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Chiropractic FAQ
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What is Chiropractic? |
Chiropractic is...Chiropractic is the science which concerns itself with the relationship between structure, primarily the spine, and function, primarily the nervous system, of the human body as that relationship may affect restoration and preservation of health. Chiropractic is a drugless health care method of relieving pain and restoring health. Chiropractic doctors balance the body structures through specific movements of the spine structures (called a chiropractic adjustment) and assist the body to heal naturally by recommending good body mechanics, exercise, good diet, supplementation, and by using the modalities of heat, cold, light and electric. Most chiropractic physicians work with the balancing of the muscular systems of the body to create a more relaxed patient. Many people associate the word "chiropractic" with low back problems. Although back problems do indeed constitute a large portion of a chiropractor's practice, chiropractic is defined as a health care service that emphasizes the structural integrity of the body, and concern for those health disorders related to the spine and nervous system. In other words, chiropractors work with the spine (from head to pelvis) to correct not only spinal faults, but also to affect the nerves which go from the spine to all other areas of the body. With such an abundance of chiropractors and specialists, many people get stuck "Doctor Shuffling", scurrying from doctor to doctor hoping he or she is "The One" that will handle their particular complaint. The Doctor of Chiropractic can eliminate the shuffle from doctor to doctor. As a family care physician, your chiropractor can be the primary entry to eliminate the "Doctor Shuffle." A well qualified chiropractic physician can handle 90% of your medical direction and additionally, have the expertise to recognize if your problem requires another specialists attention. For medical care, you will be referred to one of our medical referral doctors, who will see to your care in the proper manner. A chiropractic doctor understands your family's structure and support system and how that might relate to disease. With emphasis on musculoskeletal problems, doctors of chiropractic can effectively treat most of our everyday stress and strains. Knowing that aches and pains, headaches and numbness are correctable, you can make the treatment by chiropractic your most effective choice for health care. At Huntington Chiropractic, you are treated as a person and not as a number or a case type. Each patient receives a thorough physical examination to determine the amount and type of care necessary to alleviate your complaint. Dr. Martin will discuss with you the type of care that will bring you the most relief, and the time involved in correction of your problem. Back to Top of Page What do chiropractors do?Chiropractic is a health care system which involves correcting biomechanical deficiencies in the joints of the body, especially in the spine, to return the body to normal homeostasis. In addition, many doctors of chiropractic use adjunctive therapy to accelerate the body's natural healing process. This may included (but is not limited to) physiotherapy modalities (i.e. Ultrasound, hot/cold packs, electrical stimulation, etc.), traction, corrective exercise, vitamin/mineral therapy, bracing, and in some states, acupuncture. Back to Top of Page How does chiropractic work?Chiropractic works through restoring the normal function of the spine (and other) joints of the body and allowing the body's natural healing processes to take effect. In essence, we remove the restrictions to healing. (When caused at the spine, this is often referred to as the Vertebral Subluxation Complex). It is not fully determined HOW this process works, but it is speculated that it has to do with removal of interference to nerve fibers through proprioceptive responses to the chiropractic therapy. This proprioceptive response creates measurable chemical changes in the body which affects the spinal nerves, spinal discs, muscles, ligaments and tendons. There may be also some effect to the autonomic nervous system through this response, but as yet this is not reproducible by scientific method, even though clinical response has been positive. Back to Top of Page What is a subluxation complex?A subluxation complex is the dis-relationship of two or more spinal vertebrae causing one or more of the following :
Sometimes this complex can be very severe (such as after an injury) and sometimes it can be long term (such as in arthritic conditions). In most instances, a subluxation complex will cause pain. Back to Top of Page What kind of problems do chiropractors treat?Doctors of chiropractic treat neuro-musculoskeletal problems. (nerve, muscle, bone) such as low back pain, neck pain, and pain involved after accidents. Chiropractic care is also very effective in the treatment of headaches, especially tension headaches. Chiropractic doctors should not treat, and should refer to proper physicians, cancers, bone infections, HIV, fractures, or any neuralgic active lesion (i.e. neuroblastoma). However, this does not mean if patients with these problems present with chiropractic problems also, that they cannot receive chiropractic treatment. (This is a problem that some insurance companies and some medical physicians do not understand). Back to Top of Page Are chiropractors Primary Care doctors?Actually, chiropractic doctors are PRIMARY PORTAL OF ENTRY doctors and cannot be accurately classified as primary care by definition. However, most persons writing legislation and insurance use the terms interchangeably and do not know the difference, therefore for THEIR definition we are primary care doctors. This means that patients can come to us directly for care, without being referred by any other physician. The true reason we cannot fall into the classification of primary care is that the definition includes care for life threatening situations. Back to Top of Page Why don't chiropractors prescribe/recommend drug therapy?Chiropractic was designed from the outset to be drugless, as an alternative to allopathic medicine. Drug therapy can be useful, but it can also be harmful when it masks the symptoms instead of taking care of the problem that is causing the patient discomfort or disease. There are times when limited access to pain killers would be beneficial to alleviate a patient's "unbearable" pain, however, I find that I just work harder to get the patient past that "unbearable" stage. Back to Top of Page What's the difference between chiropractors and medical doctors?Medical physicians treat the body as parts (a "liver problem" or a "stomach case" etc.) without much respect for what other factors caused the individual organ to dysfunction. Chiropractic doctors will discuss with the patient all known items that may (or may not) have had some effect on their problem. A person may have mid thoracic pain from coughing, but the patient's smoking habits would need to be discussed, as well as a possible connection to head/neck pain. What the patient does in his/her work may cause some of the problem. How and where they live may also contribute to the problem. This is treating the whole person. Back to Top of Page What to do if you are in an accident?If you are involved in an automobile accident or other type of accident that causes immediate pain or immobility, see a physician immediately. Many persons come to a chiropractic office for care long after an accident, making the symptoms more difficult to treat, and a correction and proper healing much more difficult to accomplish. Injuries are best treated within the first 5-7 days with chiropractic care. If the only care you getting is painkillers, hot packs and massage, you are missing an important part of getting well. Correcting the spine is just as important as any other thing you may do to get well. Back to Top of Page What if I have a slipped disk?There is actually no such thing as a "slipped" disc. The spinal discs are a cushioning piece of tissue that lie between each bone of the spine. There are two parts to the disk, the annulus (the tough part, like gristle) and the nucleus (a soft center, about the consistency of peanut butter). If the spinal vertebra tilt and create a wedge, the nucleus can bulge toward the open end of the wedge area. This can cause undue pressure on the spinal nerve roots or on the spinal cord. If the annulus becomes torn (partially or fully) the nucleus can migrate into the tear, putting even more pressure on spinal nerves or on the cord. The correct terminology for this is "herniated" disc. Chiropractors can (gently) treat a herniated disk, within all but the most severe tears. Back to Top of Page Do I have to be a patient forever?This is a question often asked of chiropractors, as many of our patients come to us for years. The answer is mostly NO but occasionally yes. Most patients come to a chiropractic office for pain from an injury. When that injury is finished, and the pain gone, the patient is usually not seen again, unless they injure themselves again. Sometimes, a patient has a problem that is so severe (osteoarthritis, failed back syndrome, osteomalacia) that it is necessary to continue care for a long period of time for either restoration of motion or for pain control. Often, this is construed as being a permanent patient. In reality, it is reconstructive care, and sometimes maintenance care. The real truth is that patients return to their chiropractor time after time because chiropractic care works very good for lots of problems. Back to Top of Page Why does someone who doesn't hurt need an adjustment?An adjustment (spinal manipulation) can only be performed when there is something to correct. Many "healthy" people have small problems (that have not yet developed into pain expressions) that may or may not turn into larger problems. Treating these small (painless) problems when they are not serious is beneficial to the patient, by eliminating a possible cause of future problems. those that choose to participate in this type of care are proactively working on keeping their health at its optimal level (wellness care) vs. waiting until symptoms appear and basing their health care on those symptoms (sickness care). Back to Top of Page What other things do chiropractors do?Besides providing chiropractic adjustments and good health habits, chiropractic doctors provide pre-employment, prenatal and athletic physicals. Many chiropractic doctors are team physicians for local high schools and organized sports. Some treat professional athletes such as runners, body builders, Olympic athletes and swimmers. A group of doctors in Pasadena fly to a remote area of Mexico to provide health care where most people have NEVER seen a doctor. Chiropractors are active in community projects that support children, a drug free lifestyle and good health. Back to Top of Page Thanks to Dr. Kenneth Martin for creating much of the above information. Who Should Visit A Chiropractor?Researchers tell us that over 80% of the general population will suffer from one of the great variety of vertebrogenic disorders for certain periods of their life. Vertebrogenic disorders mean disorders of the body that are caused in whole or in part by spinal faults. In addition to pain and discomfort in the neck and back, these disorders include tension headaches, migraine headaches, dizziness, neuralgia, pain in the shoulders and arms, certain types of pain in the chest and abdomen, pain in the hips, knees and legs (sciatica), disc disorders, certain digestive disorders and problems with menstrual cycles. The connection between these seemingly unrelated conditions and the spine is that the nerves, which serve all areas of the body, can be irritated directly or indirectly by spinal disorders. Even people suffering from arthritis find great relief with chiropractic care, although complete cures from arthritis are not possible. Frequently spinal problems start in childhood, years before clinical symptoms appear. Identified early, most of these disorders are reversible, and it is for this reason that spinal examinations for children are imperative. Back to Top of Page What Happens In A Chiropractor's Office?On your first visit, your chiropractor will want to talk with you, not only about your immediate problem, but also about any past health problems. These facts will help in the interpretation of the examination findings. If it is decided that your condition will respond to chiropractic care, then adjustments can begin. Adjustments consist of unlocking certain spinal segments which may have become subluxated causing abnormal movement or nerve irritation in the spine. These "adjustments" are performed by hand and are generally painless. Back to Top of Page |