Frequently Asked Questions

If some chiropractic terms are unfamiliar to you, please refer to our Glossary Of Terms for assistance.

Chiropractic Tools for the Enhancement of Human Performance

It is important to have an understanding of the nervous system and its relationship to your condition while under my care. The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system consists of nerves found in the head and body. Your brain is designed to receive and send information to the body. Your body is controlled by receptors, specialized nerve cells, that respond to different sensations.

There are 5 primary senses: Taste, Temperature, Vision, Hearing, Touch

The sensation of touch is controlled by various receptors in the body that respond to compression and stretch. Receptors associated with touch have a greater effect on the central nervous system than the receptors related to vision, taste, hearing and temperature. Mechanoreceptors are receptors of touch that are found in the joints of the body and especially our spine and are very sensitive to motion. If the joints of the spine do not move freely, the activity of these nerve receptors is suppressed. A consequence of this is a change in muscle tone, coordination and increase in pain.
 

Q. How does trauma create a change in joint function?

A. Gravity is the only constant environmental stimulus that effects the nerve receptors in your muscles and joints. Under normal conditions the nerve receptors in your muscles and joints can adapt to the change created by gravity. Change created by sudden or repetitive trauma will reduce your body's ability to respond to the effects of gravity. Trauma also creates changes in the ability of your body's joints to move properly. There are many different types of trauma. Obvious trauma is that which is associated with impact such as auto and sports injuries. Lesser trauma examples are improper lifting techniques, repetitive movements or poor posture.

Q. How does chiropractic work?

A. Chiropractic is not drugs or surgery. It is a hands on method of treatment to cause a change in function of mechanoreceptors in the involved joints to effect the nervous system. Recent studies in neuroanatomy confirm that mechanoreceptors have a direct effect on brain function.

Q. How long will this take?

A. Genetically we are all different. Therefore, response to treatment can vary. A personalized treatment plan is determined for you based on your specific needs.

Q. What can I do?

A. Act responsibly when it comes to your health! Follow through with recommended treatment schedule and any lifestyle changes. Commit to all appointments. Each treatment is a building block in the process of improving function of your nervous system. Missing appointments can reduce the effectiveness of previous adjustments and hinders further progress. Understand the importance of doing all exercises prescribed to complement the effects of chiropractic.

Q. What can I expect?

A. It is common to experience a change in location of symptoms such as pain during the course of treatment. This is often due to a change in weight bearing that occurs due to the effects of chiropractic treatments. Pain is not always a bad thing, because it is considered a warning signal for your body's memory system. Be aware of these signals and bring them to my attention during your next visit.

Q. Is chiropractic safe?

A. All therapy in health care has associated risks of injury and death. Chiropractic, compared to drug and surgical intervention, is very safe. Research and malpractice statistics support this and will be made available upon request.

Development and Change
Your body is in a constant state of change. These changes can be good or bad. If nerve receptor function and joint movement is poor, a variety of things can occur. Short term effects can include many different types of pain. Long term effects include advanced degeneration of joint and bone structure as well as impaired neurological, digestive, cardiovascular, hormonal and immune functions.