Frequently Asked Questions

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Q: Does everyone get subluxations?
A: Yes. Spinal malfunction is a common health problem that can be caused by stress, long periods of sitting, improper lifting, overexertion, and many activities we consider normal. Fortunately, the body can correct many of these spinal problems on its own. Yet, often the only way to deal with the Vertebral Subluxation Complex is by specific spinal adjustments to improve biomechanical function and remove nerve system interference.

Q: Why don't Doctors of Chiropractic prescribe drugs?
A: The chiropractic approach recognizes that only the body can heal itself and the role of the doctor should be to remove interference to this inborn ability. While aspirin, muscle relaxers, and other drugs with analgesic properties have the effect of blocking pain, the underlying structural problem remains. Doctors of Chiropractic recognize the importance of structure and that the headache or other ache or pain is not the result of an aspirin shortage. Your doctor respects the balance of cause and effect and looks for the underlying cause of the patient's complaint.

Q: How long does it take to start feeling better?
A: Some patients find they start feeling better with the very first adjustment. Others discover progress takes weeks or months. As with any healing process, every person responds differently. Children usually respond quickly. Adults often take longer because most spinal problems are the result of years of neglect. A patient's lifestyle, diet, exercise, and kept appointments all affect their progress.

Q: I feel fine, why do I need to be checked?
A: Our busy lifestyles continue to cause spinal problems. Improper lifting, long periods of sitting, emotional trauma, alcohol, and other so called normal activities can interfere with normal spinal function. Because of the body's adaptive abilities, many spinal problems get started without any associated symptoms. Like many diseases, early detection can prevent problems from becoming more serious. Patients who wait for obvious symptoms, especially after an accident or those who have a history of spinal-related problems, often require more visits and take longer to show improvement.

Q: Are subluxations painful?
A: They can be, however the body can accommodate some spinal distortion without pain or other obvious symptoms. Damage to the spine is cumulative, so the degenerative effects or uncorrected spinal problems worsen with time. Generally pain doesn't result from this condition unless there is massive trauma or the body can no longer adapt. Ill health, fatigue, and many other disorders can result long before back pain becomes obvious.

Q: Will I need chiropractic care for the rest of my life?
A: That depends upon how long you want to experience the benefits of chiropractic care. Some spinal problems, neglected from early childhood, may require a lifetime of supportive care for optimum spinal function. Chiropractic care can be a conservative form of long-term health management and prevention, like regular dental and eye examinations.

Q: What is the sound the adjustment makes?
A: Not all adjustments make sounds. Nor can the presence of sound be an indication of the quality or effectiveness of the adjustment. Since bones don't touch each other, the sound is created by quickly shifting the normal fluids and gases in a joint. When these fluids and trapped gases move in response to the spinal bones regaining a more desirable position, sounds are made. Similar sounds are made by popping your knuckles.

Q: Can I adjust myself?
A: NO! Certainly it is possible to make popping sounds by turning one's head in a certain way or bending or twisting the body, yet, these are not adjustments. Chiropractic adjustments are specific procedures delivered to only the area(s) of the spine that are not moving properly. Besides the risk of self-inflicting damage, patients who attempt to manipulate themselves often cause these joints to become too loose and hypermobile. The resulting damage to the ligaments and other supporting tissues can cause permanent problems. Even your doctor must look to another chiropractic doctor to be adjusted.

Q: Why do I need more than one adjustment?
A: Chiropractic adjustments are designed to help restore a more normal motion and position of individual bones of the spine. It is common for these bones to return to their abnormal position after being adjusted. This is due in part to changes in the muscles that support the spine. If there has been a long passage of time (months or years) since the event causing the loss of normal motion or position, supporting muscles and connective tissue are damaged. Muscles on one side of the spine can become overdeveloped while the other side weakens. This is often seen in patients whose jobs cause repetitive motion with one side of the body, like hammering nails, lifting and twisting in the same direction, or propping the telephone between the ear and shoulder. Eventually these malfunctioning muscles are infiltrated with fibrosis, a form of scar tissue. This fibrotic tissue is a lot like the gristle in a cheap cut of meat. This scar tissue significantly alters muscle elasticity and muscle tone (myopathology), interfering with the muscles ability to assume proper support of the spine. Interestingly, pain or other obvious symptoms may not be present to indicate these malfunctioning muscles. Yet, reduced ranges of motion, nervous system interference, and other problems may be occurring. Since Doctors of Chiropractic can't use braces to keep spinal bones in their proper position like orthodontists can to keep teeth in proper position, repeated spinal adjustments may be necessary. Patients are often given exercises or specific maneuvers to redevelop muscle groups supporting the spine, which can help reduce the necessity or frequency of spinal adjustments.

Q: Why are X-rays taken?
A: X-rays are used to reveal the structure of the spine and confirm other examination findings. Broken bones or hairline fractures, bone density, cancers, abnormalities, and spinal degeneration cannot be accurately determined without X-rays or some other form of imaging. X-rays and other forms of imaging (CT Scan, MRI, etc.) can also serve to document the patient's progress, showing improved structure and joint function.

Q: Do chiropractors work with children too?
A: Yes. Since significant spinal trauma can occur during the birth process, many parents have their children and newborns checked for the Vertebral Subluxation Complex. Adjusting procedures are adapted to a child's spine. Children seem to get the same improvement in overall health as adults do, but often faster. This also helps prevent degenerative changes and other problems often seen later in adults.

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