Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Q2.How do I know whether I need to see a chiropractor?
Q3. Do I have a pinched nerve?
Q4. Does chiropractic treat any other problems except back problems?
Q5. Is it OK to see a chiropractor if I’m pregnant?
Q6. Whats the difference between Chiropractic and Osteopathy?
Q8. What type of education do chiropractors get?
Q9. Is regular chiropractic care necessary?
Q10. Does an adjustment have to make a noise to be effective?
Chiropractic is a health care profession that emphasizes diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, not only of the spine but the entire body, under the hypothesis that these disorders affect general health via the nervous system. Chiropractic has many of the attributes of primary care providers and is categorized as a medical specialty like dentistry or podiatry.
The main chiropractic treatment technique involves manual therapy, including manipulation of the spine, other joints, and soft tissues. Treatment also includes exercises as well as health and lifestyle counseling. Chiropractic assumes that a vertebral subluxation or spinal joint dysfunction interferes with the body’s function and its Innate Intelligence.
Q2. How do I know whether I need to see a chiropractor?
Everyone should get their spine checked. Only 10% of your nerves perceive pain, the other 90% are what makes your body function. It is possible to have pressure on your nerves and feel no pain. By the time someone is in pain, spinal problems can be quite advanced. Just as a heart attack is not the first sign of heart problems.
Q3. Do I have a pinched nerve?
Many patients consult a chiropractor because they have a pinched nerve.
Because of the way the spine is designed, abnormal spinal function caused from physical trauma,emotional tensions, or chemical toxins can affect the delicate tissues of the spinal cord and nerve roots.
While commonly associated with the spine, the pinched nerve (compressive lesion) is actually rare. Researchers suggest that only 10% to 15% of spine related problems are caused by direct pressure of bone on nerve tissue! This can result in numbness, burning or a pins and needles feeling.
More frequently, nerves are irritated (facilitative lesion). This is caused when nerve tissue is rubbed, scraped, stretched by a loss of spinal curve, or irritated be malfunctioning spinal joints.
Q4. Does chiropractic treat any other problems except back problems?
Chiropractors look at the entire body ! The anatomical focus of the DC on the human spine has created the perception of the DC as just a “back doctor.” Although this perception is not entirely incorrect, it is very much incomplete. Chiropractors are a highly appropriate resource in matters of work-place safety, stress management, injury prevention, postural correction and nutritional counselling.
Q5. Is it OK to see a chiropractor if I’m pregnant?
Pregnant mothers find that chiropractic adjustments improve their pregnancy and make delivery easier for themselves and their baby. Adjusting methods are always adapted to a patient’s size, weight, age, and condition of health. Chiropractic adjustments throughout the pregnancy is are a very safe and effective way of managing such a fast change in your bodies structure.
Q6. Whats the difference between Chiropractic and Osteopathy ?
One of the most frequently asked questions we hear is ”what’s the difference between chiropractic and other treatments”? I have often read long and eloquent descriptions of other techniques and thought that we have more in common than difference.
All the healing arts attempt to restore health. The physical therapies attempt to manipulate the structure in order to restore normal function. We are all dealing with the same body but different professions often use different language to describe the same thing.
Chiropractic uses the term adjustment as this implies specificity and is a consequence of our deep respect for the body’s innate capacity to heal itself.
The adjustment is a specific input to the nervous system and can have a greater effect in restoring health than a non-specific, or overwhelming, input.
Chiropractic is not a single technique, but a profession dedicated to the restoration of the integrity of your nervous system that in turn allows you to experience your maximum health potential.
Technically, a disc can’t slip.
The intervertebral disc is a pad of cartilage type material situated between spinal bones. Each disc serves as a connector, spacer, and shock absorber for the spine. A soft, jelly like center is contained by outer layers of fibrous tissue. Healthy discs help allow normal turning and bending.
Because of the way each disc is attached to the vertebrae above and below, a disc cannot slip. However, trauma or injury to the spine can cause discs to tear, bulge, herniate, or worse, rupture. This can be quite painful, as the soft center of the disc leaks, putting pressure on the adjacent nerve roots and spinal cord.
While results cannot be guaranteed, many patients have avoided needless surgery or a dependency on pain pills, by choosing chiropractic care for their disc related health problem.
Q8. What type of education do chiropractic doctors get ?
Today’s chiropractor is a highly educated professional. Chiropractic training in Australia involves five year courses at Sydney’s Macquarie University and Melbourne’s RMIT University. Many Australian chiropractors received similar education in the US or Europe.
These courses are of similar length and depth as medical courses, but focus on promoting better health via better body function, rather than on medicine’s drugs and surgery. Accordingly, chiropractic education involves s a special emphasis on anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, biomechanics, X-ray, spinal adjusting techniques and related subjects.
This demanding curriculum prepares chiropractic doctors to locate the Vertebral Subluxation Complex and help correct the resulting nervous system dysfunction.
A chiropractor’s education never ends. After entering practice, most doctors complete continuing professional development courses and seminars to upgrade and improve their skills and to stay current on the latest scientific research.
Q9. Is regular chiropractic care necessary?
Regular chiropractic care may be necessary to correct spinal subluxations to help maintain sound health and fitness. This is true especially when undergoing Chiropractic Corrective Care, as regular care helps the body to “remember” the new correct posture, and to also rehabilitate weakened muscles and ligaments.
Maintenance Care is always recommended after Chiropractic Corrective Care has been completed. This is because your spine is under constant strain during waking hours. Improper lifting techniques, poor posture, accidents, falls and bumps, and other causes can contribute to spinal strain. Timely adjustments can help restore the neuromusculoskeletal integrity of the spine to normalize the bodily equilibrium and increase resistance.
Q10. Does an adjustment have to make a noise to be effective?
No, it is a common misconception that your joints must make a noise to be properly adjusted. However, more often than not when your vertebrae are adjusted, the smooth articular (joint) surfaces become separated, creating and then releasing a small vacuum, making a noise. This is the sound made when you crack your knuckles. Your chiropractor is concerned with the position of your vertebrae, not with the noise that may occur.
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