What is Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic is the Science, Art and Philosophy that concerns itself with the restoration of good health by restoring and maintaining a properly functioning nervous system, without the use of drugs or surgery. 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. The Chiropractic adjustment has been proven to increase motion, increase circulation, reduce swelling and pain, and remove irritation to the nerves. Once this nerve irritation is removed, your body is able to do what it is designed to do - heal itself.

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 your spine in the normal alignment 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 other bodily function.

What type of education do chiropractic doctors receive?

Chiropractic education and medical education are similar in many respects and different in others because chiropractors do not prescribe drugs or perform surgery, and medical doctors do not correct vertebral subluxations or learn about biomechanics to the degree chiropractic doctors do. Most chiropractors have a four-year undergraduate degree including "pre-med", followed by a four year Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) Degree, demanding four part National Board Examinations, and a governmental licensing board before being granted the privilege to practice. A chiropractor's education, however, never ends. Doctors of chiropractic complete regular postgraduate instruction for license renewal and to stay current on the latest research and advances in the profession.

What is a chiropractic adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment is the art of using a specific force in a precise direction, applied to a joint that is not moving properly. The purpose of this procedure is to stimulate your nervous system, increase range of motion, reduce pain, and improve spinal function and overall health.

Can I tell if my spine is misaligned?

A spinal misalignment, also called a subluxation, is like a dental cavity you may have for a long time before symptoms appear. That's why periodic spinal checkups are so important. Although it may be possible to know you have a subluxation, it is rarely possible to be sure you don't.

Do children need chiropractic care?

Many childhood health complaints that are brushed off as "growing pains" can be traced to the spine. Having early chiropractic evaluations may prevent health problems that emerge in adulthood. Many parents report that their children enjoy their chiropractic adjustments and are healthier than their peers.

Are all patients adjusted the same way?

No. The doctor evaluates each patient's unique spinal problem and develops an individual course of care. Each chiropractic adjustment builds on the one before. The resulting recommendations are based upon years of training and experience. Each patient's care is uniquely different from every other patient.

Is Chiropractic Safe?

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

What is the popping sound I hear during adjustment?

Actually, adjustments do not always produce a sound. Often, however, adjustments do create a "cavitation" or "popping" sound. The sound is caused by gas rushing in to fill the partial vacuum created when the joints are slightly separated. This sound is painless and totally harmless.

Can I adjust myself?

No. Since a chiropractic adjustment is a specific force, applied in a specific direction to a specific joint, it is virtually impossible to adjust oneself correctly and accurately. It is possible to turn or bend or twist in certain ways to create a "popping" sound that sometimes accompanies a chiropractic adjustment. Unfortunately, this type of joint manipulation is usually counterproductive, often making an already unstable spine even unstable, and can sometimes be dangerous. Adjusting the spine is not for amateurs!

Is chiropractic care addictive?

No. If only it were, there would be more healthy people around and chiropractors would not get patients who last saw a chiropractor a few years ago when their back went out. It is possible to get used to feeling more balanced, less stressed, and more energetic as a result of regular chiropractic care. Chiropractic is not addictive; good health is.

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

Yes. It's an unfortunate fact that up to half of those who have 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.

Can chiropractic help all kinds of health problems?

Chiropractic care is successful with a very wide variety of health problems not necessarily considered "back" problems because of improved nerve system function. It is not a specific treatment for any conditions, besides correcting subluxations. But when you optimize the nerve supply the body's natural healing capacity may improve a variety of health problems.

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

Anytime is a good time for a better functioning nerve system. Pregnant mothers find that chiropractic 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.

Why do chiropractors take X-rays?

Chiropractors take X-rays to reveal the internal structure and alignment of the spine. We are also concerned about underlying disease processes and disorders of the spine such as spinal deterioration, arthritis of the spine, abnormal development, bone spurs, disc disorders, tumors and spinal curvature. Additionally, X-rays provide a blueprint for correcting the spine back to optimal health and alignment.