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1) Question: What Is Chiropractic?
Answer: Chiropractic is one of the healing arts. Its purpose is to eliminate or lessen irritation of nerves and treat muscle and/or joint conditions so that you can enjoy a life of less pain. Studies have shown that chiropractic care is an effective treatment for low-back pain. The person who administers your chiropractic care is called a Chiropractor and has earned a degree as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC).
Chiropractic treatments rely upon the body's
own recuperative powers. Chiropractors do not prescribe drugs or
perform surgery. Typically you'll go through three phases of
treatment; reducing pain, increasing strength, and preparing for the future.
In coordination with your managed care plan, we will determine the best treatment plan for you based on your age, lifestyle, weight, occupation, and many other factors.
2) Question:
What is The Spine In Relation To Chiropractic?
Answer: Many forms of pain and discomfort may be traced to your spine. The human spine or spinal column , is very flexible. It is made up of many small, separate bones called vertebrae stacked one on top of another from your hips up to the base of your skull.
An elaborate system of muscles keeps these vertebrae in place so that they can work together to bend, twist, flex, and support your body.
In between each vertebra is a tough, rubbery pad called a disc. These work like shock absorbers and keep the vertebrae from rubbing against each other or pinching the spinal nerves.
When the vertebrae don't line up straight, or a disc is out of position, you suffer pain and/or limited movement. This is caused either by irritation to one of the nerves, or the bone itself is restricted in it's movements. This "out-of-line" condition is called a subluxation.
3)
Question: How Do We Treat The Subluxation?
Answer: One of the first things we may do is take x-rays of your spine to determine the cause of your condition. From this information, the doctor will determine what type of adjustment you need.
An adjustment is a chiropractic term meaning manipulating the vertebrae and selected joints, usually by hand, so that the bones move back in line.
Subluxations don't just happen. They are caused by wear, stress, accidents, and many other factors. Total relief may not happen instantly. By completing the three phases of treatment, you should feel better and be able to get back to your normal life.
4)
Question: What Are The Three Phases Of Chiropractic Treatments?
Answer:
Phase I: Reduce Symptoms.
At our office, to maximize the healing, we will give you chiropractic adjustments to put the spine in its proper alignment.
We may prescribe other additional treatments such as exercise, therapy, and home care instruction.
Phase II: Increase Strength and Range of Motion.
After we minimize the pain, we can help you to regain your range of motion while strengthening your injured area. We add several new treatments including more intensive stretches and exercises.
Phase III: Preparation for Return to Normal Activities.
When you are nearly back to normal, we teach you ways to avoid reinjuring yourself. This could include showing you new ways to do things at home or work, or more specific instruction on how to do one particular move or lift.
We also teach you to spot future problems before they become serious.
5) Question: What is Homeopathy?
Answer: Homeopathy is a a holistic medical system based on the fact that the human body - like plants and animals - possesses the ability to heal itself. It teaches that good health depends on a state of equilibrium or inner balance.
Homeopathy is a school of medicine that has flourished for almost two hundred years. It is practiced extensively in England (the Queen's physician is a homeopath), France, Holland, and Germany.
Over the past ten years, it has grown exponentially in the United States. Today, more and more chiropractors and other health professionals are incorporating homeopathy into their practices.
Homeopathy enables them to serve their present patients better and to treat patients they might otherwise have to refer to other specialists.
6)
Question: What is Hypnotherapy?
Answer:
Hypnosis: A heightened state of awareness, similar to a daydream. A non-sleeping state that a subject can be guided into by relaxation techniques.
Hypnotherapist: A person who uses therapy while his or her subject is in the state of hypnosis.
7)
Question: What is Acupuncture? How Does It Work?
Answer: Acupuncture is a method of encouraging the body to promote natural healing and to improve functioning. This is done by inserting needles and applying heat or electrical stimulation at very precise acupuncture points.
There are several theories about why acupuncture works. From the Chinese medicine perspective, back pain is an obstruction of "chi" or the body's own internal energy. Acupuncture regulates the flow of "chi", so "chi" stagnation doesn' t cause pain.
From a more Western perspective, the tiny acupuncture needles, which are placed at different points in the body, stimulate the production of endorphines, "the body's own natural analgesic."
Putting an acupuncture needle into a muscle that's contracted helps coax that muscle to relax. Another theory about how acupuncture works for back pain is that it stimulates nerves in the legs and thighs, and decreases inflammation of the nerves in the lower back that are causing pain. The acupuncture treatment itself is profoundly relaxing, particularly if stress or tension perpetuates your back pain.
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