Answers To The Questions Patients Ask About Chiropractic

By Marcia B. Levi, DC

Optimal Care Chiropractic

More Complementary & Integrative Healthcare Articles

Answers To The Questions Patients Ask About Chiropractic

How Does Chiropractic Work?

Chiropractic works because you are a self-healing, self-regulating organism controlled by your nervous system. Millions of instructions flow from your brain, down the spinal cord and out to every organ and tissue. Signals sent back to the brain confirm if your body is working right.

Improper motion or position of the moving bones of the spine, called a subluxation, can interfere with this vital exchange by irritating nerves and compromising the function of affected organs and tissues. Specific spinal adjustments can help improve mind/body communications. Health often returns with improved nervous system control of the body.

How Do You Get Subluxations?

There are three basic causes of subluxations. Physical causes could include slips and falls, accidents, repetitive motions and improper lifting. Emotions such grief, anger and fear can cause subluxations. Chemical causes could include alcohol, drugs, pollution and poor diet.

How Do I Know If I

Have A Subluxation?

You can have subluxations and not even know it. Like the early stages of tooth decay or cancer, subluxations can be present before the warning signs appear. The results of a thorough examination can show the location and severity of subluxations you may have.

What's An Adjustment?

Chiropractic adjustments usually involve a quick thrust the helps add motion to spinal joints that aren't moving right. Some methods us the doctor's hands, an instrument, a special table to the force of gravity. There are many ways to adjust the spine.

Are All Patients

Adjusted The Same Way?

No. Each patient's spine and care plan is unique. With 24 moving bones in the spine, each of which can move in seven different directions, we see a wide variety of spinal patterns. Each patient's care is custom-tailored for his or her age, condition and health goals.

Can I Adjust Myself?

No. Some people can make their joints “pop,” but that's not an adjustment. Worse, damage can occur by mobilizing a joint weakened muscles and ligaments. Adjustments are specific and take years to master. Even your chiropractic doctor must consult a colleague for an adjustment to benefit from chiropractic care.

How Many Adjustments

Will I Need?

The number of adjustments varies with each patient and his or her individual health goals. Many patients sense progress within a week or two of frequent visits. Visits become less often as you spine stabilizes. In chronic cases, complete healing can take months or even years.

How Long Until I'll Feel Better?

Some patients experience almost instant relief. Others discover it can take many weeks or months. Many factors affect the healing process. How long have you had your problem? Are you keeping your appointments? Are you getting the proper rest, exercise and nutrition? Do you smoke? Are you in otherwise good condition? Within a short period of time, most patients sense enough progress to fully carry out their doctors' recommendations.

Reprinted with the permission of Patient Media, Inc.