Frequently Asked Questions

 What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic – means “done by hand”.  Although it is the youngest of the natural healing arts, Chiropractic has appreciated tremendous growth during the past decade.  Chiropractors blend the drugless, non-surgical art of hands-on therapy with the science and technology of modern medicine and physical rehabilitation.  It is a branch of health care that concentrates on naturally balancing and optimizing the function of the body in order to promote and maintain health.   

 What is an Adjustment?

A Chiropractic adjustment (manipulation) is a manual therapy in which your doctor will apply his hands to the area of your body to be treated in such a way as to mobilize your joints.  Commonly, a short impulse is applied to the joint.  This may cause an audible “click” or “pop”, similar to when someone “cracks” their knuckles and you may sense movement in the joint.

 The goal of the adjustment includes the following:

1.    Increase the joint mobility / range of motion

2.    Relieve pain

3.    Reduce muscle spasm

4.    Restore optimal joint function

 Are Chiropractic Adjustments safe?

In general, chiropractic treatments carry an extremely low risk of complication.  Approximately 25% of patients will experience short-term (24 hours) of local soreness following the initial adjustment.  This may represent short term muscle tension or low-grade inflammation from the treatment.  The risk of serious, irreversible complication is extremely rare.  It is important that you discuss any specific concerns with your treating Chiropractor prior to receiving treatment.

What is that popping sound?

Your spinal joints contain “grease” known as synovial fluid.  This grease contains dissolved gases, mostly carbon dioxide.  When your spine is adjusted, the spinal joints are gapped or opened, creating a vacuum within the joint.  This vacuum pulls the gases out of the grease, turning the grease to foam.  This release of gas is what creates the audible “pop”.  There is nothing that “cracks” or “breaks” and just because there is no “popping” sound, does not mean the adjustment was not successful, it simply means that there was no sound from the escaping gas.  

Does cracking your knuckles really give you arthritis?

Contrary to what your grandmother may have told you, knuckle cracking actually does not cause joint arthritis, but knuckle crackers tend to experience more joint stiffness later in life. 

Regardless, spinal adjustments are quite different than cracking one’s knuckles.  When a spinal adjustment if performed, the joint is gapped momentarily: opening the joint surfaces.  Knuckle crackers actually grind the joint surfaces together, potentially irritating the joint.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

How long until my pain is gone?

Pain is generally the last thing to show up and first thing to go away concerning spinal conditions.  Since we do not use prescription medications, the results may take a bit longer, but they are true results.  Some patients notice significant improvement during their first few treatments, for others it takes longer.  This depends on several factors:  Your age, the length of time you’ve had the condition, the amount of secondary tissue, postural and degenerative changes in your spine, your overall health, how committed you are at following the doctor’s recommendations and your activities between treatments.  You are in charge of your health and recovery and play a vital role through your activities and decisions. 

It is important for you to realize that after the pain is gone, the condition causing that pain usually persists.  Pain is not the problem; pain is a symptom of the underlying condition. 

To put it another way, remember the last time you scraped your elbow or knee?  It hurt for about a day, a scab formed over your abrasion and the discomfort ceased.  You were pain free, but was your injury healed?  No.  For that tissue to fully heal and repair the damage from the injury it takes from 2 to 4 weeks - and that is for a very minor injury.  The same happens inside, even when the pain goes away from your condition, it means that you a just beginning to heal those damaged and injured tissues.  For those patients who judge their recovery by pain alone, it is very common to resume normal activity too early and “rip the scab off” and, unfortunately, have to start the healing process all over again. 

Should I use Ice or Heat?

Ice should be used on a new injury or re-injury.  The body’s natural response to injury is muscle spasm and swelling.  This occurs to protect the injured area and prevent further motion and injury.  Ice helps to reduce swelling and prevents further swelling, which interferes with proper healing and repair of damaged tissues.  Ice should be used for no more than 15-20 min an hour, but can be used every hour.  Never place ice directly on the skin.  Instead, place a paper towel or thin dishtowel between you and the ice.

Heat is best for very minor aches and pains.  Heat brings blood to an area, which brings more nutrients, which helps tissues heal.  Heat should also only be used 15-20 min an hour.  Too much heat could cause swelling and start you off at square one again.  But if in doubt of which to use, always use ice. 

Kids don’t have back problems, do they?

Children experience many slips and falls everyday through sports and as they learn body coordination.  Recent studies show that 60% of kids will experience low back pain before they are 18, which is up 30% since 1990.  Backpacks are also becoming a large factor in children with low back pain.  Most backpacks are not designed for protection of the low back, yet they keep getting bigger and so are homework assignments at school.  Some children carry over 30% of their body weight home everyday from school.  These backpacks, slips, falls and even the birthing process itself can lead to problems with children’s growing muscles, bones and joints.  Set up an appointment for your child/grandchild to be evaluated.  It is much easier to prevent an injury or condition, than treat one once it is established later in life. 

Should I tell my medical doctor that I am receiving Chiropractic treatment?

We encourage our patients to inform their medical doctor that they are receiving Chiropractic treatment.  In fact, our practice enjoys working together with contemporary minded, patient-centered medical providers.  We will gladly forward a copy of our initial evaluation report to your primary care physician as a courtesy to you and your caregivers.  Many of our patients request that we contact their primary care provider in order to introduce ourselves, or to provide them with information about our practice.  The key to comprehensive care is communication.  

Do I have to keep going back forever?

No.  The length of time you benefit from Chiropractic care is always up to you.  It is our duty at this office to recommend the treatment that is needed for your condition – no more, no less. We can just treat your symptoms, but as a responsible healthcare provider we must always recommend the best care possible.  Once the initial inflammation and muscle spasm have been reduced and we alleviate your discomfort, treatment is focused on supporting the recovering tissue to allow for proper healing and restore pre-injury function.  Once the tissues are healed, we then focus on strengthening the area to maintain the results you worked so hard for.  At that point your treatment plan is complete, yet many patients often return periodically to continue maintaining their health and prevent any future return of symptoms, just like visiting your dentist.  We recommend what you need, you decide on what you want.