For information about Back-2-Back Chiropractic, click here
For information about some conditions helped by chiropractic, click here

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and how these disorders effect your general health.  Chiropractic care is most often utilized to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, such as pain in your neck, back, or your arms and legs.  Chiropractic care can also be used for treating conditions such as headaches and jaw pain.

How does Chiropractic work?

Chiropractic care is a hands-on approach to drug-free treatment for a wide range of ailments. One of the most common treatments performed by a chiropractic physician is the spinal adjustment, or spinal manipulation. Spinal manipulation alleviates pain and tightness by restoring mobility and allowing the surrounding tissues to heal.

Spinal manipulation also aids in asuring adequate nerve flow, an integral part of human body functioning. When nerve flow is interrupted, it can cause a decrease in the communication to the organs of the body thus resulting in malfunction, or disease. Restoring adequate nerve flow by realigning the spine can allow your body to function better.

A common analogyused is that of a water hose. Your nerves are represented by the water hose, and the nerve impulse is represented by the water. When the hose is uncoiled and without interference, the water runs through it without interruption. If you squeeze the hose, or there is a kink in it, the water flow is impaired, much like the nerve impulses in your body.

What does a Chiropractor treat?

A chiropractor can treat a wide range of ailments, both solely and in conjunction with other types of medical treatment.  The most common treatment for chiropractors to perform is spinal manipulation, but they can also treat a countless number of other ailments.  Neck and back injuries are commonly treated through adjustments and physical therapy modalities.  Headaches, extremity pain and common injuries are treated on an individual basis where the doctor will treat your symptoms according to your personal needs.  Motor vehicle accidents are also very commonly treated with chiropractic treatment and your individual needs will be met during each phase of your recovery.

What is an adjustment?

A spinal adjustment is used to regulate misalignment in the spine that are caused by daily activities or injury.  The misalignment of the spine can cause a multitude of symptoms from back and neck pain, headaches and extremity pain.  A chiropractic adjustment is a quick thrust of the hands or instrument, delivered by a trained chiropractic physician to move the misaligned joints back into place.  This quick thrust can be done in a variety of ways, using an adjusting table, a chair, or other apparatus.

Are Chiropractic adjustments safe?

Chiropractic adjustments are safe for the majority of the population, and only in extreme circumstances should chiropractic care be avoided.  According to scientific studies, because chiropractic doesn’t use surgery or drugs, it is nearly one hundred times safer than taking over the counter drugs.  People are often concerned that a chiropractic adjustment can make the bones move or the spine loose, but such is not the case.  A chiropractic adjustment is very precise, and the quick thrust is delivered to a specific part of a joint in order to correct misalignment thus stabilizing the weakened muscles and ligaments.

Some people report feeling slightly sore after some adjustments. This is not typically concerning and will relieve within 24 to 48 hours. Your doctor will talk to you about how you may feel after being treated, and recommend things you can do to help aleviate any soreness.

Will I feel better right away?

While your chiropractor’s primary goal is to help you feel better, they cannot promise an entire recovery with one adjustment.  Treatment often takes several adjustments, and sometimes routine visits are necessary, depending on the nature of the problem.  Because of the fact that chiropractic ailments often involve misalignments of the spine, patients frequently feel better immediately following an adjustment that realigns the joints properly.

You are the key element in your recovery, and hence proper exercise, nutrition, rest and follow up appointments are imperative for quick recovery and long term health.  Following your doctor’s recommendations for the aforementioned will speed up the recovery process and keep your health in top condition, allowing you to maintain a happy, healthy lifestyle.

It is important to realize that many patients are suffering from conditions that they have had for a number of years, sometimes decades. It can take time to peel away the layers before the underlying conditions can be treated and a true resolution can be recognized

Check back frequently for updates to our frequently asked questions.