| The following
answers frequently asked questions about chiropractic
care. Select from the menu below to jump directly
to the topic that interests you. |
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| How Does
Chiropractic Work? |
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| 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. |
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| Improper motion or position of the
moving bones of the spine called 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? |
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| The disc is a soft pulpy "shock
absorber." It has a fibrous outer ring, which
holds in a jelly-like material. A "slipped-disc"
is a common way to refer to a wide variety of disc
problems. However, a disc can't slip because of
the way it attaches to the spinal bones above and
below it. A disc can bilge. 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? |
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| 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? |
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| 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? |
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| 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? |
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| 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? |
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| 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? |
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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 about 100 times safer than taking
an over-the-counter pain reliever. |
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| Will Adjustments
Make My Spine Too Loose? |
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| No. Only joints that are "locked
up" receive adjustments. This allows weakened
muscles and ligaments to stabilize and heal. |
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| Can The Bones
Move Too Much? |
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| 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? |
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| 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 it isn't a guide to the quality or value of
the adjustment. |
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| Are All
Patient Adjusted The Same Way? |
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| No. Each patient's spine and care
plan is unique. With 24 moving bones in the spine,
each of which can 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? |
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| 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? |
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| 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? |
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| 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 nomore pressure
than you'd use to test the ripeness of a tomato. |
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| Can I Have
Chiropractic Care After Back Surgery? |
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| 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? |
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| 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 condition. |
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| How
Long Until I'll Feel Better? |
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| Some patients experience almost instant
relief. Others discover it can take many weeks or
months. Many factors can affect the healing process.
Hoe 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 time, most
patients sense enough progress to fully carry out
their doctor's recommendations. |
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| How Long
Will I Need Chiropractic Care? |
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| After patients get the relief that
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? |
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| No. Chiropractic doctor's 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? |
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| 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? |
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| 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 is convenient when an insurance
company or third party helps pay the bill. |
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| 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? |
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| Patient results vary. Many report
improved spinal curves and the total resumption
of their normal lifestyle. Those who 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? |
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| If we're unable to find and correct
the cause of your particular health problem, we
will refer you to other specialists who may be able
to help. Your health is our primary goal. |
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| Why should
I return if I’m feeling fine? |
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After you entered the chiropractic office, feeling
awful, and now you have experienced the wonderful
feeling of being subluxation-free. You have less
stress on your spine and your nervous system can
send more healing energy throughout your body.
You feel good, but your chiropractor tells you
that you should return even if you are feeling
fine. Why should I return if I’m feeling
good? You know you would certainly come back if
your health declines and you start to feel terrible
again. Why can’t I wait to see?
You could wait until you feel miserable again,
but why should you? Big mistakes are often made
when you wait until you feel symptoms to do something
about your health. Just because you don’t
have pain, does not mean you are healthy. People
who feel fine can be walking targets just waiting
for pain or disease to strike. They are not proactive
about their health. Even though they “feel
fine”, they might have low energy, or sleep
poorly or are tired, have aches and pains, headaches
or backaches. Think of the people you know who
have felt fine and then one day have a sudden
heart attack, stroke, or a serious diagnosis like
cancer. “Feeling fine” will NOT indicate
whether you are healthy or not!
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| Why do I need
so many adjustments? |
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After you entered the chiropractic office, feeling
awful, and now you have experienced the wonderful
feeling of being subluxation-free. You have less
stress on your spine and your nervous system can
send more healing energy throughout your body.
You feel good, but your chiropractor tells you
that you should return even if you are feeling
fine. Why should I return if I’m feeling
good? You know you would certainly come back if
your health declines and you start to feel terrible
again. Why can’t I wait to see?
You could wait until you feel miserable again,
but why should you? Big mistakes are often made
when you wait until you feel symptoms to do something
about your health. Just because you don’t
have pain, does not mean you are healthy. People
who feel fine can be walking targets just waiting
for pain or disease to strike. They are not proactive
about their health. Even though they “feel
fine”, they might have low energy, or sleep
poorly or are tired, have aches and pains, headaches
or backaches. Think of the people you know who
have felt fine and then one day have a sudden
heart attack, stroke, or a serious diagnosis like
cancer. “Feeling fine” will NOT indicate
whether you are healthy or not!
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| Why periodic
care? |
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| Perhaps your symptoms have disappeared,
maybe it’s been just a few adjustments. Even
though the pain is gone, the degeneration in your
spine remains. Your chiropractor has been honest
with you about the amount of time it will take the
degeneration to heal. Sadly, it takes a long time
and your spine will not be as strong as it should
be until the healing is complete. Ever wonder why
in times of stress you feel the need to return for
adjustments because you spine has “gone out”?
This is why. Your spine has degenerated further
without regular adjustments. You may have noticed
that your symptoms take longer to go away. |
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| What is
Periodic Subluxation Correction? |
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The purpose of chiropractic is not to treat your
aches and pains but to rid your body of subluxations,
making it better able to cope and adapt to life’s
stresses. That is true health. It is no wonder
why people who chose regular chiropractic adjustments
enjoy a healthier life. A better quality of life,
improved physical health, less perceived stress
in their lives, emotional health, fewer drugs
in their life, more energy, increased vitality
and life enjoyment are just some of the benefits
that people who chose a chiropractic lifestyle
enjoy.
What is the goal for your health? Will you use
chiropractic life an aspirin to relieve your pain
or will you chose optimal health through regular
chiropractic visits? Why would you just relieve
the pain when you can have the benefits of better
health, life enjoyment and vitality for you and
your entire family? Periodic chiropractic checkups
are essential to keeping pain away for good and
enjoying optimal health and an increased quality
of life.
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| What
If I Have Other Questions? |
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| If you have any questions we haven't
answered here, please call. We know that the more
you learn about chiropractic, the more confidence
you'll have that it will work for you. 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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