Frequently Asked Questions...
Is chiropractic manipulation safe?
Yes. Approximately 20% of patients will experience some temporary stiffness and soreness following the first couple of treatments. The risk of serious injury has been estimated between one in one million to one in ten million. If you have specific concerns about potential complications from receiving chiropractic manipulations, please discuss them with the doctor before receiving treatment. Chiropractors receive the highest level of education on joint manipulative therapy and administer greater than 90% of skilled manipulation services provided in the United States.
What should I do if I am uncomfortable following treatment?
- Apply ice several times to the sore area for 15-20 minutes, with an hour between applications.
- Some patients also report benefits from over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
- Do not hesitate to contact your doctor if you are at all uncomfortable following treatment.
How much chiropractic care will I require?
Some factors that may influence recovery include: the patient's age, his/her treatment goals, general health status, severity of the injury, chronicity of the problem, genetics and the number of prior episodes. Adhering to any prescribed home therapy is an integral part of recovery.
Some patients simply want relief from the immediate pain and may require only a few treatments. Others prefer to experience more optimal health and require more intensive and comprehensive care. Many individuals make chiropractic care part of their routine health maintenance. We will make recommendations that we believe are in the patient's best interest, but the choice is always up to the patient.
What should I do after being adjusted?
- Stay active.
- Try to use your full range of motion.
- Although you may feel better, you may not be fully recovered. Do not jump into strenuous activities too early.
- Do your home exercises and stretches as recommended.
What is the cracking sound that occurs during a chiropractic manipulation?
Joints contain a lubricating fluid known as synovial fluid. Within the synovial fluid are dissolved gasses, mostly carbon dioxide. When a joint is adjusted/manipulated, a vacuum is created within the joint and the dissolved gasses come out of solution forming a gas bubble, creating a "cracking" sound. The cracking sound is not necessary for treatment to be successful.
I have heard that knuckle cracking causes arthritis. Do chiropractic manipulations cause arthritis?
Joint adjustments/manipulations are quite different than knuckle cracking. When an adjustment is performed, the joint is momentarily gapped slightly, separating the joint surfaces. On the other hand, knuckle cracking actually grinds the joint surfaces together, potentially damaging them. There is no current evidence to suggest that chiropractic manipulative therapy is detrimental to your joints.
Contrary to what you may have been told, knuckle cracking actually does not cause joint arthritis. However, frequent knuckle crackers tend to experience more joint stiffness later in life.
Is it true that once you have chiropractic treatment, you must keep going back?
No. On the contrary, our goal is to help our patients to become independent from care. Actually, many people elect to continue their chiropractic treatment after feeling well because periodic elective care helps them feel and function better. Chiropractic care is an integral lifestyle component of many health conscious individuals' wellness-plan, which incorporates healthy eating, exercise and proper sleep.
How does the Doctor know where to perform a manipulation?
- Regions of local muscle tightness and tenderness
- Asymmetry in the contours of the spine
- Restrictions in overall movement of the joint
- Abnormal postural deviations
The doctor will palpate (feel) and examine your spine and other joints for several indicators of the need for a manipulation. These include:
What type of education and training do chiropractors have?
Chiropractors are educated as primary contact health care practitioners, with an emphasis on musculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment. Educational requirements for doctors of chiropractic are among the most stringent of any of the health care professions. The typical applicant at a chiropractic college has already acquired a Bachelor’s degree or nearly four years of pre-medical undergraduate college education, including courses in biology, inorganic and organic chemistry, physics, psychology and related lab work. Once accepted into an accredited chiropractic college, the requirements become even more demanding — four to five academic years of professional study are the standard. Because of the hands-on nature of chiropractic, and the intricate adjusting techniques, a significant portion of time is spent in clinical training. In total, the chiropractic curriculum includes a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical experience. The course of study is approved by an accrediting agency, which is fully recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Does chiropractic treatment require a referral from an MD?
No, a patient does not need a referral by an MD before visiting a doctor of chiropractic.
Chiropractors are first contact physicians, and are so defined in federal and state regulations.
Following a consultation and examination, the doctor of chiropractic will arrive at a diagnosis under chiropractic care, or refer the patient to the appropriate health care provider.
Is chiropractic treatment appropriate for children?
Yes, children can benefit from chiropractic care. Children are very physically active and experience many types of falls and blows from activities of daily living as well as from participating in sports. Injuries such as these may cause many symptoms including back and neck pain, stiffness, soreness or discomfort. Chiropractic care is always adapted to the individual patient. It is a highly skilled treatment, and in the case of children, very gentle.
