- What is a Subluxation?
- What Training Do Chiropractors Receive?
- What Happens during a Chiropractic Examination?
- What Can't Chiropractors Do?
- What types of services do you offer?
- Can Chiropractors help Osteoarthritis?
- Can you help my child's' chronic ear infections?
- How often will I have to come in for adjustment?
- Will I have to come in for the rest of my life?
What Training Do Chiropractors Receive?
Chiropractors are licensed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia . A rigorous course of study is necessary to receive a degree of Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.). According to the American Chiropractic Association , there are over 40,000 doctors of chiropractic practicing in the United States. Most state licensing boards require at least two years of undergraduate education (a few states require a bachelor's degree), and completion of a four-year chiropractic college course. To maintain a license, almost all states require completion of a specified number of hours of continuing education each year.
What happens during a Chiropractic Examination?
A chiropractor will take a medical history, conduct physical, neurological, and orthopedic examinations. Chiropractics spend a considerable amount of time assessing posture, examining the spine, testing reflexes, joint motion, and muscle strength. X rays and other diagnostic images are often used to locate vertebral dysfunction and to rule out disorders like tumors or fractures, which require the attention of other health-care experts.
Chiropractors can a variety of treatment options including spinal adjustments, traction, interferential electric stimulation modalities, massage, trigger point, hot and cold or exercise therapy and nutrition. Your Chiropractor may also apply supports such as cervical pillows and other durable medical equipment.
Getting Personal
A personal visit is the only way to evaluate if the doctor has the ability to put you at ease and to communicate. Our chiropractor - just like any other doctor - will treat you as a partner in your own health care program by explaining every procedure, why it's being done, and what results are expected.
To get the most out of your visit, make a list of what you want to know about our physician, the practice and chiropractic itself. Make the decision today that could improve your health for your lifetime.
Generally, chiropractors are not licensed to treat conditions including (but not limited to) cancer, internal injuries, lacerations and cuts, fractures of bones and chronic ailments such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Patients diagnosed with such problems should be referred to an M.D. by the chiropractor.
In addition, chiropractors do not perform invasive procedures such as injections, transfusions and surgery, nor do they prescribe any medications.
A subluxation means a slight dislocation (misalignment) or biomechanical malfunctioning of the vertebra (bones of the spine). These disturbances may irritate nerve roots and blood vessels which branch off from the spinal cord between each of the vertebrae. This irritation may cause pain and dysfunction in muscle, lymphatic, and organ tissue, as well as imbalance in the normal body processes.
Can Chiropractic Adjustments help osteoarthritis?
It's a matter of structure and function. If the structure is not working up to it's full ability and there are structural problems along the spinal column, this can affect the function of the spinal column.
Problems along these areas cause premature arthritic changes and symptoms secondary to these changes.
An analogy that can be used to describe this- a rusty hinge on a door. It is working, however it's squeaking and grinding. By lubricating this hinge and working the door back and forth allows the lubricant to flow within the space of the hinge then the squeak goes away. It will not be new and shiny but is working much better.
The Chiropractic adjustment restores joint function and range of motion. It stimulates the production of synovial fluid which is the natural lubricant in our join spaces which "lubricates the problem areas".
Long term goals for osteoarthritis is that through time and repetition to reduce the structural imbalances and rehabilitate the problem areas for a long lasting result.
Can you help my child's' chronic ear infections?
Sometimes one of the first traumas in life is being born, being pulled by the head through the birth canal.
Cervical subluxations that develop at birth can sometimes lead to chronic ear infections, allergy symptoms and a decreased immune systems.
Adjusting the cervical spine and removing the nerve interference will restore proper function and eliminate the resulting symptoms.
How often will I have to come in for adjustment?
Depending upon the nature of the problem the treatment plan will vary for each individual.
Will I have to come in for the rest of my life?
No, once we have improved your issues many patients choose to come in periodically for maintenance adjustments to help maintain good spinal health.
Due to ongoing occupational demands and personal activity levels, it is a good idea to maintain spinal health to prevent spinal injury. Be pro-active!