10 Questions Answered About Chiropractic

2. “Do you have to be old to start chiropractic care?” No! Chiropractic serves the young and the old alike, by supporting the overall health and well-being of a body. Chiropractors work on infants right after birth to check their little spines for misalignments following the birth process. Chiropractic enables and encourages healthy nervous system and brain development in children, which continues into old age. As a person gets older, chiropractic encourages proper range of motion, balance, coordination, and overall integration processes to keep the body at optimal function physically, chemically, and emotionally.

3. Should I see a chiropractor if I don’t have any pain? No! Pain is not the first symptom. As a matter of fact, pain is the final manifestation of an underlying problem or dysfunction that may have been present for months or years. However, pain may be what brings many people into chiropractic offices. It is important to remember that absence of pain does not indicate that you are healthy and not having any underlying physical, chemical, and emotional dysfunction.

4. “I’ve tried chiropractic once, but it did not help! Why did it not work?” Trying chiropractic once is similar to going for one workout and expecting to be in perfect shape at that instant! People who have musculoskeletal problems typically did not acquire them overnight; therefore, it would be unrealistic to assume that they will go away overnight as well. In addition, there may be complicating factors affecting your ability to heal, which is why you are evaluated for postural misalignments, diet and nutritional deficiencies, ergonomics, and other lifestyle factors that may impede your ability to see the expected results. Successful chiropractic patients accept responsibility for their health and are pro-active in how they participate in it.

5. “Do I have to go to a chiropractor forever?” No! But you may want to once you’ve started because you didn’t realize how great getting adjusted is. Wellness or maintenance care is recommended following the initial issue or complaint to continue to ensure that proper motion is being maintained in your spine and that your nervous system is functioning optimally. At that point, most people choose to come see their chiropractor weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly based on the needs of their lifestyle.

6. “Can chiropractic keep me from getting sick?” Yes, as studies have indicated that adjustments consistently reduce the production of pro-inflammatory mediators associated with tissue damage and pain, and may also enhance the production of immunoregulatory complexes important for healthy immune system defense. Regular chiropractic adjustments continue to maintain the nervous system function at an optimum and will address any areas of dysfunction that may happen if the immune system is fighting an infection, allowing the body to heal itself from the inside out.

7. “Can chiropractic help me perform better?”Yes, and it is the reason that most world-class athletes use chiropractors as part of their support team. Chiropractic can help prevent injuries, speed injury recovery, improve balance and coordination, and give them a greater competitive edge. Ever heard of Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Michael Phelps, Tom Brady, Evander Holyfield?! All of them, amongst many others including Olympic athletes and all professional sports teams in US and other countries, are treated by chiropractors on a regular basis to stay well and perform better!

8. “Can an adjustment hurt me?” No! While some people are hesitant about the neck adjustments, imagining the action-movie-style maneuver, the adjustment in the neck and all the other joints in the body are delivered with a specifically directed thrust applied to a specific segment in the spine to remove the subluxation at the point of dysfunction. It may be accompanied with a popping or cracking sound, called cavitation, which is created within the joint space as a result of the gasses being released from the joint capsule.

9. “Can I See a Chiropractor if I’m Pregnant?”Yes! Anytime is a good time for a better functioning nerve system. Pregnant mothers find that chiropractic adjustments improve their symptoms during pregnancy and delivery for themselves and the baby, experience significantly reduced labor times, and decrease the need for painkillers. Adjusting methods are always adapted to a patient’s size, weight, age, condition of health, and the stage of pregnancy.

10. “Do newborn babies need chiropractic adjustments?” Yes, even with today’s “natural” childbirth methods, which can affect an infant’s spine. Spinal distress and its effects on the nervous system may manifest as poor appetite, erratic sleeping habits, unusual crying patterns, and colic. Pediatric adjustments are safe and gentle with only very minimal amount of pressure that you would use on your closed eyelid.

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