 What is chiropractic care? |
| There's nothing mysterious about chiropractic. It's a natural method of health care that focuses on correcting the causes of physical problems, rather than just treating the symptoms. Chiropractic is based on a simple but powerful premise. With a normally functioning spine and healthy nerve system, your body is better able to heal itself. That's because your spine is the lifeline of your nervous system. It controls feeling, movement, and all function through your body. |
| How does chiropractic work? |
Chiropractic works by restoring your body's inborn ability to be healthy. With improved spinal function, there is improved nervous system function
The goal of the chiropractor is to remove interference that may be impairing normal health through specific chiropractic adjustments. A healthy spine and a healthy lifestyle are steps toward optimal health! |
| What type of education do chiropractic doctors receive? |
Doctors of Chiropractic are well-educated. Chiropractic education and medical education are similar in many respects and different in others because chiropractors do not prescribe drugs or perform surgery, and medical doctors do not perform spinal adjustments. After graduating with a Bachelor's Degree and a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) Degree, each candidate passes the demanding four part National Board Examinations.
Then, doctors apply to a governmental or professional licensing board and pass a still more difficult test before being granted the privilege to practice. A chiropractor's education, however, never ends. Most doctors complete regular postgraduate instruction for license renewal and to stay current on the latest research and adjustment techniques. |
| What is a chiropractic adjustment? |
| A chiropractic adjustment is the art of using a specific force in a precise direction, applied to a joint that is "locked up," or not moving properly. The purpose of this safe and natural procedure is to improve spinal function and overall health. |
| Do children need chiropractic care? |
| Naturally, chiropractic adjusting procedures are adapted for the child's spine. Many childhood health complaints that are brushed off can be traced to the spine. Health problems that emerge in adulthood could often be prevented by having your children's spine checked by a chiropractor early. Most parents report that their children enjoy their chiropractic adjustments and are overall healthier than their peers. |
| Are all patients adjusted the same way? |
| No. The Dr. Petty evaluates each patient's unique spinal problem and develops an individual course of care. Each chiropractic adjustment builds on the one before. The resulting recommendations are based upon years of training and experience. Each patient's care is uniquely different from every other patient. |
| Is chiropractic safe? |
| Yes. Chiropractic has an excellent safety record. It is the result of a conservative and natural approach to health that avoids invasive procedures or addictive drugs. As proof, one merely has to compare malpractice rates between chiropractors and other health care professionals. Chiropractors' malpractice premiums are a small fraction of those for medical doctors. |
| What causes the sound during an adjustment? |
| Actually, adjustments do not always produce a sound. Often, however, adjustments do create the sound of a spinal "release", or "popping" sound. The sound is caused by gas rushing in to fill the partial vacuum created when the joints are slightly separated. This sound is painless and totally harmless. |
| Can I adjust myself? |
| No. Since a chiropractic adjustment is a specific force, applied in a specific direction to a specific joint, it is virtually impossible to adjust oneself correctly and accurately. It is possible to turn or bend or twist in certain ways to create a "popping" sound that sometimes accompanies a chiropractic adjustment. Unfortunately, this type of joint manipulation is usually counterproductive, often making an already unstable spine even more unstable, and can sometimes be dangerous. Adjusting the spine is not for amateurs! |
| Is chiropractic care addictive? |
| No. If only it were, there would be more healthy people around and chiropractors would not get patients who last saw a chiropractor a few years ago when their back went out. It is possible to get used to feeling more balanced, less stressed, and more energetic as a result or regular chiropractic care. Chiropractic is not addictive, however, good health is. |
| Can a person who had back surgery see a chiropractor? |
| Yes. It's an unfortunate fact that up to half of those who had spinal surgery discover a return of their original symptoms months or years later. They then face the prospect of additional surgery. This too common occurrence is known as "Failed Back Surgery Syndrome." Chiropractic may help prevent repeated back surgeries. In fact, if chiropractic care is initially utilized some back surgery can often be avoided in the first place. |
| Does chiropractic work for all types of health problems? |
| No, however chiropractic care is successful with a very wide variety of health problems not necessarily considered "back" problems because of improved nerve system function. With a normal nerve supply the body's natural healing capacity can improve a variety of health problems. |
| Is it OK to see a chiropractor if I'm pregnant? |
| Anytime is a good time for a better functioning nerve system. Pregnant mothers find that chiropractic adjustments improve their pregnancy and make delivery easier for themselves and their baby. Adjusting methods are always adapted to a patient’s size, weight, age, and condition of health. |
| Why do chiropractors take x-rays? |
| Chiropractors take x-rays to reveal the internal structure and alignment of the spine. We are also concerned about underlying disease processes and disorders of the spine such as spinal deterioration, arthritis of the spine, abnormal development, bone spurs, disc disorders, tumors and spinal curvature. X-rays also provide a blueprint for correcting the spine back to optimal health and alignment. |
| Is a good work-out the same as getting adjusted? |
| No. Exercise is an important part of good health, yet without normal spinal function a physical workout could put additional wear and tear on improperly functioning spinal joints. |
| Still have a question not answered here? |
| Click here to ask the doctor your question or send an email to... DrBrettPetty@JointManeuversChiropractic.com |
