We hope that once you begin to feel less pain, more balanced, less stressed, and more energetic you will like the feeling. Periodic chiropractic adjustments help to maintain that feeling. Think of it as going to the gym. If your goal is to lose a few pounds you can go to the gym for a short time and succeed. However, if you stop going to the gym you may put back on weight but more importantly, you won’t feel as good or be as healthy. You don’t have to go to a dentist forever but periodic cleanings are a good idea. Like a health club workout or a dental cleaning, periodic spinal check-ups will help you feel and perform your best. If you stop going to the chiropractor, spine and nerve stress may continue to build up as before and if that stress build-up is not relieved, your body and overall health will suffer.

Newborns have received spinal adjustments, especially after difficult or traumatic births. Young children learning to walk can fall upwards of 30 times each day. These repetitive traumas can cause vertebral subluxations (see the question on what is a vertebral subluxation). If they are left unchecked bigger problems later in life can develop.

Yes. Its non-surgical, drug-free approach to health places chiropractic among the safest of all health care practices. Remember, chiropractic takes nothing out of the body and puts nothing in. As a result, chiropractors enjoy one of the lowest malpractice rates of all health care professionals.

Chiropractic adjustments are gentle and do not cause pain. Some mild soreness may be expected after the first or second treatment. Most patients state that the treatment feels good and they also report increased flexibility.

A vertebral subluxation is a term applied to a vertebra that has lost its normal position and/or motion in relation to neighboring vertebrae. Vertebrae that do not function properly within the spinal column generate mechanical stress. This accelerates the wear and tear on the surrounding spinal muscles, ligaments discs, joints (facets), and other spinal tissues.

This process is referred to as osteoarthritis, spinal decay, degenerative disc, or joint disease. It is usually accompanied by pain, tenderness, inflammation, decreased motion, and muscle spasm.

Because of the intimate relationship between the spinal column and the nervous system, vertebral subluxations impede normal nerve functioning. The body may adapt but the overall health and wellness of the individual may be impaired.

Like all primary health care providers, doctors of chiropractic undergo extensive education and training before becoming licensed professionals. Students begin by fulfilling undergraduate degree requirements, with a strong emphasis on the core sciences such as chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and physics.

The professional program leading to the Doctor of Chiropractic degree is very demanding. Chiropractic students continue their study of the sciences, including pathology and biochemistry, at a highly detailed level.

Their education continues into the advanced clinical sciences including orthopedics, neurology, examination procedures, differential diagnosis, and X-ray interpretation. During this entire process, aspiring doctors of chiropractic gain knowledge of the philosophy and practice of health care and chiropractic.

Doctors of chiropractic refine their technical adjusting skills in technique classes. During clinical internships, student doctors perfect these skills.

Finally, all doctors of chiropractic must pass the rigorous national board exams and state exams before entering the field.

Yes. Often the Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) is the first one to diagnose a serious condition such as a disc herniation or fracture. Daily, DC's successfully manage these cases. Sometimes a DC will set up an appropriate consultation with another provider. The patient may either be co-managed or referred to the other provider for treatment. If you have had surgery, chiropractic care may help prevent the common occurrence known as “Failed Back Surgery Syndrome.”

Chiropractic care may help prevent repeated operations. In addition, many patients report increased flexibility, increased strength, and less pain. This is because patients are taught everything from how to properly get out of bed to how to bend with the least amount of stress to the spine. Graded spinal exercise regimes are then gradually introduced to help rehabilitate the patient.