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Common Chiropractic Questions

  1. Is Chiropractic Care Safe?
  2. What Type of Education Do Chiropractic Doctors Get?
  3. Why Do Children Need Chiropractic Care?
  4. What is a Vertebral Subluxation?
  5. Can I Speed the Healing Process?
  6. Can I adjust myself?
  7. Am I too old for Chiropractic Care?
  8. What Other Discomforts Can Chiropractic Help?
  9. Do you have a Chart of Effects of Spinal Misalignments?
  10. Nervous System Physiology - What is the Safety Pin theory?


Is Chiropractic Care Safe?

In the words of New Zealand government's inquiry, chiropractic care is "remarkably safe."

Chiropractic has an excellent safety record. It is the result of a conservation approach to health that avoids invasive procedures or addictive drugs.

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What Type of Education Do Chiropractic Doctors Get?

Today's Doctor of Chiropractic is well educated.

The science of Chiropractic requires a special emphasis on anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, biomechanics, X-ray, spinal adjusting techniques, and related subjects. This demanding curriculum prepares Chiropractic Doctors to locate the Vertebral Subluxation and helps correct the resulting nervous system dysfunction.

To graduate with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, each candidate passes the demanding National Board Examination. 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 Chiropractic education never ends. Most doctors complete postgraduate instruction for license renewal and to stay current on the latest scientific research.

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Why Do Children Need Chiropractic Care?

Since significant spinal trauma can occur at birth, many parents have their newborns checked for Vertebral Subluxation.

Later, learning to walk, ride a bicycle, and other childhood activities can cause spinal problems. While a bandage and some comforting words can help a skinned knee, the unseen damage to the child's spine is the unique domain of a chiropractic office.

Many childhood health complaints that are brushed off as "growing pains" can often be traced to the spine. Regular chiropractic checkups can identify these problems and help avoid many of the health complaints see later in adults.

Naturally, chiropractic adjusting procedures are modified to a child's spine. Most parents report that their children enjoy adjustments and seem healthier than other children

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What is a Vertebral Subluxation?

If you break the word subluxation down it looks like this: Sub = Less than, Luxation = dislocation

In other words, a subluxation is a misalignment of a vertebrae causing pressure or interference on the nervous system which can lead to any number of pains and symptoms throughout the body.

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Can I Speed the Healing Process?

While there aren't any shortcuts to speed your body's natural healing process, there's a lot you can do to give yourself the best chance of a quick recovery.

Learn proper sitting and lifting methods. Specific exercises may be suggested to help retrain the muscles that support your spine.

Proper rest is an important aspect of the healing process, too. Get the appropriate amount of rest your body needs and avoid sleeping on your stomach.

During the healing process, proper nutrition is more important than ever. Make sure you eat balanced meals, and if you're overweight, now would be a good time to slim down and reduce unnecessary stresses to your spine.

Perhaps most important of all, keep your appointments and follow your Chiropractic Doctor's recommendations for optimum results.

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Can I adjust Myself?

Since Chiropractic adjustment is a specific force, applied in a specific direction, to a specific spinal joint, it is virtually impossible to adjust oneself.

It is possible to turn or bend or twist in certain ways to create a "popping" sound, like the sound that sometimes accompanies a Chiropractic Adjustment. Unfortunately, this type of joint manipulations is usually counterproductive, often making an already unstable area of the spine even more unsteady. Adjusting the spine is not for amateurs!

The best way to enjoy the healthful benefits of Chiropractic is to receive adjustments from a Doctor of Chiropractic. Even your Doctor must seek out the services of another colleague to help restore and maintain proper spinal function.

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Am I Too Old For Chiropractic Care?

More and more people are consulting Chiropractic Doctors, especially in their later years. With growing concerns about over-medication and the side effects of combining various prescription drugs, safe, natural Chiropractic Care is growing in popularity.

Restoring better spinal function can help improve mobility, vitality, endurance, and appetite. Many patients report improvement with arthritic symptoms and other chronic ailments often associated with the aging process.

The adjusting technique used by your Doctor will be modified for maximum comfort and results.

As we get older and wiser, the simplicity and effectiveness of Chiropractic Care becomes more and more obvious.

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What Other Discomforts Can Chiropractic Help?

Chiropractic can giving soothing Pain Relief to: Back Pain, Neck Pain, Headaches, Stress, Fatigue, Allergies/Sinus, Nervousness, Digestive Problems, Sleeping Problems, Shoulder Pain, Arm/Leg Pain, Carpal Tunnel, Tension, Irritability/Mood Swings, Sore Jaw, Colic, Ear Infections, Pregnancy Discomforts/Troubles.

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Do you have a Chart of Effects of Spinal Misalignments?

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Nervous System Physiology - Safety Pin Theory

Virtually every cell, tissue, organ and system of your body is controlled and regulated by your nervous system. Here are a few key things you should know:

open safety pin closed safety pin

When spinal vertebrae pinch or choke nerves affected organs and tissues don't work the way they should and ill-health results.

When the neurological circuits have integrity, your body works as it was designed.

Efferent Communication
Nerve Impulses are sent from the brain out to the organs and tissues of your body.

Afferent Communication
Nerve Impulses are sent back to the brain to make sure everything is working correctly.

Compressive Lesions
If spinal vertebrae pinch or choke nerve tissue, signals going from or to the affected organ or tissue can be diminished. (i.e., constipation)

Facilitative Lesions
If spinal vertebrae chafe or irritate nerve tissue, signals going from or to the affected organ or tissue can be excited. (i.e., diarrhea.)

The nervous system is vulnerable where delicate nerve tissue comes into proximity with the moving bones of your spine. That's why we're interested in your spine!