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What is a Chiropractor?
How does chiropractic work?
Is
there scientific proof that chiropractic care works?
What do chiropractic doctors do?
Does
chiropractic adjustments hurt?
Is Chiropractic
safe?
Are
there any risks?
Once I start will I have to keep coming back?
How often should
checkups be made?
Should I bring my
family for chiropractic checks?
Do I have to see my general provider before I get chiropractic
treatment?
Can a person who had back surgery see a Chiropractor?
Can a Chiropractor prevent back surgery?
Is chiropractic treatment possible after surgery?
Can a person with a broken back or neck see a Chiropractor?
Will chiropractic care improve sporting performance?
Can chiropractic care be given during
pregnancy?
Do Chiropractors believe in medicine and surgery?
What is the 'popping' noise that occurs during adjustments?
Can I adjust myself?
Do chiropractors use X-rays?
Can chiropractic
help osteoporosis?
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What is a Chiropractor?
A Doctor of Chiropractic is an expert in the field of treatment of structural or spinal injuries. After completing their undergraduate education, today's Doctors of Chiropractic receive an additional four years of post-graduate college education. Before starting practice they pass a rigorous National Board Education and meet stringent licensing requirements. To keep up with the latest research, doctors attend seminars, scientific symposia, and read professional journals.
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How does chiropractic work?
Chiropractic works by restoring your inborn ability to be healthy. When under the proper control of your nervous system, all the cells, tissues, and organs of your body are designed to resist disease and ill health. The chiropractic approach to better health is to locate and help remove interferences to your natural state of being
healthy. A common interference to the nervous system is the 24 moving bones of the spinal column. A loss of normal motion or position of these bones can irritate or impair the function of the nervous system. This can disrupt the transmission of controlling nerve impulses.
With improved spinal function there is often improved nervous system function. Your chiropractic doctor can help remove interference that may be impairing normal health.
Since the primary focus of your care is improved nervous system function, chiropractic can have a positive effect on many health conditions not normally thought of as "back" problems.
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Is there scientific
proof that chiropractic care works?
There have been many studies and
reports in recent years supporting the use of chiropractic. Contact us
for more information or resources that could help better answer any
questions you have in regards to how effective chiropractic care can be.
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What do chiropractic doctors do?
Helping to restore proper spinal biomechanics and improved nervous system function begins with a case history. This gives the doctor a background about your health, such as surgeries, accidents, the onset of your condition, and other details affecting your current health.
After reviewing your history and discussing your specific problem, a thorough orthopedic, neurological, and chiropractic examination is performed. X-rays may be taken to uncover structural and functional problems associated with the spinal column. These examinations help identify areas of spinal malfunction and resulting nervous system deficit.
The findings of these examinations are explained and a plan of chiropractic adjustments may be recommended. Progress is monitored with periodic examinations and follow-up reports.
Since the word "doctor" comes from the Latin word meaning teacher, regardless of your doctor's unique clinical approach, he or she has a strong commitment to patient education.
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Do chiropractic adjustments hurt?
Generally a chiropractic
adjustment does not hurt. However, there may be some minor short term
discomfort that quickly passes or most patients. You will find that
follow us treatments will be more pleasant. As symptoms improve you will
begin to feel more at ease with your chiropractor.
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Is Chiropractic safe?
Critics mislead by suggesting that adjustments to the neck can subject patients to unnatural stress or compromise blood supply to the brain. But if the spine were that fragile, people would fear bending over to tie their shoe laces or looking up to enjoy the evening sunset! Thousands will die this year from anesthesia or needless back surgeries. Thousands more will perish from common aspirin or destroy their kidneys from so-called "safe" pain medicines. Adverse reactions to prescription medication are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Meanwhile, the rare complications from chiropractic care can be counted on one hand!
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Are there any risks?
Chiropractic has fewer risks
than many other treatments. Serious side effects are extremely uncommon
and research shows that chiropractic is one of the safest and most
effective forms of treatment available. For more questions feel free to
contact us for more information regarding treatments or your symptoms.
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Once
I start will I have to keep coming back?
No, not any more than you would to see your dentist. As teeth can become unhealthy through neglect, so can your general health if
misalignments are not corrected. Some people - after the initial problem is solved - return once a year or once a month, depending on how well they eat and exercise and how stressful their lives are. We are assuming they have not had any falls, sudden stops or intense stress to cause joint misalignments.
Determining the length of how long chiropractic work would take place
will involve many factors depending on your symptoms. Medical
practitioners state that for back pain (most common reason people
consult a chiropractor) spinal manipulation can help, especially if
carried out within the first six weeks. The longer you wait to treat
back injuries, the longer treatment will take. Your chiropractor will
determine the length of your treatment and will show you ways and give
you tips on how preventative care can be taken. Remember on going
treatment is always beneficial in preventing future injuries and a key
part to sustaining a healthy functioning body.
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How often should
checkups be made?
There are two main ways
your chiropractor practices. One way is called "supportive care" which
is to minimize the recurrence of your pain and the other is called
"wellness care", where your chiropractor may wish to check you more
frequently and explore with you further on how to maintain a healthy
well-being.
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Should I bring my
family for chiropractic checks?
Because of the fact that
chiropractic focuses on the integrity of the nervous system, especially
in relationship to the spine your whole family will benefit.
Particularly if you have children involved in sports, by visiting a
chiropractor you could help prevent your child from obtaining a serious
injury.
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Do I have to see my
general provider before I get
chiropractic treatment?
No, you do not need to
see your general provider, because referrals are not required before
setting up an appointment with a chiropractor Comprehensive chiropractic
training enables them to identify symptoms that may suggest chiropractic
would be unsuitable treatment If other treatment is determined to be
more beneficial, than a visit to your general provider should be made as
soon as possible.
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Can A Person Who Had Back Surgery See A Chiropractor?
Yes.
It's an unfortunate fact that up to half of those who had spinal surgery discover a return of their original symptoms months or years later. They then face the prospect of additional surgery. This too common occurrence is known as ?Failed Back Surgery Syndrome.? Chiropractic may help prevent repeated operations.
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Can A Chiropractor Prevent Back Surgery?
In a majority of cases the answer is a resounding?
"YES".
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Is chiropractic treatment possible after surgery?
Again your chiropractor has the training and experience to teat a wide
variety of situations However, speaking to your general provider isn't a bad
idea in regards to seeking chiropractic care.
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Can A Person With A Broken Back Or Neck See A Chiropractor?
After the break heals, yes. In fact, a broken bone forms a callus or bone scar when it heals that is stronger than the rest of the bone. This should dispel any concerns about the safety of an adjustment. People who have had broken bones need chiropractic checkups because accidents usually cause spinal subluxations.
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Will chiropractic care improve sporting performance?
Yes, most likely. By looking further
into the injury your chiropractor will help eliminate the cause of your
problems as well as improve the mechanics of your joints, muscles and the
nerves supplying them.
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Can chiropractic care be given during pregnancy?
Probably, your chiropractor has the training and experience to treat
a wide variety of patients and you will receive appropriate treatment
and adjustments specific to your condition, while areas not suitable for
treatment will be avoided carefully. However, it is not a bad idea to
speak to your general provider before obtaining treatment with a
chiropractor. That way your doctor can communicate with your
chiropractor about your situation so you and your baby can achieve a
healthy well-being.
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Do Chiropractors Believe In Medicine And Surgery?
Certainly. There are verified instances of blind people recovering eyesight after a fall, of individuals able to walk again after their wheelchair was thrown and of amnesiacs who remember their past after receiving a trauma - these are examples of ?accidental adjustments.? A visit to the chiropractor is a lot safer.
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What is the 'popping' noise that occurs during adjustments?
The 'pop' or 'crack' is simply
the sound of bubbles of gas popping in the fluid of the joint as the
pressure is released by the adjustment.
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Can I adjust myself?
Unfortunately No! Chiropractic adjustments consist of a specific force, applied to a specific vertebrae (spinal bone) in a specific direction to help restore spinal alignment. It is impossible to achieve this when done by yourself. It may be possible to bend or twist in certain directions and elicit a popping sound, this non-specific movement never restores alignment properly, and can actually make an unstable area of the spine even more unstable. Please trust your health and your spine to the care of a licensed chiropractor.
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Do chiropractors use X-rays?
Yes,
chiropractors use x-rays and the decision to do so will be made during
your consultation. The benefits of x-rays are your chiropractor will be
able to better examine your bone structure and help treat your condition
more closely and with more depth.
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Can
chiropractic help osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis happens when the amount of calcium in the bones (calcium
gives bones strength) is very low and leaves them weak and very brittle
where bones in turn then break easily. However, having osteoporosis
doesn't mean that you will have a fracture/break, just means certain
measure need to be taken to help improve well being. Your chiropractor
will discuss with you your options as far a regarding your symptoms and
condition.
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For more answers to your questions, please e-mail or telephone Dr.
Poul. |