Can Chiropractic Help Me?

For many complaints and injuries involving the spine, other joints and connective structures, chiropractic enhances the patient's treatment experience. Many patients report immediate relief of pain, hastened restoration of mobility and flexibility, and improved long-term prognosis and fewer repeat visits over time.

The difference between chiropractic and medicine is that medicine is largely concerned with symptoms and chiropractic is concerned with treating the cause of the symptom. The uniqueness of chiropractic is that it is for everyone. The individual who has not yet manifested the symptoms of disease needs to have his health maintained. The person who appears to be in perfect health needs to maintain that health.

No drugs, medications, or surgeries are performed by the Doctor of Chiropractic. Doctors of Chiropractic focus on restoring proper function as a way of pain relief and optimal health. In many cases, drugs are used to cover up your pain but do nothing to "fix" the cause of your problem. Clearly, all these patient benefits translate into cost savings for the consumer and the insurer, but strictly in terms of patient satisfaction and health benefits, studies repeatedly confirm the efficacy of chiropractic care.

Your health is your responsibility and your health decisions will affect the quality of your life. Helping you maximize your health is the goal of chiropractic.

Is chiropractic care expensive?

Doctors of Chiropractic provide effective, low-cost healthcare for a wide range of conditions. Studies conducted according to the highest scientific standards and published by organizations not affiliated in any way with chiropractic institutions or associations continue to show the clinical appropriateness and effectiveness of chiropractic care.

Does chiropractic treat any other problems except back problems?

The Doctor of Chiropractic is an effective source of preventative and wellness care. The anatomical focus of the chiropractor on the human spine has created the perception of the chiropractor as just a "back doctor." Although this perception is not entirely incorrect, it is very much incomplete. Doctors of Chiropractic are a highly appropriate resource in matters of work-place safety, stress management, injury prevention, postural correction and nutritional counseling.

Can a chiropractor help with painful bone spurs?

While bone spurs are an indication that there is degeneration of the spine, these bony growths are not usually the actual cause of the pain. The term "bone spurs" is really a bit of a misnomer, as the term "spurs" implies that they are "poking" some part of the spinal anatomy and causing pain. However, this is not always true. Bone spurs are in fact smooth structures that form over a prolonged period of time. The medical term for bone spurs is osteophytes, and they represent an enlargement of the normal bony structure. Basically, osteophytes are a radiographic marker of spinal degeneration (aging) and are by and large a normal finding as we age. Over the age of 60, bone spurs are actually quite common. However, aligning a spine that has bone spurs often gives significant relief.

What can the public expect from a Doctor of Chiropractic?

While the core concept of practice is based on healing without drugs or surgery, the specific scope may vary according to the laws of a specific jurisdiction. However, patients may commonly expect:

• A thorough physical examination to determine conditions which may be appropriate for chiropractic care

• To be referred to another healthcare provider for conditions which are not appropriate for chiropractic care

• To understand the type of care to be administered, and what results may be expected

• Discussion with the doctor as the care continues, to evaluate both treatment effectiveness and projected duration

• A clear understanding of financial arrangements

• Appropriate, ethical care delivered in confidence, with respect for privacy and dignity

I have heard that once I start chiropractic care, I'll have to continue with it for the rest of my life. Is this true?

You may have heard the notion that once you go to a chiropractor you have to keep going back. Before we answer that question, ask yourself how many times you have visited a dentist? Like most people, you've probably gone dozens of times. Why? Quite simply, to prevent your teeth from literally rotting out of your head. Once chiropractic care eliminates your pain and rehabilitates the injured tissues we do recommend that you maintain a schedule of periodic spinal checkups. Like your dentist and like many of the medical experts are now recognizing, prevention is the key to reducing recurrences of existing health conditions and minimizing new injuries in the future. So the answer is yes, we want you to keep coming back, but just periodically. Periodic chiropractic care minimizes spinal and nerve stresses, reduces recurrences of old injuries, prevents new injuries from developing, minimizes degenerative processes, which enhances overall health and wellness.

Why should I go to a chiropractor?

Because having a healthy spinal column makes good common sense. If you're sick you should strengthen your natural healing ability. If you're feeling fine you should remember that spinal nerve stress (vertebral subluxations) are painless yet very destructive. You and your family should get your spines checked periodically to make sure you're living free from hidden spinal nerve stress so you're functioning at your fullest. Why wait for symptoms or disease to happen before you begin to improve your health? I'm feeling good, why should I visit a chiropractor? Because feeling "good" is not the same as being healthy. Too many people who feel "good" have been told they had silent cancers growing within them, or were close to a heart attack, or suddenly fell victim to a stroke! To ensure health you should make sure your spinal column and structural system are healthy - and bring the family! Clinical studies show that all age groups, from infants to the elderly can benefit from chiropractic care.