Q: What is Chiropractic?
A: Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your body is a self regulating, self-healing organism, controlled by the brain, spinal cord and nerves of the body. The vertebrae, which protect the brain and nervous system, when misaligned or subluxated, causes malfunction of the tissues and organs throughout the body.
Chiropractic works by restoring your inborn ability to be healthy. By restoring spinal function with Chiropractic adjustments, nerve interference by misaligned vertebrae is removed, thus allowing optimal nervous system function and normal health.
Q: Is Chiropractic Care Cost Effective?
A: Many studies in recent years show that for many conditions, chiropractic is by far THE most cost-effective treatment available. In fact, people who use chiropractic care regularly spent less on all healthcare expenses, simply because they are healthier and have less illness and injury. Add to this regular care that is wellness oriented and you have your best chance for avoiding dangerous, invasive medical and hospital care. The Journal of American Health Policy reported in 1992, after a review of data from over 2,000,000 users of chiropractic care in the U.S. that “chiropractic users tend to have substantially lower total health care costs” and “chiropractic care reduces the use of both physician and hospital care.”
Q: If I Crack My Own Neck or Back, am I Giving Myself an Adjustment?
A: People often associate the cracking or popping of one’s neck with a chiropractic adjustment. The two are not the same thing. If a person has the desire to pop his/her neck or back, it is usually because part of the spine is fixated and misaligned causing other parts to move too much and pop. It’s the fixated part that must be properly adjusted by way of a specific force given by a chiropractor so that the rest of the spine will stop being so movable and noisy. Even chiropractors can’t adjust themselves. When you crack your neck you’re relieving tension for a little while, but not giving yourself an adjustment. After a while the urge to crack reappears because the cause -the fixed and misaligned vertebrae- hasn’t been corrected.
Q: Can You Tell if You Need a Chiropractic Adjustment on Your Own?
A: Not always. A subluxation is like a dental cavity, you may have one with no symptoms for a long time. For this reason, an occasional spinal checkup is advisable, just like a dental checkup.
Q: What will happen if I stop going?
A: Your spine will begin to degenerate just as it had been before you started care. People often comment “if you start going you will have to go for the rest of your life.” This is like saying if you start brushing your teeth you will have to for the rest of your life. Different people have different needs based on the wear and tear they put on their body. Maintain proper spinal hygiene for life.
Q: I Already Exercise and Get Massage, So Do I Still Need Chiropractic?
A: Chiropractic deals with the function of the nervous system and the structure of the spine. Because the nervous system controls everything in your body, it is vital that it functions without interference.
Massage can relax the muscles and improve circulation, but if the nerves are irritated, the muscles will tighten up again. Chiropractic addresses the cause (irritated nerves) not the resulting muscle tightness/spasm.
Exercise is a vital part of any wellness program, but it is not a substitute for chiropractic care. Wellness means having balance in each aspect of health and chiropractic is the component that allows the others to have the most impact on your well-being.
Q: What Type of Education Do Chiropractors Get?
A: Today’s Doctor of Chiropractic is well educated with a curriculum similar to medical school. Special emphasis is placed on anatomy, neurology, biomechanics, nutrition, x-ray, physiology, diagnosis, and spinal adjusting. Chiropractors must pass rigorous state and national board exams before they can legally practice.
Q: Why Do Children Need Chiropractic Care?
A: A recent study by Nilsson in Denmark reports that children under Chiropractic care are healthier than other children, miss less school, are more attentive and have less need for drugs. Children with conditions such as ear-aches, colic, bed-wetting, scoliosis, “growing pains”, torticollis, and asthma respond wonderfully to Chiropractic.
Q: How Long Will I Need Chiropractic?
A: There are 3 types of care in Chiropractic : Initial care to remove symptoms; Corrective care to correct the cause of the underlying muscle weakness, soft tissue damage, and degenerative changes, and Wellness care. Similar to brushing teeth, tuning up your car, or regularly visiting a dentist, wellness care is important for maintaining optimal health, saving money, and enjoying a healthy lifestyle. How long you decide to benefit from Chiropractic is always up to you.
Q: Do I Need a Referral to Visit a Chiropractor?
A: Absolutely not! A Doctor of Chiropractic is a primary contact physician. This means you do not need a referral. If yours is not a Chiropractic case, a responsible Chiropractor will refer you to the appropriate health care provider.
