Frequently Asked Questions

Questions:

What is chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a branch of the Healing Arts based upon the understanding that good health depends, in large 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 musculoskeletal areas of the body which are functioning improperly.

What conditions benefit from chiropractic care?

Although chiropractic is used most frequently to relieve back and neck pain, studies and clinical evidence have found it to be effective for a variety of conditions, such as migraine and tension headaches, neck and shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia dysmenorrhea, ear infections, and infantile colic.

Do chiropractic adjustments hurt?

Under normal circumstances, adjustments don't hurt. For the first ten years of my work I used manual manipulation. Twenty years ago I began to study Activator Methods (www.activator.com) and became Advanced Certified in that method. Activator Methods uses a small hand-held instrument which uses high speed instead of high force. When I need to adjust two week old infants, they don't mind at all!

Is Chiropractic safe?

The odds that a patient will suffer a stroke after receiving cervical manipulation are one per 8 million office visits, or one per roughly 6 million cervical manipulations, according to a recent study. Twenty-three cases of stroke after chiropractic adjustment were on record; yet approximately 135 million cervical adjustments were carried out by 4,500 chiropractors over the ten year period.

These data indicate that stroke is probably much less likely in chiropractic patients than has been estimated by neurologists (about one per 500,000-1 million). If you have any questions or concerns about stroke related to chiropractic, ask your chiropractor for more information.

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.

Have any studies been published showing what chiropractic is effective for?

Several studies have documented the effectiveness of chiropractic in relieving back pain. These studies have pointed out that chiropractic patients have a very high degree of satisfaction and that much less money is spent seeing the chiropractor than the medical doctor or osteopath for joint/nerve/muscle problems. More recent studies have shown chiropractic to be effective in treating infantile colic and cluster headaches.

What can I expect on my first visit?

We have, as you might expect, a few forms to fill out. (Some people like to fill these out online before their appointment.) We begin by finding out what your health care goals and concerns are. A detailed history and an examination are next. Our exam consists of postural analysis, vertebral and trigger point palpation, muscle testing, range of motion, reflexes testing and orthopedic testing. The idea is to discover any subluxations (misalignments of the spine) and any complicating factors. We may or may not need to take spinal x-rays. If you are in great pain and subluxations of the spine are found you may receive treatment at that time. Most people who are accepted for care begin treatment on the second visit which can be as soon as the next day.

What other services do you offer besides chiropractic?

Our office offers a variety of alternative health treatments, including lymph drainage therapy, Upledger craniosacral therapy, trigger point therapy, spinal traction, diet, and anti-aging counseling.

What is Upledger Craniosacral Therapy about?

Dr. John Upledger began his exploration of the Craniosacral system when he was working in the Biomechanics Department at Michigan State University. The therapist uses very light touch to enhance fluid movement in the body. The handles into the craniosacral system are the bones of the cranium and the sacrum. The therapist also assists in releasing foreign energies from the body. These foreign energies may be present in the body because of a fall, a blow to the head or a troubling emotional experience.