CHIROPRACTIC

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Click on any of the following questions to receive the answers.

My chiropractor prescribed a series of visits for me, why do I have to keep coming back?
How Does Chiropractic Work?
What is the "popping" noise sometimes heard during an adjustment?
What Do Chiropractic Doctors Do?
Do You Have A Pinched Nerve?
Do I Have A Slipped Disc?
What Is An Adjustment?
Are All Patients Adjusted The Same Way?
Can I Adjust Myself?

Question: My chiropractor prescribed a series of visits for me, why do I have to keep coming back?

Answer: Chiropractic care is to the spine what "orthodontics" is for the teeth. Clinically, repeated chiropractic adjustments retrain the vertebrae, muscles, and ligaments to maintain their proper alignment and range of motion. Just as the time required for braces to achieve correction depends on the condition of an individual's teeth and mouth structure, the time required for proper spinal alignment to occur depends on the condition of the individual patient's spine, as well as, other lifestyle factors like their job duties, hobbies, their posture, and many more.

Chiropractic results will vary. Some patients enjoy immediate results while others find that their recovery takes several months or longer. Some problems may have been around for years and only recently have become symptomatic. These long-standing problems are often associated with muscle weakness, soft tissue damage, and degenerative changes to the spine. It takes time and dedication to make changes to our bodies. "Health is a process, not an event!" Back to Top

Question: How Does Chiropractic Work?

Answer: Chiropractic works by restoring your own inborn (innate) 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 help remove interference to your nervous system, thus restoring a natural state of health to your body. Interference of the nervous system commonly occurs when you have misalignments of any of the 24 moving bones (vertebrae) of the spinal column, also called subluxations. Interference can also result from restricted motion of the vertebrae. These things can irritate or impair the function of the nervous system, which can disrupt the transmission of controlling nerve impulses.

With improved and/or corrected spinal function, there is often improved nervous system function. Your chiropractic doctor can help remove interference that may be impairing your health. Since the primary focus of your care is improved nervous system function, chiropractic can have a positive effect on many health conditions not normally thought of as "Back" problems. Back to Top

Question: What is the "popping" noise sometimes heard during an adjustment?

Answer: The "popping" or "cracking" noise is simply the release of gas from a joint when bones move, much like when you "pop" the cork out of a bottle of champagne or when you remove a suction cup from a window. Back to Top

Question: What Do Chiropractic Doctors Do?

Answer: Chiropractic doctors help restore proper spinal biomechanics and improve nervous system function within your body. This is accomplished by first beginning with an extensive case history. This gives the doctor a background about your health, such as surgeries, accidents, the onset of your condition and other details affecting your current health. After reviewing your history and discussing your specific problem, a thorough orthopedic, neurological and chiropractic examination are performed. X rays may be taken to uncover structural and functional problems associated with the spinal column.

These examinations help identify areas of spinal malfunction and resultant nervous system deficit. The findings of these examinations are explained to the patient and a plan of chiropractic adjustments may be recommended. Progress is monitored with periodic examinations and follow-up reports. Since the word "doctor" comes from the Latin word meaning teacher, regardless of your doctor's unique clinical approach, he or she has a strong commitment to patient education.
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Question: Do You Have A Pinched Nerve?

Answer: Many patients consult a chiropractic doctor because they think they have a pinched nerve. A "pinched nerve" diagnosis is a simple way to state a very complicated condition. Because of the way your spine is designed, abnormal spinal function caused from physical trauma, emotional tensions, or chemical toxins can affect the delicate tissues of the spinal cord and nerve roots. Nerves are then irritated (facilitative lesion). This is caused when nerve tissue is rubbed, scraped, or stretched by a loss of spinal curve, or irritated by malfunctioning spinal joints. Back to Top

Question: Do I Have A Slipped Disc?

Answer: The intervertebral disc is a pad of a 'cartilage-type' material situated between spinal bones. Each disc serves as a connector, spacer and shock absorber for the spine. A soft, jelly-like center is contained by outer layers of fibrous tissue. Healthy discs help allow normal turning and bending. Because of the way each disc is attached to the vertebrae above and below, a disc cannot "slip." However, trauma or injury to the spine can cause discs to tear, bulge, herniate or rupture. This can be quite painful, as the soft center of the disc leaks, putting pressure on the adjacent nerve roots and spinal cord. While results cannot be guaranteed, many patients have avoided needless surgery or a dependency on pain pills, by choosing chiropractic care for their disc related health problem. Back to Top

Question: What Is An Adjustment?

Answer: A chiropractic adjustment is the art of using a specific force in a precise direction, applied to a joint that is subluxated or not moving properly. This adjustment restores the proper motion to the joint, helping the bones gradually return to normal function and alignment. The adjustment also activates certain position and motion sensing nerves called "proprioceptors" and "mechanoreceptors" which are found in abundance in your spinal joints, your knees, and your feet and ankles. These nerves are very powerful and important to your survival. Without them you would have a hard time knowing which way was up or down and whether or not your hand was moving towards a hot stove or not! When these powerful nerves are activated by a chiropractic adjustment they can shut down or "reset" the nerves that are causing pain or muscle spasm. This is one reason why some patients experience immediate relief for certain conditions.

The overall purpose for the safe and natural procedure is improved spinal function, improved nervous system function, and improved health. There are many ways to adjust the spine. Usually the doctor's hands or a specially designed instrument delivers a gentle brief and highly-accurate thrust. Some adjusting methods are quick, whereas others require a slow and constant pressure. After years of training and clinical experience, each chiropractic doctor becomes highly skilled in the delivery of a variety of adjusting approaches, making chiropractic care safe and effective for the whole family. Back to Top

Question: Are All Patients Adjusted The Same Way?

Answer: The doctor evaluates each patient's unique spinal problem and develops an individual course of care. The resulting recommendations are based upon years of training and experience. Some patients, who complain of headaches, may actually have a lower back problem which is causing a compensatory reaction at the base of the skull. Other patients may be experiencing numbness and tingling in their fingers, when the actual problem is in the neck. Every patient presents a uniquely different spinal pattern. Patients notice that their chiropractic care is delivered with confidence and precision. Each visit builds on the one before. And while visits may seem similar, each patient's care is uniquely different from every other patient. Back to Top

Question: Can I Adjust Myself?

Answer: Since a chiropractic adjustment is a specific force, applied in a specific direction, to a specific spinal joint, it is virtually impossible to adjust oneself. It is possible to turn or bend or twist in certain ways to create a "popping" sound, like the sound that some times accompanies a chiropractic adjustment. Unfortunately, this type of joint manipulation is usually counterproductive, often making an already unstable area of the spine even more unsteady. Adjusting the spine is not for amateurs! The best way to enjoy the healthful benefits of chiropractic is to receive adjustments from a Doctor of Chiropractic. Even your doctor must seek out the services of another colleague to help restore and maintain proper spinal function. Back to Top

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