Q
How does chiropractic work?
A. Chiropractic works by restoring your own inborn ability to
be healthy. When under the proper control of your nervous system,
all the cells, tissue, and organs of your body are designed to
resist disease and ill health. The chiropractic approach to better
health is to locate and help remove interference to your natural
state of being healthy.
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A
common interference to the nervous system is the 24 moving bones
of the spinal column. A loss of normal motion or position of these
bones can irritate or impair the function of the nervous system.
This can disrupt the transmission of controlling nerve impulses.
With
improved spinal function there is often improved nervous system
function. Your chiropractic doctor can help remove any interference
that may be impairing normal health.
Since
the primary focus of your care is improved nervous system function,
chiropractic can have a positive effect on many health conditions
not normally thought of as “back” problems.
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Q
Do I have a pinched nerve?
A. Many patients consult a chiropractor because they have a pinched
nerve.
Because
of the way the spine is designed, abnormal spinal function caused
from physical trauma,emotional tensions, or chemical toxins can
affect the delicate tissues of the spinal cord and nerve roots.
While
commonly associated with the spine, the pinched nerve (compressive
lesion) is actually rare. Researchers suggest that only 10% to
15% of spine related problems are caused by direct pressure of
bone on nerve tissue! This can result in numbness, burning or
a “pins and needles” feeling.
More
frequently, nerves are irritated (facilitative lesion). This is
caused when nerve tissue is rubbed, scraped, stretched by a loss
of spinal curve, or irritated be malfunctioning spinal joints.
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Q
Do I have a slipped disc?
A. Technically, a disc can’t “slip”.
The
intervertebral disc is a pad of cartilage type material situated
between spinal bones. Each disc serves as a connector, spacer,
and shock absorber for the spine. A soft, jelly like center is
contained by outer layers of fibrous tissue. Healthy discs help
allow normal turning and bending.
Because
of the way each disc is attached to the vertebrae above and below,
a disc cannot “slip”. However, trauma or injury to the
spine can cause discs to tear, bulge, herniate, or worse, rupture.
This can be quite painful, as the soft center of the disc leaks,
putting pressure on the adjacent nerve roots and spinal cord.
While
results cannot be guaranteed, many patients have avoided needless
surgery or a dependency on pain pills, by choosing chiropractic
care for their disc related health problem.
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Q
What do chiropractic doctors do?
A. Helping to restore proper spinal biomechanics and improved
nervous system function begins with a case history. This gives
the chiropractor a background about your health, such as surgeries,
accidents, the onset of your condition, and other details affecting
your current health.
After
reviewing your history and discussing your specific problem, thorough
orthopedic, neurological, and chiropractic examination is performed.
X-rays may be taken to uncover structural and functioning problems
associated with the spinal column. These examinations help identify
areas of spinal malfunction and resulting nervous system deficit.
The
findings of these examinations are explained and a plan of chiropractic
adjustments may be recommended. Progress is monitored with periodical
examinations and follow-up reports.
Since
the word “doctor” comes from the Latin word meaning
teacher, regardless of your chiropractic doctor’s unique
clinical approach, he or she has a strong commitment to patient
education.
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Q
What type of education do chiropractic doctors get?
A. Today’s chiropractor is a highly educated professional.
Chiropractic training in Australia involves five year courses
at Sydney’s Macquarie University and Melbourne’s RMIT
University. Many Australian chiropractors received similar education
in the US or Europe.
These
courses are of similar length and depth as medical courses, but
focus on promoting better health via better body function, rather
than on medicine’s drugs and surgery. Accordingly, chiropractic
education involves s a special emphasis on anatomy, physiology,
pathology, neurology, biomechanics, X-ray, spinal adjusting techniques
and related subjects.
This
demanding curriculum prepares chiropractic doctors to locate the
Vertebral Subluxation Complex and help correct the resulting nervous
system dysfunction.
A
chiropractor’s education never ends. After entering practice,most
doctors complete continuing professional development courses and
seminars to upgrade and improve their skills and to stay current
on the latest scientific research.
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Q
How are chiropractors regulated?
A. Like other health professionals, chiropractors are required
to be government-registered in the state in which they practice.
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Q
What is an adjustment?
A. A Chiropractic adjustment is the art of using a specific force
in a precise direction, applied to a joint that is fixated,“locked
up”, or not moving properly. This adds motion to the joint,
helping the bones gradually return to a more normal position and
motion. The purpose of this safe and natural procedure is to permit
improved spinal function, improved nervous system function, and
improved health.
There
are many ways to adjust the spine. Usually the doctor’s hands
or a specially designed instrument delivers a brief and highly-accurate
thrust. Some adjusting methods are quick, whereas others require
a slow and constant pressure.
After
years of training and clinical experience, each chiropractic doctor
becomes highly skilled in the delivery of a variety of adjusting
approaches.
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Q
Are all patients adjusted the same way?
A. The doctor evaluates each patient’s problem and develops
an individual course of care. The resulting recommendations are
based upon years of training and experience.
Some
patients who complain of headaches, may actually have a lower
back problem that is causing a compensation reaction at the base
of the skull. Other patients may be experiencing numbness and
tingling in their fingers, when the actual problem is in the neck.
Every patient presents a uniquely different spinal pattern.
Patients
notice that their chiropractor care is delivered with confidence
and precision. Each visit builds on the one before. And while
visits may seem similar, each patient’s care is uniquely
different from every other patient.
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Q
Can I adjust myself?
A. Since a chiropractic adjustment is a specific force, applied
in a specific direction, to a specific spinal joint, it is virtually
impossible to adjust oneself.
It
is possible to turn or bend or twist in certain ways to create
a “popping” sound, like the sound that sometimes accompanies
a chiropractic adjustment. Unfortunately, this type of joint manipulation
is usually counterproductive, often making an already unstable
area of the spine even more unsteady. Adjusting the spine is not
for amateurs!
The
best way to enjoy the healthful benefits of chiropractic is to
receive adjustments from a Doctor of Chiropractic. Even your doctor
must seek out the service of another colleague to help restore
and maintain proper spinal function.
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Q
Is chiropractic care safe?
A. In the words of the New Zealand government’s inquiry,
chiropractic care is “remarkably safe.”
Chiropractic
has an excellent safety record. It is the result of a conservative
approach to health that avoids invasive procedures or addictive
drugs.
A
thorough case history and examination help reveal areas of the
spine that may be causing nervous system malfunction. This information
will be used to determine the best course of care for each patient.
Chiropractic
care is a natural approach to better health that is proven safe
and effective. Please feel free to discuss this matter with your
chiropractor.
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Q
Can I speed the healing process?
A. While there aren’t any shortcuts to speed your body’s
natural healing process, there’s a lot you can do to give
yourself the best chance of a quick recovery.
Learn
proper sitting and lifting methods. Specific exercises may be
suggested to help retrain the muscles that support your spine.
Proper
rest is an important aspect of the healing process, too. Get the
appropriate amount of rest your body needs and avoid sleeping
on your stomach.
During
the healing process, proper nutrition is more important than ever.
Make sure you eat balanced meals, and if you’re overweight,
now would be a good time to slim down and reduce unnecessary stresses
to your spine.
Perhaps
most important of all, keep your appointments and follow your
chiropractic doctor’s recommendations for optimum results.
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Q
Why do children need chiropractic care?
A. Since significant spinal trauma can occur at birth, many parents
have their newborns checked for the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Later,
learning to walk, ride a bicycle, and other childhood activities
can cause spinal problems. While a bandage and some comforting
words can help a skinned knee, the unseen damage to the child’s
spine is the unique domain of a chiropractic doctor.
Many
childhood health complaints that are brushed off as “growing
pains” can often be traced to the spine. Regular chiropractic
checkups can identify these problems and help avoid many of the
health complaints seen later in adults.
Naturally,
chiropractic adjusting procedures are modified to a child’s
spine, particularly babies’.
Most
parents report that their children enjoy their chiropractic adjustments
and seem healthier than other children.
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Q
Am I too old for chiropractic care?
A. More and more people are consulting chiropractic doctors, especially
in their later years. With growing concerns about over-medication
and the side effects of combining various prescription drugs,
safe, natural chiropractic care is growing in popularity.
Restoring
better spinal function can help improve mobility, vitality, endurance,
and appetite.
Many
patients report improvements with arthritic symptoms and other
chronic ailments often associate with the aging process.
The
adjusting technique used by your doctor will be modified for maximum
comfort and results. As we get older and wiser, the simplicity
and effectiveness of chiropractic care becomes more and more obvious.
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Q
How long will I need chiropractic care?
A. Spinal problems, neglected since early childhood, may require
ongoing supportive care for optimum spinal function. These long-standing
problems are often associated with muscle weakness, soft tissue
damage, and degenerative changes to the spine.
Most
patients find that periodic chiropractic checkups help keep them
in tip-top shape. Those who are active, have stressful jobs, or
want to be their very best, find that a schedule of preventative
visits are helpful in the maintenance of good health.
Some
patients seek chiropractic care only when their ache or pain becomes
unbearable. While this style of “crisis management”
is usually more costly and time consuming, chiropractors stand
ready to help all patients, regardless of their health goals.
How
long you decide to benefit from chiropractic care is always up
to you.
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Questions
patients ask about Chiropractic
Q
How do I know if I have a subluxation?
A. You can have subluxations and not even know about it. Like
the early stages of tooth decay, 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.
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Q
Can subluxations clear up on their own?
A. Sometimes. Today’s hectic lifestyles are a constant
source of subluxations. Fortunately, our bodies have the ability
to self-correct many of these problems as we bend and stretch,
or when we sleep at night. When subluxations don’t resolve,
you need to see a chiropractic doctor!
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Q
Are chiropractic adjustments safe?
A. A New Zealand government study found that adjustments are
“remarkably safe.” By avoiding drugs and risky surgery,
chiropractic care enjoys and excellent track record. A thorough
exam can identify the rare person for whom chiropractic care
might be unsuited.
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Q
Will adjustments make my spine too loose?
A. No. Only the spinal joints that are “locked up”
receive adjustments. This allows the muscles and ligaments
to stabilise and heal.
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Q
Can the bones move too much?
A. Highly unlikely. A chiropractic adjustment is special.
It has the right amount of energy, delivered to an exact spot,
at a precise angle, at just the right time. The intent is
to get a “stuck” spinal joint moving again, helping
reduce nerve interference. Years of training, practice and
experience make chiropractic adjustments specific and safe.
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Q
What makes the sound during the adjustment?
A. Lubricating fluids separate the bones of each spinal joint.
Some adjusting methods can produce a sound when the gas and
fluids in the joint shift. It’s much like opening a bottle
of champagne or removing a suction cup. The sound is interesting,
but it isn’t a guide to the quality or value of the adjustment.
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Q
How many adjustments will I need?
A. The number of adjustments varies with each patient and
their individual health goals. Many patients sense progress
within a week or two of frequent visits. Visits become less
often as your spine stabilises. In chronic cases, complete
healing can take months or even years.
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Q
Can I have chiropractic care after back surgery?
A. Yes. Rest assured that your chiropractic doctor will avoid
the surgically modified areas of your spine. Surgery often
causes instability above or below the involved level. These
areas will be the focus of your chiropractic care.
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Q
Can patients with osteoporosis get chiropractic care?
A. Of course. When developing a care plan, your chiropractic
doctor considers the unique circumstances of each patient.
There are many ways to adjust the spine. The method
selected will be suited to your age, size and condition.
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Q
How long until I’ll feel better?
A. Some patients experience almost instant relief. Others
discover it can take many weeks or months. Many factors can
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 doctor’s
recommendations.
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Q
Do medical practitioners & chiropractic doctors get along?
A. Much of the latest research has shown the benefits of chiropractic
care. Attitudes were slow to change. However, as the well
informed public would prefer treatment for their underlying
condition rather than relying on prolonged medication or the
trauma of surgery, more and more medical practitioners are
seeing the value in this sort of treatment and even referring
their patients to our office.
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Q
Does my private health
insurance cover chiropractic?
A. In most all cases the answer is yes. Very often your private
health insurance will cover some part or even all of the treatment
costs. You can contact your health insurance company over
the phone to find out the exact amount you will receive. Your
health affects everything you do and everyone you know. It
is your most valuable possession. Contact us to find out how
we make chiropractic care affordable for just about anyone.
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Q
Will I ever be normal again?
A. Patient results vary. Many report improved spinal curves
and the total resumption of their normal lifestyle. Those
who neglect or delayed seeking care often see slower progress.
After improvements, many patients discover that periodic chiropractic
checkups can help avoid a relapse.
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Q
What if chiropractic doesn’t work?
A. If we’re unable to find and correct the cause of your
particular health problem,we will refer you to another specialist
who may be able to help. Your health is our primary goal.
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Any
other questions?
Please
contact us here at the practice or alternatively you can call
the National Headquarters of the Chiropractors’
Association of Australia on Freecall 1800 075 003.
What
is Chiropractic?
Provided
courtesy of CAA
