Do I have a slipped disc?
Do I have a pinched nerve?
What's an adjustment?
Are chiropractic adjustments safe?
Will adjustments make my spine too loose?
Can the bones move too much?
What makes the sound during the adjustment?
Are all patients adjusted the same way?
Can I adjust myself?
How many adjustments will I need?
Can I have chiropractic care after back surgery?
Can patients with osteoporosis get chiropractic
care?
How long until I'll feel better?
How long will I need chiropractic care?
Will I receive any medication for my pain?
Why don't medical practitioners and chiropractic
doctors get along?
What if my policy doesn't cover chiropractic?
Will I ever be normal again?
What if chiropractic doesn't work?
Do I have a slipped
disc?
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 bulge. It can tear. It
can herniate. It can thin. It can dry out. And it can collapse.
But it can't slip. Back to Top
Do I have a pinched
nerve?
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. Back
to Top
What's an adjustment?
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. Back to Top
Are chiropractic
adjustments safe?
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. Back
to Top
Will adjustments make my spine too loose?
No. Only the spinal joints that are "locked up" receive
adjustments. This allows weakened muscles and ligaments to stabilize
and heal. Back to Top
Can the bones move too much?
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
never interference. Years of training, practice and experience
make chiropractic adjustments specific and safe. Back
to Top
What makes the sound during the adjustment?
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. Back to Top
Are all patients adjusted the same
way?
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. Back to Top
Can I adjust myself?
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. Back
to Top
How many adjustments will I need?
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. Back to Top
Can I have chiropractic care after back surgery?
Yes. Rest assured that your chiropractic doctor will avoid the
surgically modified areas of your spine. Surgery often causes
instability above the involved level. These areas will be the
focus of your chiropractic care. Back to Top
Can patients with osteoporosis get
chiropractic care?
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. Back
to Top
How long until I'll feel better?
Some patients experience almost instant relief. Others discover
it can take many weeks or months. Many factors can affect the
healing process. How long you have 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 period of time, most patients sense
enough progress to fully carry out their doctor's recommendations. Back to Top
How long will I need chiropractic care?
After patients get the relief they 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. Back
to Top
Will I receive any medication for
my pain?
No. Chiropractic doctors 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. Back
to Top
Why don't medical practitioners and chiropractic
doctors get along?
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. Back
to Top
What if my policy doesn't cover chiropractic?
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's convenient when
an insurance company or third party helps pay the bill.
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. Back to Top
Will I ever be normal again?
Patients results vary. Many reports 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. Back to Top
What if chiropractic doesn't work?
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. Back
to Top
