Frequently Asked Questions
What is chiropractic care?
Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your body is a self-regulating, self healing organism. These important functions are controlled by the brain, spinal cord, and all nerves of the body. These carriers of information are protected by the skull and spine.
What is a "Subluxation"? (pronounced sub-luck-say-shun)
The moving bones of the spine protect the vulnerable communication pathways of the spinal cord and nerve roots. If the nervous system is impaired, it can cause malfunction of the tissues and organs throughout the body. Doctors call this the Vertebral Subluxation Complex:
- Vertebral, meaning the bones of the spine.
- Subluxation, meaning less than a total dislocation.
- Complex, meaning consisting of more than one part.
How does Chiropractic Care work?
Chiropractic helps to remove postural imbalances and structural misalignments that can accumulate in our bodies over time. Our spines change and develop problems just like our teeth, eyes and heart. Left unchecked for a long time, these changes may lead to pain, stiffness or other more serious problems.
The nervous system is a key part of your body. It is the communication system between your brain and all of your body's muscles, organs and tissues. For your body to remain healthy, your nervous system must function well. For your nervous system to function well, it must be free of interference. The spine is the most common site of nervous interference because nerves travel from the spinal cord through openings on either side of the spine to get to all of your cells and organs.
Each of us is born with the ability to heal and recover from illness. Our bruises heal, cuts mend and common colds are overcome. Your nervous system regulates this inborn healing ability.
Think of your brain as a central command post sending and receiving information through telephone wires (your nerves) which branch out to connect all areas of a city (your body). A short circuit in a wire cuts off communication just like misalignments in your spine can put pressure on the nerves. This pressure interferes with your nervous system, affects your ability to self-heal and may prolong injury or illness.
The customized care you receive from your chiropractor may help to improve your posture, muscle balance and mobility. It can also restore the integrity of your nervous system and get rid of pain quickly, so you can get back to feeling good…today!
Is chiropractic effective?
Yes. Chiropractic care is safe and effective. Scientific evidence proving that the chiropractic care works is overwhelming. Over the past 20 years, many controlled and independent research studies have shown again and again that chiropractic care is safe and effective for treating low back pain, neck pain, headaches and other conditions relating to the spine*. Based on these scientific studies, the consensus is that chiropractic care is the treatment of choice for most spinal problems.
* The extent to which a person can benefit from care varies depending on their problem and how long it has existed.
What is included in my first chiropractic visit?
Your first initial visit will include a consultation with the doctor. A complete health and history evaluation, range of motion testing and a discussion of findings with a recommended treatment plan. This visit will include your adjustments needed on the first day.
What is a chiropractic adjustment? Is it safe?
An adjustment is the main method of treatment used by your Doctor of Chiropractic. It is a specialized gentle, controlled and safe pressure applied to your spine to restore the proper motion and position of your vertebrae. It is a precise procedure that your highly skilled chiropractor has learned and perfected over years of Chiropractic College and clinical practice.
Every health procedure, from taking aspirin to giving blood, involves a level of risk. Chiropractic adjustments are among the safest of all health care interventions because they are non-surgical, drug-free and present an extremely low risk. And they work!
How do I know my insurance will cover chiropractic care?
Our billing department will check for you either at time of visit or before your scheduled appointment. Just give us a call ahead of time if you would like to know the extent of your coverage before your scheduled visit.
Do your doctors treat pregnant woman?
Pregnant woman can be treated up to delivery date. Each patient is treated on an individual basis after consultation.
I don’t have any pains in my back, why do I need to have spinal checkups?
Spinal disease, such as degenerative disc disease and osteoarthntis, can progress slowly for decades without any noticeable symptoms One of the primary causes of these disease processes is spinal Joint fixation
When segments of the 24 movable vertebra of the human spine become hypomobile, (moving less than normal), or fixated, they are often undetectable by the person as having a problem These spinal dysfunction’s can be easily discovered by a chiropractor and taken care of before they cause permanent damage. Thus a simple check up can detect and correct these fairly common and simple problems before they produce very serious spinal disease.
How does joint dysfunction cause vertebral or disc disease?
The disc which acts as a cushion between the 24 movable vertebra in your spine requires regular movement to stay healthy. These discs do not have the nutrient blood supply like most other tissues in the body. They depend on the movement of the vertebra to which they are attached to be properly nourished These discs essentially suck in nutrients from their surrounding tissues as the vertebra move. So when any of your spinal segments become fixated (loose normal movement), the associated discs begin to age prematurely. They essentially become starved for oxygen and vital nutrients thus beginning a premature degenerative process of disc tissue and the vertebral bodies, where the disc tissue attaches.
How can a chiropractor fix or prevent this problem?
Chiropractors are specifically trained to find and correct problems of joint dysfunction in the spine The chiropractic spinal adjustment is a highly skilled medical procedure which delivers a correctional movement precisely to those regions of the spine which are fixated. This spinal adjustment, performed correctly, restores proper motion to the fixated regions of the spine When proper motion is restored, the degenerative processes associated with joint fixation is prevented.
Many chiropractic patients have found that regular visits to the chiropractor not only prevents spinal disease, but helps them feel and perform better. Some of bur patients make it a habit to have their spines treated monthly or every other month, even if they are feeling no back pains. In doing so, they are optimizing nerve and spinal function in their bodies. Many people choose to take better care of their cars than they do their bodies when it comes to check-ups. Most chiropractors strongly recommend a minimum of bi-annual spinal check-ups for every spine even if there is no complaint of pain.