care. It's a natural method of health care that focuses on correcting the causes of physical problems, rather than just treating the symptoms. Chiropractic is based on a simple but powerful premise. With a normally functioning spine and healthy nerve system, your body is better able to heal itself. That's because your spine is the lifeline of your nervous system. It controls feeling, movement, and all function through your body.

 

Is chiropractic care safe?

Yes. Chiropractic care is an excellent safety record. It is the result of a conservatice and natural approach to health that avoids invasive procedures or addicitve drugs. As proof, one merely has to compare malpractice rates between chiroractors and other health care professionals. Chiropractor's malpractice premiums are a small fraction of those for medical doctors.

 

Why do chiropractors look to the spine for health problems?

Since its beginning, Chiropractic has been based on the scientific fact that the nervous system controls the function of every cell, tissue, organ and system of your body. Be it, wiggling your toe, digesting a meal, fighting off an infection or hitting a golf ball. It's your nervous system that coordinates and makes all this possible. Clearly, the nervous system is the master system of the body. Because of this, it is vitally important to our health.

 

What happens to the spine to cause health problems?

To understand this better let's review some of the components that make up the spine and nervous system.

Let's begin with the brain, which is the "computer" that drives your body and nervous system. It is such an important organ; it is surrounded by your skull for protection. Your brain constantly monitors the environment and coordinates all the functions of your body. It generates life sustaining nerve impulses that travel to all the areas of your body via your spinal cord.

Think of the spinal cord as the "superhighway" of the nervous system. It extends down from the base of the brain and is protected by 24 moving bones we call vertebra. Between each of the vertebra are the discs which act as "shock absorbers" to the spine and when healthy allow normal bending and turning. 

At times, however, for a variety of reasons, these bones can lose their normal motion and relationship with one another. when this happens, the spinal joints become swollen and areas of the nervous system can become irritated causing pain; muscle spasms and varity of health problems. 

Some examples of this would be: A person with a misalignment in their neck - may experience headaches, arm pain or numbness. A misalignment in their middle back - may cause mid-back pain or stomach problems. a misalignment in their lower back - may caise intestinal problems or pain down their leg.

My job as a chiropractor is to locate these misalignments or what we call "vertebral subluxations" and correct them. Once corrected, over time, normal nerve flow returns and the patient's halth and vitality is restored.

 

Do spinal adjustments hurt?

While it might seem logical to assume that if a joint hurts, moving bones would cause more pain, the reverse is often true. An adjustment is often like removing a heavy weight that has fallen on your toes. When the weight is removed there is often a feeling of instant relief. Most patients find the actual adjustment to be quite pleasant. Often there is an invigorating "aliveness" that is felt as the function and integrity of the spine is returned to a more normal state. In addition, our office utilizes gentle techniques such as torque-release using and activator.

 

What type of education do Doctors of Chiropractic receive?

Doctors of chiropractic are well-educated. Chiropractic education and medical education are similar in many respects and different in others because chiropractors fo not prescribe drugs or perform surgery, and medical doctors do not correct vertebral subluxations. After graduating with a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) Degreem each candidate passes the demanding four part National Board Examinations. 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 chiropractor's education, however, never ends. Most doctors complete regular postgraduate instruction for license renewal and to stay current  on the latest research and adjustment techniques. 

 

Can I tell if I have a subluxation?

Not always. A subluxation is like a dental cavity - you may have it for a long time before symptoms appear. That's why periodic spinal check-ups are so important. Although it may be possible to know you have a subluxation, it is rarely possible to be sure you don't. Regular spinal check-ups are always a good idea, and they promote good health from the inside out.

 

Is it okay to see a chiropractor if I'm pregnant?

Anytime is a good time for a better functioning nervous system. Pregnant mothers find that chiropractoc adjustments improve their pregnancy and make delivery easier for themselves and their baby.  Adjusting methods are always adapted to a patient's size, weight, age, and condition of health.

 

Do children need chiropractic care?

Since significant spinal trauma can occur at birth, many parents have their newborns immediately checked for vertebral subluxation. Naturally, chiropractic adjusting procedures are adapted for the child's spine. Many childhood health complaints that are brushed off can be traced to the spine. Health probelms that emerge in adulthood could often be prevented by having your children's spine checked by a chiropractor early. Most parents report that their children enjoy their chiropractic adjustments and are healthier than their peers. 

 

Does chiropractic work for all types of health problems?

No, however chiropractic care is successful with a very wide variety of health problems not necessarily considered "back" problems because of improved nerve system function. With a normal nerve supply the body's natural healing capacity can improve a variety of health problems.

 

Can a person who has had back surgery see a Chiropractor?

Yes. It's an unfortunate fact that up to half of those who had spinal surgery discover a return of their original symptoms months or years later. They then face the prospect of additional surgery. This too common occurrence is known as "Failed Back Surgery Syndrome". Chiropractic may help prevent repeated back surgeries. In fact, if chiropractic care is initially utilized back surgery can often be avoided in the first place.