How 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 subluxations?

• There are three basic causes of subluxations.  Physical causes include slips and falls, accidents, repetitive motions and improper lifting.  Emotions such as grief, anger, stress and fear can cause subluxations.  Chemical causes could include alcohol, drugs, pollution and poor diet.

How do I know if I have a 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 the subluxations you may have.  A chiropractor is trained to find subluxations in your spine before symptoms appear so the negative impact on your body can be minimized.

What is an adjustment?

• Chiropractic adjustments usually involve a quick thrust that helps 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 are many ways to adjust the spine and your chiropractor will determine which method will be most beneficial for you.

What makes the sound during the adjustment?

• Lubricating fluids separate the bones of each spinal joint.  Some adjusting methods can produce a sound when the gas and fluids in the joint shift.  It's much like opening a bottle of champagne or removing a suction cup.  The sound is interesting, but it isn't a guide to the quality or value of the adjustment.

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. 

Can a person who has had back surgery safely receive care from a chiropractor?

• YES!  It's an unfortunate fact that up to half of those who have had spinal surgery discover a return of their original symptoms months or years later.  Chiropractic may help prevent repeated operations.  Surgery often causes instability above or below the involved level.  These areas will be the focus of you chiropractic care, your chiropractic doctor will avoid the surgically modified areas of your spine.

Why do newborns get adjustments?

• Even today's "natural" childbirth methods can affect an infant's spine.  Preliminary studies suggested that colic, unusual crying, poor appetite, ear infections or erratic sleeping habits can be signs of spinal distress in infants.  Pediatric adjustments are gentle.  Knowing exactly where to adjust, the doctor applies very minimal pressure to the child's spine.

Who should visit a chiropractor?

• EVERYONE, the first subluxations occur during the birthing process which can be very traumatic so even newborns and young infants can benefit greatly from chiropractic care.  Significant trauma is not required for a person to become subluxated, there are many stressors in life that can cause subluxations and anyone who has a subluxation can benefit from chiropractic care.