Frequently
Asked Questions About Chiropractic Care
Here are answers to frequently asked questions about chiropractor services and treatment.
Click on a question
to see the answer.
About Chiropractor Services |
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1. |
Is treatment by a chiropractor painful?
Most patients report that chiropractor adjustments feel good. Depending on the cause of your pain or injury, you may feel some muscle soreness after chiropractor treatment. This usually goes away within 24 hours. |
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2. |
When
was chiropractic founded?
Chiropractic as we know it today was founded in Iowa in 1895
by Dr. David Palmer. |
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3. |
I've
heard that chiropractors aren’t real doctors.
Chiropractic doctors complete about the same number of college
classroom hours as medical practitioners. Chiropractors complete
at least two years of undergraduate education plus at least
four years of specialized chiropractic training. Chiropractors
must pass both national and state board exams before practicing.
Like other types of doctors, chiropractors meet stringent licensing
requirements and follow a strict code of ethics. |
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4. |
Is
chiropractic based on science or folklore?
Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your nervous
system controls the function of virtually every cell, tissue,
organ, and system in your body. Specific techniques are used
to determine underlying causes of pain or imbalance and to treat
them. Extensive medical research and patients experiences confirm
that patients get measurable results from chiropractic. Over
30 million Americans received chiropractic treatment in 2003. |
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5. |
I've
heard chiropractic causes strokes.
There have been no strokes reported from chiropractic treatment
by a chiropractic doctor. Twenty strokes due to self-adjustment
have been reported. |
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6. |
I've
heard chiropractic treatment is dangerous.
There are no reported deaths due to treatment by a chiropractor.
By contrast, in 2003 alone there were 176,000 deaths from prescription
medications that patients reacted to. |
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7. |
What
is subluxation?
Subluxation, also known as vertebral subluxation complex, is
what happens when spinal bones lose their normal motion or position
due to stress, trauma or chemical imbalances. |
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8. |
How
does a chiropractor treat subluxation?
Our chiropractors use a series of safe adjustments, stretches, exercises, heat or ice to restore normal spinal function. A chiropractic "adjustment" is a carefully directed and controlled pressure to restore spinal bones to a more normal position or motion. Our chiropractic doctors have completed years of training to become experts at using the right amount of force in the right direction. Each chiropractic adjustment is tailored to the patient’s age, size and unique spinal problem. |
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9. |
Do
you have to adjust my neck?
Your chiropractic adjustments will vary depending on the treatment needed. If you prefer not to have your neck adjusted it may be possible to complete your treatment without this type of adjustment. Please talk with your chiropractor about your concerns on your first visit to our Kent chiropractic clinic. |
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Conditions a Chiropractor Can Treat |
| 10. |
Can a chiropractor treat sports injuries?
Yes. A chiropractor can help restore function to joints that are not moving properly. In turn, this helps speed healing of soft tissues. You can reduce injuries by warming up, stretching and cooling down before and after every exercise or sports session. Dr. Jay Pearson, founder of our Kent, Washington chiropractic clinic completed special training to treat amateur and professional athletes and was an attending physician to the 2004 US Olympic Decathlon Team. |
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11. |
Are chiropractor treatments safe for infants and children?
Yes. Children usually respond quickly to chiropractic treatment. Your chiropractor at Pearson Chiropractic in Kent, Washington has received special training in how to treat infants and children. Even “normal” births can cause unseen trauma to the spine. Toddlers and children learning to walk, ride bicycles and playing sports experience a variety of falls and jolts. Treatment by a chiropractor helps keep their spine and joints functioning correctly. Early chiropractic treatment can prevent problems in adulthood. |
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12. |
Do children have a need for chiropractor treatments?
Even "normal" births can cause unseen trauma
to the spine. Toddlers and children learning to walk, ride bicycles
and playing sports experience a variety of falls and jolts.
Chiropractic treatment helps keep their spine and joints functioning
correctly. Early chiropractic treatment can prevent problems
in adulthood. |
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13. |
Are chiropractor treatments dangerous during pregnancy?
Yes. Both babies and their pregnant mothers benefit from a chiropractors care. Many women report easier births. Chiropractic care can help expectant mothers with changes that come from weight gain and hormonal fluctuations. |
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14. |
Is it true that chiropractor treatments can reduce neck pain?
Yes. Pain is a symptom of an underlying problem. Pain relievers, such as aspirin, simply cover the pain without treating it. Massage may feel good but doesn’t address the cause. A chiropractor treats the underlying causes. After reviewing your exam results and health history your chiropractor will use specific adjustments to improve the motion and position of your spinal vertebrae. With improved function and structure your neck pain may diminish or disappear completely. |
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15. |
How do chiropractor treatments relieve headaches?
An often overlooked cause of headaches is the malfunction of
spinal bones in the neck or upper back. Nerves and blood vessels
to the head can be affected when spinal bones lost their normal
motion or position. Chiropractic adjustment can bring correction
and relief. |
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16. |
Can a chiropractor treat earaches?
Yes. Dr. Jay Pearson, founding chiropractor of our Kent, Washington clinic, has been specially trained to treat earaches using chiropractic. Many parents are relieved to have a fast, safe and effective treatment for earaches without the use of antibiotics. |
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17. |
Shouldn't
I see if my body will heal on its own rather than rushing to
a chiropractor? Unfortunately, in most cases, waiting
can make your condition worse. Affected muscles can weaken,
atrophy, become tight or spasm. Swelling or inflammation can
occur and may cause delicate tissue to tear or degenerate. Soft
tissues may suffer permanent damage. Sometimes bone spurs or
other bony growths may occur. |
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18. |
Can a chiropractor treat whiplash?
If caught early enough, inflammation and scar tissue can be
minimized, leading to faster and fuller recovery. Whiplash is
usually caused by collisions during auto accidents, sports,
slips and falls. When the head is suddenly jerked back and forth
it can cause muscles and ligaments to be torn or stretched.
Spinal discs can bulge, tear or rupture. Vertebrae forced out
of their normal position have reduced range of motion. |
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19. |
I'm over 60, am I too old for chiropractor treatment?
Many active seniors seek regular treatment by a chiropractor. Patients at our Kent, Washington chiropractic clinic know first-hand that periodic visits can help catch little problems before they become major concerns – helping you to stay healthy and as active. |
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Questions
Returning Patients Often Ask |
| 20. |
It's
been some time since I've been in the clinic and I've been doing
well until just recently. I'd like to see the doctor again because
I got such good results. When I come back, must I have new X-rays
taken? In most cases, no. The chiropractor will review your health history with you. If there have not been any significant injuries or accidents since you were last in the clinic, and your X-rays are recent enough to be usable, you will probably not need X-rays. In a records survey of the most recent 30 returning patients who had not visited the clinic in the last six months we found that only one-third required X-rays before treatment. All 30 returning patients received treatment by a chiropractor on their first visit back to our Kent, Washington chiropractic clinic. Each case is considered on an individual basis, and we will recommend what is best for each situation. |
| 21. |
Do you
still have all my records and X-rays on file? Yes. We have every treatment record for each of our patients who have been to our Kent, Washington clinic since we opened in 2002. We have not destroyed or recycled any X-rays dating back to 2002. Your X-rays may no longer be on file if you requested them, or if we were required to submit them due to legal actions in an injury case. |
| 22. |
If my
original problem required a lot of treatment and I come back
for the same problem, will I need as much treatment? Most
likely no. In most cases where treatment substantially corrected
misalignment, follow-up treatment for the same or similar condition
within a few years is usually not nearly as extensive. |
Come in to see a chiropractor in our Kent clinic and to get answers to questions specific to your condition.
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Chiropractic
treatment for the whole body -
from head to toe.
Heal
sports injuries with chiropractic treatment or simply
improve performance.
Chiropractic doctors complete a similar number of college classroom hours as medical practitioners.
Whiplash
Sudden movement of the head backward, forward
or sideways.
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