What is
chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts
based upon the understanding that good
health depends, in part, upon a normally
functioning nervous system (especially the
spine, and the nerves extending from the
spine to all parts of the body).
"Chiropractic" comes from the Greek word
chiropraktikos, meaning "effective treatment
by hand." Chiropractic stresses the idea
that the cause of many disease processes
begins with the body's inability to adapt to
its environment. It looks to address these
diseases not by the use of drugs and
chemicals, but by locating and adjusting a
musculoskeletal area of the body which is
functioning improperly.
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What conditions benefit from
chiropractic care?
Although chiropractic is used most
frequently to relieve low back pain, studies
have found it to be effective for a variety
of conditions, such as migraine headaches,
neck and shoulder pain, carpal tunnel
syndrome, fibromyalgia, and infantile colic.
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Does Chiropractic hurt?
Under normal circumstances, adjustments
don't hurt. The patient may experience a
minor amount of discomfort during the
adjustment which lasts only seconds.
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Is Chiropractic safe?
Chiropractic adjustments or manipulations
are extremely safe. The risk factor is
estimated to be in excess of one million to
one.
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What kind of education and
training do doctors of chiropractic have?
Chiropractors receive an education that
emphasizes neuromuscular diagnosis and
treatment. Preparation for the practice of
chiropractic is concentrated on three areas
of learning; basic training in the
biological and health sciences (anatomy,
physiology, histology, biochemistry,
clinical and radiological diagnosis);
specialized training in the chiropractic
discipline (theoretical studies, practice,
diagnosis and applications); and extensive
clinical training.
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Have any studies been published
showing what chiropractic is effective for?
Several studies have documented the
effectiveness of chiropractic in relieving
back pain. More recent studies have shown
chiropractic to be effective in treating
infantile colic and migraine headaches.
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What can I expect on my first
visit?
The first thing a chiropractor will do is
ask you about the health complaints about
which you are chiefly concerned. The DC will
also ask about your family history, dietary
habits, other care you may have had
(chiropractic, osteopathic, medical, etc.),
your job, and other questions designed to
help determine the nature of your illness
and the best way to go about treating the
problem.
A physical examination will be
performed in accordance with your DC's
clinical judgement, which may include
x-rays, laboratory analysis and other
diagnostic procedures. In addition, a
careful spinal examination and analysis will
be performed to detect any structural
abnormalities which may be affecting or
causing your condition. All of these
elements are important components of your
total health profile, and vital to the
doctor of chiropractic in evaluating your
problem.
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What other services do you offer
besides chiropractic?
Our office offers a variety of alternative
health treatments, including herbal
medicine, exercise and fitness strategies
and nutritional consulting.
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