Q: What is chiropractic care?
A: Chiropractic is a natural method of health care that focuses on correcting the causes of poor health, rather than just treating 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 yoru nervous system. It controls feeling, movement, all function and helaing through your body. "A Healthy Spine Means A Healthier You!"
Q: How does chiropractic work?
A: Chiropractic works by restoring your body's inborn ability to heal. 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 and promote wellness. The chiropractic approach to better health is to locate and remove subluxations (misaligned vertebrae). With improved spinal function, there is improved nervous system function. The goal of the chiropractor is to remove interferences that may be impairing normal health through specific chiropractic adjustments, allowing the body to heal itself. A healthy spine and a healthy lifestyle are keys to optimal health!
Q: What type of education do chiropractic doctors receive?
A: Doctors of Chiropractic are well-educated. The average Chiropractor has a four year B.S. (Bachelor of Science) degree and a four year D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic) degree. 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 adjust the spine or correct vertebral subluxations. After graduating with a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree, each candidate passes the demanding four part National Board Examiinations. Then, doctors apply to a govenrmental or professsional licensing board and pass a still more difficult test before being granted the privilege to practice. A chiropractors's education, however, never ends. Most doctors completle regular postgraduate instruction for license renewal and to stay current on the latest research and adjustment techniques.
Q: What is a chiropractic adjustment?
A: A chiropractic adjustment is the art of using a specific force in a precise direction, applied to a spinal joint that is subluxated (misaligned out of position), locked, or not moving properly. The purpose of this safe and natural procedutre is to eliminate irritation to the nervous system improving spine and nerve function and overall health. "Spinal adjustments boost the body's immunity, make it function more normally, improve healing and promote wellness."
Q: Can I tell if I have a subluxation?
A: 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 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. Regular spinal checkups are always a good idea, and they promote good health from the inside.
Q: Do children need chiropractic care?
A: Absolutely. Since significant spinal trauma almost always occurs at birth, we recommend that every parent have their newborns immediately checked for vertebral subluxation. Naturally, chiropractic adjusting procedures are adapted for the child's spine. Many childhood and adult health problems can be traced to the spine. Health problems that emerge in adulthood could often be prevented by having a child's spine checked by a chiropractor early. Most parents report that their children enjoy their chiropractic adjustments and are far healthier than their peers. Q: Are all patients adjusted the same way?
A: No. The doctor evaluates ecah 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.
Q: Is chiropractic safe?
A: Yes. Chiropractic has an excellent safety record. It is the result of a conservative and natural approach to health that avoids invasive procedures of addictive drugs. As proof, one merely has to compare malpractice rates between chiropractors and other health care professionals. Chiropractors' malpractice premiums are a tiny fraction of those for medical doctors.
Q: What causes the sound during an adjustment?
A: Actually, adjustme ts do not always prodcue a sound. Often, however, adjustments do created the sound of a spinal "release", 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.
Q: Can I adjust myself?
A: No. Since a chiropractic adjustment is a specific force, applied in a specific direction to a specific joint, it is virutally impossible to adjust oneslef correctly and accurately. It is possible to turn or bend or twist certain ways to create a "popping" sound that sometimes accompanies a chiropractic adjustment. Unfortunately, this type of joint manipulation is usualy counterproductive, often making and lready unstable spine even more unstable, and can sometimes be dangerous. Adjusting the spine is not for amateurs. Q: Is chiropractic care addictive?
A: No. If only it were, there would be more healthy people around and chiropractors would not see 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, however, good health and feeling good is. Q: Can a person who has had back surgery see a chiropractor?
A: 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 prosepect of additional surgery. This too common occurrence is known as "Failed Back Surgery Syndrome," and 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. Q: Does chiropractic work for all types of health problems?
A: 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 and maintain an improved state of wellness. Q: Is it OK to see a chiropractor if I'm pregnant?
A: Any time is a good time for a better functioning nerve system. Pregnant mothers find that chiropractic adjustments improve their pregnancy, improves the baby's health and makes delivery easier for mother and baby. Adjusting methods are always adapted to a patient's size, weight, age, and condition of health. Q: What is the difference between a chiropractor and an osteopath?
A: Chiropractors base their care on the detection, correction, and prevention of vertebral subluxations (spinal misalignments). We use specific spinal adjustments to correct the spine, to improve nerve system function and reduce nerve interference. Osteopaths use drugs, surgery, and other traditional medical therapies and only occasional use manipulative procedures to treat pain. Q: Why do chiropractors take x-rays?
A: 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. X-rays can also provide a blueprint for correcting the spine back to optimal health and alignment. Q: Is a good workout the same as getting adjusted?
A: No. Exercise is an important part of good health, yet without normal spinal function a physical workout merely puts additional wear and tear on improperly functioning spinal joints. Q: Do you accept most insurance? Medicare?
A: Yes, although most insurances are limited in what they cover. We always reccommend that you have your spine checked first. At that time we can call on your insurance and see what they may contribute.
Q: Do you take on PIP care for Automobile injuries?
A: Yes.
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