What is chiropractic? 

Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism, controlled by the brain, spinal cord and nerves of the body. The vertebrae, which protect the brain and nervous system, when misaligned or subluxated, cause malfunction of the tissues and organs throughout the body.

How does chiropractic work?

Chiropractic works by restoring your own natural ability to be healthy. By restoring spinal function with chiropractic adjustments, nerve interference by misaligned vertebrae is removed, thus allowing optimal nervous system function and normal health. The chiropractic objective is to locate these vertebral subluxations, analyze and deduce the gentlest way to correct them using a chiropractic adjustment. This releases the pressure on the spinal cord and nerves involved, restores healthy communication between the brain and the body. Renewed health is the natural result as the body returns to a more optimal state of performance. Your chiropractor will place their hands on the patient’s spine, directly over the subluxation, and apply a gentle direct force. This does not “put the bone back into place”; but rather unlocks jammed or fixated vertebrae and permits it to move toward its normal position.

Who needs chiropractic care?

Anyone who wants to have optimal health. Just like anyone with teeth should see a dentist, infants, children, seniors, and everyone with a spine should see a chiropractor.

Do chiropractors take a medical history?

Like MD’s, the chiropractor will take a detailed health history during the first visit, prior to initial treatment. This will include details on lifestyle and risk factors to give the chiropractor a full picture of the patient’s health in order to determine the best treatment. A detailed health history is important to rule out any contraindications and fully investigate risk factors before a diagnosis and treatment recommendation can be reached.

What is the difference between physicians and chiropractors?

They are different professions within the health care spectrum. Both chiropractors and physicians are legally entitled to use the title “doctor”. As the appellation MD means “Doctor of Medicine”, so DC means “Doctor of Chiropractic”. The role of chiropractic is complementary to other areas of primary health care. Chiropractic is not, for example, a replacement for medical care, but may offer an alternative to medication and surgery in appropriate circumstances. Recognition by health science that many illnesses of our modern society are lifestyle based has shown us that we, as individuals, can influence our own health and wellbeing. Many people, therefore, welcome chiropractic’s emphasis on healthy lifestyle and patient responsibility, as well as its help in improving the body’s functions and ability to fight off disease.

What is a subluxation? How do you get them?

Subluxation is a misalignment of the spinal bones that results in nerves getting choked or irritated and causes your body to malfunction. Subluxations have a multitude of causes. From the moment we are born we are subjected to a wide variety of physical, chemical and mental stressors. Other causes include poor sleeping habits, poor posture, strenuous exercise, sports injuries, stress, tension & anxiety, chemical exposure (i.e. drugs and medications), injuries at work, automobile accidents, and stumbles and falls.

How do I know if I have a subluxation?

You can have several minor subluxations but never know it. Like the early stages of tooth decay, heart disease, or cancer, subluxations can be present before warning signs appear. Your body only can sense 10% of any pain you have. So when you feel pain, your body is warning you that something is wrong, and the subluxation itself may have been there a long time. For example, you may feel pain in your back today, but after getting examined by a chiropractor you may see in your x-ray that you have had subluxations or damage since an injury occurred when you were younger.

Can subluxations clear up on their own?

The body is always trying to heal itself, but in today’s hectic lifestyles there is a constant source of subluxations. Fortunately, 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 themselves a chiropractor is needed to correct the subluxation and give the body a better chance to heal itself. Unfortunately, we cannot tell if we are subluxated by how we feel, we need to get checked regularly for subluxations by a chiropractor.

What is an adjustment?

Chiropractic adjustments involve a gentle but quick thrust that helps increase motion to spinal joints that aren’t moving correctly.  Some methods use the doctor’s hands, an instrument, a special table or the force of gravity. There are many ways to adjust the spine and they vary for infants to adults to seniors.

What is the sound I hear during an adjustment?

Lubricating fluids separate the bones of each spinal joint. Some adjusting methods can produce a sound when the gas (mostly nitrogen) 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.

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 skills that take years to master and only a licensed chiropractor can perform a specific chiropractic adjustment. Even your chiropractic doctor must consult a colleague to benefit from chiropractic care.

Does the chiropractic adjustment hurt?

Normally the adjustment not only is painless, but also can provide immediate relief. In cases of recent trauma or severe symptoms, there can be some discomfort due to inflammation. Occasionally, there is some mild soreness in the muscles after the first couple of adjustments. This is a similar feeling as if you just started a new workout program. Proper application of ice after the treatment helps to minimize this affect.

Are drugs or medications involved?

No. Chiropractic doctors don’t dispense drugs, because we rely on natural methods. Drugs and medications usually band-aid the symptom but don’t really help heal or fix the problem. There are also dangerous side effects with medications. That is where chiropractic comes in. Chiropractors find the source of your problem and work on helping your body to return to being able to repair itself.

Why do children need chiropractic care?

If you understand how we get subluxations, you will realize that it can take years to repair damage that you received as a child. So, if children are checked regularly further damage can be avoided and health maintained. Think of how many falls and bumps and stumbles children receive. Each can cause a subluxation that if not treated will only grow worse. A recent study reports that children under chiropractic care are healthier than other children, miss less school, are more attentive and have less need for medications. Children with conditions such as earaches, colic, bed wetting, scoliosis, “growing pains”, torticollis and asthma respond wonderfully to chiropractic care.

I have a teenager child. Should he/she visit a chiropractor?

Teenager’s bodies are growing at a rapid rate. This combined with the fact that teenagers often think they are invincible, sets them up for a wide range of physical problems. Imagine your teenager hearing from someone other than you the benefits of proper diet, exercise, posture, and other good lifestyle habits! With regular visits to your doctor of chiropractic, your child will have a body that is structurally and functionally sound and a head start on a life of good health.

Can I have chiropractic care after back surgery?

Yes. Rest assured that your chiropractic doctor 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 receive chiropractic care?

When developing a treatment plan, your chiropractic doctor considers the unique circumstances of each patient. There are many gentle 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?

Many patients experience almost instant relief. Others discover it can take days or even a few weeks. Many factors can affect the healing process. How long have you had your problem? Are you keeping your appointments? Are you getting the proper rest, exercise and nutrition you need? 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 chiropractic care?

Depending on the degree of damage in your spine there may be weeks to months to years of corrective care to correct the cause of the underlying muscle weakness, soft tissue damage, and degenerative changes. This is followed up by wellness or maintenance care. Similar to brushing teeth, tuning up your car or regularly visiting a dentist, wellness care is important for maintaining optimal health, saving money, and enjoying a healthy lifestyle. How long you decide to benefit from chiropractic is always up to you.

I’m feeling good, why should I visit a chiropractor?

Because feeling “good” is not the same as being healthy. Too many people who feel “good” have been told they had silent cancers growing within them, were close to a heart attack, or suddenly fell victim to a stroke. To ensure health you should make sure your spinal column and structural system are healthy. Clinical studies show that all age groups, from infants to the elderly, can benefit from chiropractic care.

How old should I be before receiving chiropractic care?

People of all ages are candidates for chiropractic care. Even babies can have subluxations due to the rigors of birth. In general, it is best to treat children’s subluxations early, as they can interfere with nerves that control developing muscles and organs. A rapidly developing spine and all other bones and joints of the body consist of cartilage growth centers that the bone grows from. Abnormal stresses on these growth plates can cause the bones to develop abnormally. With an early checkup, your chiropractor can detect these problems while they are easy to correct.

Do I need a referral to visit a chiropractor?

Absolutely not! A Doctor of Chiropractic is a primary contact provider, meaning you do not need a referral. If yours is not a chiropractic case, the doctor will refer you to the appropriate health care provider.