Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chiropractic Medicine?
Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts which is concerned with human health and disease processes. Doctors of Chiropractic are physicians who consider man as an integrated being and give special attention to the physiological and biochemical aspects including structural, spinal, musculoskeletal, neurological, vascular, nutritional, emotional and environmental relationships.
The practice and procedures which may be employed by Doctors of Chiropractic are based on the academic and clinical training received in and through accredited chiropractic colleges and include, but are not limited to, the use of current diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Such procedures specifically include the adjustment and manipulation of the articulations and adjacent tissues of the human body, particularly of the spinal column. Included is the treatment of intersegmental aberrations for alleviation of related functional disorders.
Chiropractic is a drug-free, non-surgical science and, as such, does not include pharmaceuticals or incisive surgery. Due regard shall be given to the fact that state laws, as well as the nation's antitrust laws, may allow Doctors of Chiropractic to utilize ancillary health care procedures commonly referred to as being in the common domain.
American Chiropractic Association 2004
What is an "Adjustment"?
An "adjustment" or what we call a spinal manipulation is a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust or impulse directed at restoring joint play, or motion. Although the exact mechanism of action is still being debated it is thought to work by: releasing entrapped synovial fold or plica, relaxing hypertonic muscles and disrupting articular or periarticular adhesions.
One may notice an audible release ("popping" or "cracking") during the procedure, but it is not needed. The main goal of the manipulation is to restore motion to a joint that is no longer functioning as it should be.
Some people are fearful of the manipulation or the noise that it makes, so they often ask if there are other procedures, such as mobilization that may be performed. The short answer is Yes. The long answer is although we can use mobilizations (and we do use these in patients that are not candidates for manipulation) they are not as effective as high-velocity, low-amplitude manipulations. The ultimate advantage that manipulation has compared to mobilization is that it provides a dynamic stretch to the joint capsule thereby stimulating receptors in the joint. This stimulation can cause an increase (or restoration) of joint movement, which in turn improves joint function, leading to pain relief.
In addition to the mechanical effects of manipulation there are neurophysiological effects that go far beyond the involved joint and its surrounding tissues.
Joint Manipulation should not be simply looked at as restoration of motion in the dysfunctional joint. Joint Manipulation helps reestablish the functional biomechanics while simultaneously stimulating the nervous system via reflex phenomena.
1. Murphy, DR Conservative Management of Cervical Spine Syndromes. 2000
I have heard that once you see a chiropractor you have to keep coming back, is this true?
No. Our goal is to restore you to your optimal health and function and then give you the tools to keep you there. With that said, many people elect to continue their chiropractic treatment well after they feel well. Why? Because they feel that regular chiropractic care makes them feel better. Athletes often use chiropractic treatments to help them stay injury free and to improve performance.
What is that noise that is made when I have my back adjusted?
The proper term for that popping cracking is an "audible release" or "cavitation." The significance of the audible release is debatable. Each joint is surrounded by a sac which contains a fluid, called synovial fluid. This fluid contains dissolved gases. The audible release is caused by the gapping of the joint which increases the volume of the joint there by reducing the pressure in the joint, causing a vacuum. This causes a release of carbon dioxide from the synovial fluid in the joint forming an "air bubble." The creation of the this vacuum is what causes this "pop."
Is chiropractic effective?
Chiropractic helps to remove postural imbalances and structural misalignments that can accumulate in our bodies over time. Chiropractic works by restoring your own inborn ability to be healthy. For your body to remain healthy, your nervous system must function well. For your nervous system to function well it must be free of interference. By restoring spinal function with Chiropractic adjustments, nerve interference by misaligned vertebrae is removed, thus allowing optimal nervous system function and improved health.
Why should I see a Chiropractor?
Seeing a chiropractor is not only for back pain and neck pain. Chiropractic care is an excellent way to keep your body at its peak performance through nutrition, adjustment and overall wellness. In addition, chiropractic care has been known to help a wide range of conditions from fibromyalgia to diabetes.
What is Subluxation?
When a vertebrae becomes misaligned or moves out of its normal position, this is referred to in the chiropractic profession as a subluxation. Subluxations can be caused by a wide range of issues ranging from a minor slip or bump to a car accident or any sudden trauma. When a vertebrae is subluxated, it begins to put pressure on nerves, blood vessels and everything around it. This pressure comes with a price. The subluxation interrupts the natural pathways that the messages sent from the brain need to be clear in order to be completed properly.
How does chiropractic care work?
Chiropractic is an overall way of looking at the human body. It's based on the idea that the body is self-sustaining and self-healing. The body is in essence completely controlled by the brain through its connection via the spinal cord and the vast networks of nerves that make up the body. When this system is not functioning at its peak, the overall performance of the human body is lacking.
In the chiropractic world, drugs and medicine are not utilized as a form of treating a patient. While supplementation and nutrition are almost always a part of the bigger picture, drugs and prescriptions can be viewed as band-aids to treat symptoms rather than going to the source and treating the real problem.
While it's often perceived that the chiropractor is solely here to treat back and neck pain, this is simply a small piece of what the profession really is capable of handling. Chiropractors not only treat soft and hard tissue problems such as sciatica and joint pain, but are largely called on to deal with more significant issues. Some of these issues include fibromyalgia, allergies, insomnia, headaches and many more.
What is a chiropractic adjustment? Is it safe?
Adjustments, or manipulation as they're sometimes referred to is the minor movement of vertebrae in the spine. The objective of this movement is to realign vertebrae that have moved out of place for a number of reasons ranging from normal daily activity to trauma such as a car accident.
When these vertebrae are out of place, it has an overall systemic effect from muscular to the central nervous system. Without proper alignment and flow of all nerves and systems in the body from the brain, we can't function at our peak.
An adjustment is often a pressure from the chiropractor utilizing the hands or an instrument to move a vertebrae back into place. This happens with a quick movement and is often without discomfort. You may hear a noise that sounds like you're cracking your knuckles referred to as joint cavitation. It is the release of gases such as oxygen and nitrogen from the joint.
What can I expect from my visit to a chiropractor?
Going to the Chiropractor is a new experience for many of us. Maybe we've heard through a friend or have done some research online. It's possible that you are just fed up with living in pain and it's time to do something about it. In either case, your first visit to the chiropractor will really be about getting to know the chiropractor and discussing your history, current condition and goals.
What results can I expect from treatment?
Chiropractic is based on the idea of removing imbalances both structural and postural in an effort to allow our body to heal itself. For this to happen the network of nerves and signals from your brain, down your spinal cord, to the network of nerves must be allowed to flow freely without any interruption. Chiropractors have the ability and skill to remove these interruptions or misalignments and allow the body to perform as it was meant to.
If you've ever been in a car accident, played a sport, fell down or just bumped into something too hard, it's very possible that you are not functioning at your best due to a misalignment. While there are many potential mechanical or structural causes for misalignment, there are also chemical reasons. For instance, if you smoke or drink excessively or even just have a poor diet, the chemical issues in your body can eventually cause underlying conditions and disease to appear.
Allowing a chiropractor to get you back on track both chemically and structurally will bring your body back to the proper state it should be in to perform at its peak.
