FAQs

A subluxation refers to a spinal or peripheral joint that is not moving in it’s normal motion pattern. Subluxations create an imbalance in the spine, irritating nerves and blood vessels, affecting the way your body and brain communicate with one another and can contribute to pain and dysfunction in muscles and organs. Subluxations can be silent or non-symptomatic until the weaknesses or changes in function that they cause result in an eventual breakdown or injury.

Accidents, injuries, improper lifting or body mechanics and inherited spinal weaknesses are common causes of subluxations. Other causes may include poor sleeping habits, poor posture, obesity, stress, a sedentary lifestyle, internal organ dysfunction and not enough rest or sleep.

Chiropractors treat subluxations with a healing technique called spinal adjustment, a procedure that involves applying specific, short, quick thrusts to return to their proper position and motion. They may also use other tools and techniques.

Most chiropractic adjustments are painless; in fact, the adjustment may feel good and can be relieving. If you've experienced a recent injury the adjustments can irritate inflamed tissue and cause some discomfort. Using ice after any irritation is recommended. Some people also experience odd sensations in their muscles or extremities after adjustments. This is a normal reaction to the relieving of pressure on nerves and is usually no cause for concern.

People of all ages can be seen by the chiropractor. Babies can also have subluxations, from the birth process. In general, it's best to treat children's subluxations early, as they interfere with nerves that control developing muscles and organs. A rapidly developing spine along with all other bones and joints of the body consist of cartilage growth centers where the bone grows. Abnormal stresses on these growth plates can cause the bones to develop abnormally. With a checkup to the chiropractor these problems can be detected while they are still easy to correct.

Your chiropractor can recognize and detect problem areas in your spine before they develop into problem conditions or symptoms. Chiropractic adjustments help to maintain or support a healthy spine and nervous system. Maintenance or wellness spinal care programs, which may include advice on posture, nutrition and exercise, can effectively prevent pain. Making sure you attend regular checkups can ensure that the small stresses don’t interfere with the nervous system functions or become major misalignments. This type of program of prevention actually optimizes the function of your body. Because your spine directly influences the function of your nervous system, spinal decay permanently damages the nerves and spinal cord. Lifetime care of the spine should be a priority because if your spine wears out, there is no solution.

Chiropractic adjustments help eliminate interference that prevents your body from healing itself. Misaligned vertebrae interfere with your nervous system, which affects organs and muscles throughout your body. Your chiropractor treats the underlying problem, which can alleviate painful symptoms and more importantly, helps the body function properly and heal itself.

No. While it's true that patients often hear a "pop" during an adjustment, it's not related to the treatment's effectiveness. Instead, the explanation lies in a lubricant called synovial fluid that can be found in every joint. Shifting the joint with an adjustment into proper motion and alignment releases the built up pressure that has resulted from the joint being subluxated. The cracking noise is caused by a shifting of the fluid and gases which causes the cracking noise.

Pregnancy places additional weight and stress on a woman’s body. Chiropractic treatment can help relieve pregnancy-related pain such as low back, leg, neck and shoulder blade. It may also reduce incidence of headache and nausea.

True. Chiropractors don't prescribe medication or perform invasive procedures. They believe the body has the ability to heal itself, and therefore focus on providing it with the right elements for self-restoration. This makes chiropractic one of the safest of all treatments.