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What is wrong with me?
After taking a history and performing a very thorough physical exam, your doctor of chiropractic will explain what is wrong. Depending on your condition and the mechanism of injury, your doctor may order x-rays to provide a better overall picture of the cause of your symptoms. Top
What is a chiropractor?
A chiropractor is a doctor who specializes in correcting health problems as they relate to the spine. By using "hands on" manual treatment techniques, wellness and optimal health are maintained. Top
How does chiropractic work?
Chiropractic works because you are a self-healing, self-regulating organism controlled by your nervous system. Millions of instructions flow from your brain, down the spinal cord and out to every organ and tissue in the body. Improper motion of the moving bones of your spine called subluxation can interfere with the vital exchange by irritating nerves and compromising the function of affected organs and tissues. Specific spinal adjustments can help improve mind/body communications. Health often returns with improved nervous system control of the body. Top
How do adjustments to the spine work?
Spinal joints that are "locked up," fixated or not moving right can adversely affect your health by "choking" or irritating delicate nearby nerve tissue. Chiropractic adjustments add motion to these areas. This helps restore nervous system integrity and can improve the healing process. Continued visits help retrain supporting muscles and ligaments of the spine. Top
How long is it going to take to fix me?
Some patients experience almost instant relief Others discover it can take weeks or months. Many factors affect the healing process. Within a week or so, most patients see enough progress to encourage them to complete our recommendations. Top
How safe is chiropractic?
A New Zealand study found that adjustments are "remarkably safe." By avoiding drugs and risky surgery, chiropractic care enjoys an excellent track record. Compare the statistics. Adjustments to the spine are about 100 times safer than taking an over-the-counter pain reliever. Top
Are there any side effects with chiropractic care?
The most common side effect experienced by patients after an adjustment is post treatment soreness. A small percentage of chiropractic patients are sore after their first chiropractic adjustment. This usually lasts for only one to two days after the first visit. Top
Will I have to come in for care forever?
Once your initial problem has resolved, whether it be in weeks or months, the decision to continue on for maintenance care is always up to you. Like regular dental checkups, once patients experience the value of chiropractic, many choose to continue. Top
How do I prevent pain from happening again?
The best way to prevent recurrent pain is to follow your doctor's advice. This may include rehabilitative exercises, modifications to the way you perform work, sports or basic activities of daily living, and regular maintenance check-ups. Top
Will I receive any medication for pain?
No. Chiropractic doctors do not dispense drugs. Because chiropractors rely on natural methods, ask for directions on how to use ice to control painful symptoms. Ice, when properly applied, can have an analgesic effect without side effects associated with pain medications.
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What conditions can a chiropractor treat?
Chiropractors treat a wide variety of conditions including headaches, carpal tunnel, jaw pain, slipped discs, sciatica, numbness in the arms and legs, neck pain and low back pain. Top
What is a slipped disc?
The disc is a soft pulpy "shock absorber." It has a fibrous outer ring, which holds in jelly-like material. A "slipped disc" is a common way to refer to a wide variety of disc problems. However, a disc can't slip because of the way it attaches to the spinal bones above and below it. A disc can bulge. It can tear. It can herniate. It can thin. It can dry out. Finally, it can collapse, but it can't slip. Top
Will vitamin supplements help?
Vitamins provide the raw materials to allow your body to heal. Your chiropractor will recommend specific supplements depending on your specific condition and overall state of health. Top
What type of education does a chiropractor go through?
Like other types of doctors, today's chiropractic doctors start with undergraduate studies in the basic sciences. The education continues in Chiropractic College where special emphasis is placed on anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, bio-mechanics, x-ray, spinal adjusting and other related subjects. Before graduation, there is a closely supervised internship at the chiropractic college clinic. Prior to obtaining their licensure, chiropractors must pass rigorous national board exams. Top
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