What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is based on four basic principles:
- The body is a self-healing and self-regulating organism
- The nervous system is the master control system of the body.
- Nervous system interference caused by misalignment of the spine (subluxation) can result in malfunction in the body and possible symptoms like pain.
- Removal of subluxations by the Chiropractic adjustment allows the body to heal, control, regulate and function optimally.
How does Chiropractic work?
Chiropractic works by locating vertebral subluxations or misalignments through a comprehensive examination and deducing the gentlest way to correct those subluxations using the Chiropractic Adjustment. This correction ultimately restores the healthy communication between the brain and the body.
What is a Subluxation?
A Subluxation is a misalignment of the spinal bones that result in nerve interference, which can cause your body to mal-function. Subluxations act like short circuits in that they deprive parts of the body of full energy. The result is improper function, weakness and possible symptoms like pain.
How do you get them?
Subluxations are caused by mental, chemical or physical stresses. The first subluxation can occur as early as the birth process. Other examples include poor sleeping habits, poor posture, improper lifting, strenuous exercise, sports injuries, stress, tension & anxiety, chemical exposure (i.e. drugs and medications), injuries at work, repetitive motions, automobile accidents, stumbles and falls.
How do I know if I have a Subluxation?
Like the early stages of tooth decay, heart disease, or cancer, subluxations can be present before warning signs appear. When you feel pain, which is a warning to you that something is wrong, the subluxation itself may have been there for a long time. Therefore, a comprehensive Chiropractic examination will determine if subluxations exist. X-rays may also provide information as to how long the subluxations have been there.
What is an Adjustment?
Chiropractic adjustments usually involve a gentle but quick thrust that helps increase motion to spinal joints that are restricted. Some methods use the doctor’s hands, an instrument, a special table or the force of gravity. There are many ways to adjust the spine and they vary for infants to adults to seniors.
Spinal joints that are “locked up,” fixated or not moving right can affect your health by “choking” or irritating nearby nerve tissue. Chiropractic adjustments add motion to these stuck areas. This helps restore nervous system integrity and can improve the healing process.
Affordable
Regardless if you have insurance or if you are financially challenged, if you and your family are committed to correcting and maintaining your spine through chiropractic care we will do everything possible to make it affordable and stress free so it fits within your budget.
What is the sound I hear during an adjustment?
Lubricating fluids separate the bones of each spinal joint. Some adjusting methods can produce a sound when the gas (mostly nitrogen) and fluids in the joint shift. It’s much like opening a bottle of champagne or removing a suction cup. The sound is interesting, but it isn’t a guide to the quality or value of the adjustment.
Can I adjust myself?
NO, some people can make their joints “pop”, but that’s not an adjustment! Worse damage can occur by mobilizing a joint with weakened muscles and ligaments. Adjustments are specific skills that take years to master and only a licensed chiropractor can perform a specific chiropractic adjustment. Even your chiropractic doctor must consult a colleague to benefit from chiropractic care.
How Long Will I Need Chiropractic?
There are 3 types of care in Chiropractic: Initial care to remove symptoms; Corrective care to correct the cause of the underlying muscle weakness, soft tissue damage, and degenerative changes, and Wellness care. Similar to brushing teeth, tuning up your car or regularly visiting a dentist, Wellness care is important for maintaining optimal health and enjoying a healthy lifestyle. How long you decide to benefit from Chiropractic is always up to you.
What Type of Education Do Chiropractors Get?
Today’s Doctor of Chiropractic is well educated with an education curriculum similar to medical school. Special emphasis is placed on anatomy, neurology, biomechanics, nutrition, x-ray, physiology, diagnosis, and spinal adjusting. Post graduate education totals 7 years and demanding national and provincial boards must be passed.
Do I Need a Referral to Visit a Chiropractor?
No. A Doctor of Chiropractic is a primary health care provider, meaning you do not need a referral. If yours is not a Chiropractic case, the doctor will refer you to the appropriate health care provider.
Efficacy of Chiropractic Care
Over the years, spinal manipulation, which is also referred to as adjustment, has undergone rigorous evaluation from researchers within the profession itself, and from the legislative, health care and scientific communities resulting in a significant body of evidence around the efficacy of spinal manipulation for musculoskeletal disorders such as back pain, neck pain and headache.
Affordable
Regardless if you have insurance or if you are financially challenged, if you and your family are committed to correcting and maintaining your spine through chiropractic care we will do everything possible to try and make it affordable and stress free so it fits within your budget.
