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Click here for and audio intro to Chiropractic Care.
 Chiropractic
care has been helping families for years. Many patients see
their chiropractic doctor as their family doctor. That's smart.
The cost of surgery is rising. The adverse reactions to drugs
are getting front-page news. Families want safe and natural
solutions. More and more are choosing chiropractic care first.
Family care can start from the very
beginning. Babies can benefit when their pregnant mothers
receive chiropractic care. During this period of weight gain and
hormonal changes, many mothers seek chiropractic care. They
often report easier births.
Newborns, infants and children can
benefit, too. The birth process may be the cause of our first
subluxation! Then, learning to walk, ride a bike or play sports
can produce so-called growing pains. Ignored, these problems can
worsen until they become more difficult to correct as an adult.
Car accidents, work injuries and the
stress and strains of our busy lives can produce subluxations.
Periodic chiropractic checkups can be helpful. Many patients
report more energy, vitality and better overall health.
Seniors enjoying an active retirement
stop by our office, too. Safe and natural chiropractic care
makes sense. They can see how the structure of the spine can
affect the nervous system and how their body works.
Regardless of your age or condition, a
better working spine and nervous system is good for your health.
Share your chiropractic experience with others by starting with
those you love.
Frequently Asked
Questions
How does chiropractic work?
Chiropractic works because you are a
self-healing, self-regulating organism controlled by your nervous system.
Millions of instructions flow from your brain, down the spinal cord, and out to
every organ and tissue. Signals sent back to the brain confirm if your body is
working right. Improper motion or position of the moving bones of the spine
called a "subluxation" can interfere with this vital exchange by irritating
nerves and compromising the function of affected organs and tissues. Specific
spinal adjustments can help improve mind/body communications. Health often
returns with improved nervous system control of the body.
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Do I have a slipped disc?
Between each pair of spinal bones is a disc.
Its fibrous outer ring holds in a jelly-like material. This soft center serves
as a “ball bearing” for joint movement. Because of the way a disc attaches to
the spinal bones above and below it, it can’t actually “slip.” However, a disc
can bulge. It can tear. It can herniate. It can thin. It can dry out. And it can
collapse. But it can’t slip.
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Do I have a pinched nerve?
 A pinched nerve is rare. It is more likely that an adjacent spinal bone
irritates, stretches, rubs or chafes a nerve. These "subluxations" distort the
nerve messages sent between the brain and the body. This can produce unhealthy
alterations to the organs and tissues connected by the affected nerves.
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How do you get subluxations?
There are three basic causes of subluxations. Physical causes could include
slips and falls, accidents, repetitive motions and improper lifting. Emotions,
such as grief, anger and fear can cause subluxations. Chemical causes could
include alcohol, drugs, pollution and poor diet.
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How do I know if I have a subluxation?
You can have subluxations and not even know it. Like the early stages of
tooth decay or cancer, subluxations can be present before warning signs appear.
The results of a thorough examination can show the location and severity of
subluxations you may have.
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 Can subluxations clear up on their own?
Sometimes. Today’s hectic lifestyles are a constant source of subluxations.
Fortunately, our bodies have the ability to self-correct many of these problems
as we bend and stretch, or when we sleep at night. When subluxations don’t
resolve, you need to see a chiropractic doctor!
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What’s an adjustment?
Chiropractic adjustments usually involve a quick thrust that helps add motion to
spinal joints that aren’t moving right. Some methods use the doctor’s hands, an
instrument, a special table, or the force of gravity. There are many ways to
adjust the spine.
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Are chiropractic adjustments safe?
Yes. A New Zealand government study found that adjustments are "remarkably
safe." By avoiding drugs and risky surgery, chiropractic care enjoys an
excellent track record. A thorough exam can identify the rare person for whom
chiropractic care might be unsuited. Compare the statistics. Adjustments are
safer than taking an over-the-counter pain reliever.
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Will adjustments make my spine too loose?
No. Only the spinal joints that are "locked up" receive adjustments. This allows
weakened muscles and ligaments to stabilize and heal.
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Can the bone move too much?
Highly unlikely. A chiropractic adjustment is special. It has the right amount
of energy, delivered to an exact spot, at a precise angle, at just the right
time. The intent is to get a "stuck" spinal joint moving again, helping reduce
nerve interference. Years of training, practice and experience make chiropractic
adjustments specific and safe.
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What makes the sound during the adjustment?
Lubricating fluids separate the bones of each spinal joint. Some adjusting
methods can produce a sound when the gas and fluids in the joint shift. It’s
much like opening a bottle of champagne or removing a suction cup. The sound is
interesting, but isn’t a guide to the quality or value of the adjustment.
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Are all patients adjusted the same way?
No. Each patient’s spine and care plan is unique. With 24 moving bones in the
spine (that can each move in seven different directions!) we see a wide variety
of spinal patterns. Each patient’s care is custom tailored for their age,
condition and health goals.
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 Can I adjust myself?
No. Some people can make their joints "pop" but that’s not an adjustment! Worse,
damage can occur by mobilizing a joint with weakened muscles and ligaments.
Adjustments are specific and take years to master. Even your chiropractic doctor
must consult a colleague to benefit from chiropractic care.
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How many adjustments will I need?
The number of adjustments varies with each patient and their individual health
goals. Many patients sense progress within a week or two of frequent visits.
Visits become less often as your spine stabilizes. In chronic cases, complete
healing can take months or even years.
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Why do newborns get adjustments?
Even today’s "natural" childbirth methods can affect an infant’s spine.
Preliminary studies suggested that colic, unusual crying, poor appetite, ear
infections or erratic sleeping habits can be signs of spinal distress. Pediatric
adjustments are gentle. Knowing exactly where to adjust, the doctor applies no
more pressure than you’d use to test the ripeness of a tomato.
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Can I have chiropractic care after back surgery?
Yes. Rest assured that your chiropractic doctor will avoid the surgically
modified areas of your spine. Surgery often causes instability above or below
the involved level. These areas will be the focus of your chiropractic care.
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Can patients with osteoporosis get chiropractic care?
Of course. When developing a care plan, your chiropractic doctor considers the
unique circumstances of each patient. There are many ways to adjust the spine.
The method selected will be best suited to your age, size and health.
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How long until I’ll feel better?
Some patients experience almost instant relief. Others discover it can take many
weeks or months. Many factors can affect the healing process. How long have you
had your problem? Are you keeping your appointments? Are you getting the proper
rest, exercise and nutrition? Do you smoke? Are you in otherwise good condition?
Within a short period of time most patients sense enough progress to fully
complete their doctor’s recommendations.
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How long will I need chiropractic care?
After patients get the relief they want, many choose to continue with some type
of periodic care. These patients show up for their visits feeling great. These
visits can help support the final stages of healing and help detect and resolve
new problems before they become serious. Our job is to offer the very best care
and your job is to decide how much of it you want.
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Will I receive any medication for my pain?
No. Chiropractic doctors don’t dispense drugs. Because we rely on natural
methods, we can show you how to use ice to control painful symptoms. When
properly applied, ice can have an analgesic effect without the side effects of
pain medications.
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Why don’t medical practitioners and chiropractic doctors
get along?
That’s changing. Years of prejudice and bias are giving way to research showing
the benefits of chiropractic care. Attitudes are slow to change. However, as the
public demands alternatives to drugs and surgery, more and more medical
practitioners are referring their patients to our office.
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What if my policy doesn’t cover chiropractic?
Your health affects everything you do and everyone you know. It is your most
valuable possession. Yet, each of us is free to place a different value on our
health. It’s convenient when an insurance company or third party helps pay the
bill. But be careful! Don’t allow the profit motive of a huge corporation to
make the decision for you. Find out how we make chiropractic care affordable for
just about anyone.
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Will I ever be normal again?
Patient results vary. Many report improved spinal curves and the total
resumption of their life. Those who have neglected or delayed seeking care often
see slower progress. After improvement, many patients discover that periodic
chiropractic checkups can help avoid a relapse.
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What if chiropractic doesn’t work?
If we’re unable to find and correct the cause of your particular health problem,
we will refer to other specialists who may be able to help. Your health is our
only goal.
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If you have questions we haven’t answered here, please call.
We know that the more you learn about chiropractic, the better it looks. It’s
safe. It’s natural. And it works. It’s a simple idea that has stood the test of
time and helped millions enjoy relief and better health.
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