Frequently
Asked Questions About Chiropractic
How does
chiropractic work?
Chiropractic is all about getting and keeping
you well and healthy.
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Chiropractic works by restoring your body's
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 interference and return your
body to your natural state of being healthy.
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A common location of 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.
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With improved spinal function there is often
improved nervous system function. Your chiropractic physician can
help remove interferences that may be impairing normal health.
Since the primary focus of your care is improved nervous system function,
chiropractic care can have a positive effect on many health conditions
not normally thought of as "back" problems.
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What do Chiropractic
Doctors do?
Today's chiropractic doctor looks for the
underlying nervous system involvement's which can be the cause of many
health problems.
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Helping to restore proper spinal biomechanics
and improved nervous system function begins with a case history. This gives
the doctor a background about your health, such as surgeries, accidents,
the onset of your condition and other details affecting your current health.
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After reviewing your history and discussing
your specific problem, a thorough orthopedic, neurological, and chiropractic
examination is performed. 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 deficit.
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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.
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Since the word "doctor" comes from the Latin
word meaning "teacher", regardless of your doctor's unique clinical approach,
he or she has a strong commitment to patient education.
Do I have a
pinched nerve?
More common are nerves that are stretched,
twisted, or irritated by spinal structures.
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Many patients consult a chiropractic physician
because they think they have a pinched nerve. Because of the way
your spine is designed, abnormal spinal function caused from physical trauma,
emotional tensions, 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 (compressed 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.
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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
Do I have a
slipped disc?
Discs do not "slip", however like the shock
absorbers on your car, they can leak or rupture.
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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, jelly-like center is contained by
outer layers of fibrous tissue. Healthy discs help allow normal turning
and bending.
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Because of the way each disc is attached to
the vertebrae above and below, a disc cannot "slip". Trauma or injury
to the spine, however, 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.
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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 is that
"crack" noise?
The crack heard commonly with chiropractic
adjustment is not from the bone.
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The joints between your bones are lined with
cartilage, this cartilage allows you to move your bones around smoothly
and without irritation to the bones.
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The cartilage however needs a "lubricant"
so it will not wear out. This lubricant is a clear fluid that is
in all your joints. This is what swells up when you injure a joint
like your knee or ankle.
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Therefore, when a chiropractor adjusts a joint,
he/she momentarily separates the joint and pulls some gas from the fluid,
and that little gas bubble then pops. This is the exact same kind
of "pop" or "crack" when you crack your knuckles.
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There is another type of crack your body can
produce, it is the cracking commonly found when knees or elbows are bent.
This is caused when tendons that attach your muscles to your bones snap
over a bump on your bone.
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What
type of education do Chiropractic Doctors get?
After undergraduate studies, today's chiropractic
physician completes an additional four-year curriculum of over 4,500 college
classroom hours of health sciences.
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Today's Doctor of Chiropractic is well educated.
The science of chiropractic requires a special emphasis on anatomy, physiology,
pathology, neurology, biomechanics, X-ray, spinal adjusting techniques
and related subjects. This demanding curriculum prepares chiropractic
doctors to locate the Vertebral Subluxation Complex and help correct the
resulting nervous system dysfunction.
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To graduate with a Doctor of Chiropractic
degree, each candidate passes the demanding National Board Examination.
Then, doctors apply to a governmental or professional licensing board and
pass a still more difficult test before being granted the privilege to
practice.
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A chiropractic education never ends.
Most doctors complete postgraduate instruction for license renewal and
to stay current on the latest scientific research.
What is an adjustment?
There are hundreds of ways to adjust the
spine.
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A chiropractic adjustment is the art of using
a specific force in a precise direction, applied to a joint that is fixed,
"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, nervous system function and health.
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There are many ways to adjust the spine.
Usually, the doctor's hands or specially designed instruments delivers
a brief and highly accurate thrust. Some adjusting methods are quick,
whereas others require a slow and constant pressure.
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After years of training and clinical experience,
each chiropractic doctor becomes highly skilled in the delivery of a variety
of adjusting approaches.
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Check out our section all about chiropractic
adjustments, you can even watch some adjustments.
Are all the
patients adjusted the same way?
Regardless of the adjusting technique,
chiropractic care is tailored to each patient's age, condition and spinal
problem.
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The doctor 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.
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Some patients who complain of headaches may
actually have a lower back problem that is causing a compensation 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.
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Patients notice that their chiropractic care
is delivered with confidence and precision. Each visit builds
on the one before. While visits may seem similar, each patient's
care is uniquely different from every other patient's.
Can I adjust
my self?
You cannot effectively adjust yourself.
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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.
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It is possible to turn or bend or twist
in certain ways 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 adjustments from a Doctor of Chiropractic.
Even your doctor must seek out the services of another colleague to help
restore and maintain proper spinal function.
Can I just
get adjusted once and be all done?
When chiropractors adjust, there is more
to the vertebral subluxation complex than just bones.
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The vertebrae in your back are supposed to
move freely in all directions. There should not be any irritation
in the small pain sensitive facet joint that are up and down the spine.
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However, trauma or other injuries may occur
that prohibit the spine from moving correctly. This also causes irritation
in the muscles, ligaments, nerves, tendons, and other surrounding soft
tissues. Needless to say, usually the bone is never the only thing
which needs to be fixed.
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This is why it takes some time for you to
get better. Your body is a wonderful healer, it heals cuts, scraps,
broken bones; it just takes some time. You do need to be patient
and follow your doctor's orders to heal quickly.
Can I speed
the healing process?
Proper rest, exercise and good nutrition
are especially important during the healing process.
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While there aren't any shortcuts to speed
your body's natural healing process, there's a lot you can do to give yourself
the best chance of a quick recovery.
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Learn proper sitting and lifting methods.
Specific exercises may be suggested to help retrain the muscles that support
your spine.
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Proper rest is an important aspect of the
healing process, too. Get the appropriate amount of rest your body
needs, and avoid sleeping on your stomach.
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During the healing process, proper nutrition
is more important than ever. Make sure you get balanced meals, and
if you're overweight, now would be a good time to slim down and reduce
unnecessary stresses to your spine.
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Perhaps most important of all, keep you appointments
and follow your chiropractic doctor's recommendations for optimum results.
Is chiropractic
care safe?
Chiropractic care is safer than back surgery,
muscle relaxers and even common aspirin!
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In the words of the New Zealand government's
inquiry, chiropractic care is "remarkably safe".
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Chiropractic has an excellent safety record.
It is the result of a conservative approach to health that avoids invasive
procedures or addictive drugs.
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A thorough case history and examination help
reveal areas of the spine that may be causing nervous system malfunction.
This information will be used to determine the best course of care for
each patient.
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Chiropractic care is a natural approach to
better health that is proven safe and effective.
Can children
have chiropractic care?
Chiropractic has been shown to be helpful
with scoliosis and many other so-called "normal" childhood health problems.
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Since significant spinal trauma can occur
at birth, many parents have their newborns checked for Vertebral Subluxation
Complex.
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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.
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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.
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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?
Regardless of your age, chiropractic care
can help improve mobility and maintain vitality.
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More and more people are consulting chiropractic
doctors, 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.
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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.
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The adjusting technique used by your doctor
will be modified for maximum comfort and results.
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As we get older and wiser, the simplicity
and effectiveness of chiropractic care becomes more and more obvious.
How long will
I need chiropractic care?
Periodic chiropractic checkups, like brushing
and flossing, getting regular exercise, and eating wholesome foods is part
of a healthy lifestyle.
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Spinal problems, neglected since early childhood,
may require ongoing supportive care for optimum spinal function.
These long-standing problems are often associated with muscle weakness,
soft tissue damage, and degenerative changes to the spine.
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Most patients find that periodic chiropractic
checkups help keep them in tip-top shape. Those who are active,
have stressful jobs, or want to be their very best, find that a schedule
of preventive visits is helpful in the maintenance of good health.
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Some patients seek chiropractic care only
when their ache or pain becomes unbearable. While this style
of "crisis management" is usually more costly and time-consuming, our office
stands ready to help all patients, regardless of their health goals.
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How long you decide to benefit from chiropractic
care is always up to you.
Is chiropractic
care expensive?
Chiropractic care is very affordable, in
fact, you may not have to pay anything!
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Brook West accepts most insurance and health
care plans.
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If you were injured at work or in car accident,
you are free to visit a chiropractor. Also, if you qualify, the treatment
will be at no cost to you.
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Brook West also has cash plans which provide
affordable chiropractic care for people without insurance or for those
with high deductibles.
If
you have any other questions, please contact us.