06/10/04

Below we address some of chiropractics most Frequently Asked Questions.  If your question or concern is not on the list, please email us so we may respond to your questions personally.

FAQ's

• What is an adjustment?

• Can I adjust myself?

• Is chiropractic safe?

• How does chiropractic work?

• What is a subluxation?

• How do I know if I have a subluxation?

• How long will I need chiropractic care?

• What type of education do chiropractors have?

• Do children need chiropractic care?

• Am I too old for chiropractic care?

What is an adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment is a specific force applied in a precise direction and location to the joint that is locked up or "subluxated".  This force is designated to restore normal motion to the joint to allow bones to gradually return to their proper position so the body can function properly.  This approach is a safe and natural way of removing nerve interference allowing the body to heal itself naturally and improve your overall health.

Can I adjust myself?

Since chiropractic adjustment is a specific force, applied in a specific direction, to a specific spinal joint, it is virtually impossible to adjust oneself.  It is possible to bend or twist in certain directions to achieve a "popping" sound, however, this is often counter productive making an unstable joint even more unstable.  Even your chiropractic physician sees another chiropractor for their spinal adjustments.

Is chiropractic safe?

Chiropractic has an excellent safety record.  It is the result of a conservative approach to health that avoids invasive procedures or addictive drugs.  Compare the statistics, adjustments are about 100 times safer than taking over the counter pain relievers.

How does chiropractic work?

Chiropractic works by restoring the body's own inborn ability to be healthy.  Every cell, tissue, and organ are under the control of your nervous system.  When these nerves are "pinched" or irritated they can cause a less than optimal functioning nervous system thus causing pain or decreased function.  The chiropractic approach to health is to locate and help remove nerve interference to your natural state of being healthy.

What is subluxation?

A subluxation is an area of the spine that has been misaligned or out of joint.  Subluxations have been known to be the main cause of spinal nerve interference and decreased nerve function.  This decrease in nerve function can lead to many different condition such as neck and back pain, headaches, arm/leg pain, etc.

How do I know if I have subluxation?

There are many ways to get subluxations.  However, the three most common ways are

1. Slips/falls, accidents, repetitive motions or improper lifting

2. Emotions such as stress, anger, fear, and grief

3. Chemical causes such as drugs, alcohol, poor diet, and pollution

You could have subluxation and not even know it.  Like the early stages of tooth decay or clogged arteries, subluxation can be present before warning signs appear.  This is why it is important to get checked with a thorough chiropractic examination to catch a problem before it progresses into a more serious condition.

How long will I need chiropractic care?

The number of visits varies with each patient and each condition.  Many patients sense progress within a few weeks of frequent visits.  Visits become less often as your spine stabilizes.  In chronic cases, complete healing can take months or even years because with long-standing problems there is often associated muscle weakness, soft tissue damage, and degenerative changes to the spine.

Treatment plans are always individually made based on that patient and his or her goals.  How long you decide to benefit from chiropractic care is always up to you.

What type of education do chiropractors have?

Doctors of Chiropractic must first satisfy undergraduate academic requirements that lead to a degree. Then they must attend a 4 year chiropractic college, which will include basic training in the biological and health sciences (anatomy, physiology, histology, biochemistry, clinical, and radiological diagnosis), specialized training in the chiropractic discipline (theoretical studies, practical, diagnosis, and nutrition), and approximately 600 hours of internship.

This demanding curriculum prepares chiropractic doctors to locate the Vertebral Subluxation Complex and help correct the resulting nervous system dysfunction.

To graduate with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, each candidate must pass the demanding National Board Examination.  Then, doctors apply to governmental or professional state licensing boards and must pass those exams before being granted the privilege to practice.

A chiropractic education never ends.  Pennsylvania doctors must complete postgraduate instruction to stay current on the latest scientific research and for biennial license renewal.

Do children need chiropractic care?

Children and even infants also can benefit from chiropractic care.  Since significant spinal trauma can occur at birth, many parents have their newborns checked for subluxations.  Later childhood activities can also cause spinal problems such as learning to walk, riding a bike, and frequent falls.  It is for this reason that most parents prefer to have their children checked regularly.

Naturally, chiropractic adjusting procedures are modified to a child's spine.  Most parents report that children enjoy adjustments and seem healthier than other children.

Am I too old for chiropractic care?

With the growing concerns about over medication and the side effects of combining different prescription drugs, natural/safe chiropractic care is growing in popularity with the aging population.  Restoring normal spinal function can help improve mobility, vitality, appetite, and endurance.  A thorough exam is always preformed on new patients to rule out those rare cases where spinal manipulation is contraindicated.