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What to expect on your first visit?
The first thing a chiropractor will do is ask you about the health complaints about which you are chiefly concerned. You will also be asked about your past medical history, accident history, family history, dietary habits, other care you may have had, and your job type. Other questions might be asked to help determine the nature of your problems and the best way to go about careing the problem.
A gentle physical examination will be performed in accordance with your chiropractors clinical judgment. Following these, clinical assessment may include x-rays 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.
Once your chiropractor has identified the problem, care will be outlined and we can begin by way of adjustments. The adjustment is usually given by hand or 'activator' instruments, and consists of applying gentle pressure to the areas of the spine that are out of alignment or that do not move properly.
Chiropractors use many sophisticated and varied techniques, and the specific procedure to be used will be determined and explained to you following your assessments.
Under normal circumstances, adjustments don't hurt. The patient may experience a minor amount of discomfort during the adjustment, which lasts only seconds. Adjustments are extremely safe. The risk factor is estimated to be in excess of 1 million to 1.
Your First Visits
What is a pinched nerve?
Even though this expression is commonly used for spinal problems, a pinched nerve (or compression injury) is actually fairly rare. Researchers suggest that only about 10% of spine related problems are caused by direct pressure of a bone on nerve tissue! When it happens this may lead to numbness, burning, or 'pins and needles'.
So most people don't actually have a "pinched nerve." Most frequently, their nerves are irritated. This is caused when alterations to the spinal curves or muscle tension lead to a nerve being rubbed, scraped, or stretched. Another way the nerve can be hurt is by malfunctioning spinal joints which forms a part of vertebral subluxations.
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic (literally translated as "done by hand") is a science, art and a philosophy. It is based on the scientific fact that your body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism. This is called Homeostasis. All of your body’s functions are controlled by your brain, via your spinal cord, and nerves.
The bones of the spine protect and maintain the communication pathways of the spinal cord and nerves. If any part of the nervous system is impaired, it can cause problems in any of the body's tissues and organs. Chiropractors refer to this as "Vertebral Subluxation Complex". Vertebral, meaning the bones of the spine. Subluxation, meaning a misalignment (spinal dysfunction). And Complex, meaning consisting of more than one part. The art of chiropractic comes partially from the skill needed to reduce Subluxations and to restore the normal movement.
Chiropractic is the science of locating these Subluxations in the spine, the art of reducing their impact to the nervous system, and our philosophy is that of working with the natural systems built into our bodies.
More About Chiropractic
What is a slipped disc?
The first part of the answer to this question is that, technically, a disc can't 'slip'.
The disc is a pad of cartilage-type material situated between spinal bones. It acts as a shock absorber and spacer between the bones. It has a thick pulpy centre surrounded by outer layers of fibrous tissue, somewhat like the layers of an onion. When it all works properly you can bend and twist easily.
Because of the way each disc is attached to the vertebrae above and below by hundreds of little fibres, a disc cannot 'slip'. However, injury to the spine can cause discs to tear, bulge, herniate, or worse, rupture. This can be quite painful, as the soft centre of the disc leaks, and can put pressure on the adjacent nerve roots and spinal cord.
Over the years, chiropractic care has been reasonably successful with control of this type of injury, so a 'short trial of care' may delay or even avoid a back surgery.
What is an adjustment?
Chiropractors adjust the movement of the spine with the intent of restoring a more normal movement pattern and nerve function. The series of methods that have been developed, researched and refined over the last century are generally bundled together as chiropractic technique, and individually are referred to as adjustments. A Chiropractic adjustment is a specific force, applied in a specific direction, to a specific joint. It requires a high degree of training and skill to learn the art of an adjustment, and good knowledge of the science involved in the human body to know where to apply an adjustment.help relieve the pressure on the foot arch and stabilize your gait and posture helping you to achieve greater levels of health and wellness.
Is everybody adjusted the same way?
Each person is unique. In the same way, each spinal problem is unique. It is therefore necessary to develop individual courses of care. The recommendations developed for each person are based upon years of training and experience.
While visits may seem similar, each patient's care is uniquely different from every other patient as the type, style and frequency of adjustment varies with the individual's anatomy, specific needs and speed of healing.
Why check babies & children?
The simple fact is that children who receive regular chiropractic care have far fewer childhood illnesses, and develop into healthier, happier adults. If a child is free of subluxations which interfere with normal nerve function, he/she will have the best possible chance to function and develop to 100% of his/her potential, with little or no need for any other type of care.
When should children be examined?
Children should be examined as soon as possible after birth and if there are no problems, they should be checked regularly until they are eight months old. At this time a regular monthly check-up enables the growing child to cope with rapid development and greater activity. Once you have seen the benefits of chiropractic care for your children, you will never regret it.
Can children inherit a spinal problem from their parents?
Here are some indications to look out for:
1. If the child persists in sleeping in just one position then something is wrong, especially if the child is over three months old.
2. If the child continually wakes up crying during the night. All children should sleep at least 6 hours within waking but generally will sleep 8-12 hours at night and may sleep 1-2 hours during the day.
3. If the child bangs its head, pulls its ears and/or cries often, he/she most likely has an upper cervical problem which may have resulted at birth or shortly thereafter.
4. If the child has a wheeze, cough or cold that lasts longer than a few days.
5. If the child holds his/her head in one position more often than any other position especially lying on his or her back.
6. If the child appears asymmetrical (uneven) in the length of its legs, the shape of its body or head.
7. Finally if the child is held upside down by its ankles and he/she cries, curls up, bends their legs or neck in any way, there is a problem with some part of the spine that should be checked.
Remember that these little ones cannot tell you what is wrong, so it's best to have them examined even if all appears to be well. This is why we provide a courtesy exam for the children of existing patients till the age of 2 years.
IT MAKES SENSE TO GIVE A LITTLE SPINE A BIG CHANCE TO GROW STRAIGHT.
GIVE YOUR CHILDREN THAT CHANCE THROUGH CHIROPRACTIC.
Chiropractic and your children.
As professionals of the natural science of chiropractic, we conscientiously recommend that you include regular spinal examinations in your children's health schedules. You will be rewarded as you see the benefits from this regular analysis as your children develop normal, well-balanced healthy spines, nervous systems and bodies.
Is it bad to 'crack' your back?
The want or need to 'crack' or 'pop' your back or neck is caused from vertebral subluxation. When one area of the spine is not moving (hypomobile) another area of the spine is compensating or 'cracking' moving too much. These are all effects of the spinal or vertebral subluxation. The area not moving should be adjusted and the spine should balance out.
Do health insurance companies cover Chiropractics?
Yes, most health insurance companies with 'EXTRAS' cover will contribute towards some percentage of your chiropractic care. Please check with your insurer.
What makes the sound during some adjustments?
Lubricating fluids separate the bones of each spinal joint. Some adjusting methods can produce a sound when the gas and fluids in the joint shift. It is much like opening a bottle of champagne or removing a suction cup. There is no friction of the bones.
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