Frequently asked questions

Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism. The brain, spinal cord and all the nerves of the body control these important functions. The skull protects the delicate tissue of the brain. 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 a malfunction of the tissues and the organs throughout the body. Chiropractors refer to this as a vertebral subluxation complex. The vertebrae are the spinal bones. Subluxation means the spinal bone is not moving as it should. The complex refers to the effects on the surrounding tissue, for example inflammation or tightness in the muscles.

Chiropractic works by restoring your own ability to be healthy. When under the proper control of your nervous system, all the cells, tissues and organs of your body are designed to resist disease and ill health. The chiropractic approach to better health is to locate and help remove interferences to your natural state of being healthy. A common interference to the nervous system is dysfunction to one or more of the twenty-four moving bones of the spine. A loss of normal motion or position of these bones can irritate or impair the function of the nervous system. This can disrupt the transmission of
controlling nerve impulses. With improved spinal function there is often improved nervous system function. This restoration positively affects other systems of the body as well, thus improving your health in many ways.

A chiropractor is a health care provider who gives special attention to spinal mechanics, musculoskeletal and neurological relationships of the body. A chiropractor must be able to carefully diagnose, evaluate and deliver the proper care so that the body regains and maintains health.

A chiropractor receives extensive training. Chiropractors receive expert knowledge of the body through the study of basic sciences, clinical sciences, body mechanics and chiropractic techniques. The study of chiropractic emphasizes anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, biomechanics, x-ray, and spinal adjusting techniques. Educational requirements for medical doctors and chiropractors in basic and clinical sciences are very similar. This demanding curriculum prepares chiropractors to locate the vertebral subluxation complex and help correct the resulting nervous system dysfunction. A chiropractic education never ends. Chiropractors complete postgraduate instruction for license renewal and to stay current on the latest scientific research.

Patient results vary depending upon many factors. How long have you had your problem? Do you keep your appointments? Are you getting the proper rest, exercise, and nutrition? Are you in otherwise good health? Within a short period of time most patients sense enough progress to justify completing our recommendations.

Spinal problems neglected from early childhood may require ongoing supportive care for optimum spinal function. These long standing problems are often associated with muscle weakness, soft tissue damage and degenerative changes to the spine. Most patients find that periodic chiropractic checkups help keep them in shape. Those who are active, have stressful jobs or want to be their very best, find that a schedule of preventive visits are helpful in the maintenance of good health. Some patients seek chiropractic care only when their ache or pain becomes unbearable. While this style of “crisis management” is usually more costly and time consuming, our office stands ready to help all patients, regardless of their health goals. How long you decide to benefit from chiropractic care is always up to you.

A chiropractic adjustment is the art of using a specific force in a precise direction, applied to a joint that is fixated or not moving properly. The adjustment returns motion to the joint. The purpose of which is improved spinal function, improved nervous system function and improved health.

In the words of the New Zealand government’s inquiry, chiropractic care is “remarkably safe”. Chiropractic has an excellent safety record. It is the result of a conservative approach to health that avoids invasive surgeries or addictive drugs. A thorough case history and examination help reveal areas of the spine that may be causing 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.

No. Only the spinal joints that are “fixated” receive adjustments. This allows weakened muscles and ligaments to stabilize and heal.

The adjustment of a joint may result in the release of a gas bubble between the joints which makes a popping sound. The same thing occurs when you “crack” your knuckles. The noise is caused by the change of pressure within the joint which results in gas bubbles being released. It's like opening a soda can or removing a suction cup. The sound is interesting but isn't a guide to the quality or value of the adjustment.