Frequently Asked Questions

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What is chiropractic?
Chiropractic medicine is a form of natural health care that focuses on treating a patient without the use of drugs or medicines. Doctors of Chiropractic (more commonly known as Chiropractors) are primary health care providers licensed in all 50 states, and are recognized by governmental health care programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, Workers’ Compensation programs, and more. Each year, more than 30 million people in total are seen by the 84,000 licensed chiropractors nationwide. With more than 10,000 students currently enrolled in chiropractic school, the field of chiropractic medicine is the fastest growing health care profession.

Chiropractors focus on the treatment and prevention of disease, promotion of public health, and a wellness approach to patient health care. The practice and procedures used by chiropractors are based on the academic and clinical training received through accredited chiropractic colleges. Chiropractors frequently treat individuals with problems such as headaches, joint, neck and low back pain, sciatica, spinal disc conditions, sprains, strains, and more (we’ll link to larger list here as well). Chiropractors are also trained to treat a variety of conditions such as allergies, asthma, digestive disorders and osteoarthritis.

When should I see a chiropractor?
Oftentimes, people think they only need to see a chiropractor when they have back or neck pain. The human spine has over 24 moveable vertebrae. Everyday events such as improperly lifting an object, sleeping in the wrong position or poor posture can place strain on your spine and cause subluxation (see “What is subluxation?” below). Regular visits to a chiropractor can be vital to maintaining good health and improving overall fitness through proper alignment of your spine.

Besides treating back and neck pain, chiropractors use spinal decompression, manipulation, massage therapy, and state-of-the-art physiotherapy modalities, like ultrasound, cold light laser and electrical stimulation, to treat conditions such as herniated discs, rib pain, pinched nerves, carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff injuries, shoulder tendonitis, tennis elbow, arch and foot pain, plantar fasciitis, and more.

Women can also benefit from visits to a chiropractor during pregnancy to relieve stress on their body from the weight of the baby. Regular visits to a chiropractor during pregnancy can reduce the incidence of pain in the lower back and between the shoulder blades, and minimize or eliminate headaches and nausea.

What is subluxation?
Subluxation is a term used to describe what happens when one of the vertebrae in the spine moves out of position. Subluxation is derived from the Latin words meaning, “somewhat, or slightly,” (sub) and, “to dislocate” (luxate). Misaligned vertebra creates pressure and stress on the spinal nerves, blood vessels, and surrounding muscles. This pressure and stress can cause an imbalance in the body’s normal processes because the nerves in the spinal column extend to the entire body and its organs. Left untreated, the damage to the nerve gets progressively worse, causing different stages of subluxation degeneration. Regular visits to a licensed chiropractor can help to reduce the effects of subluxation and may be necessary to maintain good health and physical fitness.
What causes subluxation?
Subluxation is caused by unique instances (e.g., a car accident, fall, sudden jarring, trauma, etc.) or regular actions (e.g., improper sleeping position, poor posture, incorrect lifting processes, etc.).
How is subluxation corrected?
Chiropractors specialize in correcting subluxation and other misalignments. A chiropractor can restore misaligned vertebrae to their proper position in the spinal column through spinal adjustments. In most cases, a chiropractor uses his/her hands to apply corrective pressure to the spine in a specific direction and location. The corrective pressure helps restore the alignment and mobility of the vertebrae. In some cases, a chiropractor may use instruments to detect a subluxation and adjust the spine.

Under normal circumstances, chiropractic adjustments are painless. In some cases, inflammation from trauma, such as a car accident, can cause some discomfort during chiropractic adjustments.