FAQ

Questions & Answers

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.

*The elderly choose natural chiropractic care to help stay vital and active.

Spinal Adjustments are administered as required depending on the condition or severity. If symptoms return or persist, an adjustment may be required.
Yes, you can in a managed care scenario, to ensure the continued integrity of the spine and associated joints.
This rarely happens but more often than not, no. The severity of the problem will affect the outcome.
Certainly, as Norman Cousins says “ There are times when Intervention in the form of medicine or surgery is absolutely necessary but there is never a time when the nourishment one puts into one’s body or one’s mind is not essential to health. 1
Yes, usually in this case, it is a managed care program utilising both, your medical doctor and chiropractor. Most medical doctors are reluctant to utilise chiropractors as they often do not understand the process.  Medical doctors are not the experts in the administration of chiropractic care just as Chiropractors are not the experts in administering medications.
Chiropractic is among the safest of the healing professions.
Not necessarily so. It may improve the situation and along with physiotherapy and massage, should be considered prior to having surgery. We have enjoyed success but like all modalities not in 100 percent of cases.
Today chiropractors have priviledges in many hospitals, this is an increasing trend.
No, chiropractors work with joint mobilisation whilst masseuses work with muscles. Both modalities are complimentary to each other.
Cracking or popping your neck may give temporary relief but in most cases no relief. The urge to pop or crack reappears quickly because the cause of the spinal tension hasn’t been corrected.  This practice is discouraged as it may become habitual and lead to complications.
If we are unable to find and correct the cause of your particular problem, we will refer you to the appropriate specialist who may be able to help. Your health outcome is our primary goal.
After improvement, many patients discover that periodic chiropractic checkups can help avoid a relapse. Usually when there is damage of a permanent nature, it is difficult to regain normal function to the utmost level. Symptoms may improve but architectural changes usually remain, so manging the condition is paramount.
Patient results vary. Many report improved spinal curves and the total resumption of their normal lifestyle. Those who neglected or delay or not fully carry out their rehabilitation often see slower progress. Permanent architectural changes such as arthritis, fusion and severe disk dehydration, will limit full recovery.
Your health is your most valuable possession. Each of us is free to place a different value on our health and this will determine the importance.   It is  convenient when an insurance company or third party helps pay the bill, but ultimately it is your responsibility. The enth degree is that you the patient is the only one that can decide.
That’s changing. Years of prejudice and bias are giving way to research showing the benefits of chiropractic care. Many medical doctors and chiropractors work together on a management plan for patients. This is the best scenario in the interest of patient care. Most of the confusion comes from a lack of knowledge of each others profession.
No. Chiropractic doctors do not  dispense medications, they are not experts in this field.
After patients get the relief they want, many choose to continue with some type of managed care in the cases where the symptoms are persistent due to architectural changes. We see our responsibility as offering optimal recommendations based on our education, training and clinical experience, and the chronicity of your symptom.
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 problems,  are you keeping your recommended appointments and are you doing your rehabilitation exercises and postural changes that have been recommended. Severity of joint and spinal architecture along with not following the recommendation all delay response.
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 best suited to your age, size and condition ensuring optimum safety.
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 stabilizes. In chronic cases, complete healing can take months or even years.
YOUR CHIROPRACTIC DOCTOR CHOOSES THE BEST ADJUSTING APPROACH BASED ON YOUR AGE, SIZE AND CLINICAL OBJECTIVES.
No. Some people can make their joints “pop,” but that’s not an adjustment! Worse, damage can occur by mobilizing a joint with weakened muscles and ligaments. Adjustments are specific and take years to master.
No. Each patient’s spine and care plan is unique. With 24 moving bones in the spine, each of which can move in seven different directions, we see a wide variety of spinal patterns. Each patient’s care is custom-tailored for their age, condition and health goals.
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.
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. Years of training, practice and experience make chiropractic adjustments specific and safe. Mobility of joints is the objective as we grow older.
No. Only the spinal joints that are “locked up” receive adjustments. This allows weakened muscles and ligaments to stabilize and heal.
Yes.  The appropriate adjustment is tailored to the injury and patient type to ensure utmost patient safety.
Chiropractic adjustments usually involve a quick thrust that helps add motion to spinal joints that aren’t moving right. Some methods use the doctor’s hands, an instrument, a special table or the force of gravity. There are many ways to adjust the spine.
A pinched nerve is rare. to determine if this exists, a CT scan, MRI or plain film radiography is required.  Most likely is that the surrounding tissue is inflamed and swollen putting undue pressure on the nerves.
The disc is a soft pulpy “shock absorber.” It has a fibrous outer ring which holds in a jelly-like material. A “slipped disc” is a common way to refer to a wide variety of disc problems.
However, a disc can’t slip because of the way it attaches to the spinal bones above and below it. A disc can bulge. It can tear. It can herniate. It can dehydrate and it can collapse. But it can’t slip.