FAQ's
What is Chiropractic and how does it work? Chiropractic is a non-drug, non-surgical approach to health care emphasizing joint mobility. Chiropractors follow the scientific approach to the body believing that the brain and its nerves control body functions; interference of this pathway causes a loss in function and could even cause pain and joint degeneration. Chiropractors focus their attention on the musculo-skeletal system using his/her hands to put a specific force into a joint. This “adjustment” reduces or relieves pain while increasing mobility, flexibility, and nervous system performance thus promoting optimal functioning of the body.
What is a Subluxation? A Subluxation, or the Vertebral Subluxation Complex, is a grouping of symptoms relating to the functionality of a joint and its surrounding nervous system. These symptoms may include: decreased joint mobility, nerve irritation, muscle weakness, inflammation, and/or pain. Over time, subluxations may lead to joint degeneration. Doctors of Chiropractic utilize touch palpation to find a subluxation. A patient may notice subluxated joints by mild swelling, reddening of the skin or presence of blemishes, restricted movement or mobility, and soreness or tenderness to that area. Subluxations are caused by traumas such as car wrecks or falls, poor posture, weak muscles with a lack of exercise, and even emotional stress. Subluxations are corrected through Chiropractic adjustments.
What is the “popping” sound and is it necessary for an effective adjustment? The adjustment occurs when a force is applied to one of the joints of the body. The force causes a slight movement within the joint creating a vacuum due to the change in pressure. The gas normally stored in the joint is instead released to the surrounding tissues resulting in the popping or cracking noise heard. The sound is not always present, nor is it necessary. Other conditions, such as swelling around the joint, may keep the sound from being heard at the time of an adjustment.
Will the adjustment hurt and what are the common side effects? Most people feel better following an adjustment, however, about 10% of people have related feeling of soreness a few hours later, or even the next day. Some also indicate discomfort or stiffness following an adjustment. All of these common symptoms are due to the fact that we are stretching muscles and moving joints that haven’t stretched or moved in that way for quite some time. These symptoms usually go away after the 3rd or 4th treatment.
How long will it take before I notice results? Typically, results occur within a few adjustments. However, depending on the source of the problem, these results may vary in progress. As an example, if you have had pain for years, it may take several adjustments for a noticeable change to occur. Yet, when treating a recent injury, the healing process is often quicker than normal.
Once I see a Chiropractor, do I have to go forever? You must remember one thing. This is YOUR health and the decision to continue treatment is always your own. Chiropractors make treatment plans for each patient based on that patients complaints and symptoms. After the initial problem is dealt with the D.C. may suggest Preventative or Wellness Care as often as once a week to once a month. Many patients feel the difference and notice the results from their chiropractic care; the choice to continue on a Preventative or Wellness Care plan is one way for a patient to keep from having as many problems in the future. One could think of it as a general maintenance check up much like that for your car or teeth.
Why would I see a Chiropractor if I’m not in pain? A Preventative or Wellness Care plan is designed to increase the patient’s overall health and potential through a properly functioning nervous system. If a patient is not in pain that doesn’t always mean that the body is functioning at its optimal level. Regular checks and adjustments may keep any future problems to a minimum.
What role do I play in my health care? Initially, the D.C. will adjust a patient allowing the necessary changes within the body to occur. However at some point it will transition into a dual partnership and the patient will need follow some recommendations to achieve optimal health. These recommendations include general and stabilizing exercises, postural changes, diet considerations, and could also include some recommendations on lifestyle such the cessation of smoking.
Can I adjust myself? Under NO circumstances should you or anyone without training adjust someone. Doctors of Chiropractic have spent years learning about the body and how it functions. Only trained professionals understand and can correctly perform the proper adjustments needed to correct subluxations.
Is Chiropractic safe for pregnant mothers and children? Chiropractic is very safe, even for pregnant mothers and children. Pregnant mothers normally experience body changes such as ligament laxity, shifting of weight, and hormonal imbalances These added stresses, both emotional and biomechanical, may be relieved through chiropractic adjustments. Children from the time of birth have traumatic events; this includes the birthing process as well as falls and collisions while learning to walk. Chiropractic adjustments can help restore function that is compromised due to such events. When adjusting children, especially those under the age of five, different techniques are utilized to ensure a safer treatment.
Can Chiropractic help for more than headaches and low back pain? Studies have shown that chiropractic care helps in many conditions. Migraine headaches, disc injuries, whiplash, traumas from falls are all common ailments that chiropractic can help that most people don’t know about.
What exactly is a slipped disc? The intervertebral disc, or simply the disc, is a special shock absorbing connective tissue between the vertebrae in the spine. Each disc is attached to the vertebrae both above and below. These attachments allow the disc to stretch or compress, in serious conditions the disc may tear, bulge out, or protrude from its origin. Therefore, a disc cannot actually slip but rather may become injured depending on what type of stress is occurring. The term “slipped disc” as inappropriate as it may be, is used to describe the tearing and/or herniation of the disc.
Are x-rays necessary? X-rays are not always necessary. Your D.C. will determine the necessity based on your situation. It is common for x-rays to be taken to rule out serious or suspicious conditions.
Do I need a Doctor’s referral to see a D.C.? Doctors of Chiropractic have an open door policy so under most circumstances no referral is needed. Some insurance companies will only accept insurance for a chiropractic treatment if a primary care provider on that policy referred the patient to the D.C.
What is Chiropractic’s role pre and post surgery? In some cases chiropractic can prevent or delay surgery until absolutely necessary. Chiropractic is ideal for most post surgical procedures as it helps restore proper joint functionality to compensating joints as well as helping improve healing.
What are the differences between D.C.s, D.O.s, and M.D.s? Doctors of Chiropractic are concerned with nerves and joints. Doctors of Osteopath are concerned with blood and Medical Doctors are concerned with diseases processes within the body.
Do Chiropractors work in conjunction with other health care professionals? Doctors of Chiropractic are nerve specialists and are trained to treat musculo-skeletal disorders. When a condition is discovered that the D.C. is not trained to treat, the D.C. will refer that patient out to the appropriate doctor or specialist to handle that condition.
What is Chiropractic and how does it work? Chiropractic is a non-drug, non-surgical approach to health care emphasizing joint mobility. Chiropractors follow the scientific approach to the body believing that the brain and its nerves control body functions; interference of this pathway causes a loss in function and could even cause pain and joint degeneration. Chiropractors focus their attention on the musculo-skeletal system using his/her hands to put a specific force into a joint. This “adjustment” reduces or relieves pain while increasing mobility, flexibility, and nervous system performance thus promoting optimal functioning of the body.
What is a Subluxation? A Subluxation, or the Vertebral Subluxation Complex, is a grouping of symptoms relating to the functionality of a joint and its surrounding nervous system. These symptoms may include: decreased joint mobility, nerve irritation, muscle weakness, inflammation, and/or pain. Over time, subluxations may lead to joint degeneration. Doctors of Chiropractic utilize touch palpation to find a subluxation. A patient may notice subluxated joints by mild swelling, reddening of the skin or presence of blemishes, restricted movement or mobility, and soreness or tenderness to that area. Subluxations are caused by traumas such as car wrecks or falls, poor posture, weak muscles with a lack of exercise, and even emotional stress. Subluxations are corrected through Chiropractic adjustments.
What is the “popping” sound and is it necessary for an effective adjustment? The adjustment occurs when a force is applied to one of the joints of the body. The force causes a slight movement within the joint creating a vacuum due to the change in pressure. The gas normally stored in the joint is instead released to the surrounding tissues resulting in the popping or cracking noise heard. The sound is not always present, nor is it necessary. Other conditions, such as swelling around the joint, may keep the sound from being heard at the time of an adjustment.
Will the adjustment hurt and what are the common side effects? Most people feel better following an adjustment, however, about 10% of people have related feeling of soreness a few hours later, or even the next day. Some also indicate discomfort or stiffness following an adjustment. All of these common symptoms are due to the fact that we are stretching muscles and moving joints that haven’t stretched or moved in that way for quite some time. These symptoms usually go away after the 3rd or 4th treatment.
How long will it take before I notice results? Typically, results occur within a few adjustments. However, depending on the source of the problem, these results may vary in progress. As an example, if you have had pain for years, it may take several adjustments for a noticeable change to occur. Yet, when treating a recent injury, the healing process is often quicker than normal.
Once I see a Chiropractor, do I have to go forever? You must remember one thing. This is YOUR health and the decision to continue treatment is always your own. Chiropractors make treatment plans for each patient based on that patients complaints and symptoms. After the initial problem is dealt with the D.C. may suggest Preventative or Wellness Care as often as once a week to once a month. Many patients feel the difference and notice the results from their chiropractic care; the choice to continue on a Preventative or Wellness Care plan is one way for a patient to keep from having as many problems in the future. One could think of it as a general maintenance check up much like that for your car or teeth.
Why would I see a Chiropractor if I’m not in pain? A Preventative or Wellness Care plan is designed to increase the patient’s overall health and potential through a properly functioning nervous system. If a patient is not in pain that doesn’t always mean that the body is functioning at its optimal level. Regular checks and adjustments may keep any future problems to a minimum.
What role do I play in my health care? Initially, the D.C. will adjust a patient allowing the necessary changes within the body to occur. However at some point it will transition into a dual partnership and the patient will need follow some recommendations to achieve optimal health. These recommendations include general and stabilizing exercises, postural changes, diet considerations, and could also include some recommendations on lifestyle such the cessation of smoking.
Can I adjust myself? Under NO circumstances should you or anyone without training adjust someone. Doctors of Chiropractic have spent years learning about the body and how it functions. Only trained professionals understand and can correctly perform the proper adjustments needed to correct subluxations.
Is Chiropractic safe for pregnant mothers and children? Chiropractic is very safe, even for pregnant mothers and children. Pregnant mothers normally experience body changes such as ligament laxity, shifting of weight, and hormonal imbalances These added stresses, both emotional and biomechanical, may be relieved through chiropractic adjustments. Children from the time of birth have traumatic events; this includes the birthing process as well as falls and collisions while learning to walk. Chiropractic adjustments can help restore function that is compromised due to such events. When adjusting children, especially those under the age of five, different techniques are utilized to ensure a safer treatment.
Can Chiropractic help for more than headaches and low back pain? Studies have shown that chiropractic care helps in many conditions. Migraine headaches, disc injuries, whiplash, traumas from falls are all common ailments that chiropractic can help that most people don’t know about.
What exactly is a slipped disc? The intervertebral disc, or simply the disc, is a special shock absorbing connective tissue between the vertebrae in the spine. Each disc is attached to the vertebrae both above and below. These attachments allow the disc to stretch or compress, in serious conditions the disc may tear, bulge out, or protrude from its origin. Therefore, a disc cannot actually slip but rather may become injured depending on what type of stress is occurring. The term “slipped disc” as inappropriate as it may be, is used to describe the tearing and/or herniation of the disc.
Are x-rays necessary? X-rays are not always necessary. Your D.C. will determine the necessity based on your situation. It is common for x-rays to be taken to rule out serious or suspicious conditions.
Do I need a Doctor’s referral to see a D.C.? Doctors of Chiropractic have an open door policy so under most circumstances no referral is needed. Some insurance companies will only accept insurance for a chiropractic treatment if a primary care provider on that policy referred the patient to the D.C.
What is Chiropractic’s role pre and post surgery? In some cases chiropractic can prevent or delay surgery until absolutely necessary. Chiropractic is ideal for most post surgical procedures as it helps restore proper joint functionality to compensating joints as well as helping improve healing.
What are the differences between D.C.s, D.O.s, and M.D.s? Doctors of Chiropractic are concerned with nerves and joints. Doctors of Osteopath are concerned with blood and Medical Doctors are concerned with diseases processes within the body.
Do Chiropractors work in conjunction with other health care professionals? Doctors of Chiropractic are nerve specialists and are trained to treat musculo-skeletal disorders. When a condition is discovered that the D.C. is not trained to treat, the D.C. will refer that patient out to the appropriate doctor or specialist to handle that condition.
Testimonials
Chiropractic care has eliminated problems for me that medications or surgery couldn’t eliminate.
–Kelly George