Frequently Asked Questions:
- What is Chiropractic?
- How Does Chiropractic Work?
- How Can Chiropractic Help Me?
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a non-invasive, drug-free approach to health care. According to The Association of Chiropractic Colleges, "chiropractic is a health care discipline which emphasizes the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery. The practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health."
What this means is that a chiropractor will examine your spine or any other bone and joint in your body and determine if it is misaligned. If it is, it could be affecting the nerves in your body. Since every muscle and organ in the body is supplied by certain nerves, a decrease in that nerve flow could cause injury or pain to that muscle or organ. For example, it a bone is misaligned and it is pinching a nerve, even ever so slightly, you could feel pain in that area or the whole length of the area supplied by that particular nerve. That is why some conditions have pain that feels like it travels down the leg or the arm. To remove the pressure off that nerve, a chiropractor would adjust the bone that is misaligned. Although many patients feel better after one adjustment, it usually requires more than one visit to fix the problem. For example, if you had a tooth that was not straight, it would not take one visit at the orthodontist to fix that tooth. A misaligned tooth does not happen over night, and it does not take one visit to fix it. Chiropractic works much the same way. A misaligned bone in your body usually takes time in order to allow the body, including any bones/ligaments/tendons to re-adapt itself to a normal position.
What this means is that a chiropractor will examine your spine or any other bone and joint in your body and determine if it is misaligned. If it is, it could be affecting the nerves in your body. Since every muscle and organ in the body is supplied by certain nerves, a decrease in that nerve flow could cause injury or pain to that muscle or organ. For example, it a bone is misaligned and it is pinching a nerve, even ever so slightly, you could feel pain in that area or the whole length of the area supplied by that particular nerve. That is why some conditions have pain that feels like it travels down the leg or the arm. To remove the pressure off that nerve, a chiropractor would adjust the bone that is misaligned. Although many patients feel better after one adjustment, it usually requires more than one visit to fix the problem. For example, if you had a tooth that was not straight, it would not take one visit at the orthodontist to fix that tooth. A misaligned tooth does not happen over night, and it does not take one visit to fix it. Chiropractic works much the same way. A misaligned bone in your body usually takes time in order to allow the body, including any bones/ligaments/tendons to re-adapt itself to a normal position.
How Does Chiropractic Work?
We look at the whole picture
Like other health-care providers, we follow a standard routine to gain information about the patient. We consult, review the case history, conduct a physical examination, and we may request x-rays and/or laboratory analyses. Unlike other health-care providers, however, chiropractic physicians also conduct a careful analysis of the patient's spinal structure and pay particular attention to posture. We also consider many other aspects of your life— Do you eat well? Exercise at all? How do you deal with stress? Do you have children? What do you do for work? And so on. This information allows us to design the most personalized and effective care plan for each patient's unique condition.
We seek the origin of the problem
Using this information, a diagnosis is made. Included in the diagnosis is the probable reason for your pain or discomfort. It is important to note that chiropractors seek the origin of the illness in order to eliminate it-we do not simply treat the symptoms. If your roof is leaking, do you simply catch the drips in a bucket for years on end, or do you repair the roof to prevent it from leaking? Similarly, if the migraine headache you've had all week is being caused by spinal misalignment and an irritated nerve, do you continue to take pain killers indefinitely, or do you correct the abnormal spinal structure to prevent the pain? You get the picture. Chiropractors have a term for misalignments: Subluxations. A vertebral subluxation is a misalignment of the bones that protect the spinal cord. It's a leak in the roof. Or a kink in the wiring of your nervous system. The severity of the subluxation can vary, and there are a number of potential contributing factors that can be physical, emotional, mental or chemical. The subluxation can be caused by any number of incidents, from birth trauma to an auto accident to simple repetition or over-use.
Then we help you fix it
When a subluxation occurs, a chiropractor can correct the abnormal spinal structure and allow it to return to its proper position. This procedure is appropriately called an adjustment, and the adjustment enables the body to heal and function optimally. The leak is fixed. The wiring is fixed. Information is flowing properly again. To keep the wiring fixed and the information flowing, several adjustments over a course of time is necessary. In addition to spinal adjustments, stretching exercises, strengthening exercises, physiotherapy and massage are effective in expediting the patient's progress towards optimal health. In the chiropractic world, keeping the problem fixed and preventing its recurrence is just as important as the initial remedy. Another important aspect of chiropractic care is this: the patient's improvement is the responsibility of both the doctor and the patient. You will be active in your own care-this is essential in optimizing the care you receive
Like other health-care providers, we follow a standard routine to gain information about the patient. We consult, review the case history, conduct a physical examination, and we may request x-rays and/or laboratory analyses. Unlike other health-care providers, however, chiropractic physicians also conduct a careful analysis of the patient's spinal structure and pay particular attention to posture. We also consider many other aspects of your life— Do you eat well? Exercise at all? How do you deal with stress? Do you have children? What do you do for work? And so on. This information allows us to design the most personalized and effective care plan for each patient's unique condition.
We seek the origin of the problem
Using this information, a diagnosis is made. Included in the diagnosis is the probable reason for your pain or discomfort. It is important to note that chiropractors seek the origin of the illness in order to eliminate it-we do not simply treat the symptoms. If your roof is leaking, do you simply catch the drips in a bucket for years on end, or do you repair the roof to prevent it from leaking? Similarly, if the migraine headache you've had all week is being caused by spinal misalignment and an irritated nerve, do you continue to take pain killers indefinitely, or do you correct the abnormal spinal structure to prevent the pain? You get the picture. Chiropractors have a term for misalignments: Subluxations. A vertebral subluxation is a misalignment of the bones that protect the spinal cord. It's a leak in the roof. Or a kink in the wiring of your nervous system. The severity of the subluxation can vary, and there are a number of potential contributing factors that can be physical, emotional, mental or chemical. The subluxation can be caused by any number of incidents, from birth trauma to an auto accident to simple repetition or over-use.
Then we help you fix it
When a subluxation occurs, a chiropractor can correct the abnormal spinal structure and allow it to return to its proper position. This procedure is appropriately called an adjustment, and the adjustment enables the body to heal and function optimally. The leak is fixed. The wiring is fixed. Information is flowing properly again. To keep the wiring fixed and the information flowing, several adjustments over a course of time is necessary. In addition to spinal adjustments, stretching exercises, strengthening exercises, physiotherapy and massage are effective in expediting the patient's progress towards optimal health. In the chiropractic world, keeping the problem fixed and preventing its recurrence is just as important as the initial remedy. Another important aspect of chiropractic care is this: the patient's improvement is the responsibility of both the doctor and the patient. You will be active in your own care-this is essential in optimizing the care you receive
How Can Chiropractic Help Me?
You have been in an accident
Trauma can cause spinal misalignments in the body which can in turn distort your structure and irritate your nerves, bones, ligaments and discs. Any accident, no matter how minor, can create nerve-damaging misalignments. We can give you a spinal check-up to ensure that your spine is free from these health-compromising changes and to prevent any long-term damage. You have a sports or work-related injury
When a subluxation has been caused by repetitive stress or overuse at work or play, spinal nerves may be impeded. This may in turn negatively affect one's range of motion, strength, reflexes, endurance, and, ultimately, performance. Chiropractic can help your body restore normal nerve function and help you get back to your peak in both play and work. You are simply in pain
Interruption of proper nerve flow, for whatever reason, can eventually lead to pain, disability, and an overall decrease in the quality of life. You don't need to live with it— we can help you get to the root of the problem, set your body up to heal, and restore your health. You are pregnant
The additional weight and stress on the framework of the body during pregnancy can cause pain in almost any part of the body. Because pregnant women are often reluctant to take any over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers, they often turn to chiropractic care to help alleviate pains associated with pregnancy. In addition, we can also offer lifestyle (especially nutrition and exercise) advice specific to the expectant mother. You have a "little one"
Babies and children grow quickly, and their muscles, ligaments, and bones develop rapidly. A jump, tumble, or fall can jar the body, affect the spine (and possibly the nervous system), and then go undetected for years. Even simple factors, such as a heavy backpack or an ill-fitting car seat, can have negative effects on a child's health. With these things in mind, it's evident that babies and children have much to gain from chiropractic care. Regular spinal exams can provide corrective and preventive care for "little ones," as well as peace of mind for the parent. Parents of small children also have much to gain. We can offer advice regarding how to pick up and carry a child and, for post-partum mothers, an assessment of any structural changes that may have occurred during pregnancy, labor, and/or delivery. You have a "big one" (i.e., a teenager)
Teenagers' bodies are also growing at a rapid rate. This, combined with the fact that teenagers often think they are invincible, sets them up for a wide range of physical problems. Imagine your teenager hearing from someone other than you the benefits of proper diet, exercise, posture, and other good lifestyle habits! With regular visits to your doctor of chiropractic, your teenager will have a body that is structurally and functionally sound, and also have a head start on a life of good health. You are in your "Golden Years"
There are numerous physical problems associated with aging, and drugs and surgery are often prescribed to treat these problems. There is little, if any, attention paid to actually fixing these problems— and little or no emphasis on preventing them. But you need not succumb. Chiropractors understand the effects of aging and have been helping folks deal with the aches and pains associated with aging for decades. As with other patients, we diagnose the ailment, determine what's causing it, and then choose from a variety of gentle therapeutic techniques to alleviate it. We can also guide you through simple changes in your lifestyle (e.g., diet, exercise, stress management) that can greatly improve the quality of your life. Old habits are hard to break, but it's never too late to start healthy habits. You feel fine
Even if you feel as though you're operating at 110% or better, chiropractic can help you maintain your desired level of health and fitness. You may currently have spinal irregularities that exhibit no symptoms whatsoever. However, problems may arise in the future. Just as regular maintenance visits are recommended for your car, and regular dental cleanings and check-ups are recommended for your teeth, regular chiropractic check-ups can help detect and prevent spinal stress or joint disorders. In short, chiropractic health care is a smart choice for most everyone, at any time— you'll stay healthier longer, and the time and energy (and money!) saved due to your preventive efforts can be spent on things you enjoy doing. A better quality of life awaits you.
Trauma can cause spinal misalignments in the body which can in turn distort your structure and irritate your nerves, bones, ligaments and discs. Any accident, no matter how minor, can create nerve-damaging misalignments. We can give you a spinal check-up to ensure that your spine is free from these health-compromising changes and to prevent any long-term damage. You have a sports or work-related injury
When a subluxation has been caused by repetitive stress or overuse at work or play, spinal nerves may be impeded. This may in turn negatively affect one's range of motion, strength, reflexes, endurance, and, ultimately, performance. Chiropractic can help your body restore normal nerve function and help you get back to your peak in both play and work. You are simply in pain
Interruption of proper nerve flow, for whatever reason, can eventually lead to pain, disability, and an overall decrease in the quality of life. You don't need to live with it— we can help you get to the root of the problem, set your body up to heal, and restore your health. You are pregnant
The additional weight and stress on the framework of the body during pregnancy can cause pain in almost any part of the body. Because pregnant women are often reluctant to take any over-the-counter and prescription pain relievers, they often turn to chiropractic care to help alleviate pains associated with pregnancy. In addition, we can also offer lifestyle (especially nutrition and exercise) advice specific to the expectant mother. You have a "little one"
Babies and children grow quickly, and their muscles, ligaments, and bones develop rapidly. A jump, tumble, or fall can jar the body, affect the spine (and possibly the nervous system), and then go undetected for years. Even simple factors, such as a heavy backpack or an ill-fitting car seat, can have negative effects on a child's health. With these things in mind, it's evident that babies and children have much to gain from chiropractic care. Regular spinal exams can provide corrective and preventive care for "little ones," as well as peace of mind for the parent. Parents of small children also have much to gain. We can offer advice regarding how to pick up and carry a child and, for post-partum mothers, an assessment of any structural changes that may have occurred during pregnancy, labor, and/or delivery. You have a "big one" (i.e., a teenager)
Teenagers' bodies are also growing at a rapid rate. This, combined with the fact that teenagers often think they are invincible, sets them up for a wide range of physical problems. Imagine your teenager hearing from someone other than you the benefits of proper diet, exercise, posture, and other good lifestyle habits! With regular visits to your doctor of chiropractic, your teenager will have a body that is structurally and functionally sound, and also have a head start on a life of good health. You are in your "Golden Years"
There are numerous physical problems associated with aging, and drugs and surgery are often prescribed to treat these problems. There is little, if any, attention paid to actually fixing these problems— and little or no emphasis on preventing them. But you need not succumb. Chiropractors understand the effects of aging and have been helping folks deal with the aches and pains associated with aging for decades. As with other patients, we diagnose the ailment, determine what's causing it, and then choose from a variety of gentle therapeutic techniques to alleviate it. We can also guide you through simple changes in your lifestyle (e.g., diet, exercise, stress management) that can greatly improve the quality of your life. Old habits are hard to break, but it's never too late to start healthy habits. You feel fine
Even if you feel as though you're operating at 110% or better, chiropractic can help you maintain your desired level of health and fitness. You may currently have spinal irregularities that exhibit no symptoms whatsoever. However, problems may arise in the future. Just as regular maintenance visits are recommended for your car, and regular dental cleanings and check-ups are recommended for your teeth, regular chiropractic check-ups can help detect and prevent spinal stress or joint disorders. In short, chiropractic health care is a smart choice for most everyone, at any time— you'll stay healthier longer, and the time and energy (and money!) saved due to your preventive efforts can be spent on things you enjoy doing. A better quality of life awaits you.
