HOW MUCH EDUCATION DOES A DOCTOR OF CHIROPRACTIC RECEIVE? 

A minimum of eight years of college study (the same legal requirement as for medical doctors) not including internships.

 

WHAT DEGREE ARE CHIROPRACTORS GIVEN? 
Licensed chiropractors are entitled by law to use the title, "Doctor of chiropractic." They may also add the degree's initials "D.C." to their name.

 

ARE CHIROPRACTIC COLLEGES ACCREDITED? 
Yes, the CCE (Council on Chiropractic Education) which is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, is responsible for setting, evaluating, and enforcing high educational standards.

 

DO CHIROPRACTORS NEED A SPECIAL LICENSE TO PRACTICE ? 
As a licensed and regulated health professional, the doctor of chiropractic must pass a rigorous national exam, and a state exam for each state he chooses to practice in.

 

HOW MANY CHIROPRACTORS ARE THERE ? 
There are almost 50,000 chiropractors in the U.S., serving tens of millions of patients, and their use is growing rapidly as new research revalidates the effectiveness of chiropractic.

 

DO ALL CHIROPRACTORS USE THE SAME TECHNIQUES? 
As with all professions, chiropractors have a large number of various methods to evaluate and take care of patients. In our office, we use numerous gentle and effective techniques such as Thomson, Gonstead, Activator, Toggle and Diversified techniques.

 

WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC ? 
Chiropractic is the art, science and philosophy of realigning vertebras (bones) that are out of alignment in the spine to restore function in the nervous system (nerves). 

The human body is controlled by nerves. Everything (circulation, breathing, elimination, etc.) is under the direction of this unbelievably complicated system. If the impulses of this network are transmitted normally to and from the brain without interference, the body will be at its optimum and able to ward off disease to the best of its ability. If these impulses are stopped or interfered with, the area dependent upon them will malfunction and/or become diseased. When a vertebrae in your spine becomes misaligned (subluxated), it can cause nerve interference.

Chiropractic is the only profession that utilizes gentle spinal alignments to free pinched nerves so that the body can heal itself. Chiropractors focus on the spine and the origin of the nervous system to correct problems throughout the body.

HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC WORK ? 
This is where the chiropractor comes in. The doctor applies a gentle force to the spine that unlocks the vertebrae (bone) that is out of alignment. Once the vertebrae is in alignment, the body can restore its normal nerve function.
Your doctor of chiropractic has gone through four academic years of chiropractic training, after undergraduate college, to learn human anatomy, physiology, and radiology in depth. All for the sole purpose of learning how, when ,why ,and where to apply that gentle force called Chiropractic adjustment, and to help you, the patient, prevent your subluxation from recurring.

 

WHO NEEDS CHIROPRACTIC CARE ? 
Everyone can benefit from modern, safe, effective, and painless chiropractic care. In our office, we use chiropractic techniques which are extremely effective for everyone including the elderly and infants.

 

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE ? 
How quickly you respond to chiropractic care can vary greatly, though most people feel immediate improvement. It is important to remember that even though you may feel better, the underlying condition may take much longer to correct.

 

WHAT IS A SUBLUXATION ? 
A subluxation is a vertebrae in the spine which is out of alignment putting pressure on a nerve affecting health in the body. Furthermore, a vertebral subluxation is a serious spinal condition that interferes with the health of the nervous system, the vertebral column (spinal column) and the general health of the entire body as a whole.

In order for a vertebrae to be subluxated it has to have four qualities: 

1- The vertebrae is out of proper alignment with the other vertebrae in the spinal column, the skull or the pelvis.
2- There is a narrowing of a canal through which the nerve lies.
3- There is impingement of nerve tissue as result of the above canal narrowing.
4- There is interference with nerve messages between the brain and the body.

 

WHAT CAUSES SUBLUXATIONS? 
Subluxations can be caused by three different types of stress:

1. Emotional Stress: According to research, the #1 cause of subluxation in America today is emotional stress. Emotional stress is often due to our lifestyle and also from pressure created from society. Emotional stress can result from family problems, financial difficulties and work or school related problems. It is important to understand that emotional stress can cause tension in your muscles which in time can pull vertebrae(s) out of alignment.

2. Physical Stress: Physical stress can be caused by accidents, sports injuries, falls, other trauma, bad posture, repeated movements that gradually wear down your body parts and difficult birth. Although vertebral subluxations are the most common forms of interference with nerve messages, they are by no means the only ones. broken bones, arthritis, tumors, direct pressure (when your legs or arms 'go to sleep'), neurological diseases such as muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, polio and cerebral palsy can also damage nerves.

3. Chemical Stress: Chemical stress can be caused by chemical addiction (drug intake) or from being over medicated or being exposed repeatedly to industrial chemicals.

 

HOW SHOULD I FEEL AFTER AN ADJUSTMENT? 
Different people have different reactions depending on their condition (i.e. presence of swelling and inflammation), the amount of time the condition has existed and the person's degree of sensitivity. Many people however will feel the following: 

1. Peace and relaxation:
After an adjustment you may experience a feeling of deepening peace and relaxation. This relaxed feeling may last for the rest of the day or the week and may lead to deep refreshing sleep. Others have at times felt a warm feeling flowing to various parts of their bodies which is very soothing. Some feel very energetic and do all their chores or business that day with a light, happy feeling.

2. Relief of symptoms:
Others may find that their symptoms have begun to disappear, that the problems that they came to the chiropractor for have begun to lessen after the first visit. And, there are some people who feel no difference after an adjustment. That does not necessarily mean that they are not benefiting from their adjustments, it just means that they're not feeling any external reaction.

3. Overall improvement:
As you continue your chiropractic care and your spine and nervous system continue to release deep seated stress, you may begin to notice better balance, smoother movement, and as a result, more energy. Increased awareness of your spine, its movements, areas of tightness and/or restrictions. Awareness of your body stress. More emotional relaxation. You may spontaneously change your eating habits, feel an increased desire to exercise, go for walks or become more sensitive to your work and leisure.

 

THE MOST IMPORTANT BENEFITS 
However, with all the interest in what is consciously perceived, please remember that the true benefits of the adjustment are usually found below the level of consciousness. It is when the nerve communication to the heart, lungs, joints, skin, eyes, ears and the brain itself are improved that the true benefits of chiropractic are experienced. The true benefits of chiropractic care are the preventive benefits: better night sleep, more energy and better nerve system function.

 

DOES CHIROPRACTIC HURT ? 
No. In our office we use a gentle effective technique which is painless and provides excellent results. We also use an activator technique, Thomson, hands on diversified, Gonstead and upper cervical techniques.

 

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO TO BECOME HEALTHY ONCE YOUR SPINAL PROBLEMS ARE CORRECTED? 
In our office, we recommend that you do the following once you have corrected your spinal misalignments.

1. Exercise
2. Follow proper nutrition
3. Reduce your stress
4. Maintain proper posture
5. Get a good amount of rest and sleep
6. Keep a positive mental attitude

 

We understand that you can not change your lifestyle overnight. However, if you incorporate these ideas slowly, you will most definitely enjoy better health. Keep in mind that you are responsible for your health. Take charge.