What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your body is a self-regulating, self healing organism. These important functions are controlled by the brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves of the body. The moving bones of the spine protect the vulnerable communication pathways of the spinal cord and nerve roots. If the nervous system is impaired, it can cause malfunction of the tissues and organs throughout the body. Doctors call this the Vertebral Subluxation Complex. Chiropractic is the science of locating offending spinal structures, the art of reducing their impact to the nervous system, and the philosophy of all things natural.
Can I adjust myself?
Since a chiropractic adjustment is a specific force, applied in a specific direction, to a specific spinal joint, it is virtually impossible to adjust oneself. It is possible to turn or bend or twist in certain ways to create a popping sound, like the sound that sometimes accompanies a chiropractic adjustment. Unfortunately this type of joint manipulation is usually counterproductive, often making an already unstable area of the spine even more unsteady – adjusting the spine is not for amateurs! For more information about some of the treatment methods utilized by the doctors of Chiropractic Health Services, please visit the services page.
Is chiropractic care safe?
Chiropractic has an excellent safety record. It is the result of a conservative approach to health that avoids invasive procedures or addictive drugs. A thorough case history and examination help reveal areas of the spine that may be causing the nervous system malfunction. This information will be used to determine the best course of care for each patient. Chiropractic care is a natural approach to better health that is proven safe and effective.
Can I speed the healing process?
While there aren’t any shortcuts to speed your body’s natural healing process there’s a lot you can do to give yourself the best chance of a quick recovery. Learn proper sitting and lifting methods. Specific exercises may be suggested to help retrain the muscles that support your spine. Proper rest is an important aspect of the healing process, too. Get the appropriate amount of rest your body needs and avoid sleeping on your stomach. During the healing process, proper nutrition is more important than ever. Perhaps the most important of all, keep your appointments and follow your chiropractic doctors recommendations for optimum results.
Do I have a pinched nerve?
Many patients consult a chiropractic doctor because they think they have a pinched nerve. While commonly associated with the spine, the pinched nerve (compressive lesion) is actually rare. Research suggests that spine related problems are caused by direct pressure of bone on nerve tissue. This can result in numbness, burning, or a pins and needles feeling. More frequently, nerves are irritated (facilitative lesion). This is caused when nerve tissue is rubbed, scraped, stretched by a loss of spinal curve, or irritated by malfunctioning spinal bones.
Why do children need chiropractic care?
Since significant spinal trauma can occur at birth, many parents have their newborns checked for the Vertebral Subluxation Complex. Later, learning to walk, ride a bicycle, and other childhood activities can cause spinal problems. While a bandage and comforting words can help with a skinned knee, the unseen damage to the child’s spine is the unique domain of a chiropractic doctor. Naturally chiropractic and adjusting procedures are modified to a child’s spine. Most parents report that their children enjoy their chiropractic adjustments and seem healthier than other children.
Am I too old for chiropractic care?
More and more people are consulting chiropractic doctors, especially in their later years. With growing concerns about over-medication and the side effects of combining various prescription drugs, safe, natural chiropractic care is growing in popularity. The adjusting technique used by your doctor will be modified for maximum comfort and results. As we get older and wiser the simplicity and effectiveness of chiropractic care becomes more and more obvious.
What type of education do chiropractic doctors receive?
Today’s Doctor of Chiropractic is well educated. The science of chiropractic requires a special emphasis on anatomy, physiology, pathology, urology, biomechanics, x-ray, spinal adjusting techniques, and related subjects. To graduate with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, each candidate passes four demanding National Board Examinations. Most doctors complete postgraduate instruction for license renewal and to stay current on the latest scientific research. For more information about the educational backgrounds of the the doctors at Chiropractic Health Services please visit the doctors page.
What is an adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment is the art of using a specific force in a precise direction, applied to a joint that is fixated, locked up, or not moving properly. This adds motion to the joint, helping the bones gradually returned to a more normal position and motion. The purpose of this safe and natural procedure is to improve spinal function, improve nervous system function, and improve health. Usually the doctor’s hands or a specially designed instrument deliver a brief and highly accurate thrust. After years of training and clinical experience, each chiropractic doctor becomes highly skilled in the delivery of a variety of adjusting approaches.
Are all patients adjusted the same way?
The doctor evaluates each patient’s unique spinal problem and develops an individual course of care. The resulting recommendations are based upon years of training and experience. Patients notice that their chiropractic care is delivered with confidence and precision.