What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic
is a natural healing science, art and philosophy primarily concerned with
detecting and then eliminating interference to your nervous system. Since your
nervous system controls every aspect of your body, chiropractic can have a
major impact on multiple areas of your health. Founded in 1895, it is the
world's largest drug-free healthcare system and the 3rd largest primary
healthcare system in the USA behind medicine and dentistry. Over 25 million
Americans will see their chiropractor this year.
Does it really work and how?
Yes
Virginia, chiropractic is the real deal! Chiropractic is firmly grounded in
science and has an ever-growing body of research showing it to be safe,
effective, comfortable and affordable. The latest estimates show that over 85%
of Olympic athletes utilize chiropractic care to enhance performance and stay
healthy as do most professional athletes. No question that it works!
Chiropractic
is based on the fact that every structure and function of your body is
controlled by the nervous system. If there is interference to the nervous
system, then whatever body part or function that nerve was controlling will
stop working at 100%.
Chiropractic Clinic focus on the spine because this is where the delicate nerves are most likely to
be compressed or irritated as they pass through on their way to control all
parts of your body.
The
majority of spinal problems arise from physical, mechanical stress to your body
such as accidents, injuries, prolonged sitting etc.. These stresses and
injuries result in stiff immovable joints which in turn cause surrounding
joints to become overworked, loose and eventually damaged. The treatment to
correct these problems also has to be physical and mechanical in nature.
It
is crazy to think that taking a drug is going to loosen up a stiff, damaged
spinal joint. The drug may cover up the pain and symptoms but will do nothing
to correct the physical cause of the pain. In fact taking drugs over time will
allow the joint to become more and more permanently damaged.
Is Chiropractic Safe?
Yes,
chiropractic care is exceptionally safe! The minuscule risks of chiropractic
care have been greatly exaggerated by our competition in order to scare you
away from the safest form of healthcare and back to medicine, the most
dangerous form. Chiropractic has a better safety record than any drug, even
baby aspirin and Tylenol! Medical treatment has become the 3rd leading cause of
death in the USA, right behind heart disease and cancer, killing hundreds of
thousands of Americans every year.
An
interesting statistic is that you are more likely to be killed by being struck
by lightning than killed by a vending machine and you are more likely to be
killed a vending machine than by a shark and more likely to be killed by a
shark than by a chiropractor!
At what age should a person have a chiropractic check-up?
Chiropractic
care has fantastic benefits for all ages and ideally a person should have their
first check-up shortly after birth.
I
know what you may be thinking, "Infant check-up!!?" Why would a brand
new baby need chiropractic care? Stop for a minute and just think about what a
baby goes though coming into this world. Even during a normal natural delivery
there are tremendous pressures on the baby's neck, back and pelvis of up to 90
pounds per square inch.
OK,
chiropractic is safe and good for babies but what about senior citizens? I have
heard the most ignorant statement repeatedly from seniors: "I know, at my
age, I have arthritis so there is no point in trying to fix my spine"
WRONG! WRONG! WRONG!
ALL
ages can benefit from chiropractic care. Even a single chiropractic adjustment
in the right circumstances has resulted in unbelievable improvement in the
quality-of-life of many patients. Until you are dead, your body has an
incredible ability to heal and improve. Never give up on improving your health!
If your doctor ever tells you "You'll just have to learn to live with
it" he/she is actually telling you it is time to find a new doctor, one
that will help keep you improving and maintaining your health and well-being
for life.
Does treatment hurt?
For
most people the chiropractic treatments, called spinal adjustments, are not
only comfortable but are actually an enjoyable experience. All treatment is
geared to each individual's comfort level and the old "No Pain No
Gain" approach is never used. It is heartwarming to see children who are
so small they can't even get up on the adjusting table by themselves, fighting
with their siblings to be the FIRST one adjusted. Pediatricians would be green
with envy to see how even the smallest kids are happy to be in the chiropractic
office and how they love to get adjusted.
Does my insurance cover Chiropractic?
Although
most insurance policies have some coverage, the reality is that in most cases
it is very limited and so highly managed that, like most other health services,
it pays for only a portion of needed care.
There
is currently a prevalent form of craziness that I call "Insurance
Insanity". It has 2 main parts: Firstly many people have this notion that
if they can just somehow obtain really great health insurance (which by the way
no longer exists) that this in some way protects them and makes them healthy.
Secondly, they think that if a service is not covered by their insurance that
they really don't need it. CRAZY! A prime example is a patient who needed about
$1,200 worth of chiropractic care, who had the money but refused the necessary
treatment because he felt it was too expensive. When asked if it was more
cost-effective to let his spine continue degenerate to the point where he will
need a $200,000 surgery which would leave him disabled for life? His
straight-faced answer was "Well, my insurance will cover the cost of the
surgery." Now that my friend is just plain crazy.
Chiropractic
is an exceptional value for your healthcare dollar. If you need it, the
benefits you receive from chiropractic are incalculable compared to the amount
of money spent! In fact they are priceless.
How much time does a chiropractic visit take?
For
your first visit, allow 45 minutes to 1 hour. On this visit you will need to
complete some obligatory health forms, you will have a chance to sit down and
consult with the doctor to review your symptoms, history, lifestyle and your
health goals.
The
next step is a chiropractic physical examination, some very high-tech nervous
system scans, possibly an x-ray study and finally, if you are in pain, some
first aid care and home instructions.
Typically
on the second visit allow 30 to 45 minutes. On this visit you will receive your
doctor's report of findings where he will let you know if he can help you, he
will show you what is wrong and why, how long care will take, how much care
will cost and finally he will let you know of your options for care. You will
then receive your first full chiropractic adjustment (treatment).
Once I start care do I have to go forever?
In
a great practice the doctor should support all clients at the level and
frequency that they choose. There should never be any pressure to do anything
you are not 100% behind. You may take advantage of all the phenomenal health
and wellness benefits for as long and as often as you choose. Great doctors
should always respect and support the wishes of their clients.
Does my body become dependent on chiropractic care?
This
question always make me smile. There is absolutely nothing about chiropractic
care that makes you dependent on care. There is however something that is
highly addicting about feeling really good. It is funny but once people start
feeling great they tend to want to stay feeling great. Chiropractic care helps
your body to function at a much higher level which feels fantastic.
Chiropractic care is similar to exercise but without all the sweating. If you
consistently work out, the benefit is you become physically fit which feels
much better that being unfit and out of shape. Most people who are in great
shape continue to work out because they like the feeling of being in shape. What
happens if they stop exercising? They continue to feel good for a time but all
too quickly lose their conditioning and lose the benefits of feeling great. Now
I ask you is exercise addicting? Does your body become dependent on exercise?
Of course not and there is also nothing about chiropractic care that makes you
dependent either.