COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT CHIROPRACTIC
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What is chiropractic all about?
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What does a chiropractor do?
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What conditions can a chiropractor treat?
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How do chiropractors differ from medical doctors?
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What are the requirements to be a chiropractor?
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Is chiropractic care really safe?
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Will I need to get X-rays?
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What is that cracking noise?
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Are chiropractic adjustments painful?
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How long does it take for a treatment to work?
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How long do chiropractic treatments continue?
Q1:
What is chiropractic all about?
Chiropractic is a natural preventive and rehabilitative healthcare that
concentrates on keeping people well. In fact, research has shown that patients
under chiropractic care have stronger immune systems, and don't get sick nearly as
much as the normal population. Doctors of chiropractic attempt to get to the
cause of a health problem, rather than just treat the symptoms. The primary
focus of chiropractic is the detection, reduction and correction of spinal
misalignments called subluxations. What is a subluxation? Sub-luxation, Sub- means
less than, luxation means dislocation, so its less than a dislocation. It is a
slight shift of one, or more bones. At first this subluxation does not cause
pain. That is why once you feel better with treatment you should continue to
come in to get your tune-up, to keep your spine flexible, to avoid
subluxations that cause pain, spasms, fatique and
contribute to injury.
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Q2:
What does a chiropractor do?
A doctor of chiropractic locates and removes small misalignments in the
spinal column known as the vertebral subluxation complex (VSC). VSC is also known
as spinal nerve stress and when present interfers with the nerve impulses at
the level of the subluxation ( see above for explanation of a subluxation). How
can this happen? When the bones first go out of alignment ( a subluxation),
there is no pain, but after awhile you start to get muscle spasms, pain, and
fatique. So once you start to feel better with care, continue your treatment,
because you might not realize you have a subluxation.
Chiropractors use carefully controlled and directed pressure to restore
spinal bones to their normal motion and position. This procedure is known as a
chiropractic adjustment.
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Q3:
What conditions can a chiropractor treat?
Chiropractors treat a wide variety of conditions including but not limited to:
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lower back pain
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whiplash
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neck pain
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scoliosis
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headaches
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torticollis
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sciatica
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sprain/strains
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shoulder and arm pain
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herniated discs
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thoracic outlet
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referred pain syndromes
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Q4:
How do chiropractors differ from medical doctors?
It is unfortunate that the majority of the population believes that
chiropractors are basically back doctors. Chiropractic has been shown to be extremely
effective in helping people with sore backs, but that is a small fraction of
what it is we actually do. The avenue of approach that we take to effect a
change on your body is via your spine.
A doctor of chiropractic works with the nervous system, the skeletal system,
and the muscular system. The nervous system not only controls nerve impulses,
but also controls hormones, chemicals, and every tissue, gland and organ in
your body. Chiropractors do not claim to cure anything, what we do is keep the
interference away from the spinal cord to allow the body to help itself, and
function at a 100%. By allowing this system to function at it's optimum,
patients enjoy better overall health and well being. We have helped hundreds of
patients with conditions such as: asthma, allergies, ear infections, bladder
infections, PMS, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, chronic pain, sinus
infections, childhood scoliosis and many others. Chiropractors have an effect on these
conditions, and syndromes, by locating and correcting your subluxations, and
keeping the interference away from your nervous system.
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Q5:
What are the requirements to be a chiropractor?
To receive the Doctor of Chiropractic degree, candidates must complete
extensive undergraduate prerequisites and four years of graduate-level instruction
at an accredited chiropractic institution. A doctor of chiropractic goes to
school as long as medical doctors, the only difference is we do not study
pharmacology. But do not
misunderstand, if you ever needed medicine, or medical treatment, we would
refer you immediately to a M.D.
Before they can practice, doctors of chiropractic must pass the National
Boards as well as the licensing exam for the state in which they wish to practice.
Florida requires the doctors to attend continuing educational programs for
annual relicensure.
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Q6:
Is chiropractic care really safe?
Numerous studies including several double-blind clinically randomized trials
have demonstrated that chiropractic is not only safe, but produces superior
results and is extremely cost effective. Doctors of Chiropractic take it one
step further by performing
a test that will test the patency of the arteries in the neck, making it that
much safer
to receive an adjustment.
The most notable studies are the 1979 New Zealand Chiropractic Report, the three year study in
the 1990 British medical journal, and the Province of Ontario's 1993 Manga Report.
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Q7:
Will I need to get X-rays?
It is important to understand the importance of X-Ray. Chiropractors are
trained in taking and interpreting X-rays, they are also trained in specialized
examination and treatment procedures. In many cases, traditional medical
procedures cannot accurately diagnose common back pain.
This is strongly supported by Dr.
Frank Jobe, M.D., and Dr. Robert Kerlan. In their 1999 book entitled Athletic Forever,
they state that "... despite the advent of high tech imaging equipment, the most
essential tools to diagnosing back pain remain the taking of a thorough medical history and
a hands on examination."
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Q8:
What is that cracking noise?
A chiropractic adjustment often makes a noise. The noise is created by a gas
that escapes from a joint when it is moved quickly. An adjustment takes the
joint just past its normal end range of motion for a fraction of a second and,
in that time, the buildup of nitrogen gas is usually released. Nothing actually
cracks or breaks. If there is no popping noise, it means there was no sound
from any escaping gas. You might
not always hear a noise with an adjustment.
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Q9:
Are chiropractic adjustments painful?
A few patients experience a slight soreness when chiropractic treatment is
initiated.
It is important to be relaxed during the adjustment, because if you do tense
up,
this can contribute to the soreness. You must be comfortable with the
Chiropractor, and she with you. There is a professional trust that develops with the
patient and the Chiropractor. Most patients, however, enjoy their adjustments
and look forward to them.
You may feel light pressure on your spinal joints or hear a popping sound
(the result of joints opening quickly). Adjustments rarely hurt. Instead, you may
have immediate relief and feel more relaxed.
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Q10:
How long does it take for a treatment to work?
Many patients notice significant improvement beginning with their initial treatment.
A small percentage of patients may notice a little discomfort, however, as their spine
adapts to the changes being made. One of the main reasons for the consultation and
examination is to clearly define the cause of your health conditions. If you have misaligned
vertebrae, then chiropractic can help. If that's not what you have, we will suggest a
referral to the proper health care professional.
Each person and each case is different. The length of care depends on the problem you have
and its severity. We can provide a much better estimate after an examination and consultation.
For most patients pain relief occurs within the first few weeks.
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Q11:
How long do chiropractic treatments continue?
Chiropractic should be a life-long enjoyable experience. Adjustments help to
stimulate the immune system, release natural pain relievers like enkephlans,
and
endorphins, decrease stress on your spine and in life, and help to avoid
injury, by keeping the spine flexible.
After a patient's initial examination, a program of care is established. This
may run anywhere from 3-9 months, depending on the patient's condition. Then
once you feel better you come in for your once a month tune-up. This is
similar to putting braces on crooked teeth. After this time, most patients choose to
maintain a check-up program to keep their spine healthy, free from pain and
to prevent a relapse. Most patients think of this as wellness or preventive
care similar to dental check-ups.
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