What is an adjustment?
Chiropractic adjustments involve a quick thrust to a spinal bone that isn't moving correctly. There are various ways to adjust the spine, including the doctor's hands, an instrument, a special table, or the force of gravity.
What do chiropractors treat?
Chiropractors analyze the 26 moveable segments of your spine to find areas that may have lost some of the normal mobility. A bone out of alignment is called a subluxation. Subluxations interfere with the normal nerve transmission between your brain, and the nerves of the body. When subluxations are corrected the whole body can function at a higher level, because there is no interference to the spinal nerve roots.
If nerves that go to the stomach from the spine are surrounded by subluxated vertebrae, the stomach may have symptoms. If the nerves going to the liver, or the pancreas, or to muscles in the back, those areas may suffer. Chiropractors adjust subluxated vertebrae so that the whole body can work more effectively. The body needs no help, just no interference.
Chiropractic has been shown to be helpful for:
Headaches
Backaches
Pain and stiffness in neck
Pain between shoulders
Numbness or pain in hands or feet
Shoulder and arm pain
Lower back pain
Leg pain or numbness
Are Chiropractic adjustments safe?
Yes, a study by the New Zealand government found that adjustments are "remarkably safe". By avoiding medication and surgery chiropractic care enjoys an excellent track record. The examination can identify the person who needs to be referred to another health specialty for care.
What makes the sound during the adjustment?
Spinal joints are like other joints of the body which have a fluid filled sack surrounding them. This keeps them lubricated so that they can move easily. Occasionally when the gas and fluid in the joint shift, a sound is heard. The sound is interesting, but isn't a guide to the quality or value of the adjustment.
How long until I feel better?
Some patients begin to experience relief almost instantly. Others find it can take many weeks or months to feel better. There are many factors that can affect the healing process. How long have you had a problem? Are you getting proper rest, exercise and nutrition? Are you in good physical condition? Are you able to keep your chiropractic appointments? Within a short period of time most patients experience a great deal of symptom relief, and they don't require medicine or surgery with chiropractic care.
What if chiropractic doesn't work?
On each visit we ask you to honestly tell us what you are feeling. We need to know what hurts less, or hurts differently, so if need be we can modify our adjustments to get you out of pain as quickly as possible. If after a few adjustments you are not noticing relief for your particular problem we will recommend other specialists who may be able to help. Your health is our primary concern.
Are adjustments painful?
Most spinal adjustments are not painful at all. Patients feel very good and often they notice they are free from pain very quickly. Adjustments are very safe.
How are chiropractors trained?
Chiropractors are required to complete a four year university degree, followed by four years at an accredited chiropractic college. A chiropractic student receives over 4500 hours of education, much of it in supervised clinical practice. Once students have completed their education they must pass rigorous exams to be licensed by the state in which they want to practice as a Doctor of Chiropractic.
Should I go to a Chiropractor?
Many people who experience back pain have missed work, school, or been unable to do their day-to-day activities. When back pain heals and has gone untreated there is a very high probability that it will return. The pattern however changes over time, and the pain that used to take a few days to get better often takes weeks, the longer it is left untreated. Chiropractic patients often experience a reversal of that, with back pain returning to only a few days in duration if they experience a flare up.
You are a candidate for a spinal examination if you have ever had a:
Work-related injury
Sports injury
High stress level
Car accident
Lifting injury
Spasm in the neck or back
Any of the above can cause your spine to be misaligned. Once there is a subluxation the nerves can suffer and in many cases pain is the last symptom.
Is chiropractic care covered by insurance?
Most health insurance covers a portion or all of your chiropractic visits. Please call Dr. Audrey at (586) 795-8989 with any questions you might have about your insurance coverage.
d r b e r d e s k i @ c y b e r s p i n e . c o m