Frequently Asked Questions About Your Health and Chiropractic Care

What is chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on conditions stemming from the restricted joint motion of the spine or extremities and related nervous system and the effects of these disorders on general health.

What does a chiropractor do?

The Doctor of Chiropractic improves joint motion by applying a gentle, controlled force into the joints that have become restricted in their movement. This is accomplished through what is referred to as a spinal adjustment or manual manipulation.

Can chiropractic care help/cure my condition?

The truth is no doctor "cures" anything. A body without joint dysfunction will operate and heal more efficiently than one that is not functioning properly. Chiropractic care can improve the functional integrity of the joint and associated nerves, thereby enhancing the body's ability to regain proper movement, heal and maintain good health.

Can chiropractic care help me stay healthy?

Maintaining good health is dependent on many factors and requires a combined effort between you and your health care provider. With that understood, routine chiropractic care has been shown to positively affect the reparative and preventative process of the body.

What conditions can chiropractic help?

Although chiropractic care is most often used to treat neuro-musculoskeletal complaints, routine chiropractic care has been shown to improve the preventative process to the body often resulting in improved overall function, increased joint motion, and a more active lifestyle.

What are the qualifications of a Doctor of Chiropractic?

Chiropractors are the primary portal of entry health care providers. 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 four years of an undergraduate college education. Once accepted into an accredited chiropractic college, the requirements become even more demanding with four academic years of professional study being the standard. Because of the hands-on nature of chiropractic, 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.

How many practicing Doctors of Chiropractic are there in the U.S. and world today?

There are more than 60,000 doctors of chiropractic practicing in the United States. All 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands recognize chiropractic as a health care profession and license the practice of chiropractic.

How many accredited chiropractic colleges are there in the U.S. today?

There are 15 accredited chiropractic institutions in the United States of America.

Who is the accrediting agency for chiropractic colleges in the U.S.?

The Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE) is the national accrediting Agency for Doctor of Chiropractic Programs within the United States. Accreditation provides assurances of educational quality and institutional integrity to governments, jurisdictional licensing and regulatory bodies, institutions, professional organizations, students, other accrediting agencies, and the public at large.

The Council on Chiropractic Education accredits 15 Doctor of Chiropractic degree programs at 18 locations within the United States. The purpose of CCE is to promote academic excellence and to ensure the quality of chiropractic education. 

CCE maintains recognition by the United States Department of Education as the national accrediting body for Doctor of Chiropractic Programs and chiropractic solitary purpose institutions of higher education. CCE is also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and is a member of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA) and the CHEA International Quality Group (CIQG). For more information log on to http://www.cce-usa.org.

What is the definition of “Evidenced Based Care?”

Evidence-based health care is the conscientious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients or the delivery of health services. The current best evidence is up-to-date information from relevant, valid research about the effects of different forms of health care, the potential for harm from exposure to particular agents, the accuracy of diagnostic tests, and the predictive power of prognostic factors. Present-day practitioners strive to utilize and endorse those health care practices that fall within the evidenced-based care paradigm.

Are all patients given the same type of care?

In actuality, there are three phases of chiropractic care: 1) Acute phase or the stage in which the patient is demonstrating pain. During this phase of care, the provider is focused on assisting in the relief and/or elimination of pain. 2) Chronic phase or stabilization stage. During this phase of care, the provider is focused on stabilizing a condition or symptom the patient has had for a longer period of time (generally defined as 90 days or more). Stabilization consists of improving musculoskeletal memory to adapt to any changes within the spine and/or extremities of the patient. 3) Wellness phase or preventative/maintenance stage. During this phase of care, the provider is focused on maintaining the patient’s progress much like a retainer placed on teeth following the removal of braces. The wellness phase is an ongoing lifestyle of care to maintain health and prevent further injury or relapse of a condition from occurring.

What does the term "wellness" actually mean?

The term wellness is often misunderstood. The World Health Organization defines wellness as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Wellness is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. In other words, the desire to seek out and practice preventative methods of health care, advice, and treatment, not just care associated with sickness, disease, or pain.

Should I try chiropractic again if I felt worse and didn’t really improve the last time I went?

Whether you had a good or bad first experience should not be the determining factor of trying chiropractic care again. If you had a bad dental experience, it is doubtful you would never visit a dentist again based on that one event. Chiropractic has helped millions of people regain their health safely through natural means without the use of drugs or dangerous surgery, and you could be one of them.

What is an "adjustment"?

A chiropractic adjustment or manual manipulation is a gentle, targeted motion into the spine and joints of the body by a trained Doctor of Chiropractic for the purpose of improving nerve/joint function often resulting in a healthier, more active lifestyle.

What is the “popping” noise when an adjustment is delivered?

The popping sounds you hear are your joints releasing tiny pockets of gases. A chiropractic adjustment does not affect the bones of either side of the joint, but rather the connective tissue that holds the joint together.

What age can a patient safely receive a chiropractic adjustment?

No patient is too young or old to receive chiropractic care. There are numerous techniques options available to adjust your spine, some of which do not require any manual force whatsoever. Regardless of your age, a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic is trained to recognize when certain techniques are more applicable to a patient based on age, physical condition, exam findings, and the patient's history.

Does chiropractic care hurt?

A chiropractic adjustment is a highly controlled procedure that rarely causes discomfort because minimal force and gentle pressure are used. In fact, most patients feel relief immediately following treatment.

Will I be sore following a chiropractic adjustment?

Any reported soreness after an initial adjustment has been described as similar to that associated with starting a new exercise program. Drinking plenty of water, using an ice pack, and engaging in light stretching after your first visit can help ease any discomfort to promote healing.

What is a joint dysfunction/subluxation in chiropractic terminology?

The terms joint dysfunction, subluxation or spinal misalignment are often used interchangeably. Regardless of the term used when a joint in the spine or extremities is restricted, it creates a lack of motion that, in turn, creates a dysfunction of the joint itself. This joint dysfunction can adversely affect the nervous system and your ability to perform normal daily activities.

I “pop” my own neck so why would I need to go to a chiropractor?

You should not try to forcefully manipulate your spine. Chiropractors are highly trained to adjust the spine in a very specific manner, location, and direction. As a result, it is virtually impossible to adjust oneself correctly and accurately.

Is chiropractic safe?

Chiropractic is the largest, non-invasive, drugless, and safest form of health care available. Statistically, patient risk is substantially lower when receiving chiropractic care as opposed to medical care, where the use of prescription drugs and surgery poses a greater risk.

I have had (back/neck) surgery so is it safe to receive a chiropractic adjustment?

Many post-surgical patients respond well to chiropractic care. However, only a Doctor of Chiropractic can determine if you are a candidate for care after performing a thorough examination, evaluating your history, presenting complaints, condition, and type of surgery received.

What is the activator?

The Activator Method is one of the most widely researched gentle instrument adjusting chiropractic techniques used today. Rather than using the hands to restore joint motion, a small hand-held device is used.

If I am under chiropractic care, will I still need to take my pain medication?

Only the health care provider that placed you on the medication can legally and safely alter the dosage. Many patients under regular chiropractic care have reported a positive change in their symptoms and resulting medications under the professional advisement of the prescribing physician.

My medical doctor said I didn't need to see a chiropractor and implied it will not help my condition and may even make matters worse. Is that true?

Unfortunately, some health care professionals are far behind the learning curve when it comes to alternative health care. Chiropractic is the largest, drugless healing profession in the world and is one of the safest forms of health care available. The only professional capable of telling you whether chiropractic care is right for you is a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic.

Will a neck adjustment cause a stroke?

Although no healthcare procedures are 100% without risk, chiropractic stands on its record of being unmatched in safety and effectiveness. Records from insurance and court cases have constantly shown that chiropractic is the safest portal of entry health care available to the public today. With well over one million adjustments given every day in the world, complications are exceedingly rare. Your Doctor of Chiropractic will be glad to address any questions or concerns you may have prior to receiving care.

Can proper shoes or orthotics (shoe inserts) help my back and neck pain?

Yes. The shoes you wear and the type of foundation you stand on daily will be a major determining factor in the stabilization of the spine and joints of your body.

How often do I have to go to a chiropractor?

The frequency in which you receive chiropractic care is strictly up to the professional opinion of a Doctor of Chiropractic and will vary from individual to individual.

If I go to a chiropractor, will I have to keep going back for the rest of my life?

The answer to this question depends on your presenting condition and overall goals. Some patients may choose only to seek relief when pain or symptoms occur whereas others desire a more proactive/preventative approach to their health. Just as regular visits to the dentist are necessary for good dental hygiene, routine visits to a Doctor of Chiropractic for proper spinal function and health maintenance are also important.

Can I visit a chiropractor if I am pregnant?

Many pregnant women find that chiropractic adjustments improve back pain associated with the pregnancy experience and make the delivery easier. Adjustments are adapted to accommodate the stage of pregnancy and the unique needs of each patient.

_{Dr. Dallas Humble is a chiropractor, author, and executive consultant for various national alternative healthcare organizations. For more information email drdhumble@gmail.com.}