What is chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a specialized branch of health care that is based upon the understanding that good health is the result of a properly functioning nervous system, especially the spine and the nerve roots that exit the spine. Chiropractic stresses the idea that the cause of many health problems is the result of the body’s inability to adapt to its changing environment.

When this occurs, dysfunction and eventual disease result. Chiropractic comes from the Greek word chiropraktikos, which means "effective treatment by hand". True to their name, chiropractors use gentle hands-on methods to correct the problems that their patients are experiencing, without the use of drugs or surgery. The main form of treatment patients receive in a chiropractor’s office is the chiropractic adjustment.

What is an adjustment?

Following a thorough examination, a chiropractor will use his or her hands to apply gentle pressure to a patient’s spine to reposition a misaligned spinal vertebra that is causing or contributing to that patient’s condition. The adjustment often creates an audible noise, much like a soft pop or crack. Patients are usually able to feel a positive change immediately following an adjustment.

Do chiropractic adjustments hurt?

Under most circumstances, adjustments by a licensed chiropractor do not hurt. Some patients might experience some minor discomfort immediately following treatment. This is rare, and usually only lasts seconds to a few minutes. Again, this response is related to the type and severity of each patient’s condition.

What conditions benefit from chiropractic care?

Chiropractic is best known for relieving low back pain. However, people go to chiropractors for many other conditions. If you were to visit a chiropractor’s office, you would find patients there with conditions including neck and shoulder problems, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, knee problems, fibromyalgia, infantile colic and even ankle sprains.

Is chiropractic safe?

Adjustments performed by a licensed doctor of chiropractic are considered extremely safe. Research has shown the risk of lasting side effect following an adjustment to be in excess of one million to one. For research studies on this topic, please click on the Helpful links tab to the left and visit Chiroweb.com.

What kind of education and training do chiropractors receive?

Chiropractors receive an education that focuses on three primary areas of instruction: basic training in the health sciences (anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, histology, and clinical and radiological diagnosis); specialized training in the chiropractic discipline (philosophical studies, practice, musculoskeletal diagnosis and its application); and extensive clinical training.

Chiropractors must pass rigorous state and national licensing examinations in order to become licensed to practice chiropractic. Chiropractors are also required to complete continuing education courses in order to remain a licensed doctor of chiropractic. Please click on the Helpful links tab to the left for specific information about this topic.

Is there any published research showing which conditions chiropractic can help?

Several studies have documented the effectiveness of chiropractic care for relieving acute low back pain. More recently, studies have shown that chiropractic is also useful in treating infantile colic and migraine headaches. The Helpful links tab to the left provides specifics on these articles. Chiroweb.com is an excellent source of information here.

Chiropractic’s first patient didn’t have low back pain?

Chiropractic traces its roots back to just before the turn of the last century. The first chiropractic adjustment was performed in September 1895 by Dr. Daniel David Palmer, a Canadian-born teacher and healer. At that time, Dr. Palmer was studying the cause and effect of disease. His patient was Harvey Lillard, a janitor who worked in the same building with Dr. Palmer. Mr. Lillard had complained of hearing problems for the past 17 years following a fall and subsequent injury. Mr. Lillard allowed Dr. Palmer to examine his spine. During this exam, Dr. Palmer found a "lump" on Mr. Lillard’s back and suspected that a spinal vertebra might be out of place. Dr. Palmer repositioned this vertebra with a quick, gentle hands-on adjustment. After several similar adjustments, much of Mr. Lillard’s hearing was restored.

Is chiropractic becoming a more popular choice of health care?

Chances are you have recently heard about chiropractic in the news. This is because the increasing interest in alternative forms of health care has caught the attention of several health associations, government agencies and news organizations around the nation. A 1993 study in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that "The estimated number of visits made in 1990 to providers of unconventional therapy was greater than the number of visits to all primary care medical doctors nationwide", and chiropractic was among the most frequently used non-medical therapies.

A follow up report was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1998. It found that the use of non-medical treatments had increased significantly since the 1990 survey, with "overall prevalence of use increased by 25%, total visits increased by an estimated 47%, and expenditures on services provided by practitioners of alternative therapies increased by an estimated 45%.

What can I expect on my first visit?

Much like any other doctor you may visit, the first thing your chiropractor will do is talk at length with you about your health history and any other pertinent information regarding your condition. Your chiropractor will then perform a thorough physical examination, focusing on your specific problem or condition. Depending on what your doctor finds, you may need diagnostic tests such as laboratory tests or x-rays. In addition, your chiropractor will perform a specific spinal examination to detect any structural abnormalities which might be affecting or causing your condition. Together, all are important components of your total health picture, and you chiropractor will review all of these when evaluating your condition.