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 health problems,
rather than just "covering up" 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 through 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 (subluxations, misaligned vertebrae) to your
nervous system. 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 art of using a specific force in a
precise direction, applied to a joint that is subluxated, "locked up,"
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.
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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 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.
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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.
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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 patients size, weight, age, and condition of
health.
Why do chiropractors take x-rays?
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 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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