Frequently Asked Questions

What is chiropractic care?

Chiropractic is a natural method of health care that focuses on treating the causes of physical problems, rather than just treating the symptoms. It is based on a simple but powerful premise. With a normally functioning spine and healthy nervous system, your body is better able to heal itself. Chiropractors are trained to ensure that your spinal column is well aligned and your nervous system is free of spinal nerve interference. Your chiropractor will work to detect and correct spinal nerve interference within your spinal column with specific spinal adjustments. This will allow your body to heal itself, express itself and function at an optimal level. Chiropractors may also guide you in leading a better lifestyle with improved posture, diet, mental attitude, exercise and rest.

What are vertebral subluxations?

The body depends on the free flow of nerve communication from the brain, through the spinal column, to every part of the body. When any of these nerves become irritated, the vital communication system is interrupted. These neurological interruptions are called subluxations.

What causes vertebral subluxations?

With children, subluxations often occur during the birth process. All of the pulling, pushing and twisting on the newborn's neck and spine during the birth process often cause one or more vertebra to be pushed out of place, resulting in subluxations. As we grow up, subluxations are caused daily by falls, sports activities, accidents/injuries, poor posture, and various physical and emotional stressors.

What are some of the warning signs of vertebral subluxations?

A subluxation is like a dental cavity--you may have it for a long time before symptoms appear. That's why periodic spinal checkups are so important. Subluxations can cause pain and muscle spasms. In addition, headaches, back pain, neck stiffness, pain in your shoulders, arms or legs, numbness in your hands and feet and various other symptoms can be signs of subluxations.

How can I try to prevent vertebral subluxations?

The number one way to prevent subluxations is to have your chiropractor give you lifetime wellness care. This way you can come in on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis to get checked. Other ways to prevent subluxations include proper nutrition, rest, exercise, a positive attitude and good posture. It is important to exercise to strengthen joints and muscles, so they can support your body's structure. Poor posture can be caused by excessive weight, negative mental attitudes, injury to joints, bones and ligaments, faulty nutrition, improper sleep support, poor stability at the feet and various other contributing factors.

How are vertebral subluxations corrected?

Doctors of chiropractic are specifically trained to detect and correct vertebral subluxations. Our centre utilizes sophisticated computer diagnostics in addition to other physical assessment techniques and x-rays to determine if and where you are subluxated. A program of care will be recommended for the purpose of restoring and maintaining spinal balance through specific chiropractic adjustments.

What is a chiropractic adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment is the art of introducing a specific force in a precise direction, applied to a vertebra that is subluxated. Using the bony processes of the vertebra, it is mostly characterized by a dynamic thrust of controlled amplitude. The adjustment releases the vertebra back into its normal position along the spine, allowing proper nerve flow to and from the brain. There are numerous ways to adjust the spine. Each of the various techniques requires a specific force and line of drive. The adjustment is delivered either by the doctor's hands or a specially designed instrument. Some of the adjusting techniques are quick, while others require a slow constant pressure. "Gentle spinal adjustments boost your body's immunity".

What causes the sound made during a chiropractic adjustment?

The sound is not actually the spine "cracking" or "popping" like most people believe. The sound is created by gas rushing in to fill the partial vacuum created when the joints are slightly separated. The sound is called a cavitation.

Can I just adjust myself?

No. A chiropractic adjustment is a specific force, applied in a specific direction, to a specific vertebra, and it is impossible to adjust yourself. When you or a friend crack or pop your back and neck, it will give temporary relief, but you have not actually adjusted the subluxation, and it could be very dangerous. As a chiropractor, I receive my adjustments from another chiropractor on a wellness basis.

Are all patients adjusted the same way?

No. Your chiropractor will take a case history and perform specific chiropractic tests to decide if you are subluxated and what technique they will utilize. There are numerous techniques taught in chiropractic colleges throughout the world. Your chiropractor is trained in several different techniques and will choose the technique that is best for you.

When should I be adjusted?

Every man, woman and child should make an appointment with a chiropractor to have their spine checked on a regular basis. Just like your scheduled dental appointments for proper dental hygiene, you need to have your spine checked on a regular basis. You should also see a chiropractor if you have any symptoms which make it hard to cope day in and day out. If you have been involved in an accident, you should make an appointment with a doctor of chiropractic. Remember, chiropractic care is not for the relief of symptoms, conditions or disease. It is essential to correct subluxations, so you continue to function and perform at your highest potential.

Does it hurt to get adjusted?

No. Chiropractic adjustments feel great. When you allow the vertebra in your spine to return to their normal position, there is less stress and tension on your muscles, ligaments and nervous system.

Once you get adjusted, do you have to keep getting adjusted forever?

No. However, it would be an advantage for you to speak with your chiropractor about lifetime wellness care. Once your symptoms disappear, you might be tempted to quit care. However, it is important to understand that just because your symptoms are gone temporarily, does not mean your spinal problems are corrected. The symptoms are often the last thing to show up and the first thing to disappear. Many spinal subluxations have been neglected since early childhood. These long-standing problems usually involve soft tissue damage, muscle weakness and degenerative changes in the spine. In these cases, ongoing corrective care will help your spine reach optimal health. How long you continue chiropractic care it is ultimately up to you. However, periodic chiropractic check-ups will help your body to fight off sickness and encourage health.

Is chiropractic care safe?

Yes. Chiropractic care is definitely one of the safest types of health care. Without the use of drugs or surgery, chiropractors utilize a conservative approach when correcting vertebral subluxations. One just needs to compare the malpractice premiums paid by chiropractors to that paid by medical doctors. Chiropractic premiums are approximately 1/20 the price of the premiums medical doctors pay. Hundreds of thousands of people will die this year as a result of bad medicine. Of the millions of people under chiropractic care, only a handful will even make a complaint.

Can chiropractic help me?

Chiropractic care is beneficial to every man, woman, child. Understanding that the brain and spinal cord make up your nervous system, one can understand that chiropractic care works by restoring balance to the body giving it a better chance to heal itself. Everyone needs proper nerve function. Chiropractic care provides your body with a greater potential to defend itself against germs and infection. It is a great choice to have your entire family checked on a regular basis for spinal nerve interference.

Is it OK to see a chiropractor if I'm pregnant?

Anytime is a good time for a better functioning nervous 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 my children need chiropractic care?

The birth process can often be one of the most traumatic events of a child's life. The spine can often be injured during the delivery or while in utero. Having your child checked by a chiropractor immediately after birth is a very wise decision. Spinal nerve interference from the birth process often becomes more serious as your child grows up. Only a doctor of chiropractic has the proper training and qualifications to diagnose and correct vertebral subluxations. Your child's posture is an important indicator of spinal problems. Scoliosis is often caused by improper posture. By having your children checked at a young age, these problems might be prevented. Children become involved in sports at a young age. These activities can often include minor injuries. When your children play, they are jumping, running, twisting, bumping and falling all over the place. Often they will become subluxated during these activities. To minimize the chance of future health problems it is important to have your children checked by a chiropractor on a regular basis. Spinal hygiene should be a part of your whole family's wellness lifestyle.

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, tumours 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 merely puts additional wear and tear on improperly functioning spinal joints.

Can I help speed up the healing process?

Yes. Though it is difficult to speed up your body's natural healing process, by following a few recommendations, you can give yourself the opportunity to recover quickly and prevent problems. It is important that you allow your body enough time to rest throughout the day and when you sleep at night. It is also important to sleep in a proper position. The best way to sleep is on your side with your legs straight and your head on an effective pillow support. The next best way is on your back. When you are lifting objects, always use your legs to lift the weight, not your back. It is important to eat a balanced meal. Proper nutrition will provide your body with the essential components for growth and healing. Try to keep a positive attitude throughout the day and realize life is full of ups and downs. Just when you thought life couldn't get any worse, it won't, it will get better. Count your blessings. A positive mental attitude will alleviate stress and allow clear thinking. Stress is known to cause subluxations. Lastly, participate in a wellness care program with your chiropractor. Get checked on a regular basis to be the best you can be.

Why should I continue chiropractic care if I do not have symptoms and I feel better?

Chiropractic care is not a treatment or cure for symptoms, conditions or disease. Just because symptoms disappear, doesn't mean your vertebral subluxations are corrected. Many of the cases seen by chiropractors consist of patients who present spinal problems that have developed over many years. Slips, falls, and other accidents experienced over your lifetime adversely affect your spine. The longer you wait to have your spine checked, the longer it will take to correct a problem. Your chiropractor will suggest a schedule of adjustments to correct your subluxations. Once your body has regained the ability to hold the vertebra in place, you can decide whether you would like to continue with a wellness program.

What typically happens on the first visit?

Typically, on the first visit, you will fill out a complete health history detailing past injuries or problems and present symptoms. Remember, your chiropractor is not asking you about your symptoms because he/she is going to treat them. The symptoms help the chiropractor determine where you are subluxated and what technique to use. Your chiropractor will then review your case history with you and discuss how you may be helped through chiropractic care. Your chiropractor will then give you a complete examination, consisting of various testing procedures to help determine where you are subluxated. A Report of Findings will then be scheduled to discuss the results of the examination and recommend a program of care.

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 correct vertebral subluxations. After graduating with 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.