What is chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts based
upon the understanding that good health depends, in
part, upon a normally functioning nervous system
(especially the spine, and the nerves extending from
the spine to all parts of the body). "Chiropractic"
comes from the Greek word chiropraktikos, meaning
"effective treatment by hand." Chiropractic stresses
the idea that the cause of many disease processes
begins with the body's inability to adapt to its
environment. It looks to address these diseases not
by the use of drugs and chemicals, but by locating
and adjusting a musculoskeletal area of the body
which is functioning improperly.
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What conditions benefit from chiropractic
care?
Although chiropractic is used most frequently to
relieve low back pain, studies have found it to be
effective for a variety of conditions, such as
migraine headaches, neck and shoulder pain, carpal
tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and infantile colic.
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Does Chiropractic hurt?
Under normal circumstances, adjustments don't hurt.
The patient may experience a minor amount of
discomfort during the adjustment which lasts only
seconds.
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Is Chiropractic safe?
Chiropractic adjustments or manipulations are
extremely safe. The risk factor is estimated to be
in excess of one million to one.
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What kind of education and training do
doctors of chiropractic have?
Chiropractors receive an education that emphasizes
neuromuscular diagnosis and treatment. Preparation
for the practice of chiropractic is concentrated on
three areas of learning; basic training in the
biological and health sciences (anatomy, physiology,
histology, biochemistry, clinical and radiological
diagnosis); specialized training in the chiropractic
discipline (theoretical studies, practice, diagnosis
and applications); and extensive clinical training.
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Have any studies been published showing
what chiropractic is effective for?
Several studies have documented the effectiveness of
chiropractic in relieving back pain. More recent
studies have shown chiropractic to be effective in
treating infantile colic and migraine headaches.
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What can I expect on my first visit?
The first thing a chiropractor will do is ask you
about the health complaints about which you are
chiefly concerned. The DC will also ask about your
family history, dietary habits, other care you may
have had (chiropractic, osteopathic, medical, etc.),
your job, and other questions designed to help
determine the nature of your illness and the best
way to go about treating the problem.
A physical examination will be performed in
accordance with your DC's clinical judgment, which
may include x-rays, laboratory analysis and other
diagnostic procedures. In addition, a careful spinal
examination and analysis will be performed to detect
any structural abnormalities which may be affecting
or causing your condition. All of these elements are
important components of your total health profile,
and vital to the doctor of chiropractic in
evaluating your problem.
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What other services do you offer besides
chiropractic?
Our office offers a variety of alternative health
treatments, including herbal medicine, exercise and
fitness strategies and nutritional consulting.
