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 skull protects the delicate tissues 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 malfunction of the tissues and organs throughout the
body. Doctors of Chiropractic call this the Vertebral Subluxation
Complex.
The Chiropractic adjustment has been proven to increase motion,
increase circulation, reduce swelling and pain, and remove nervous
irritation. Once this nervous irritation is removed, your body is
able to do what it is designed to do - heal itself.
Chiropractic is the Science, Art and Philosophy that concerns itself
with the restoration of good health by restoring and maintaining a
properly functioning nervous system, without the use of drugs or
surgery.
What do Doctors of Chiropractic do?
Chiropractors restore proper motion to joints that are not moving
properly. Helping to restore proper spinal biomechanics and improved
nervous system function begins with a case history. Your case
history is vital as it reveals the background about your health,
such as surgeries, accidents, the onset of your condition, and other
details which brought you into the office.
After reviewing your history and discussing your specific problem, a
thorough orthopedic, neurological, and chiropractic examination is
performed. X-ray may be taken which will help uncover structural and
functional problems.
What Type of Education do Doctors of Chiropractic get?
Today's Doctor of Chiropractic is well educated. The science of
chiropractic requires a special emphasis on anatomy, physiology,
pathology, neurology, biomechanics, X-ray, spinal adjusting
techniques and related subjects. This demanding curriculum prepares
chiropractic doctors to locate the Vertebral Subluxation Complex and
help correct the resulting nervous system dysfunction.
Before beginning Chiropractic school, chiropractic students need to
complete 3 years of undergraduate education to obtain the necessary
prerequisites. A chiropractic student then completes 4 years of
graduate school to receive a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. However
the testing is not done. Each candidate must then pass both Federal
and Provincial board examinations in order to receive a license to
practice chiropractic. It takes about 7 years of post-secondary
schooling to learn how to be a chiropractor!
A chiropractic education never ends. Most doctors continue to
educate themselves by taking postgraduate courses and staying
current by reading the latest scientific research.
After undergraduate studies, today's chiropractic doctor completes
an additional four-year curriculum of over 4,500 classroom hours of
health sciences.
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. An adjustment adds motion to the joint,
helping the bones gradually return to a more normal position and
motion. The purpose of this safe and natural procedure is improved
spinal function, improved nervous system function, and improved
health.
There are hundreds of ways to adjust the spine. Usually the doctor's
hands or a specially designed instrument delivers a brief and highly
accurate thrust. Some adjusting methods are quick, whereas others
require a slow constant pressure.
After years of training and clinical experience, each chiropractic
doctor becomes highly skilled in the delivery of a variety of
adjusting approaches.
Do I Have a Pinched Nerve?
Many patients consult a doctor of chiropractic because they think
they have a pinched nerve. While commonly associated with the spine,
a pinched nerve is actually rare. Research suggests that only
10%-15% of spine related problems are caused by direct pressure of
bone on a nerve. Typically a 'pinched nerve' will result in
numbness, burning, or a 'pins and needles' feeling. When a bone
pushes on a nerve, this is a serious condition that requires
immediate attention.
Several other possibilities exist that can also cause numbness
and/or a burning sensation. Nerves are more commonly stretched or
irritated, which will produce a numbness feeling.
If you have numbness, see your chiropractor for a detailed and
thorough examination.
Do I Have a Slipped Disc?
No, it is not possible for discs to slip. The disc is a pad-like
tissue located between two vertebrae, which acts as shock absorber
for the spine. The centre of the disc is made of a fluid, soft,
'jelly-like' substance. When discs become damaged, tears can occur
through which the soft centre can leak out and push on the nerves.
This is know as a ruptured or herniated disc and is extremely
painful.
While results cannot be guaranteed, many patients have avoided
needless surgery or a dependency on pain pills, by choosing
chiropractic care for their disc-related health problems. In fact
chiropractic adjustments are safer than back surgery, muscle
relaxers, and even aspirin!
Discs do not ’slip,’ however, if damaged they can leak or rupture.
Are All Patients Adjusted the Same Way?
No, each patient is adjusted according to their unique requirements.
Your chiropractor will determine the best way to adjust your spine
after completing a detailed examination.
Many chiropractors will adjust your entire spine, even though you
don't have pain in that area. Pain is a poor indicator of problems
as many problems refer pain into other areas. Some patients who
complain of headaches may actually have a lower back problem that is
causing a compensation reaction at the base of the skull. Other
patients may be experiencing numbness and tingling in their fingers
when the actual problem is in the neck.
While visits may seem similar, each visit builds on the one before.
Chiropractic care is customized to each patient’s age, condition,
and spinal problem.
Can I Adjust Myself?
Since a chiropractic adjustment is a specific force, applied in a
specific direction, to a specific joint, it is impossible to adjust
oneself; and also dangerous. Spinal adjusting may look easy when
done by an experienced chiropractor, but it has taken several years
to master - just a gymnast makes walking on a balance beam easy.
Turning and twisting your back and neck may create a ‘popping’
sound, however this usually causes an unstable area of the spine
even more unsteady. Remember the goal of the adjustment is to get
joints moving that are not moving normally, twisting your back will
cause unstable joints to become more unstable. Spinal adjusting is
not for amateurs!
The best way to enjoy the healthful benefits of chiropractic is to
receive adjustments from a Doctor of Chiropractic. Even your doctor
must seek out the services of another colleague to help restore and
maintain proper spinal function.
Is Chiropractic Care Safe?
There are literally thousands of published scientific studies
proving chiropractic’s safety and effectiveness. 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 procedures or
addictive drugs. In fact, chiropractic adjustments are safer than
back surgery, muscle relaxers and even aspirin!
Chiropractic care is a natural approach to better health that is
proven safe and effective.
What Can I do to Help My Healing?
There’s a lot you can do to give yourself the best chance for a
quick recovery.
Learn proper sitting and lifting methods. Specific exercises may be
suggested to help retrain the muscles that support the 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. Make sure you eat balanced meals, and if you’re overweight,
now would be a good time to slim down and reduce unnecessary
stresses to your spine.
Perhaps most important of all, keep your appointments and follow
your chiropractic doctor’s recommendations for optimum results.
Proper rest, exercise, and good nutrition are especially important
during the healing process.
Do Children Need To Be Adjusted?
Since significant spinal trauma can occur at birth, many parents
have their new-borns checked for the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Later, learning to walk, riding a bicycle, and other childhood
activities can cause spinal problems. While a bandage and some
comforting words can help a skinned knee, the unseen damage to the
child’s spine is the unique domain of a chiropractic doctor.
Many childhood health complaints that are brushed off as ’growing
pains’ can often be traced to the spine. Regular chiropractic
check-ups can identify these problems and help avoid many of the
health complaints seen later in adults.
Naturally, chiropractic 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.
Chiropractic has been shown to be helpful with scoliosis and many
other so-called ‘normal’ childhood health problems.
Can I Be Too Old For A Chiropractic Adjustment?
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.
Restoring better spinal function can help improve mobility,
vitality, endurance and appetite. Many patients report improvement
with arthritic symptoms and other chronic ailments often associated
with the aging process.
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.
Regardless of your age, chiropractic care can help improve mobility
and maintain vitality.
How Long Will I Need Chiropractic Care?
Spinal problems neglected since 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 check-ups help keep
them in tip-top 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. Unfortunately this style of ‘crisis management’
is usually more costly and time-consuming in the long run.
How long you decide to benefit from chiropractic care is always up
to you.
Periodic chiropractic check-ups, like brushing and flossing your
teeth, getting regular exercise, and eating wholesome foods is part
of a healthy lifestyle.
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