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How
does Chiropractic Work?
Chiropractic
works because you are a self-healing,
self-regulating organism
controlled by your nervous
system. Millions of instructions
flow from your brain, down
the spinal cord and out to
every organ and tissue. Signals
sent back to the brain confirm
if your body is working right.
Improper motion or position
of the moving bones of the
spine called a subluxation
can interfere with this vital
exchange by irritating nerves
and compromising the function
of affected organs and tissues.
Specific spinal adjustments
can help improve mind/body
communications. Health often
returns with improved nervous
system control of the body.
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Do
I Have A Slipped Disc?
The disc
is a soft pulpy "shock
absorber". It has a
fibrous outer ring which
holds in a jelly-like material.
A "slipped disc"
is a common way to refer
to a wide variety of disc
problems. How ever, a disc
cannot slip because of the
way it attaches to the spinal
bones above and below it.
A disc can bulge. It can
tear. It can herniate. It
can thin. It can dry out.
And it can collapse. But
it cannot slip.
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Do
I Have A Pinched Nerve?
A pinched
nerve is rare. It more likely
that an adjacent spinal bone
irritates stretches rubs
or chafes a nerve. These
subluxation
distort the nerve messages
sent between the brain and
the body. This can produce
unhealthy alternations to
the organs and tissues connected
by the affected nerves.
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How
Do You Get Subluxation?
There are
three basic causes of subluxations.
Physical causes could include
slips and falls, accidents,
repetitive motions and improper
lifting. Emotions such as
grief, anger and fear can
cause subluxations.
Chemical causes could include
alcohol, drugs, pollution
and poor diet.
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How
Do I Know If I Have A Subluxation?
You can have
subluxations
and not even know it. Like
the early stages of tooth
decay or cancer, subluxations
can be present before warning
signs appear. The results
of a thorough examination
can show the location and
severity of subluxations
you may have.
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Can
Subluxations Clear Up On
Their Own?
Sometimes.
Today’s hectic lifestyles
are a constant source of
subluxations.
Fortunately, our bodies have
the ability to self-correct
many of these problems as
we bend and stretch, or when
we sleep at night. When subluxations
don’t resolve, you need
to see chiropractic!
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What
is An Adjustment?
Chiropractic
adjustments usually involve
a quick thrust that helps
add motion to spinal joints
that are not moving right.
Some methods use the doctor’s
hands, an instrument, a special
table or the force of gravity.
There are so many ways to
adjust the spine.
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Are
Chiropractic Adjustments
Safe?
Yes. A New
Zealand government study
found that adjustments are
"remarkably safe."
By avoiding drugs and risking
surgery, chiropractic care
enjoys an excellent track
record. A thorough exam can
identify the rare person
for whom chiropractic care
might be unsuited. Compare
the statistics. Adjustments
are about 100 times safer
than taking an over-the-counter
pain reliever.
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Can
the Bones Move Too Much?
Highly unlikely.
A chiropractic adjustment
is special. It has the right
amount of energy, delivered
to the exact spot, at a precise
angle, at just the right
time. The intent is to get
a "stuck" spinal
joint moving again, helping
reduce nerves interference.
Years of training, practice
and experience make chiropractic
adjustments specific and
safe.
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Will
Adjustments Make My Spine
Too Loose?
No. Only
the spinal joints that are
"locked up" receive
adjustments. This allows
weakened muscles and ligaments
to stabilize and heal.
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What
Makes the Sound During The
Adjustments?
Lubricating
fluids separate the bones
of each spinal joint. Some
adjusting methods can produce
a sound when the gas and
fluids in the joint shift.
It is much like opening a
bottle of champagne or removing
a suction cup. The sound
is interesting, but it is
not a guide to the quality
or value of the adjustments.
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Are
All Patients Adjusted the
Same Way?
No. Each
patient’s spine and
care plan is unique. With
24 bones in the spine, each
of which can move in seven
different directions, we
see a wide variety of spinal
patterns. Each patient’s
care is costumed-tailored
for their age, condition
and health goals.
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How
Many Adjustments Will I Need?
The number
of adjustments varies with
each patient and their individual
health goals. Many patients
sense progress within a week
of two of frequent visits.
Visits become less often
as your spine stabilizes.
In chronic cases, complete
healing can take months or
even years.
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Can
I Adjust Myself?
No. Some
people can their joints “pop”,
but that’s not an adjustment!
Worse, damage can occur by
mobilizing a joint with weakened
muscles and ligaments. Adjustments
are specific and take years
to master. Even your chiropractic
doctor must consult a colleague
to benefit from chiropractic
care.
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Why
Do Newborns Get Adjustments?
Even today’s
"natural" childbirth
methods can affect an infant’s
spine. Preliminary studies
suggested that colic, unusual
crying, poor appetite, ear
infections or erratic sleeping
habits can be signs of spinal
distress. Pediatric adjustments
are gentle. Knowing exactly
where to adjust, the doctor,
the doctor applies no more
pressure than you’d
use to test the ripeness
of a tomato.
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Can
I Have Chiropractic Care
After Back Surgery?
Yes. Rest assured
that your chiropractic doctor
will avoid the surgically
modified areas of your spine.
Surgery often causes instability
above or below the involved
level. These areas will be
focus of your chiropractic
care.
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Can
Patients With Osteoporosis
Get Chiropractic Care?
Of course.
When developing a care plan,
your chiropractic doctors
consider the unique circumstances
of each patient. There are
many ways to adjust a spine.
The method selected will
be best suited to your age,
size and condition.
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How
Long Until I’ll Feel
Better?
Some patients
experience almost instant
relief. Others discover it
can take many weeks or months.
Many factors can affect the
healing process. How long
have you had your problem?
Are you keeping your appointments?
Are you getting the proper
rest, exercise and nutrition?
Do you smoke? Are you in
otherwise in good condition?
Within a short period of
time, most patients sense
enough progress to fully
carry out their doctor’s
recommendations.
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How
Long Will I Need Chiropractic
Care?
After patients
get the relief they want
many chose to continue with
some type of periodic care.
These patients show up for
their visits great. These
visits can help support the
final stages of healing and
help detect and resolve new
problems before they become
serious. Our job is to offer
the very best care and your
job is to decide how much
of it you want.
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Will
I Receive Any Medication
For My Pain?
No. Chiropractic
doctors don’t dispense
drugs. Because we rely on
natural methods, we can show
you how to use ice to control
painful symptoms. When properly
applied, ice can have an
analgesic effect without
the side effects of pain
medications.
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Why
Don’t Medical Practitioners
Get Along?
That is changing.
Years of prejudice and bias
are giving way to research
showing the benefits of chiropractic
care. Attitudes are slow
to change. However, as the
public demands alternatives
to drugs and surgery, more
medical practitioners are
referring their patients
to our office.
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What
If My Policy Doesn’t
Cover Chiropractic?
Your health
affects everything you do
and everyone you know. It
is your most valuable possession.
Yet, each of us is free to
place a different value on
out health. It’s convenient
when an insurance company
or third party helps pay
the bill. But be careful!
Do not allow the profit motive
a huge corporation to make
the decision for you. Find
out how we make chiropractic
care affordable for just
about anyone.
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Will
I Ever Be Normal Again?
Patient’s
results vary. Many report
improved spinal curves and
the total resumption of their
normal lifestyle. Those who
neglect or delayed seeking
care often see slower progress.
After improvement, many patients
discover that periodic chiropractic
checkups can help avoid a
relapse.
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What
If Chiropractic Does Not
Work?
If we are
unable to find and correct
the cause of your particular
health problem, we will refer
you to other specialists
who may be able to help.
Your health is our primary
goal.
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