Frequently
Asked Questions
What
is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is the world's largest non-medical healing
art. The name is derived from the Greek words chiro (hand)
and praktos (to do), which means "done by hand".
Chiropractic is the art and science of adjusting the vertebrae
of the spinal column to restore normal nerve flow and proper
spinal biomechanics.
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The
foundation of chiropractic is the emphasis on the body's
power to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery.
Chiropractors help "restore" normal function
of the spine and extremities using numerous techniques,
almost all done by hand. Chiropractors also use different
physical therapy modalities, exercises and nutritional
support when assisting the patient in restoring their
health. |
How
does chiropractic work?
Chiropractic works by restoring your own inborn ability
to be healthy. When under the proper control of your nervous
system, all the cells, tissues, and organs of your body are
designed to resist disease and ill health. The chiropractic
approach to better health is to locate and help remove interferences
to your natural state of being healthy.
A common interference to the nervous system is the 24 moving
bones of the spinal column. A loss of normal motion or position
of these bones can irritate or impair the function of the
nervous system. This can disrupt the transmission of controlling
nerve impulses. With improved spinal function there is often
improved nervous system function.
Your chiropractor can help remove interferences that may be
impairing normal health. Since the primary focus of your care
is improved nervous system function, chiropractic can have
a positive effect on many health conditions not normally thought
of as "back" problems.
What do chiropractors do?
Helping to restore proper spinal biomechanics begins with
your medical history. This gives your chiropractor a background
about your health, such as surgeries, accidents, the onset
of your condition, and other details affecting your current
health.
After reviewing your history and discussing your specific
problem, a thorough orthopedic, neurological, and chiropractic
examination is performed, and X-rays may be taken to uncover
structural and functional problems associated with the spinal
column. These examinations help identify areas of spinal malfunction
and resulting nervous system deficits.
The findings of these examinations are explained, and a plan
of chiropractic adjustments may be recommended. Progress is
monitored with periodic examinations and follow-up reports.
What type of education to chiropractors get?
Chiropractic college is 4 years and requires a special
emphasis on anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, biomechanics,
X-ray, spinal adjusting techniques, and related subjects.
See list of Chiropractic
Colleges accredited by the State of California.
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This
curriculum prepares chiropractiors to locate the Vertebral
Subluxation Complex and help correct the resulting nervous
system dysfunction. To graduate with a Doctor of Chiropractic
degree, each candidate passes the National Board Examination.
Then, doctors apply to their state's licensing board and
must pass an additional exam. |
A chiropractic education never ends. Most chiropractors complete
postgraduate instruction for license renewal and to stay current
on the latest scientific research.
What is an adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment is the art of using a specific
force in a precise direction, applied to a joint that is fixated,
"locked up", or not moving properly. This adds motion
to the joint, helping the bones gradually return to a more normal
position and motion. The purpose of this safe and natural procedure
is improved spinal function, improved nervous system function,
and improved health.
There are many ways to adjust the spine. Usually, the doctor's
hands or a specially designed instrument delivers a brief and
highly accurate thrust. Some adjusting methods are quick, whereas
others require a slow and constant pressure.
After years of training and clinical experience, each chiropractic
doctor becomes highly skilled in the delivery of a variety of
adjusting approaches.
Are all patients adjusted the same way?
The chiropractor evaluates each patient's unique spinal
problem and develops an individual course of care. The resulting
recommendations are based upon years of training and experience.
Some patients who complain of headaches may actually have a
lower back problem that is causing a compensating reaction at
the base of the skull. Other patients may be experiencing numbness
and tingling in their fingers when the actual problem is in
the neck. Every patient presents a uniquely different spinal
pattern.
Patients notice that their chiropractic care is delivered with
confidence and precision. Each visit builds on the one before.
And while visits may seem similar, each patient's care is uniquely
different from every other patient.
Can I adjust myself?
Since a 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 turn or bend or twist to create a "popping"
sound, like the sound that sometimes accompanies a chiropractic
adjustment. Unfortunately, this type of joint manipulation is
usually counterproductive, often making an already unstable
area of the spine even more unsteady. Adjusting the spine is
not for amateurs!
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The
best way to enjoy the healthful benefits of chiropractic
is to receive the adjustments from a chiropractor. Even
your chiropractor must seek out the services of another
colleague to help restore and maintain proper spinal function.
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Do children need chiropractic care?
Since significant spinal trauma can occur at birth, many
parents have their newborns checked for the Vertebral Subluxation
Complex.
Later, learning to walk, ride a bicycle, and other childhood
activities can cause spinal problems. While a bandage and some
comforting words can help a skinned knee, the unseen damage
to the child's spine is the unique domain of a chiropractic
doctor.
Many childhood health complaints that are brushed off as "growing
pains" can often be traced to the spine. Regular chiropractic
checkups can identify these problems and help avoid many of
the health complaints seen later in adults.
Naturally, chiropractic adjusting procedures are modified to
a child's spine. Most parents report that their children enjoy
their chiropractic adjustments and seem healthier than other
children.
Am I too old for chiropractic care?
More and more people are consulting chiropractors, especially
in their later years. With growing concerns about over-medication
and the side effects of combining various prescription drugs,
safe, natural chiropractic care is growing in popularity.
Restoring better spinal function can help improve mobility,
vitality, endurance, and appetite. Many patients report improvement
with arthritic symptoms and other chronic ailments often associated
with the aging process.
The adjusting technique used by your doctor will be modified
for maximum comfort and results. As we get older and wiser,
the simplicity and effectiveness of chiropractic care becomes
more and more obvious.
Do I have a pinched nerve?
Many patients consult a chiropractic doctor because they
think they have a pinched nerve. Because of the way your spine
is designed, abnormal spinal function caused from physical trauma,
emotional trauma, or chemical toxins can affect the delicate
tissues of the spinal cord and nerve roots.
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While
commonly associated with the spine, the pinched nerve
(compressive lesion) is actually rare. Researchers suggest
that only 10% to 15% of spine related problems are caused
by direct pressure of bone on nerve tissue! This can result
in numbness, burning, or a "pins and needles"
feeling.
More frequently, nerves are irritated (facilitative lesion).
This is caused when nerve tissue is rubbed, scraped, stretched
by a loss of spinal curve, or irritated by malfunctioning
spinal joints.
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Do
I have a slipped disc?
Technically, a disc can't "slip". The intervertebral
disc is a pad of cartilage-type material situated between spinal
bones. Each disc serves as a connector, spacer, and shock absorber
for the spine. A soft, jellylike center is contained by outer
layers of fibrous tissue. Healthy discs help allow normal turning
and bending.
Because of the way each disc is attached to the vertebrae above
and below, a disc cannot "slip". However, trauma or
injury to the spine can cause discs to tear, bulge, herniate,
or worse, rupture. This can be quite painful, as the soft center
of the disc leaks, putting pressure on the adjacent nerve-roots
and spinal cord.
While results cannot be guaranteed, many patients have avoided
needless surgery or a dependency on pain pills by choosing chiropractic
care for their disc-related health problem.
What causes the sound of an adjustment?
Actually, not all adjusting techniques produce the sound associated
with "popping knuckles." Some create no sound at all,
some a little. Many techniques, however, do create the sound
of a spinal "release." What causes it? The mystery
may have been solved by a British research team that took x-ray
movies of people popping" their knuckles. The sound appeared
to be caused by gas rushing in to fill the partial vacuum created
when the joints were slightly separated.
Is
it bad to "crack" your neck a lot?
The desire to pop the neck or back is caused by tension
from a jammed or fixated vertebra, which causes another
part of the spine to compensate by moving too much and
‘popping" a lot. The jammed part should be adjusted
by a chiropractor so that the rest of the spinal column
will balance and stop being so movable and noisy?
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Do Chiropractors have medical (M.D.) degrees?
No. Chiropractors have Doctor of chiropractic (D.C.) degrees
granted from chiropractic colleges. Chiropractic education and
medical education are similar in some respects and different
in others because chiropractors do not prescribe drugs and medical
doctors do not correct the vertebral subluxation complex.
Can I tell if I have a subluxation without consulting a Chiropractor?
Not always. A subluxation is like a dental cavity—you may
have it for a long time before symptoms appear. That’s
why periodic spinal checkups are so important. Although it may
be possible to know you have a subluxation, it is rarely possible
to be sure you don’t. An occasional spinal checkup is always
a good idea.
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Is
chiropractic care addictive?
It is possible to get used to feeling more balanced, less
stressed and more energetic as a result of periodic chiropractic
care. You may become more sensitive to your body and know
when you’ve "lost" your adjustment. |
Can
I only go once?
Of course. Once is better than never. But chiropractic can help
in so many ways. Why not ask your chiropractor about your personal
spinal care needs?
What will happen if I stop going?
Spine and nerve stress will continue to build up as before,
but it won’t be reduced or eliminated. If the stress is
not relieved, your body and overall health will suffer.
Is chiropractic care similar to massage?
No. Chiropractic deals with the spinal column, nervous system,
meninges and body structure. Massage therapists deal with muscle
tension, circulation and body fluid drainage.
Do
Chiropractors work in hospital?
Today chiropractors have privileges in many hospitals.
Ideally, chiropractors would go through every ward and
check all patients’ spines. The presence of chiropractors
in hospitals is a welcome beginning, paving the way toward
making drugless, natural methods of chiropractic care
available to all hospital patients. |
Can a person who had back surgery see a Chiropractor?
Yes. It’s an unfortunate fact that up to half of those
who had spinal surgery discover a return of their original symptoms
months or years later. They then face the prospect of additional
surgery. This too common occurrence is known as "Failed
Back Surgery Syndrome." Chiropractic may help prevent repeated
operations.
Can chiropractic care prevent back surgery?
In a many cases the answer is a resounding "Yes."
Can a person with a broken back or neck see a Chiropractor?
After the break heals, yes. In fact, a broken bone forms a callus
or bone scar when it heals that is stronger than the rest of
the bone. This should dispel any concerns about the safety of
an adjustment. People who have had broken bones need chiropractic
checkups because accidents usually cause spinal subluxations.
Is chiropractic care safe?
According to a recent publication (1997) by the U.S. Department
of Commerce, most random control trials report no complications.
A 1996 study by 102 Norwegian chiropractors on 1,058 patients
reported that any reactions to manipulation were short lived,
beginning within 4 hours and typically resolving within 24 hours.
The most common reaction was local discomfort (55%), headache
(12%), tiredness (11%), radiating discomfort (10%). It
has been determined that chiropractic poses no great risk than
other conservative treatment measures for the treatment of low
back pain.
Can I go to a Chiropractor if I am under Medical care?
Yes. Having your subluxations corrected is important, no matter
what other type of health care you are receiving. Today many
D.C.s and M.D.s are working together in clinics and on joint
research projects. M.D.s are quite likely to have patients who
are under chiropractic care; in fact many medical doctors see
a doctor of chiropractic themselves.
Do Chiropractors believe in medicine and surgery?
Certainly, as Norman Cousins says: "There are times when
intervention in the form of medicine or surgery is absolutely
necessary but there is never a time when the nourishment one
puts into one’s body or one’s mind is not essential
to health." Chiropractors would add spinal care to Mr.
Cousins’ observation.
Can spines automatically go back into place?
Yes. There are verified instances of blind people recovering
eyesight after a fall, of individuals able to walk again after
their wheelchair was thrown and of amnesiacs who remember their
past after receiving a trauma—these are examples of "accidental
adjustments." A visit to the chiropractor is a lot safer.
Also, many types of therapy, including massage and various body
work, can reduce musculoskeletal stress, sometimes permitting
the spine to automatically realign, as will a cathartic emotional
release. Occasionally, even a good night’s sleep can correct
a subluxation.
I'm not sick, should I see a Chiropractor?
Yes. Symptoms are not a good way to judge health. They sometimes
surface after years of body malfunction.
How often should I get a spinal adjustment?
The answer is "As soon as you develop subluxations."
But since subluxations are often painless, it’s good to
get your spine checked periodically, as you get your teeth checked
periodically for "painless" cavities. |
