Frequently Asked Questions About Chiropractic Care
Table of Contents
- What is Chiropractic all about ?
- Is my pain a pinched nerve or a slipped disc?
- What is an adjustment and are they safe?
- Will my bones move too much or make my spine loose?
- What is the popping sound?
- Who can get an adjustment?
What is Chiropractic all about ?
Chiropractic is based on the ultimate truism, that your body is a self healing organism controlled by your brain, spinal cord and nerves. Thousands of instructions flow from your brain, down the cord, and out the nerves to every organ, tissue and cell in your body. Conversely, information sent by these structures back to the brain confirm that your body is working right.
When stress, injury or an accumulation of bad posture occurs, the spinal bones lose their proper position of motion. This is called a subluxation. Subluxations interfere with the functions of the spinal joints and nervous system.
Specific spinal adjustments can help improve the alignment of the spine and functions of the nervous system.
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Is my pain a pinched nerve or a slipped disc?
Rarely do nerves get pinched. Only 10-15% of spinal problems are from pinched nerves. In truth, more often the pain is from irritated nerves caused by adjacent spinal bones stretching, rubbing, or scraping the nerve. This is called a subluxation.
Discs do not slip. Because the disc is attached to the spinal bone above and below it, there is actually no way for them to "slip" out of place. Discs can dry out, deteriorate (thin), collapse, bulge or tear (herniate), but they can't actually slip!
The resulting pressure on surrounding tissue can be intensely painful. Many patients have found relief in chiropractic care and are happy to avoid surgery or dependency on pain medication.
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What is an adjustment and are they safe?
Chiropractic adjustments involve a precisely directed force to a joint that is locked up or misaligned (subluxated). Restoring normal motion to joints can allow bones to gradually return to a more proper alignment so your body can function as it should.
Years of training, practice and experience make specific chiropractic adjustments safe. An adjustment has the right amount of energy delivered to an exact spot at the correct angle and at the right time to get the "stuck" joint moving again.
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Will my bones move too much or make my spine loose?
Only spinal joints that are "locked up" receive adjustments, therefore your spinal ligaments wont become too loose. It is highly unlikely that a chiropractic adjustment will cause the bones to move too much.
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What is the popping sound?
The "popping" sound is from the lubricating fluids that separate the spinal bones. When the gas and fluids in the joint shift, it results in a "pop", like opening a bottle of champagne or removing a suction cup.
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Who can get an adjustment?
Almost everyone on the planet can benefit from an adjustment!
Newborns get adjusted. Preliminary studies suggest that colic, unusual crying, poor appetites, ear infections or erratic sleeping habits can be signs of spinal disturbances. Pediatric adjustments are gentle. the doctor applies no more pressure than you would use to test the ripeness of a tomato
Patients with osteoporosis get chiropractic care. Considering the unique circumstances of each and every patient, we develop a care plan to meet your needs. With many different techniques to adjust your spine, we will use what is best suited to your age, size and condition.
Back surgery patients can also be treated. We will avoid the surgically modified areas of your spine. Surgery causes instability above and below the involved area. These areas will be the focus of your care.
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