A Doctor of Chiropractic is an expert in the field of treatment of structural or spinal injuries. After completing their undergraduate education, today's Doctors of Chiropractic receive an additional four years of post-graduate college education. Before starting practice they pass a rigorous National Board Education and meet stringent licensing requirements. To keep up with the latest research, doctors attend seminars, scientific symposia, and read professional journals.
Chiropractic works by restoring your 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 chiropractic doctor can help remove interference 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.
There have been many studies and reports in recent years supporting the use of chiropractic. Contact us for more information or resources that could help better answer any questions you have in regards to how effective chiropractic care can be.
Helping to restore proper spinal biomechanics and improved nervous system function begins with a case history. This gives the 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.
Generally a chiropractic adjustment does not hurt. However, there may be some minor short term discomfort that quickly passes or most patients. You will find that follow us treatments will be more pleasant. As symptoms improve you will begin to feel more at ease with your chiropractor.
Critics mislead by suggesting that adjustments to the neck can subject patients to unnatural stress or compromise blood supply to the brain. But if the spine were that fragile, people would fear bending over to tie their shoe laces or looking up to enjoy the evening sunset! Thousands will die this year from anesthesia or needless back surgeries. Thousands more will perish from common aspirin or destroy their kidneys from so-called "safe" pain medicines. Adverse reactions to prescription medication are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Meanwhile, the rare complications from chiropractic care can be counted on one hand!
Chiropractic has fewer risks than many other treatments. Serious side effects are extremely uncommon and research shows that chiropractic is one of the safest and most effective forms of treatment available. For more questions feel free to contact us for more information regarding treatments or your symptoms.
No, not any more than you would to see your dentist. As teeth can become unhealthy through neglect, so can your general health if misalignments are not corrected. Some people - after the initial problem is solved - return once a year or once a month, depending on how well they eat and exercise and how stressful their lives are. We are assuming they have not had any falls, sudden stops or intense stress to cause joint misalignments. Determining the length of how long chiropractic work would take place will involve many factors depending on your symptoms. Medical practitioners state that for back pain (most common reason people consult a chiropractor) spinal manipulation can help, especially if carried out within the first six weeks. The longer you wait to treat back injuries, the longer treatment will take. Your chiropractor will determine the length of your treatment and will show you ways and give you tips on how preventative care can be taken. Remember on going treatment is always beneficial in preventing future injuries and a key part to sustaining a healthy functioning body.
There are two main ways your chiropractor practices. One way is called "supportive care" which is to minimize the recurrence of your pain and the other is called "wellness care", where your chiropractor may wish to check you more frequently and explore with you further on how to maintain a healthy well-being.
Because of the fact that chiropractic focuses on the integrity of the nervous system, especially in relationship to the spine your whole family will benefit. Particularly if you have children involved in sports, by visiting a chiropractor you could help prevent your child from obtaining a serious injury.
No, you do not need to see your general provider, because referrals are not required before setting up an appointment with a chiropractor Comprehensive chiropractic training enables them to identify symptoms that may suggest chiropractic would be unsuitable treatment If other treatment is determined to be more beneficial, than a visit to your general provider should be made as soon as possible.
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 very common occurrence is known as "Failed Back Surgery Syndrome". Chiropractic may help prevent repeated operations.
In a majority of cases the answer is a resounding "YES".
Again your chiropractor has the training and experience to teat a wide variety of situations However, speaking to your general provider isn't a bad idea in regards to seeking chiropractic care.
After the break heals, yes. In fact, a broken bone forms a callus or bone scar when it heals that is stronger than the rest of the bone. This should dispel any concerns about the safety of an adjustment. People who have had broken bones need chiropractic checkups because accidents usually cause spinal subluxations.
Yes, most likely. By looking further into the injury your chiropractor will help eliminate the cause of your problems as well as improve the mechanics of your joints, muscles and the nerves supplying them.
Probably, your chiropractor has the training and experience to treat a wide variety of patients and you will receive appropriate treatment and adjustments specific to your condition, while areas not suitable for treatment will be avoided carefully. However, it is not a bad idea to speak to your general provider before obtaining treatment with a chiropractor. That way your doctor can communicate with your chiropractor about your situation so you and your baby can achieve a healthy well-being.
Certainly. There are verified instances of blind people recovering eyesight after a fall, and of individuals able to walk again after their wheelchair was thrown, and of amnesiacs who remember their past after receiving a trauma. These are all examples of "accidental adjustments". A visit to the chiropractor is a lot safer.
The 'pop' or 'crack' is simply the sound of bubbles of gas popping in the fluid of the joint as the pressure is released by the adjustment.
Unfortunately No! Chiropractic adjustments consist of a specific force, applied to a specific vertebrae (spinal bone) in a specific direction to help restore spinal alignment. It is impossible to achieve this when done by yourself. It may be possible to bend or twist in certain directions and elicit a popping sound, this non-specific movement never restores alignment properly, and can actually make an unstable area of the spine even more unstable. Please trust your health and your spine to the care of a licensed chiropractor.
Yes, chiropractors use x-rays and the decision to do so will be made during your consultation. The benefits of x-rays are your chiropractor will be able to better examine your bone structure and help treat your condition more closely and with more depth.
Osteoporosis happens when the amount of calcium in the bones (calcium gives bones strength) is very low and leaves them weak and very brittle where bones in turn then break easily. However, having osteoporosis doesn't mean that you will have a fracture/break, just means certain measure need to be taken to help improve well being. Your chiropractor will discuss with you your options as far a regarding your symptoms and condition.