Q: What is chiropractic health care?
A: Chiropractic health care is the care and adjustment of the spine and the nerves within to correct and prevent subluxation.
Q: Is chiropractic care safe?
A: Yes, chiropractic is safe. In fact, some consider it safer than surgery in many cases as the integrity of the whole human system is not comprimised during the procedure.
Q: Do Chiropractors treat disease?
A: No. A Doctor of Chiropratic is a specialist in the alignment and care of the spine and the nerves within. While chiropractic care can help deal with the causes and effects of some disease, this is a beneficial side effect of chiropractic care, not the primary purpose.
Q: What aliments can Chiropractic care help with?
A: Too many to list here, but probably more than you expect. Please see our interactive nerve chart diagram (link to the left) for more information.
Q: Does it hurt?
A: Under normal circumstances, chiropractic adjustments are painless. In cases of recent trauma, such as whiplash, mild discomfort may be experienced due to inflammation. It is also common to feel a brief sensation in the extremities immediately following an adjustment due to the sudden decompression of the affected nerve root.
Q: Is regular Chiropractic care needed?
A: Regular care may by needed to correct spinal subluxations and maintain sound fitness and health. Your spine is under constant stress during waking hours just from standing upright in gravity! Add to that the stress from improper lifting, posture, accidents, falls, and even backpacks, and the strain on the spinal column can be considerable. Timely adjustments can help restore the integrity of the spine and normalize body functions.
Q: How old should a person be to start Chiropractic care?
A: Patients of Chiropractic care can range from birth to old age. The vertebrae can become misaligned regardless of age. The trauma of birth alone can misalign the spine of an infant. This misalignment can lead to problems later on. An early chiropractic checkup may detect many spinal problems while they are still easily correctable.
Q: How will an adjustment help?
A: Adjustments by themselves do not actually help 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 can contribute to stress on other body systems. Chiropractic adjustments can help to correct that balance, allowing the body to function at its true potential.
Q: I didn't hear a pop. Did the adjustment work?
A: It is a common belief that joints must make a noise to be properly aligned. However, more often than not when your vertebrae are adjusted, the smooth joint surfaces become briefly separated, creating and releasing a small vacuum which created noise. Your Chiropractor is concerned not with the noise of your spine, but the alignment of the vertebrae.
Q: But I feel fine! Do I need to see the Chiropractor?
A: Regular checkups can detect and prevent spinal stress due to subluxation, even ones that you are unaware of. Even if you feel fine, an aligned spine can help your body maintain its health and fitness. Your Chiropractor can also recommend a preventative spinal-care and exercise program.
Q: Is it true that Chiropractors do not prescribe medicine or perform surgery?
A: Yes. Medication or surgery is not included in a Chiropractic treatment program. Chiropractic care maintains the body's natural capacity to restore its own health within limits.
Q: Does Chiropractic care help pregnant women?
A: Pregnancy puts additional weight and strain on the framework of the body; Chiropractic care can help reduce that stress. In some cases, the care can reduce or eliminate the headaches and nausea associated with pregnancy.
Q: Can I adjust myself?
A: No. Some people can make their joints "pop", but that's not an adjustment! Worse, damage can occur by mobliziong a joint with weakened muscles and ligaments. Adjustments are specific and take years to master. Even you Chiropractor doctor must consult a colleague to benefit from Chiropractic care.
Q:Why don't medical practitioners and chiropractors get along?
A: That's changing. Years of bias are giving way to research showing the benefits of chiropractic care. Attitudes are slow to change. However, as the public demands alternative care, more and more medical doctors are refering patients to chiropractors.