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Frequently Asked Questions
What is an adjustment? (Return) An adjustment is the term used to explain the chiropractic treatment. It is known in the medical community as spinal manipulation, although the chiropractic adjustment is performed specifically by chiropractors with 4 years of extensive experience in this type of treatment. Does the adjustment hurt? (Return) The adjustment is a painless procedure although when the patient has a chronic condition or muscle spasms accompanying the spinal misalignment (called subluxation), the spasms can be uncomfortable. What is a "subluxation"? (Return) A subluxation is a misalignment of the bones that house and protect the spinal cord. Any misalignment puts unnecessary pressure on the nerve system and reduces the nerve supply to different parts of the body. Vertebral subluxations that are left undetected and unadjusted for many years can lead to symptoms of pain, diseases, and an unhealthy expression of life. How do I know when I am subluxated? (Return) It is not easy knowing when you are subluxated, although a pain of some kind can be a clue. Abnormal posture including one shoulder higher than the other, hips not level or a head forward past the shoulders can also be indicative of a subluxation. Often, the nerves that are negatively affected because of the misalignment in the spine do not carry pain signals. This means that you can suffer from subluxations for years without any painful warning signs. However, allowing subluxations to exist in your body can negatively impact the functions of the organs in your body, which leads to a deterioration of your health. A chiropractor can detect the subluxations with their trained hands, and can correct them properly. How did I get "subluxated"? (Return) A person can become subluxated in a wide variety of ways. Simple things like sleeping, sitting, and standing can contribute to subluxations. Often, people develop their first subluxation during birth when the doctors use force of up to 60 to 100 pounds to aid the delivery. Normal childhood activities such as spills from the bike, sledding, playing ball, and any other activity that results in a jarring fall, all result in subluxations in children. Because subluxations don't often cause pain, people do not know they are there and thus do not get them fixed until after major damage has been done, at which point the pain usually begins to be felt. Will this cure my back/neck pain? (Return) While correcting subluxations might bring you relief from pain, the general aim of the chiropractor is not to merely fix painful backs and necks, but to enable the body to express itself to the fullest, without any interference from subluxations. Correcting subluxations opens up a whole new world of wellness and health care because the body is able to function as it was designed to. Without any nerve blockages due to subluxations, the body can boost its immune system and much more effectively fight disease and illness. Relief from back and neck pain, which are the most common symptoms that bring people into a chiropractor's office, might come about from the adjustments, but there are no guarantees. However, living with subluxations is like trying to ride a bike with one hand, you are only half as effective as you would be if you had the full use of both hands. Allowing subluxations to exist in your body, even if they are not causing you pain, means you have a reduced immune system and a lower level of wellness and health. Does the adjustment hurt? (Return) Adjustments do not hurt. If the patient has muscle spasms, then relieving the spasms can sometimes cause soreness. What is that cracking sound? (Return) That "cracking" sound is air, gas & fluid escaping from the joint. It is the same thing that happens when you crack your knuckles. The patient’s bones do NOT crack. When can I expect to feel better? (Return) Different patients have different healing times. Some experience relief within 1-2 weeks; others notice changes before the end of the first month. Healing is sometimes dependent on the length of time a patient has had the symptom. Do I have to keep coming back forever? (Return) No! Pain usually subsides in the first 4-6 weeks. Correcting the cause of a problem usually takes a couple of months. You have the option of discontinuing care when the pain subsides or when you complete the corrective procedure. Or you can continue with what we call maintenance care. The purpose of maintenance care is to keep your spine healthy and to avoid a reoccurrence of a back-related problem. Just as you go to the dentist for regular checkups, having your spine checked by the doctor is just as important, if not more so. But the choice is always yours. Will chiropractic improve my posture? (Return) Most patients have seen their posture improve as a result of chiropractic care. How long will each appointment take? (Return) After the first two visits, each appointment generally takes between 5 and 15 minutes, depending upon what you need done on each visit. Do I have to have x-rays? (Return) The doctor will determine if films are necessary during the examination. If I bring my own, fairly recent X-Rays, do I have to take new ones? (Return) If you have them, please DO bring them, as they will help the doctor in her examination. If the doctor determines at the end of the examination that new films are necessary, she will advise you and why she feels they are necessary. Will chiropractic straighten my spine? (Return) It depends on what is causing the spine to NOT be straight. If the cause is a lot of arthritis and degeneration, it is unlikely that the spine can be straightened. If the cause is related to muscle tightness, there is a much greater chance that the spine can be straightened. Does chiropractic cure cancer or other diseases? (Return) Chiropractic treats the misalignment of the spine. Chiropractic does not cure cancer or any other disease. The chiropractic adjustment can help relieve the pain associated with different diseases. As a result of chiropractic care, many patients experience relief due to the body’s innate ability to heal itself. Is chiropractic good for children, pets or elderly people? (Return) Chiropractic is good for all patients, human and animal alike because chiropractic care centers on the spine. Particularly, it is good to get children checked out after they have had a fall. Will my insurance cover chiropractic? (Return) About 80% of insurance plans cover chiropractic. We will verify your benefits when you come to our office for the first visit. How long does a chiropractor go to school? (Return) After completing the same prerequisites for medical school, chiropractors attend chiropractic college for 4 years. Can I come in whenever I feel like it and not stick to a regular schedule? (Return) The doctor will recommend a treatment plan for you which will best benefit your health. For you to obtain the best results from chiropractic care, it is important that you stick to the schedule the doctor recommends. Can I just drop in without a scheduled appointment? (Return) The doctor is always available to see a patient in an emergency, otherwise, the patient should follow the schedule that the doctor has prescribed. Does the doctor get adjusted? (Return) Yes. As a practitioner of chiropractic, the doctor is also a patient of chiropractic. |