Frequently
asked questions about Chiropractic
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. 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.
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 chiropractor 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.
What do
Chiropractic Doctors do?
Helping to restore proper spinal biomechanics and improved
nervous system function begins with a case history. This gives your 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 examinations are explained and a plan
of chiropractic adjustments may be 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.
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.
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 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.
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. While visits
may seem similar, each patient’s care is uniquely different from every other
patient.
Can I Adjust
Myself?
Since 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, 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 chiropractic doctor. Even your
doctor must seek out the services of another colleague to help restore and
maintain proper spinal function.
Is Chiropractic
Care Safe?
In the words of the 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.
Can I Speed the
Healing Process?
While there are not any short cuts to speed your body’s
natural healing process, there is 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 are
overweight, now would be a good time to slim down and reduce unnecessary stress
to your spine.
Perhaps most important of all, keep your appointments and
follow your chiropractor’s recommendations for optimum results.
Am I Too Old
for Chiropractic Care?
More and more people are contacting chiropractic doctors,
especially in their later years. With growing concerns about over-medication and
the side effects of combining various prescription drugs, safe and natural
chiropractic care is growing in popularity.
Restoring better spinal function can help improve mobility,
vitality, endurance, and appetite. Many patients report improvements 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 than obvious.
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
them in tip-top shape. Those who are active, or have stressful jobs, or want to
be in their best health, find that a schedule of preventive visits are helpful
in the maintenance of good health.
Some patients seek chiropractic care only when their ache
or pain become 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.