What is Chiropractic?

What do Chiropractors Do?

Chiropractic care is not always about the ‘cracks and pops’ you may (or may not) experience. Chiropractic is a profession that restores the motion of joints in the body and in turn, stimulates the nervous system, brain and body to heal. Chiropractors analyze the spine and kinesiology of the body to restore proper function – this is key. Without proper function, the body is in a state of dysfunction that often starts with small warning signs: small aches, altered gait, intermittent joint pain and more. These warning signs often progress to chronic impairment: low back pain, shoulder dysfunction, migraines, hip pain, sciatic, jaw pain and more!

The common cracks and pops you hear when you get adjusted is simply gas in the joints as motion and function is restored. The adjustment itself is extremely powerful. Every adjustment a Chiropractor performs stimulates your brain and changes how your nervous system is functioning – in a small sense, we are communicating with your nervous system to change its tone and address the dysfunctional patterns.

What does a typical treatment entail? How long does it last? 

Though every patient has different needs, a typical treatment includes the use of modalities, stretching, manual therapy and a full spine/extremity chiropractic adjustment. Modalities that are offered are targeted manual therapy, hot/cold packs, electrical stimulation, IASTM, cupping, kinesio-taping and more! A typical treatment lasts 20-30 minutes total in the office.

How often do I see a chiropractor?

Do I have to go forever?

When you have had pain for years, it takes consistency and encouragement to your nervous system to function properly – hence why most Chiropractors set up treatment plans! In essence, we are re-training your body to function properly. Chiropractors not only make you feel better but correct your patterns of dysfunction in your spine and body. Every condition and patient is different – how frequently you see a Chiropractor depends on your personal goals, type of condition, how fast you want to feel better and more!

No, you do not need to see a Chiropractor forever but patients often choose spinal maintenance. Remember, pain is the last symptom to appear in a dysfunctional body and the first symptom to reside in care. Chances are, if you’ve gone to a Chiropractor for maintenance, you will say ‘wow, I didn’t realize how tight/sore I was!’.

I don’t have ‘spine’ pain, could a Chiropractor help with my condition?

Though there are various conditions, many Chiropractors address conditions outside of the spine. Hip pain, shoulder pain, jaw pain, ‘sciatic’, pregnancy-related pain, foot pain, pelvic pain and more are commonly addressed by Chiropractors. If you are not sure if Chiropractic can help, reach out and ask!