Frequently Asked Questions about Chiropractic

How does Chiropractic work?

Chiropractic works because your body is a self-healing, self-regulating organism controlled by your nervous system. Millions of instructions flow from your brain down the spinal cord to every tissue. Signals sent back to the brain confirm if your body is working properly. Improper motion or position of the joints. This can interfere with this informational exchange by irritating nerves and compromising whole-body function. Specific chiropractic adjustments can help improve mind-body communication. Health often returns with improve nervous system control.

How do I know if my joints are moving properly?

It is possible to have joints that are not moving properly and not even know it.   Abnormal joint function or segmental dysfunction can be present before warning signs appear. A thorough chiropractic examination can show the location and severity of segmental dysfunction throughout the body.

What's an adjustment?
Chiropractic adjustments add motion to spinal joints that are not moving properly. The methods that we use to correct segmental dysfunctions range from using the doctors hands to adjust, using a special table, an instrument, or the force of gravity. Quite often we tailor or treatments to incorporate a number of techniques to best treat each patient individually.

Will the adjustments make my spine too loose?
No. Only the spinal joints that are "stuck" receive adjustments. This allows weakened muscle and ligaments to stabilize and heal.

Can I adjust myself?
No. Some patients can make their joints "pop", but that's not an adjustment. Damage can occur by mobilizing a loose joint repetitively, which prevents injured ligaments and muscles from healing. Making your neck or back "pop" without a specific chiropractic force, allows injured ligaments to more lax. As this process is repeated, the body is unable to hold the joints in proper alignment.

Chiropractic adjustments safe?
Yes. A New Zealand government study found that adjustments are "remarkably safe". By avoiding drugs, and higher risk surgeries, chiropractic care enjoys an excellent track record. A thorough exam can identify the rare person for whom chiropractic care may be unsuitable. Compare the statistics. Adjustments are about 100 times safer than taking an over the counter pain reliever.

Can I have Chiropractic care after my back surgery?
Yes. Chiropractic doctors will avoid the surgically modified area of your spine. Surgery often causes instability in the joints above and/or below the involved area. These joints will be the focus of your chiropractic care.

Can patient's with Osteoporosis get care?
Yes. When developing a treatment plan, we take into consideration the unique circumstances of each patient. Because there are many ways to adjust you, we will select the method that is best suited for your age, size, and condition(s).

How long will I need Chiropractic care?
Each patient's scenario is different, depending on the length, severity, and number of conditions. You are treated as a whole and it is our job to ensure that your entire body is functioning properly. After your initial phase of care is completed, we may recommend an infrequent course of care to detect and resolve problems before they begin to impact your health and lifestyle.

What if my policy doesn't cover Chiropractic?
Your health affects everything you do, and everyone you know. It is your most valuable possession. Most insurance plans do offer chiropractic coverage and we are preferred providers for most companies. Find out how we make chiropractic care affordable for everyone.

How do I know if I should see a  Doctor of Chiropractic?

We treat a variety of conditions, not just low back pain and headaches. With a thorough exam, we can identify the root causes of your condition(s). If we conclude that you would be better treated by a different health professional, we will refer you in a timely manner. 

Are Chiropractors real doctors?

Today’s chiropractors have 2,419 basic science class hours and the general medical practitioners have 2,047 hours. The total amounts of credits actually show that chiropractors have more basic science education in certain spinal biomechanical and neurological areas.

One of the differences between medical doctors and chiropractors is not in their level of education, but in their preferred method of caring for people. Most medical doctors are trained in the use of medicines (chemicals that affect your internal biochemistry) and surgery.  Consequently, if you have a chemical problem, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, or an infection, medical doctors can be very helpful. However, if your problem is that your spine is misaligned or you have soft tissue damage causing pain, there is no chemical in existence that can fix it. You need a physical solution to correct a physical problem. That is where chiropractic is beneficial. Chiropractors provide physical solutions -- adjustments, exercises, stretches, to help the body heal from conditions that are physical in origin, such as back pain, muscle spasms, headaches, and poor posture.

MYTH:  Once you see a chiropractor, you must keep going
Millions of people return to a chiropractor, well after their symptoms have passed, as a matter of choice. They realize the difference chiropractic has made in their health and see the value of keeping their spines healthy for life. Going to a chiropractor is much like going to the dentist, exercising at a gym, or eating a healthy diet: As long as you keep it up, you continue to enjoy the benefits. For example, do you think that healthy teeth can be maintained for a lifetime with sporadic dentist visits? Just as teeth battle plaque regularly, our spinal tissues undergo daily bombardment of stresses originating from bad postural habits, suboptimal work environments, psychological stress, chemical stress and hectic lifestyles. Regular care is optional, but also optimal.