28.5.10

Frequent Asked Question about Spine



Q. What is Chiropractic?

A. Chiropractic is the treatment designed to remove subluxations(misalignments) of spinal bones(vertebra).

Q. Why are misalignments of the spine so important?

A. Subluxated vertebra lead to disc injuries such as bulges, herniations and tears. Subluxated vertebra cause arthritis, spurs, degeneration and early deterioration of the spine. Subluxations also pinch nerves and cause spinal cord pressure which can lead to pain, dysfunction, organ problems and disease.



Q. How do subluxations cause pain?

A. Nerves branch off your spinal cord and exit between each vertebra. These nerves relay messages from your brain to your body parts and back again. If the nerves are healthy 100% of the messages flow unobstructed. If nerves are damaged then the body gets sick or diseased. The most common way nerves are damaged are through subluxations. When a vertebral bone is misaligned it can pinch the nerve and cause damage which can lead to pain. Think of it as accidently slamming your finger in a car door. You would experience immediate pain because your finger is being pinched. The same is true for spinal nerves when they are pinched between vertebra.



Q. How do subluxations cause disease?

A. The word disease really means dis-ease. Dis-ease of the body simply means the body is not at ease. It is not functioning properly. When a body is not functioning properly it is more likely to get sick. If your lungs aren't working right you are more succeptible to some type of lung disease. If your heart isn't working right your are more susceptible to some type of heart disease. If your stomach is not working right you are more likely to acquire some type of stomach disease. A properly functioning body is a healthier stronger body.

Subluxations lead to your body being diseased by obstructing nerve flow from brain to body. When you obstruct the brain's commands the body breaks down. Think of it as a short in an electrical wire. If a wire is shorting out the light it supplies will be dim and flicker. In essence it will be malfunctioning. Your body is the same. If a subluxation is pinching a nerve and causing a short, whatever part of your body that nerve feeds will not be functioning at 100%.




Q. How do Chiropractors remove subluxations?

A. Through spinal adjustments. The word Chiropractic literally means done by hand. The Chiropractor moves the bones by hand.



Q. Does getting a Chiropractic adjustment hurt?

A. ost patients love to get adjusted. Getting adjusted usually feels fantastic. Most patients report a feeling of looseness, relaxation and less stress after adjustments. You must understand however that if you see the Chiropractor and you are suffering from a severely pinched nerve and are in excruciating pain to begin with the first few adjustments may be uncomfortable. On the whole Chiropractic adjustments are safe, effective and feel good.



Q. Who can & should receive adjustments and at what age can they start?

A. Although most of our new patients are patients in pain, everyone should receive chiropractic adjustments on some type of regular schedule. Once a patient's spinal problem is resolved they should see the Chiropractor throughout their life to keep their spine healthy. Dentists used to be scoffed at for telling patients to brush their teeth. A dentist's philosophy is to prevent tooth decay from ever happening in the first place. This is because once a cavity forms the damage is already done. Keeping your teeth healthy prevents cavities. You can keep your spine healthier by receiving regularly scheduled adjustments. This helps prevent arthritis, disc problems, pain and dysfunction.

The youngest patient ever adjusted at Blackhawk Chiropractic was 2 days old. The oldest patient was 99.

A good rule of thumb to tell if somebody needs adjustments is if they have a spine.



Q. Do I have to come forever?

A. No, absolutely not. You should understand that resolving serious spinal problems takes time. Once your condition is resolved the choice is up to you how you want to see the Chiropractor. Keep in mind that once your condition is resolved it may have the tendency to break down again if not maintained properly. Compare this to exercising. Once you have reached your physical goal you should keep exercising on some type of regular basis to keep your body healthy. With regularly scheduled Chiropractic adjustments you can decrease the odds of regressing back to your original spinal problem while increasing your odds of better health. Just remember whatever you choose, is always up to you the patient.



Q. Is Chiropractic care expensive?

A. No. Although the word expensive means different things to different people, Chiropractic care is one of the least expensive forms of health care. In fact we believe that if more people see Chiropractors, national health care costs would decrease because on the whole people would be much healthier. Keep in mind that we will always try to make it as affordable as possible for you and your family. As a new patient, if you have concerns about cost, you are welcome to speak with our financial department in person and they will be happy to answer any questions that you may have.



Q. Is a Chiropractor a "real" doctor?

A. Absolutely! If by a "real" doctor you mean a Medical doctor then the answer is no. Just as a Chiropractor is not a Medical doctor, a Medical doctor is not a Chiropractor. A Medical doctor has the same amount of hours and years of schooling as does a Chiropractor, but Medical doctors and Chiropractors are very different. Although it is slowly changing, most Medical doctors are concerned with symptoms of sickness or disease rather than prevention. Chiropractors are more concerned with prevention of disease. Medical doctors treat patients with drugs and surgery. Chiropractors treat patients with their hands. Medical doctors use an outside of the body chemical, put it inside the patient's body and wait for results. Chiropractors release pressure off of nerves inside the body to release the body's natural inner healing powers. Chiropractors have 4 years of undergraduate study and 4 years of study in Chiropractic college. They are required to pass rigorous state and national board licensing. Chiropractors must also keep their license current by attending regular post graduate study courses.



Q.Does anyone famous receive Chiropractic care?

A. Thousands of Pro Athletes and celebreties receive adjustments. Here are just a few and here is what they have to say.



“I’ve been going to the chiropractor for as long as I remember. It’s as important to my game as practicing my swing!” -Tiger Woods,
Winner of 8 Majors at only 27

“Chiropractic's been a big part of my game. I only wish I had tried chiropractic care a few years sooner when I first started having back problems.” -Joe Montana,
4-time Super Bowl Champion

“I could not have won the Tour de France without the assistance of my chiropractor.” -Lance Armstrong,
4-time winner of the grueling Tour de France

“If it were not for chiropractic, I would not have won the Gold Medal.”
-Dan O'Brien,
Worlds Greatest Athlete

“I have to have an adjustment before I go into the ring. I do believe in chiropractic. I found that going to a chiropractor three times a week helps my performance. The majority of boxers go to get that edge.” -Evander Holyfield,
4-time World Heavyweight Champion



Spinal Nerve Chart

Below is a chart that will help you understand the importance maintaining of a healthy spine.

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