Frequently Asked QuestionsHow does chiropractic work?
Chiropractic works because you are a self-healing, self-regulating organism controlled by your nervous system. Millions of instructions flow from your brain down the spinal cord and out to every organ and tissue. Signals sent back to the brain confirm if your body is working right. Improper motion or position of the moving bones of the spine called a "subluxation" can interfere with this vital exchange by irritating nerves and compromising the function of affected organs and tissues. Specific spinal adjustments can help improve mind/body communications. Health often returns with improved nervous system control of the body. How do you get subluxation? There are three basic caused of subluxations. Physical causes could include slips and falls, accidents, repetitive motions and improper lifting. Emotions, such as grief, anger and fear can cause subluxations. Chemical causes could include alcohol, drugs, pollution and poor diet. How do I know if I have subluxation? You can have subluxations and not even know it. Like the early stages of tooth decay or cancer, subluxations can be present before warning signs appear. The results of a thorough examination can show the location and severity of any subluxations that you may have. Can subluxations clear up on their own? Sometimes. Today's hectic lifestyles are a constant source of subluxations. Fortunately, our bodies have the ability to self-correct many of these problems as we bend or stretch, or when we sleep at night. When subluxations don't resolve, you need to see a chiropractic doctor. What is an adjustment? Chiropractic adjustments usually involve a quick thrust that helps to 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 a many ways to adjust the spine. Are chiropractic adjustments safe? Yes. By avoiding drugs and risky surgery, chiropractic care enjoys and excellent track record. A thorough exam can identify the rare person for whom chiropractic care might be unsuited. Compare the statistics, adjustments are safer than taking an over-the-counter pain reliever. 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. Can the bone 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 to reduce nerve interference. Years of training, practice and experience make chiropractic adjustments specific and safe. What makes the sound during an adjustment? Lubricating fluids separate the bones of each spinal joint. Some adjusting methods can produce a sound when gas and fluids in the the joint shift. It's much like opening a bottle champagne or removing a suction cup. The sound is interesting, but isn't a guide to the quality or value of the adjustment. Are all patients adjusted in the same way? No. Each patient's spine and care plan is unique. With 24 moving bones in the spine (that can each 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. 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. 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. 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 have you 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 complete their doctor's recommendations. What if chiropractic doesn't work? If we're unable to find and correct the cause of your particular health problem, we refer to other specialists who may be able to help. If you have questions that we have not answered here, do not hesitate to call us! |