Frequently Asked Questions
What is chiropractic?
Finding and correcting interferences to the body's own natural state of good healthis what modern chiropractic care is all about. Chiropractic is based on applying scientific to stimulating your body's own remarkable resources. These important self-regulation and self-healing functions are controlled by your brain, spinal cord, and nerves. The vertebral subluxation complex (VSC) is a name given to the abnormal movement of spinal joints and associated changes in the nervous system. This degenerative condition can directly cause symptoms such as back or neck pain and seemingly un-associated symptoms such as headaches, arm and leg numbness or pain. Research has found that correcting VSC's, by adjustment and physical medicine proceedures, can lead to long term improvements or correction of a person's musculoskeletal problems.
- What conditions benefit from chiropractic care?
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Although chiropractic is used most frequently to relieve low back pain, medical studies have found it to be effective for a variety of conditions, headaches, neck and shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and sciatica.
- Does Chiropractic hurt?
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Under normal circumstances, adjustments don't hurt. The patient may experience a minor amount of discomfort during the adjustment which lasts only seconds.
- Is Chiropractic safe?
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Chiropractic adjustments or manipulations are extremely safe. The risk factor is estimated to be in excess of five million to one.
- What kind of education and training do doctors of chiropractic have?
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Chiropractors receive an education that emphasizes neuromuscular diagnosis and treatment. Preparation for the practice of chiropractic is concentrated on three areas of learning; basic training in the biological and health sciences (anatomy, physiology, histology, biochemistry, clinical and radiological diagnosis); specialized training in the chiropractic discipline (theoretical studies, practice, diagnosis and applications); and extensive clinical training. A chiropractor will spend over 4,000 hours in class not counting labs and clinic time.
- Have any studies been published showing what chiropractic is effective for?
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Multiple medical studies have documented the effectiveness of chiropractic in relieving back pain, neck pain and headaches. More recent studies have shown chiropractic to be effective in shoulder problems and migraine headaches.
- What can I expect on my first visit?
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The first thing a chiropractor will do is ask you about the health complaints about which you are chiefly concerned. The DC will also ask about your family history, prior complaints and other care you may have had (chiropractic, osteopathic, medical, etc.), your job, and other questions designed to help determine the nature of your illness and the best way to go about treating the problem.
A physical examination will be performed in accordance with your DC's clinical judgement, which may include x-rays, laboratory analysis and other diagnostic procedures. In addition, a careful spinal examination and analysis will be performed to detect any structural abnormalities which may be affecting or causing your condition. All of these elements are important components of your total health profile, and vital to the doctor of chiropractic in evaluating your problem.
- What is a vertebral subluxation?
- A vertebral subluxation is any structural and/or functional abnormality of the joints of the spine. These dysfunctions often result in kineseopathophysiology (abnormal movements) and neuropathophysiology (abnormal nerve function).