Q. What is chiropractic?

A. CHIROPRACTIC is the science, art and philosophy of finding and correcting subluxations to normalize the flow of nerve impulses between the brain and the body.

Q. What is the main difference between medical/allopathic care and chiropractic/holistic care?

A. See the comparison Click Here (In Portable Document Format (PDF) that you can read with Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Q. Is chiropractic Safe?

A. Chiropractic is safer than taking aspirin, flying in an airplane and certainly safer than the majority of medical procedures. See www.ChiropracticisSafe.org for more details...

Q. What is a subluxation?

A. SUBLUXATION is a misalignment of the vertebrae (spinal bones) causing an irritation to the nervous system.

Chiropractic is Concerned with the preservation and restoration of health, and focuses particular attention on the subluxation.

The Association of Chiropractic Colleges defined the subluxation in this way:

A subluxation is a complex of functional and/or structural and/or pathological articular changes that compromise neural integrity and may influence organ system function and general health.

A subluxation is evaluated, diagnosed, and managed through the use of chiropractic procedures based on the best available rational and empirical evidence.

For additional details on subluxation click here.

Q. How do I know if I have a subluxation?

A. The only way to know for certain is to have your spine checked by a good chiropractor. If you take three people with the same subluxation they may all present differently. For example, with a subluxation at the fifth cervical vertebrae (neck): one may present with pain or stiffness at the spinal level; one may have pain or muscle weakness in the shoulder, arm or hand; and the third may not have any complaints at all - yet. In any case it is not o.k. to have nerve interference. Nerve interference can be detected using the Insight Millennium Subluxation Station

Q. What is an adjustment?

A. ADJUSTMENT is the art aspect of chiropractic. It is the procedure to correct subluxations. There are many different types of adjustment techniques. Different chiropractors choose what techniques work best for them.

Q. Does an adjustment hurt?

A. No. Sometimes when a joint has not been functioning fully moving for a long time it may be a bit sore after the first few adjustments as your body begins to free up the area.

Q. What type of conditions does a chiropractor treat?

A. Technically, none. Chiropractors do not treat any specific disease entities. The human body is a magnificent design and has an unlimited ability to heal unless that power to heal is interfered with. Chiropractors remove the interference to the nervous system and unleash the power to heal that resides inside each and every one of us. They do, however, ensure that the spine is functioning as well as possible and with full conduction of nerve impulses the body is able to heal itself. So, in essence, chiropractic can help an individual heal regardless of what the name of the disturbance in normal body function (i.e.. dis-ease) is.

Q. Why do you adjust children? They seldom complain of back or neck pain.

A. But they do get subluxations! A subluxation causes neurological disturbances. The mental impulses coming from the brain are what direct all the functions of the body - including growth and development. The growing body needs to have full and free flowing nerve conduction to reach its full potential. AS THE TWIG IS BENT, SO GROWS THE TREE!

To learn more about chiropractic and children Click here

Q. If I go to a chiropractor, do I have to go the rest of my life?

A. You don't HAVE TO do anything. Most people who experience the full benefits of chiropractic continue to get checked and adjusted regularly because they enjoy the elevated level of health. We are faced with many health care decisions and the choice is always ours. Do you brush your teeth regularly, exercise regularly, eat nutritious food... Regular spinal adjustments fit right in with a healthy, wellness lifestyle.

Q. I feel so lousy with this fever. What can I do to get rid of it?

A. FEVERS are part of the body's natural defense against viruses or bacteria that invade the body. The increased temperature results in a quicker response time of the immune system. The higher temperature not only decreases the unfriendly organisms' ability to reproduce
themselves, it also helps to destroy the existing ones. By suppressing or bringing a fever down with drugs you shut down part of the body's ability to defend itself. Allow the body to do its ting and resist interfering just to make the person feel a bit better. Obviously the person needs to be monitored and if the fever gets too high you may need to intervene.

Q. How is chiropractic viewed by the Association of Chiropractic Colleges?

A. Chiropractic is a health care discipline that emphasizes the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery.

The practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. In addition, Doctors of Chiropractic recognize the value and responsibility of working in cooperation with other health care practitioners when in the best interest of the patient.

The Association of Chiropractic Colleges continues to foster a unique, distinct chiropractic profession that serves as a health care discipline for all. The ACC advocates a profession that generates, develops, and utilizes the highest level of evidence possible in the provision of effective, prudent, and cost-conscious patient evaluation and care.

Here are excerpts from the ACC Chiropractic Paradigm and the ACC Chiropractic Scope of Practice position papers:

ACC Position on Chiropractic

Chiropractic is a health care discipline that emphasizes the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery.

The practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. In addition, Doctors of Chiropractic recognize the value and responsibility of working in cooperation with other health care practitioners when in the best interest of the patient.

The Association of Chiropractic Colleges continues to foster a unique, distinct chiropractic profession that serves as a health care discipline for all. The ACC advocates a profession that generates, develops, and utilizes the highest level of evidence possible in the provision of effective, prudent, and cost-conscious patient evaluation and care.

The Chiropractic Paradigm
(refer to diagram below)

PURPOSE

The purpose of chiropractic is to optimize health.

PRINCIPLE

The body's innate recuperative power is affected by and integrated through the nervous system.

PRACTICE

The practice of chiropractic includes:

• establishing a diagnosis;
• facilitating neurological and biomechanical integrity;
• through appropriate chiropractic case management; and
• promoting health.

FOUNDATION

The foundation of chiropractic includes philosophy, science, art, knowledge, and clinical experience.

IMPACTS

The chiropractic paradigm directly influences:

• education;
• research;
• health care policy and leadership;
• relationships with other health care providers;
• professional stature;
• public awareness and perceptions; and
• patient health through quality care.