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FAQs |
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Does Acute and Chronic Pain respond to Chiropractic care?
“Patients with chronic low-back pain treated by chiropractors showed greater improvement and satisfaction at one month than patients treated by family physicians. Satisfaction scores were higher for chiropractic patients. A higher proportion of chiropractic patients (56 percent vs. 13 percent) reported that their low-back pain was better or much better, whereas nearly one-third of medical patients reported their low-back pain was worse or much worse.”– Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Nyiendo et al. (2000),
In a Randomized controlled trial, 183 patients with neck pain were randomly allocated to manual therapy (spinal mobilization), physiotherapy (mainly exercise) or general practitioner care (counseling, education and drugs) in a 52-week study. The clinical outcomes measures showed that manual therapy resulted in faster recovery than physiotherapy and general practitioner care. Moreover, total costs of the manual therapy-treated patients were about one-third of the costs of physiotherapy or general practitioner care. -- British Medical Journal, Korthals-de Bos et al. (2003)
Do insurance companies pay for maintenance care?
Health insurance would more appropriately be termed sickness insurance because it is basically designed to provide reimbursement for healthcare services that treat the active stages of illness and injuries. There are generally two main categories of treatment given by any doctor: Therapeutic care and preventative care. Therapeutic care is given to a patient to treat the active stages of an illness, disorder, or injury in which there are definite signs and symptoms. Preventative care is given to a patient that is free of symptoms to prevent illness, disorders, or disabilities from occurring or reoccurring. Chiropractic maintenance care is considered preventative care. Most insurance companies do not pay for preventative care given by any type of practitioner. There is a trend in the U.S. for future healthcare reforms to include payment for preventative care services. Many people are beginning to understand the benefit and cost effectiveness of preventing illness rather than waiting for a crisis to occur. The chiropractic profession has always believed in the advantages of prevention.
Does chiropractic help headaches?
“Cervical spine manipulation was associated with significant improvement in headache outcomes in trials involving patients with neck pain and/or neck dysfunction and headache.” -- Duke Evidence Report, McCrory, Penzlen, Hasselblad, Gray (2001)
“The results of this study show that spinal manipulative therapy is an effective treatment for tension headaches. . . Four weeks after cessation of treatment . . . the patients who received spinal manipulative therapy experienced a sustained therapeutic benefit in all major outcomes in contrast to the patients that received amitriptyline therapy, who reverted to baseline values.” ‘-- Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Boline et al. (1995)
Is Chiropractic cost effective?
“Chiropractic care appeared relatively cost-effective for the treatment of chronic low-back pain. Chiropractic and medical care performed comparably for acute patients. Practice-based clinical outcomes were consistent with systematic reviews of spinal manipulative efficacy: manipulation-based therapy is at least as good as and, in some cases, better than other therapeusis.”– Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Haas et al. (2005)
How is patient satisfaction?
“Chiropractic patients were found to be more satisfied with their back care providers after four weeks of treatment than were medical patients. Results from observational studies suggested that back pain patients are more satisfied with chiropractic care than with medical care. Additionally, studies conclude that patients are more satisfied with chiropractic care than they were with physical therapy after six weeks.”-- American Journal of Public Health, Hertzman-Miller et al. (2002)
I've been a hairdresser and constantly on my feet for more than twenty years, since my early twenties. I've always had some minor trouble with my lower back, but now back pain is getting to be a part of my daily life. What do I do?
The body demands movement in order to keep its tissues strong, flexible, supple and functional. More specifically, musculoskeletal parts require variety in their movements. Otherwise, some tissues get the benefit of movement, while others get little or none.
Nowhere else in the body is the need for a variety of movement more evident than in the spine. No wonder after twenty years of standing in one spot, so to speak, your back is rebelling big time.
Usually in cases like yours where spinal movement has been limited over a long period of time, some vertebrae become "fixated" and the spine loses some of its flexibility. Then, as the spine tries to compensate for its developing rigidity, pain and stiffness develop.
Chiropractic care and therapeutic exercise may be your answer, but nothing should be done until your spine and nerves have been examined thoroughly.
Guesswork is never appropriate where your health is concerned
Though my friends know how much chiropractic has helped me, some of them are still skeptical about chiropractic care for their own problems. They want to know what the bones and nerves in one's back have to do with illness, disease or pain in other parts of one's body
You can tell them misaligned vertebrae pinch spinal nerves and thereby alter normal nerve function. You can also tell them how chiropractors adjust misaligned vertebrae into their proper position, and thus relieve nerve pressure. But some people require more information, and unless you are an expert in anatomy and physiology, you can soon get in over your head.
That's why chiropractic doctors stock books and pamphlets explaining chiropractic in "patient language." They're usually free for the asking, so get a supply for your friends and start passing the information out. That takes the pressure off you and gives your friends the correct information they need.
Are chiropractors opposed to surgery?
The chiropractic profession recognizes the value and need of many surgical procedures, and chiropractic doctors refer patients for surgery when necessary.
But most chiropractors have seen the results of too many unnecessary surgeries. This alarms them. Even the medical establishment itself is concerned about the great number of unnecessary surgical operations, and is aware that surgery does not always accomplish its intent.
The body sees any surgical operation as violence, so a thoughtful person must conclude that if a non-surgical procedure (such as chiropractic care) is known to have frequently worked favorably in a certain condition, it should be considered.
Chiropractic doctors have been correcting health problems for over a century now, often after surgery has failed. In those cases, surgery could have been avoided completely, had those patients taken proper chiropractic care first.
What can a doctor of chiropractic do to help me with my wellness program?
Most people initially consult a doctor of chiropractic to relieve pain in their back, legs, neck or joints. However, when a chiropractor applies his or her philosophy and techniques to correct the pain problem, there may be an unexpected but welcome secondary gain.
At the core of chiropractic philosophy is the fact that the brain and the nervous system control and mediate the functions of the human body. The influence of the nervous system on the rest of the body is altered when the nerves that exit the spinal vertebrae are crowded, stretched or otherwise irritated by spinal misalignments or fixations. These conditions result in pain at the primary site, but also can affect other areas where the injured nerves travel.
Doctors of chiropractic know that when the nervous system is allowed to function normally in the spine and its related muscles and ligaments are normalized, people experience greater well being. Chiropractors treat the human body as a whole, which means that nutrition and exercise are usually integrated to the treatment plan, enabling people to achieve their wellness potential.
Q: How can the spine affect your health?
A- The spine houses the "information super highway" of your spinal cord. Pairs of nerve roots branch off from between each spinal joint. These nerves link your brain with every cell and tissue of your body. These delicate nerves are vulnerable because they are in such close proximity to the moving bones of the spine. A loss of proper motion or position of the spinal bones compromise this vital communication. Chiropractic care locates these areas, and reduces their effect on the nervous system with specific spinal adjustments
I know that good posture adds to a person's attractiveness, but what does that have to do with good health?
Keeping your body balanced and straight - maintaining your back's natural curves and using it smartly as you go about your daily tasks - is a major factor in helping you avoid back troubles, injuries and pains.
To determine your best posture, you might imagine that you are wearing a crown or carrying a book on your head.
One authority put it this way: "picture yourself as if you were a puppet dangling from a string through the center of your head."
When standing, your shoulders should be even, your buttocks tucked under and your knees slightly flexed.
Your posture is a good indicator of your overall health of your spine and musculoskeletal system.
Q - Do I have a pinched nerve?
A - A pinched nerve is rear. It is more likely that an adjacent spinal bone irritates, stretches, rubs,or chaffs a nerve. These "subluxations" distort the nerve messages sent between the brain and the body. This can produce unhealthy alterations to the organs and tissues connected by the affected nerves.
Q: How do you get subluxations?
A- There are three basic causes of subluxations. Physical causes could include slips and falls, accidents, repetitive motions, and improper lifting. Emotional, such as grief, anger, and fear can cause subluxations. Chemical causes could include alcohol, drugs, pollution, and poor diet.
Q: How do I know if I have a subluxation?
A- You can have subluxations and not even know it. Like the early stages of tooth decay or cancer, subluxations can be present before warning signs appear. The results of a thorough examination can show the location and severity of any subluxation you may have.
Q: Can children get subluxations?
A- Yes. As children explore their world they discover their limits, producing aches and pains. Learning to walk, riding a bike, or playing sports can cause subluxations passed off as "growing pains". Chiropractic care can help detect early signs of scoliosis and reduce subluxations that can interfere with proper development. Ignored, these problems can worsen until they become more difficult to correct as an adult.
Q- Can subluxations clear up on there own?
A- Sometimes. Today's hectic lifestyles are a constant source of subluxations. Fortunately, our bodies have the ability to self correct many of these minor problems as we bend and stretch, or when we sleep at night. When subluxations don't resolve, you need to see a chiropractic doctor for an adjustment.
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Q- Are chiropractic adjustments safe?
A- Yes. A New Zealand government study found that adjustments are "remarkably safe." By avoiding drugs and risky surgery, chiropractic care enjoys an excellent tract record. A thorough exam can identify the rare person for whom chiropractic care might be unsuited. Compare the statistics. Adjustments are about 100 times safer than taking an over-the-counter pain reliever.
Q- What does an adjustment feel like?
A- Most patients report a sense of well-being or a feeling of calmness. Since repeated adjustments are necessary, if adjustments weren't comfortable, patients wouldn't return. Chiropractic doctors excel at making spinal adjustments comfortable and effective.
Q- Can I adjust myself?
A- No. Some people can make their joints “pop” but that’s not an adjustment! Worse, damage can occur by mobilizing a joint with weakened muscles and ligaments. Adjustments are specific and take years to master. Even your chiropractic doctor must consult a colleague to benefit from chiropractic care.
Q- How many adjustments will I need?
A- The number of adjustments varies with each patient and their individual health goals. Many patients sense some progress within a week or two of frequent visits. Visits are less often as your spine stabilizes. In chronic cases, complete healing can take months or even years.
Q- Are all patients adjusted the same way?
A- No. Each patient's spine is unique, and each patient's plan is unique. With 24 moving bones in the spine (that can each move in seven different directions!) we see a wide variety of spinal patterns. Each patient's care is custom tailored for their age, condition, and health goals.
| Safe Lifting |
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Do you know how to Protect Your Back When Lifting?
If you've ever "thrown out" your back while doing a seemingly simple task -- lifting a package, moving a piece of furniture, carrying a child -- you've learned firsthand the importance of safe lifting techniques for protecting your back. Safe lifting is easy to learn, simple to do, and may be one of the most important skills you'll ever learn.
Safe Lifting Makes Sense
 Safe lifting techniques keep your back in balance and can protect you and your back from accidental strain and overload. It makes sense -- to keep your back working smoothly and problem-free, lift right!
1. Visualize the Lift – The first step In safe lifting is thinking. "Can I lift it by myself? “Can I hold it close to my body?" If the load is manageable, follow the remaining tips.
2. Tuck Your Pelvis – By tightening your stomach muscles, you can "tuck" your pelvis to keep your back's three curves In balance.
3. Bend Your Knees – Bend your knees instead of your waist. Let the large muscles in your legs support your back and carry the weight
4. "Hug" The Load – Try to hold the object you're lifting as close to your body as possible, as you gradually straighten your legs to a standing position.
 5. Avoid Twisting –Twisting while you lift or carry increases the load on your spine and can lead to serious injury. To avoid twisting, be sure that your knees and torso are moving in the same direction when lifting. |
Children Smart Tips
Home alone
Is it safe for your child to be at home alone?It's a difficult decision for parents, but there are ways to make sure first, that your child is developmentally ready, and second, that he or she will be safe.
When the time is right
When making this decision, parents should consider the following questions:
1. How long will I be gone?
A child may not be ready to be left alone for a few hours, but you can start to build confidence by leaving him or her alone while you run a few quick errands.
2. Is my child emotionally ready?
If they're afraid to be left alone, they're not ready.
3. Does my child exercise good judgment?
You need to have confidence that your child will follow directions on answering the telephone and door, on allowing friends in the house, on computer and television usage, and on getting along with siblings.
4. Can my child handle an emergency?
Does your child know when and how to call 911, operate fire extin-guishers, and follow the home fire-escape plan?
5. What are my state's laws on how old children must be to be left unsupervised?
Check with your county child protection services.
What children must know to stay safe
1. The fire escape route
2. Emergency numbers and the list of rules on TV watching, friends, answering the phone and door, and caring for siblings.
3. Basic first-aid skills, like how to stop stem bleeding, etc.
4. A safe route home.
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