What is chiropractic care?
There's nothing mysterious about chiropractic. It's a natural method of
health care that focuses on correcting the causes of physical problems,
rather than just treating the 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 your nervous system. It controls feeling, movement,
and all function throughout your body.
How does chiropractic work?
Chiropractic works by restoring your body's 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 remove interferences
to your nervous system. These areas of interference are called subluxations.
With improved spinal function, there is improved nervous system function.
The goal of the chiropractor is to remove interference that may be impairing
normal health through specific chiropractic adjustments, allowing your
body to heal itself. A healthy spine and a healthy lifestyle are your
keys to optimal health!
What type of education do chiropractic
doctors receive?
Doctors of Chiropractic are well-educated. 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 correct vertebral subluxations. After graduating with a
Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) Degree, each candidate passes the demanding
four part National Board Examinations. 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 chiropractor's education, however,
never ends. Most doctors complete regular postgraduate instruction for
license renewal and to stay current on the latest research and adjustment
techniques.
What is a chiropractic adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment is the artful use of a specific force applied
in a precise direction to a joint that is subluxated, or not moving properly.
The purpose of this safe and natural procedure is to eliminate interference
to the nervous system, improving spinal function and overall health. Gentle
spinal adjustments will boosts your body's immunity.
Can I tell if I have a subluxation?
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 out.
Do children need chiropractic
care?
Since significant spinal trauma can occur at birth, many parents have
their newborns immediately checked for vertebral subluxation. Naturally,
chiropractic adjusting procedures are adapted for the child's spine. Many
childhood health complaints that are brushed off can be traced to the
spine. Health problems that emerge in adulthood could often be prevented
by having your children's spine checked by a chiropractor early. Most
parents report that their children enjoy their chiropractic adjustments
and are healthier than their peers.
Are all patients adjusted the
same way?
No. The doctor evaluates each 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.
Is chiropractic safe?
Yes. Chiropractic has an excellent safety record. It is the result of
a conservative and natural approach to health that avoids invasive procedures
or addictive drugs. As proof, one merely has to compare malpractice rates
between chiropractors and other health care professionals. Chiropractors'
malpractice premiums are a small fraction of those for medical doctors.
What causes the sound during an
adjustment?
Actually, adjustments do not always produce a sound. Often, however, adjustments
do create 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.
Can I adjust myself?
No. Since a chiropractic adjustment is a specific force, applied in a
specific direction to a specific joint, it is virtually impossible to
adjust oneself correctly and accurately. It is possible to turn or bend
or twist in certain ways to create a "popping" sound that sometimes
accompanies a chiropractic adjustment. Unfortunately, this type of joint
manipulation is usually counterproductive, often making an already unstable
spine even more unstable, and can sometimes be dangerous. Adjusting the
spine is not for amateurs!
Is chiropractic care addictive?
No. If only it were, there would be more healthy people around and chiropractors
would not get 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 or regular chiropractic
care. Chiropractic is not addictive, however, good health is.
Can a person who had back surgery
see a chiropractor?
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 too common occurrence
is know as "Failed Back Surgery Syndrome." 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.
Does chiropractic work for all
types of health problems?
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.
Is it OK to see a chiropractor
if I'm pregnant?
Anytime is a good time for a better functioning nerve system. Pregnant
mothers find that chiropractic adjustments improve their pregnancy and
make delivery easier for themselves and their baby. Adjusting methods
are always adapted to a patient’s size, weight, age, and condition
of health.
What is the difference between
a chiropractor and an osteopath?
Chiropractors base their care on the detection correction, and prevention
of vertebral subluxations (spinal misalignments). Chiropractors use specific
spinal adjustments to correct the spine, to improve nerve system functions
and reduce nerve interference. Osteopaths use drugs, surgery, and other
traditional medical therapies and only use manipulative procedures to
increase joint flexibility.
Why do chiropractors take x-rays?
Chiropractors often 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 also provide a blueprint for correcting the spine
back to optimal health and alignment.
Is a good work-out the same as
getting adjusted?
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.
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