Adjustments Toward a Healthy Lifestyle

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Frequently Asked Questions
 
 



Q: What is Chiropractic?
A: Chiropractic is a natural, non-invasive and conservative means to healing based on the scientific fact that the nervous system is the primary control center of the body.  Since the spinal column protects the spinal cord and its nerve roots, chiropractic doctors seek out the spine as a cause for symptoms such as pain, stiffness, numbness and tingling.  Chiropractors treat these conditions using specific adjustment techniques in addition to therapy, at home recommendations, stretches and exercises.
Q: What is an Adjustment?
A: An adjustment is the precise application of force in a specific direction (also known as the "Line of Drive") on a joint fixation (also known as a subluxation or dysfunctional motor unit).  There are many different methods that combine these factors to adjust the spine.  These methods include the use of hands or spring-loaded instruments  to apply controlled thrusts or sustained pressure to the affected area.  Gradually, the affected structures will return to a more normal position, achieving the purpose of improved joint motion and function.
Q: Is Chiropractic Safe?
A: Yes. Chiropractic care is one of the safest choices you can make with regard to your health, no matter the age.  Though none of us would want to live in a world without prescription drugs or modern surgery, consider the facts:
  • Complications from non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - a group that includes prescription and non-prescription medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen - are responsible for 16,500 deaths each year, according to the New England Journal of Medicine.
  • A New Zealand government study concluded that chiropractic adjustments are "remarkably safe."  Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever is about 100 times more risky.
  • One overlooked indicator is the cost of malpractice insurance:  Without the risk involved in prescribing drugs or performing surgery, Chiropractic premiums are approximately 1/20th the price of MD premiums.

 

Over the course of a lifetime you are more likely to be struck by lightning (1 in 80,000) than to have permanent injury due to a chiropractic adjustment (1 in 400,000).

 
Q: Why does treatment require so many visits?
A: If you are like most people you wait until pain is nearly disabling before you decide to seek help.  Cases seen by chiropractors are usually the result of long-standing problems involving bones, muscles and ligaments.  Long-forgotten slips or falls, degenerative changes, daily activities and your general health can affect your recovery.  It is a complex interaction in which several tissues must be retrained- similar to the way braces work on teeth - and each visit builds on the previous one.  In reality, there are very few instances in healthcare where a single treatment will take care of the problem.  Think about a prescription from your medical doctor: Is there just one pill in the bottle?
Q: How Long Until I Feel Better?
A: There are several different factors that contribute to the success of a treatment plan, including the severity of the problem and the length of time it has been present. Each patient recovers at their own pace and most can sense enough progress to justify completing the recommended course of care.  Keeping appointments is a critical piece of the puzzle, as each visit builds on the previous ones.
Q: What is the First Visit Like?
A: Upon your first visit to the clinic, you will have to fill out paperwork describing your current health condition and your past medical history.  You can download the initial paperwork from our website to expedite the process.  The doctor will then ask a few questions about your current condition and answer any questions you may have.  Following the consultation, an exam will be performed and the doctor will determine if x-rays are necessary.  The treatment plan will be determined at the conclusion of this exam.
Q: Do Chiropractors Treat Conditions Other Than Back Pain?
A: Yes. Chiropractors provide effective treatment for all types of soft tissue disorders, extremity conditions (i.e. elbow, shoulder, ankle...) and headaches to name a few.  What you may not be aware of is our success in treating a number of non-soft tissue conditions such as dysmenorrhea (painful menses), ulcers, ear infections, and bed-wetting.  While we cannot claim to cure these conditions, it's believed that many of these problems can be mimicked, aggravated and sometimes caused by disruptions in the nervous system as a result of spinal abnormalities.  By correcting these abnormalities, chiropractic has helped countless individuals overcome their conditions and regain control of their lives.  A number of studies have supported these findings.  In one such study, spinal manipulative therapy was compared with standard medical treatments of duodenal ulcers.  The researchers Pikalov, MD and Kharin, MD found those subjects recieving spinal manipulations took an average of 16 days to heal vs. 26 days for the standard medical group.  (JMPT 1994; 17(5): 310-313)