Frequently asked Questions

Chiropractic is one of largest natural method of health-care in the world. It focuses on treating the causes of physical problems, rather than just the symptoms. Chiropractic care, including diagnosis and management, focuses upon the relationship between structure, primarily the spine, and function, primarily via the nervous system, as it relates to health, posture and performance. Chiropractic emphasizes care of the entire body. The word chiropractic comes from a combination of the Greek words "choir" and "praktikis", meaning "done by hand".

A gentle, specific "thrust" delivered by hand or instrument. The purpose of the adjustment is to correct a vertebra, or any other bone, which has slipped from its normal position and is causing nerve pressure and/or lack of motion and carefully and skillfully moves that vertebra or backbone into its position. What is the noise I hear during an adjustment? When your vertebrae are adjusted, tiny pockets of gas are released from the joints, making a "popping" noise. It's the same sound you hear when you pop your knuckles. Not all patients hear this noise. It's not a sign that the adjustment is working or not working.

Most spinal adjustments are not painful at all and, as a matter of fact, patients feel very good and often free pain almost immediately. Adjustments are also very safe with no harmful or dangerous side effects.

Can I adjust myself?

No. This is dangerous. Chiropractic adjustments need to be performed by a skilled professional.

Yes. Statistics prove that chiropractic care is one of the safest types of healthcare in the world. You only need to compare the malpractice premiums paid by chiropractors to those paid by medical doctors. Doctors of Chiropractic pay only a small fraction (approx. 1/20) of the price medical doctors pay in malpractice premiums. 250,000 people will die this year as a result of bad medicine, making this the third leading cause of death in the United States of America (The Journal of The American Medical Association, JAMA; Vol.284, July 26, 2000). Of the millions of people receiving chiropractic adjustments, each year, only a handful will even make a complaint.

Chiropractic adjustments (a precise method of restoring proper movement) are very useful in correcting: Pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, back, arms, hands, chest, abdomen, hips, legs, feet. Certain types of headaches. Sciatica. Injuries and trauma to the body such as whiplash. Scoliosis. Leg pain and nerve disorders. Sports injuries and most muscular skeletal injuries such as tennis elbow, strained muscles, and sprained joints and ligaments. Bursitis and Tendonitis (conditions involving inflammation of soft tissues). Repetitive strain disorders such as carpal tunnel. Fibromyalgia (chronic muscle pain and stiffness). Arthritis

Generally, yes. Ask your chiropractor. Accommodations can be made for most types of surgery including breast reduction/enlargement and spinal fusions.

The majority of all insured American workers have coverage for chiropractic services in their health care plans. For example, the federal government's Office of Personnel Management offers chiropractic coverage for federal employees in both the Mail Handlers and BCBS benefit plans. In addition, there is a chiropractic benefit in Federal Workers' Compensation, and chiropractic care is available to members of the armed forces at more than 40 military bases, and is available at nearly 30 veterans' medical facilities.

An injury causes swelling. Ice reduces swelling. Use ice within 72 hours of an injury and any time for pain control. Use a bag of frozen peas or other vegetables if you don't have an ice pack. Always put a towel between the ice and your skin. Heat increases blood flow and aids in healing. Use heat on an injury that is older than 72 hours. Always use moist heat (heat a wet towel in the microwave) for an injury, sore muscle, etc. WARNING! Never use heat for more than 10 minutes at a time.

What can I do for pain when I have thrown my back out or am having muscle spasms? Alternate heat and ice. Use heat for 10 minutes, nothing for 15 minutes, then ice for 20 minutes. It is safe to use the ice/heat alternative several times a day or night. NEVER sleep on a heating pad or use any kind of heat therapy while you sleep. It may feel good, but will ultimately make the condition worse. Muscle spasms and throwing your back out are symptoms that something is wrong. Even if they eventually go away, you should still see your chiropractor. Your medical doctor (MD) or the emergency room can only give you muscle relaxers and pain relievers. Those just cover up the pain. Whatever is causing the pain is still there to rear its ugly head down the road, maybe even years down the road.

Whatever kind you sleep well on. I generally recommend a medium firm mattress, something that gives good, firm support yet allows your hips and shoulders to sink in slightly. Most companies offer trials now. Try one in your home for 90 days. Just make sure that the "money back guarantee" is "money back" and not a store credit or exchange.