+ Is chiropractic care safe?

The research shows that chiropractic care is safe if performed by a trained professional.

If you Google this question, you will likely get a different answer than if you look at the actual research. Research has shown that “manual therapies including spinal manipulation are generally safe. Side effects tend to be benign: minor and self-limiting with short duration (eg, mild postmanipulation soreness). Severe complications have been associated with spinal manipulation but are extremely rare.” Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3716373/)

The bottom line is that if a patient is not comfortable with a certain type of treatment, it is not safe. Chiropractors can perform a wide variety of manual therapy treatments, but not all will be used on every patient. Some patient cases call for some, none, or all of the treatment options available. This will be determined by the in-depth examination performed before treatment is carried out. At any time if a patient is uncomfortable with the type of treatment, they are encouraged to communicate this to the chiropractor, and changes will be made to the treatment plan.

+ What is an adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment is the term used for the physical manipulation of joints in the body.

The chiropractor will apply a quick, gentle thrust to the area of concern. This is usually followed by an audible pop or crack, which is caused by the release of oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide gas, alleviating joint pressure. Researched benefits of joint manipulation (adjustment) are: decreased pain, and increased range of motion, which allow the patient to perform regular and extracurricular tasks without pain or fear of injury, thereby increasing their quality of life.

Is my chiropractor just going to crack me and then leave? There are many different styles of practice when it comes to chiropractic care, and I can only speak for my own style. In my clinic, the main goal is your well-being. The most important part of your care is what you can take away from it for the long term. Although the passive care (adjustment and muscle work) is important and can be very effective in reducing the symptoms, it is the active care that will help in the long run. By understanding the cause behind your injury or symptoms, I can educate you on different strategies to avoid having that happen again. Bottom line: No, along with the adjustment and muscle work, we will discuss different exercises, stretches, movement strategies, and other means to achieve your health and wellness goals.

+ Are chiropractors real doctors?

The chiropractic field is highly regulated, and chiropractors must go through very specific training and education to become certified.

Sometimes hearing the word “chiropractor” makes people think of Alan from the TV show “Two and A Half Men”, which might not inspire the most confidence in the training and education that chiropractors have. But chiropractors must first complete four years of undergraduate education in courses like anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and biology. After this, they are educated in nationally accredited, four-year doctoral graduate school programs through a curriculum that includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical internship, with the average doctor of chiropractic (D.C.) program equivalent in classroom hours to allopathic (M.D.) and osteopathic (D.O.) medical schools.

Even after graduation, before practicing, chiropractors must pass a national board exam administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) and then obtain a license in the state or province in which they wish to practice. Additionally, they must meet yearly continuing education requirements to maintain their license. Information modified from: https://www.acatoday.org/Patients/Why-Choose-Chiropractic/Chiropractic-Qualifications

+ Once I see a chiropractor, will I have to keep going for the rest of my life?

The short answer is no.

After conducting a thorough examination, the chiropractor will explain their findings to the patient, and the proposed treatment plan. This treatment plan usually consists of a trial-of-care followed by a re-evaluation of the case. In most cases, there will be improvement, and frequency of care will be tapered off and will be more heavily focused on education for prevention of re-injury. Occasionally, if there is no improvement, the method of care will either be modified, or an appropriate referral to a different healthcare practitioner will be made.

+ Is chiropractic care only for low back pain?

Not at all! The body is an interconnected movement system. Low back pain might stem from an incorrect walking or running pattern, including incorrect footwear, stiff ankles, weak hips, or other issues. Similarly, shoulder pain might stem from postural issues, overuse of certain muscle groups, improper lifting techniques, or other issues. If something in your body that is meant to move isn’t moving properly or is causing pain during movement, chiropractic care can help.

+ Is chiropractic care only for adults?

Children can benefit from seeing a chiropractor, too, but the treatment looks different than it does for adults.

Kids tend to move a lot more than adults. Even after sitting in school, they have recess and lunch breaks, in which they move around and play often. For this reason, they tend to have far fewer issues when it comes to pain and movement. However, there are times when they do have biomechanical issues that chiropractors can help address.

Chiropractic care for kids looks different than the average treatment for adults. It’s much gentler, and kids tend to respond very well to chiropractic care because they often haven’t formed as many poor habits like posture or low activity.