FAQ
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a conservative and natural healing art and science that concentrates on keeping people well. While chiropractic is an American science over 100 years old, its wellness practices have stood the test of time--dating back to spinal manipulations first used by Hippocrates, the Father of Healing, in the 4th Century B.C.
Doctors of Chiropractic attempt to get to the root cause of a health problem rather than just treat the symptoms. They seek to maximize the natural strengths of the body and its capacity to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery. The primary focus of chiropractic is the detection, reduction and correction of spinal misalignments and nervous system dysfunction.
Misaligned vertebrae (known throughout as subluxations) can irritate the nerves and disrupt the body's ability to send "command center" messages through the spine to different parts of the body such as all tissue, bone, glands and organs. All parts of the human body require proper nerve energy and a flow of information in order to function properly. If left uncorrected, a spinal malfunction can interrupt this internal communication system and cause pain, muscle and organ dysfunction and other imbalances which are not painful.
The Doctor of Chiropractic, through procedures called adjustments, helps to restore misaligned vertebrae to a more normal position, thus allowing the nerves to properly communicate with the rest of the body and let the body heal itself--safely and naturally. Chiropractic's drugless and preventive approach to good health makes it perfectly appropriate for infants, children, adults, as well as the elderly.
Is the education of a Doctor of Chiropractic on par with a Medical Physician?
Yes. Doctors of Chiropractic undergo a rigorous and demanding professional education equivalent to any other primary care provider. To obtain a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, they must complete several years of prerequisite undergraduate education and spend nearly the same number of classroom hours at a fully-accredited chiropractic college as physicians do in medical schools. Student doctors are thoroughly trained in the appropriate use of sophisticated diagnostic equipment including X-rays, laboratory procedures and state of the art investigative technology. Before they can practice, Doctors of Chiropractic must pass the National Boards, similar to the Board exam of medical doctors, as well as a licensing exam for the state in which they choose to practice. Most states require the doctors to attend clinical continuing education programs for annual relicensure.
Does the adjustment hurt?
Under normal circumstances, chiropractic adjustments are painless. Generally people feel some relief or improvement even early on in care. The Adjustment is like a "concentrated exercise" of the Problem Area, so often there is mild soreness (as with exercise) yet improvement in pain level and mobility.
Is regular chiropractic care necessary?
Regular chiropractic care may be necessary to correct spinal subluxations to help maintain sound health and fitness. Your spine is under constant strain during waking hours. Improper lifting techniques, poor posture, accidents, falls and bumps, and other causes contribute to spinal strain. Timely adjustments help restore the neuromusculoskeletal integrity of the spine to normalize the bodily equilibrium and increase wellness.
How will the adjustment help me?
Chiropractic adjustments by themselves do not actually heal the body. When any of the 24 moveable spinal vertebrae become misaligned, a basic imbalance or disruption can occur in the nervous and blood vascular systems, which may contribute to stress in the body. Chiropractic adjustments help eliminate that imbalance or disruption so that the body can function, as it is designed to, at its true potential.
Does an adjustment have to make a noise to be effective?
No, it is a common misconception that your joints must make a noise to be properly adjusted. However, more often than not when your vertebrae are adjusted, the smooth articular (joint) surfaces become separated, creating and then releasing a small vacuum, making a noise. Your chiropractor is concerned with the position and function of your vertebrae, not with the noise that may occur.
How old should a person be before he or she begins chiropractic care?
Chiropractic patients range in years from birth to old age. Regardless of age, the vertebrae can become misaligned. For example, the birth process may cause trauma to the neck and spine. Left uncorrected, the vertebral subluxation may disturb the delicate spinal cord and nerves which control the youngster's muscles and organs. In some cases, an uncorrected subluxation may lead to a deformity of the spinal column. An early chiropractic checkup may detect many spinal problems while they are still easily correctable.
Should I go to a Chiropractor if I feel fine?
Even if you feel fine, chiropractic care can help your body maintain its required level of health and fitness. Your chiropractor can recommend a preventive spinal-care program and advise you on correct posture, dietary information and back exercises. Regular spinal checkups can help detect and prevent spinal stress due to subluxations. Only 11% of our bodies nerves transmit pain signals. Health problems often "Accumulate" silently and "Pain" is the last to show up.
Should I go to a Chiropractor if I'm suffering from a disease?
Absolutely! Chiropractic care will help turn on your body's natural healer and improve your self-healing ability. You'll be better able to fight whatever disease or condition you're suffering from.
Is it true that Chiropractors do not prescribe medication or perform surgery?
Yes. Chiropractors do not include medication or surgery in their treatment program. Chiropractors maintain that the body has a built-in capacity to restore health within certain limits, and base their care on this principle. Occasionally, the use of medication can interfere with the body's healing mechanisms, produce side effects, create a dependence and lead to drug-caused disease or complications. The first response in most illnesses and injuries should be conservative care. Chiropractic's principles make it possibly the safest and most appealing of the healing arts. Chiropractic 1st, Drugs 2nd and Surgery as a last resort is usually a safe, rational and conservative approach.
Can I go if I'm under medical care?
Yes. You always need a healthy spine no matter what other type of care you're receiving. You can have your spinal column checked for vertebral subluxations by a doctor of chiropractic and still visit a doctor of homeopathy, naturopathy, osteopathy or medicine. MDs and other healers cannot tell if you're suffereing from spinal nerve stress (vertebral subluxations) and are not trained in correcting them.
How does chiropractic care help the pregnant woman?
Because of the additional weight and stress on the framework of the body in pregnant women, chiropractic adjustments can help lower the incidence of pain in the low back and legs, and between the shoulder blades. In some cases, fewer headaches and problems with nausea and elimination also result. Many chiropractors care very successfully for expectant mothers in the regular course of their daily practices.
Can my dog get a chiropractic adjustment?
All creatures with a spine can have a subluxation and can receive chiropractic care. Many chiropractors work on dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, horses and other farm animals. A number of chiropractors specialize in the care of race horses. There are many cases of animals who were so ill they were going to be "put to sleep" dramatically recovering after a spinal adjustment. Some chiropractors work with zoos and have given tigers, snakes, lizards and other more exotic animals adjustments -- often with miraculous results.
