What is Chiropractic care? Chiropractic is the natural wellness practice that recognizes the inherent ability of the body to heal itself. The system in the body that coordinates all healing and function is the nervous system which is comprised of the brain, spinal cord and spinal nerves. The nervous system is protected by the spinal column which is made up of multiple vertebra. These vertebra can get misaligned due to stress and irritate these spinal nerves thus causing a breakdown in communication between the brain and body. This misalignment is called a vertebral subluxation and can cause pain and malfunction of body systems. Chiropractic care removes subluxations so we can function properly and optimally.
What does a chiropractor do? A chiropractor is trained to use his or her hands to correct vertebral subluxations. The treatment is called an adjustment which helps the body function more optimally and restores it to better health. An adjustment is the movement of a spinal vertebra in a specific direction and with a specific force required to align that vertebra. A chiropractor is also trained to prescribe spinal exercises and consult with patients on healthy lifestyle practices such as proper nutrition, exercise and rest. Are chiropractors real doctors? Yes in fact chiropractors receive about the same amount of training as medical doctors except chiropractors focus more on spinal anatomy and neurology than disease/symptom diagnosis and pharmacology. Chiropractors do not prescribe medications or perform surgeries but are specifically trained to correct vertebral subluxations. Chiropractors receive a D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic) degree after completion of an extensive curriculum of study, practicum in a clinic, and successful completion of a rigorous four part National Board Examination as well as a State Board Examination. Chiropractors are required to complete ongoing continuing education classes to maintain their license and keep current on new chiropractic techniques.
Can anyone visit a chiropractor? Chiropractic care is helpful for anyone who suffers with acute or chronic pain or systemic conditions like allergies, fibromyalgia, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, insomnia, low energy levels and many other conditions. Infants and children are also great candidates for chiropractic care because of the physical traumas they have endured from childbirth, multiple falls and sports injuries.
Is chiropractic care dangerous? No. Chiropractic care is one of the safest forms of healing because it relies on the body’s natural ability to heal itself as opposed to harmful medications and invasive surgical procedure prescribed by medical doctors. The best indicator of the safety of chiropractic is the fact that chiropractors pay only a small fraction for malpractice insurance compared to medical doctors who pay much higher premiums.
Can I just stretch and do exercises instead of going to a chiropractor? While exercise and stretching are great ways to keep your muscles toned and loose, only chiropractors are trained to remove vertebral subluxations. Since most health problems or pains are related to subluxations, chiropractic care is necessary to make the proper corrections and begin the healing process.
Is chiropractic care effective and safe for people who have had back surgery? Yes in the majority of cases chiropractic care can help correct other areas of the spine that have had to compensate for the surgically repaired section, thus preventing damage to these vertebra and avoiding future surgeries.
Is chiropractic care good for pregnant women? Research has shown that women who receive regular chiropractic care during their pregnancy not only experience less low back pain but less painful and shorter labor. This is because chiropractic removes nerve interference which usually worsens due to the weight of the fetus on spinal nerves. Chiropractic also aligns the pelvis which opens the pathway for the baby to be born.
Why do most chiropractors take x-rays? Chiropractors use x-rays to help locate subluxations of the spine. X-rays are also helpful in diagnosing conditions like arthritis, scoliosis, disc disorders, tumors and other degenerative conditions.
What conditions can be helped by chiropractic? Chiropractic care is beneficial for the obvious conditions like headaches, neck pain, mid and low back pain and sciatica, but can also help with numbness and tingling in the extremities, shoulder, wrist, knee and foot pain, fibromyalgia, acid reflux, irritable bowel syndrome, insomnia, low energy and many other conditions. When subluxations are removed from the spine the body begins to heal itself and these conditions begin to improve.
Is chiropractic care covered by insurance? Most insurance plans cover chiropractic care but since there are a multitude of insurance plans we will check your individual coverage on your first visit and inform you of your chiropractic benefits.
Is chiropractic care expensive? Chiropractic care is a very affordable way to effectively manage your health care. Since chiropractic care believes in correcting the cause of your health problems instead of treating symptoms it can help you avoid more costly medications and costlier surgeries.
Once you start chiropractic care do you have to keep going forever? Most people after receiving chiropractic care and getting healthier choose to continue wellness or maintenance care because they know it will ultimately lead to them staying healthier. Similar to exercising regularly to maintain your muscle tone or going to the dentist to maintain the health of your teeth, regular chiropractic care will maintain your spinal health and ultimately your overall body health. How does chiropractic differ from massage? Massage therapy works on the various soft tissues of the body including the muscles, tendons and ligaments to help relieve tightness or tension in these soft tissues and improve blood flow to these areas. Chiropractic works on the misaligned spinal vertebra in order to relieve stress on the nervous system and allow the body to function more optimally. While chiropractic and massage work well together and are very synergistic, you can receive a massage without having chiropractic care and vice versa.