WHY CHIROPRACTIC?

The science and philosophy of Chiropractic relates to the fact that the brain and nervous system control all organs, tissues and cells of the body. When interference occurs in the nervous system this negatively affects how the body functions. Interference of the nerve pathway can occur when problems in spine, pelvis, or extremity joints are present. As a result of this nerve pressure pain, distress, and poor health in the body can arise.
Throughout everyday life our human body is under physical stress, emotional and mental stress, as while as chemical stress. Physical traumas such as falls and accidents, mental stress from work deadlines or running a household, or environmental pollution such as noxious gas fumes can cause problems within our spine and body.
All these above stresses can cause misalignment in spine called VERTEBRAL SUBLUXATION. Misalignments of the vertebrae cause nerve interference resulting in decreased nerve function to the areas of the body that the nerves supply. Symptoms often include but are not limited to tingling, pain, numbness, or no symptoms at all. Chronic subluxations can result in more serious health conditions over time. Degenerative changes can occur in the spine over time if the subluxation is not corrected properly.
 

“Like dentistry and regular check ups, Chiropractic involves regular check-ups to identify subluxations in the spine, comparative to the cavities in the mouth.”
 

“Chiropractors are the only doctors trained to detect and correct subluxations through safe, gentle and specific adjustments.”
 

“Over 2 million Chiropractic adjustments are delivered to patients every day. Adjustments are far safer than muscle relaxers or back surgery.

People under Chiropractic care are among the healthiest in the world, enjoying less medication, hospitalizations and medical doctor visits.”

WHAT IS A SUBLUXATION?

A subluxation is when vertebrae in the spine lose their proper position due to a trauma or other stressor. Misalignment first occurs causing the occlusion of the opening at which a nerve exits. When the opening is occluded this puts pressure on the nerve. The nerve pressure causes interference within the nerve and inhibits vital impulses and messages important for proper bodily function.
The result is dysfunction of the joint and further dysfunction of the body. For example, picture in your head a garden hose stretched across a vegetable garden. The hose carries water that is vital for the growth of the garden’s vegetables. As long as the garden supplied with enough water it will continue to grow and flourish. If the hose is pinched underneath the side of a stone the water supply will be insufficient. If the water supply doesn’t meet the requirements of the garden, the vegetables will wilt and die. If the body’s tissues, organs, and systems are not getting the nerve supply they need then your body will fail.
Subluxations can cause many more problems than pain and muscle spasm because they can negatively affect your body’s vital communication pathway (nerve pathways) for proper function.

WHAT IS THE GONSTEAD METHOD OF CHIROPRACTIC?

In Chiropractic there are about 38 different named techniques. The techniques range from being very gross and crude to very specific and scientific. Dr. Gonstead was a mechanical engineer prior to being a Chiropractor. After graduation from Chiropractic school he decided he could do Chiropractic better than he was taught if he could learn how to apply mechanical engineering principles to the spine.

WILL I NEED X-RAYS?

We will only take x-rays if clinically necessary. X-rays reveal a great deal of information that helps us understand what's going on with your spine and what areas we should focus on to maximize care to your nervous system. It allows us to be precise and ensures safety with each adjustment.

ARE YOU ON MY INSURANCE PLAN?

It depends. There are hundreds of different insurance plans, even within the same insurance company. Bring your insurance card and our office will see if your plan covers Chiropractic. If you’re care isn’t covered by insurance we offer affordable and discounted cash prices.

WILL I NEED TO GO FOR MANY VISITS?

Most people need a few visits and some people need many visits. The number of visits that will be required to correct your condition depends on the severity of the condition, the length of time you had it, whether you exercise, if you are overweight, your stress level, whether you let it heal during the process or you continue to aggravate it, if it has started to degenerate etc. Roughly speaking, from a symptom standpoint, people with an easy problem improve in a couple of days to a couple of weeks. Difficult problems can take months to years.

WILL I NEED TO GO TO A CHIROPRACTOR FOREVER?

As with any healthy lifestyle choice, it is always best to continue for a lifetime. Would it make any sense to begin working out, getting into the best shape of your life, feeling the best you have in years and then to stop? If you begin to eat a healthy diet of fruits and vegetables to get your body working at its optimum physical and mental state, would it make sense to stop and go back to eating chips and soda? Once people achieve health, it makes sense to maintain it. However, it is always up to you how much you want to benefit from Chiropractic care.

DOES THE ADJUSTMENT HURT?

The majority of Chiropractic adjustments are painless. In fact, most of the time an adjustment may give a person instant release and be relieving. However, if you’ve experienced a severe injury an adjustment can irritate already inflamed tissue and may cause some discomfort. Using ice after any recent injury is recommended to reduce inflammation and irritation. Ice can be used before and after an adjustment as instructed by your Chiropractor. A small amount of people will experience odd sensations in their muscles or extremities after adjustments. This is a normal reaction to the relieving of pressure on nerves and is usually no cause for concern. It is thought by some scientists to be an increase in circulation once the irritation is removed from the nerve.

HOW OLD SHOULD A PERSON BE BEFORE RECEIVING CHIROPRACTIC CARE?

People of all ages can receive Chiropractic Care. Even infants should have their spines checked for subluxations due to the traumatic birth process. It's best to have children under Chiropractic Care early in life to remove any negative affects that subluxations can have on developing muscles and organs. A rapidly developing skeletal structure can put stress on a child’s bones and joints causing them to develop abnormally. Sometimes this can develop into the spinal condition called scoliosis. Early care by a Chiropractor can detect these problems while they are still easy to correct.

HOW WILL THE ADJUSTMENT HELP ME?

Chiropractic adjustments eliminate nerve interference that prevents your body from healing itself. Misaligned vertebrae interfere with the functioning of your nervous system, which affects organs and muscles throughout your body. A Chiropractor corrects the underlying cause of your symptoms. This alleviates your painful symptoms and more importantly helps the body function properly and heal itself more quickly.

DOES AN ADJUSTMENT HAVE TO MAKE A NOISE TO BE EFFECTIVE?

No. While it is true that patients often hear a "pop" during an adjustment, the “popping” noise or cavitation is not related to the adjustment's effectiveness. The cavitation is a result of gases being released from the joint capsules of your facet joints. The main factor in a subluxation is not at the facet joints but instead at the intervertebral disc. The intervertebral disc is a fibrous joint and will not make a sound when adjusted. Once the misalignment is corrected at the intervertebral disc, the vertebrae will heal properly and the patient will truly begin to feel better. Instead of just getting the temporary superficial release that getting things to “crack” or “pop” provides, our doctors specialize in the Gonstead System of Chiropractic. The Gonstead Chiropractor emphasizes placing the vertebra properly upon its intervertebral disc through a specific and properly administered adjustment.

HOW CAN CHIROPRACTIC CARE HELP PREGNANT WOMEN?

Pregnancy places additional weight and stress on a woman's body. Chiropractic treatment can help relieve pregnancy-related low back, leg, neck and mid-back pain. It may also reduce incidence of headaches, nausea, and heartburn. Anecdotal evidence shows that regular Chiropractic Care up to the point of delivery can significantly reduce labor time and the chances of complications with delivery.

IS IT TRUE THAT CHIROPRACTORS DO NOT PRESCRIBE MEDICATION OR PERFORM SURGERY?

Yes. Chiropractors do not prescribe medication or perform invasive surgical procedures. They believe in the body’s ability to heal itself and, therefore, they focus on providing the body with the right elements for self-restoration. This makes Chiropractic safe and 100% natural.