What is chiropractic?
- Chiropractic recognizes the natural innate intelligence of the body to establish and maintain good health and well being.
- Chiropractic supports the principle that body structure and nervous system function are highly integrated with influence upon each system’s function throughout life.
- Chiropractic is a naturally based (drugless) health care discipline that provides primary and specialty health care for persons of all ages.
- Chiropractic care is holistic, respecting each person’s physical, mental and spiritual balance for good health and well-being.
- Chiropractic works in partnership with the patient to address the cause(s) of their condition and the lifestyle factors that affect the condition (diet, posture, exercise, and others).
- Chiropractic care uses natural methods including adjustments (manipulation), physical activity, ergonomics, nutrition and diet, encouragement of a positive mental attitude and lifestyle modification.
- Chiropractic coordinates care with other providers as necessary for the patient’s condition.
Why should I see a Chiropractic Doctor?
You may see your chiropractic doctor for one of three reasons:
- Generalist care: addresses the integration of the body’s structural system with all other systems, especially the nervous system. The nervous system senses, monitors and responds continuously to the environment. The structural system is integrated with the nervous system and may have a significant influence on neurophysiologic controls of body systems. As structural function improves, nervous system responsiveness to the environment improves, thus improving specific health, general health and/or well-being. Recommendations of dietary, nutrient, physical activity and activities of daily living are included to support other conditions or systems.
- Specialty care: addresses the neuro-musculoskeletal system of the body which, when mal-functioning, may lead to certain conditions such as: headache, mechanical low back pain, joint sprain and strain, whiplash injury, disc injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, TMJ dysfunction.
- Primary care: addresses all your health care needs through natural methods and incorporates care with other providers when necessary. To provide this service a comprehensive medical history and examination may be required and is usually scheduled at a later date. The following Institute of Medicine definition should help you understand the primary care concept: “Primary care is the provision of integrated, accessible health care services by clinicians who are accountable for addressing a large majority of personal health care needs, developing a sustained partnership with patients, and practicing in the context of family and community.”
How does chiropractic care work?
Chiropractic care uses natural methods including physical adjustments (manipulation), physical activity, ergonomics, nutrition and diet, encouragement of a positive mental attitude and lifestyle modification. Treatment works by utilizing these natural methods of care to restore your ability to respond well to the environment.
Is chiropractic effective?
Yes. Chiropractic is effective for many conditions for persons of all ages. Well researched studies have demonstrated substantial benefits of chiropractic treatment as well as superior benefits when compared to other forms of treatment for many conditions such as headaches, neck pain, lower back pain, ear infections, sports injuries, work related injuries, motor vehicle related injuries and primary care.
What is Subluxation?
A subluxation is an imbalance of body‘s structural function that is causing a disruption of nervous system function locally and/or throughout the body. This limits the body’s ability to efficiently adapt to the environment and reduces self healing ability. Correction is through a specific manipulation (called an ADJUSTMENT) which can be performed by hand or by using several instruments. The correction of subluxation results in a balancing of nervous system function so the body’s ability to self regulate and heal itself becomes maximized.
Is the adjustment safe?
Chiropractic care has been shown through research studies to very safe for persons of all ages. Critiques of chiropractic have suggested chiropractic adjustments of the neck will increase your chances of having a stroke. This issue has been studied for a good 35 years with consistent results indicating less of an incidence than regular activities such as: driving a motorcycle, spinal syrgery, neck surgery, taking Non-Steroidal Medications (NSAIDS), pregnancy, anti-depressant medication, flying for 3 hours on a commercial airline. A 2011 study concluded the risk for stroke following a chiropractic treatment is the same as visiting a primary care medical doctor for headache.
To address certain conditions that warrant a non-manual treatment and patient tolerances for manual treatments, the Arthrostim treatment instrument is used. This device delivers a direct and rapid non-reflexive force into joints and soft tissue to mechanically improve joint function and reestablish normal neurophysiologic function.
What can I expect from my visit to a chiropractic doctor?
Going to the Chiropractic doctor is a new experience for many. Maybe we’ve heard through a friend or have done some research online. It’s possible that you are just fed up with living with symptoms and taking medications and it’s time to do something about it. In either case, your first visit to the doctor will be about the doctor and you discussing your history, current condition, goals of care and moving on to an examination to establish a diagnosis and plan of care.
What results can I expect from treatment?
You may notice discomfort with the physical treatment during the initial visits of care. This can be expected as tissues are usually in an inflamed state and/or the tissues have been sensitized as a result of nerve irritation. Subsequently, discomfort is alleviated and you’ll likely notice an alleviation of your symptoms along with a release of tension in areas of the spine treated. Your progress under chiropractic care will be carefully monitored. The subjective improvement as well as the objective findings will be noted, and your treatment plan will be modified to meet your changing condition. Communication between your chiropractic doctor and other health care providers will be encouraged for your benefit.