FAQ

What do Chiropractors do?
Doctors of Chiropractic treat problems in the neuromusculoskeletal system. The neuromusculoskeletal encompasses joints, muscles, nerves, ligaments, tendons, and discs. We are the only doctors trained to detect and correct joint dysfunctions known as "subluxations" through safe, gentle and specific adjustments. We help decrease pain, heal damaged tissues and educate patients to prevent further aches and pains.

How does chiropractic work?
Chiropractic works because you are a self-healing, self-regulating organism controlled by your nervous system. The nervous system controls every cell of your body. Millions of instructions flow from your brain, down the spinal cord, and out to every organ and tissue. Impulses sent back to the brain confirm that the body is working the way it should. The moving bones of the spine can interfere with this exchange by irritating adjacent nerves. Ill health can result from distorted or compromised nervous system control of the body. Chiropractic care helps restore the integrity of the nervous system by reducing interference caused by the subluxations in the spine.

Do I have a slipped disc?
Between each pair of spinal bones is a disc. Its fibrous outer ring holds in a jelly-like material. This soft center serves as a ball bearing for joint movement. Because of the way a disc attaches to the spinal bones above and below it, it can't actually slip. However, a disc can bulge. It can tear. It can herniate. It can thin. It can dry out. And it can collapse. But it can't slip.

Do I have a pinched nerve?
A pinched nerve is rare. It is more likely that an adjacent spinal bone irritates, stretches, rubs or chafes a nerve. These subluxations distort the nerve messages sent between the brain and the body. This can produce unhealthy alterations to the organs and tissues connected by the affected nerves.

What's 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, the force of gravity, or extremely light contacts. There are many ways to adjust the spine, each adpated to an individual's needs and comfort levels.

Is Chiropractic 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.

Who can chiropractic help?
Many of the simple activities of daily living can cause disruptions in the communication between brain and body. Subluxations are so common that virtually everyone can benefit from chiropractic care. Modified adjusting approaches can help children, the elderly or those with special needs.

How long will it take?
Since chiropractic care depends on the healing abilities of each patient, results can vary. Everyone responds differently. Some detect changes in a few short days or weeks. Other may take weeks to months before showing progress.

At what age should Chiropractic begin?
Newborns have received spinal adjustments, especially after difficult or traumatic births. There are case histories of infants close to death who were adjusted in hospitals with seemingly miraculous recoveries.

What causes the sound of an adjustment?
Actually, not all adjusting techniques produce the sound associated with "popping knuckles." Some techniques create no sound at all, some a little. Many techniques, however, do create the sound of a spinal "release." What causes it? A British research team that took x-ray movies of people "popping" their knuckles may have solved the mystery. The sound appeared to be caused by gas rushing in to fill the partial vacuum created when the joints were slightly separated.

Can I receive a Chiropractic adjustment only once?
Of course. Once is better than never. But chiropractic can help you in so many ways. Why not ask your chiropractor about your personal spinal-care needs?

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.

What if my insurance company doesn't cover chiropractic?
While an insurance company or other third party may be helpful, be careful. Don't allow a profit-motivated company to make decisions about what you do with your health. We make chiropractic care affordable for just about anyone.

Does chiropractic wear out your joints?
Chiropractic care can help prevent your joints from wearing out! Bones don't rub on each other. Instead, each joint is enclosed in a "capsule" of fluid that should offer a lifetime of friction-free movement. When there is a loss of proper motion of position of spinal bones, this movement can be restricted. Spinal joints above or below attempt to make up the difference by moving too much. Chiropractic spinal adjustments are directed only to those areas that are "stuck" and not moving enough.