Frequently
Asked Questions About Chiropractic Care
Here are answers
to frequently asked questions about chiropractic care and treatment.
Click on a question
to see the answer.
| About
Chiropractic |
|
1. |
Does
chiropractic treatment hurt?
Most patients report that adjustments feel good. Depending on
the cause of your pain or injury, you may feel some muscle soreness
after treatment. This usually goes away within 24 hours. |
|
2. |
When
was chiropractic founded?
Chiropractic as we know it today was founded in Iowa in 1895
by Dr. David Palmer. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
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. |
|
8. |
How
does a chiropractor treat subluxation?
Your chiropractor uses 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. Chiropractic doctors receive 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. |
|
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 chiropractic doctor about
your concerns on your first visit. |
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| What
Chiropractic Can Treat |
| 10. |
Can
chiropractic treatment help with sports injuries?
Yes. Chiropractic treatment helps 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 has received special training to treat amateur
and professional athletes and is an attending physician to the
2004 US Olympic Decathlon Team. |
|
11. |
Is
chiropractic treatment safe for infants and children?
Yes. Children usually respond quickly to chiropractic treatment.
Your chiropractor at Pearson Chiropractic 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. Chiropractic treatment helps keep
their spine and joints functioning correctly. Early chiropractic
treatment can prevent problems in adulthood. |
|
12. |
Do
children have a need for chiropractic treatment?
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. |
|
13. |
Is
chiropractic treatment safe during pregnancy?
Yes. Both babies and their pregnant mothers benefit from chiropractic
care. Many women report easier births. Chiropractic care can
help expectant mothers with changes that come from weight gain
and hormonal fluctuations. |
|
14. |
I’ve
heard that chiropractic can reduce neck pain. Is that true?
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. Chiropractic
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. |
|
15. |
How
does chiropractic 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. |
|
16. |
Can
chiropractic treat earaches?
Yes. Dr. Jay Pearson 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. |
|
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
chiropractic 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 chiropractic treatment?
Many active seniors seek regular chiropractic treatment. Periodic
visits can help catch little problems before they become major
concerns – helping you to stay healthy and as active. |
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| Back
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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 doctor 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 1/3 required X-rays before treatment. All 30 returning
patients received treatment on their first visit back to the
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
in the clinic since the practice began 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. |
For answers to questions specific to your condition contact us to meet with a chiropractor.
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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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