Frequently Asked Questions

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 many times do I have to come in?

Every condition and injury is different. Some clear up in a visit or two. Some require longer treatment. If you have an acute, or new, injury like an automobile collision then we will see you frequently at first and then pull treatment back slowly.

Are Chiropractic Adjustments safe?

Yes. A New Zealand government study found that adjustments are “remarkably safe.” By avoiding drugs and risky surgery, chiropractic care enjoys an excellent track record. A thorough exam can identify the rare person for whom chiropractic care might be unsuitable. Compare statistics. Adjustments are about 100 times safer than taking an over-the-counter pain reliever.

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.

 

What makes the sound during an 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 or value of the adjustment.

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 I adjust myself?

No. Some people can make their joints “pop,” but that’s not an adjustment! Worse, damage can occur by mobilizing a joint with weakend muscles and ligaments. Adjustments are specific and take years to master. Even your chiropractic doctor must consult a colleague for an adjustment to benefit from chiropractic care.

Can I have chiropractic care after back surgery?

Yes. Rest assured that your chiropractic doctor will avoid the surgically modified areas of your spine. Surgery often causes instability above or below the involved level. These areas will be the focus of your chiropractic care.

What is Ultrasound and how does it work?

It is a therapeutic treatment using high frequency sound waves that vibrates and warms up the tissues deep in the body. The heat and vibrations help break down and disperse unhealthy hard tissue accumulations.

What is Electromuscle Stimulation and how does it work?

It is small amount of electrical current into the tissues fo reduce pain, decrease local swelling, release the body’s natural pain killers and speeds the healing process.

What is Trigger Point Therapy?

A trigger point is an area of uncontrolled muscle tightness causing tenderness which interferes with normal muscle function.  This restricts normal range of motion, weakens the muscle and may refer pain to other parts of the body.  To get rid of these we use hands, fingers, elbows or a small hand instrument and compress the muscle with sustained pressure to relax it.