What is a Chiropractor? 

1. We are doctors with a highly specialized skill of using our hands to detect and correct spinal misalignments that cause nerve interference (subluxations). 
2. We work with the spinal column, which houses the nervous system, by reducing stress placed on it with  Chiropractic adjustments. 

What is a subluxation? 

1. Spinal misalignments that cause nerve interference. 

E.g. If an electrical cord has clamps around it, the energy cannot be transmitted to and from the source  efficiently. This places stress on the main circuit. Once the clamps are removed, the energy and all  information flows free. 

This is an analogy of how the nerves of our body work. If there is stress placed upon them, they don’t  work efficiently. This may lead to DYS-EASE, symptoms of pain, allergies, ear infections ECT…. If not  corrected, DISEASE. 

Once the stress is removed, the body can heal itself! 

Can I feel a subluxation? 

At first, one may not feel a subluxation. The manifestations are gradual. The body can take only so much  before symptoms appear, unless there is a direct trauma. This is why it is important to visit a chiropractor;  to be sure your spine is free of subluxations. 

Rule of thumb: Symptoms are the last to appear and the first to disappear. 

What causes subluxations? 

∙ Trauma 

∙ Drugs/alcohol, chemical influence 

∙ Stress(chemical, emotional or physical) 

∙ Improper diet 

∙ Lack of exercise 

∙ The list goes on…….. 

Can I see a subluxation? 

No, and neither can I. Chiropractors are trained in such a way to detect subluxations by performing  certain tests, utilizing x-rays and other diagnostic tools.

Are Chiropractors considered Wellness Doctors/ Holistic Doctors? 

Yes. 

Chiropractors use many different modalities and some are trained in other ancillary procedures such as: ∙ Physical therapy 

∙ Nutrition 

∙ Fitness / Exercise 

∙ Stress Management 

∙ Massage & Manual therapy  

∙ Health and Wellness consulting 

∙ Chronic/Lifestyle related disease management (diabetes, obesity, weight…) 

∙ Behavior modification 

Does Insurance cover Chiropractic Care? Medicare? Yes Medicaid? No Most major/commercial insurance covers Chiropractic care. There are some plans that do not. 

For instance, Medicaid is Not a covered benefit in Washington, DC. So access to care for some  population groups who want and need the care may not be able to receive this benefit. These patients are  limited in their selection of providers they can see who may not be able to address specific needs.  

Chiropractic care is important and helps improve the quality of life.  

How can I get involved to promote Chiropractic care to be a covered benefit? ∙ Speak to your health care plan 

∙ City council members 

∙ Legislators 

∙ Friends and family members to write letters and show up at council hearings 

Your Health and Voice matters. Advocate for your cause. 

My spine is straight! I have good posture!! I don’t have “back pain”, so why should I see a  Chiropractor? 

Just because a person has good posture does not mean he/she is free from subluxations. a. Chiropractors are not just “Back Pain” doctors. We are labeled as such because we get excellent results  in helping people with these alignments. Again, we detect and correct subluxations.  b. The reason is as seeing your dentist. Why do you see a dentist on a regular basis or go for an annual  physical from your medical doctor? We do these things to make sure our teeth and body are in general  functioning OK. You should see a chiropractor to make sure your nervous system is free from  interference. 

Ultimately, if your nervous system isn’t functioning correctly, nothing else in your body is either.

What are the benefits of Chiropractic adjustments? Who uses Chiropractic adjustments? 

1. The benefits are insurmountable. The first phase of Chiropractic is to correct structural misalignments.  The second phase is restoration and balance of the nervous system. Remember, there are nerves coming  from the spinal column that feeds every part of your body; from the inside—out. 

That means every nerve has a connection with your blood cells, muscles, organs and tissue. Without  proper communication or balance, we cannot function at our optimal level. 

1. The purpose of chiropractic care is =correct structure and function of the body by unclogging & maintaining the lines of communication from the brain to the body and vice versa. c. Many people use Chiropractic adjustments from the infant to the elderly, athletes of all kinds,  dancers… the list go on. 
2. It allows the body to work at optimal performance with better proprioception/precision. Precision is key  when it comes to maintaining proper balance and form. The ability to swing, throw, move and shoot  with greater accuracy is more than a good reason to utilize our services 

Athletes recognize the importance of maintaining good balance and posture. Many teams, dance  leagues, cheerleading squads, gymnasts and the like are utilizing Chiropractic, Massage and other  forms of holistic medicine because it gets results!! It helps increase circulation, strengthens the  nervous and immune system (which controls every system in the body). 

1. Others use Chiropractic services for neck and back problems, herniated discs, carpal tunnel syndrome,  fibromyalgia, autism, chronic muscle spasms, ear infections, poor circulation, headaches, knee and  other joint problems, bursitis, arthritis, general health and maintenance….. … We not only achieve  excellent results, it feels great!! 

What is a Chiropractic adjustment and does it hurt? 

1. An adjustment is when your chiropractor, who is trained to detect and correct misalignments uses  his/her hands of some type of instrument to realign your spine or other joints. Sometimes you may hear  a noise that sounds like “CRACKING”. This noise is the result of gases being released and setting of  the joint(s). An analogy (popping your knuckles). The joint then sighs in relief because the pressure that  was within that joint has been released and properly positioned. 

Does getting an adjustment hurt? When a doctor or nurse gives you a shot, does it hurt? 

Everyone responds differently to an adjustment. Some say it feels great, like tension is immediately  released. Others may experience some discomfort. It really depends on the individual. The best thing  for a patient to do is RELAX. 

What should I expect to feel after an adjustment? 

1. Again, every individual will have a unique response or not feel anything. Most commonly, a sense of  euphoria, headache, gassy spell, nausea. 
2. Headaches and other symptoms are usually the result of toxins being released into the bloodstream that  are taken to the lymph to be drained and excreted.
3. Chiropractic adjustments are like changing the oil in your car after 5000 miles. It is dirty and thick.  Your joints are the same way. If left in the same mal-position for an extended length of time, it too  becomes clogged with waste and gunk becomes stiff and eventually will break down. 
   
   

How do you detect and correct subluxations? At what age should I begin seeing a Chiropractor? 

1. We use our hands to feel up and down your spine and other diagnostic tests and x-ray. b. The correction is made with our hands or an adjusting instrument on a specific area of your spine,  whether your neck, back or extremity. This is called an adjustment. 
2. People of all ages may be adjusted…We care for people of all ages from the infant to the infant to the  elderly. 
   
   

Are adjustments just limited to the spine? What if I play sports like golf, football or dance? How can  Chiropractic help? 

1. Adjustments are not just limited to the spine. The same principle is applied to any joint in your body  being out of alignment. 
2. The whole body is taken into consideration. (Shoulder, elbow, wrist, hands, hip, knee, ankle, feet).  Chiropractic in sports is very common. Many professional athletes utilize chiropractors. Chiropractic  has been known to reduce the downtime of any athlete. The result of having a malpositioned joint can  be devastating if not placed in position quickly. Another cascade of destructive events is set up within  that joint. 

 A Chiropractor can reposition the joint, thereby allowing the body to heal itself. PROPER STRUCTURE = PROPER FUNCTION 

What is Health? Symptom? 

2. Health is the overall condition of an organism at any given time. 2. Optimal functioning with freedom  from disease or abnormality. 
3. Symptom is a change in normal bodily function, sensation or appearance indicating a disorder or  disease. An indication/sign (American Heritage Dictionary) 
4. Health is a condition in which all function of the body and mind are normally active. World Health  Organization defined it as a state of complete physical, mental or social well-being and not merely the  absence of disease or infirmity. 
5. Symptom is any perceptible change in the body or its functions that indicates disease or the kind or  phases of disease. (Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary) 
   
   

What is your educational background? 

Ideally, 4 years of college to obtain a Bachelors degree and 3 ½ -4 years at an accredited Chiropractic  School. Add it all up, approximately 8 years.

What makes your education different from a Medical doctor’s education? What is the difference  between Allopathic and Holistic Medicine? 

1. We take many of the same courses. Our philosophies are quite different. We are not taught how to  administer drugs or perform surgery. On the contrary, medical doctors are not trained to detect and  correct subluxation. That is what makes us separate and unique. 
2. Allopathic medicine treats disease and injury with active interventions via medicine and surgical  procedures. 
3. Holistic medicine is a system of comprehensive or total patient care that considers the physical,  emotional, social, economic and spiritual needs of the person. (Mosby’s Medical Dictionary, 4th Edition) 
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How is a Physical therapist different from a Chiropractor? Massage therapist 

1. Physical therapist works with the musculo-skeletal system to aid in rehabilitation by the use of  therapeutic exercise, physical, modalities such as muscle stimulation units, and exercise equipment to  name a few. Chiropractors detect and correct subluxation. 
2. Massage therapist work with the musculo-skeletal system as well using their hands to help increase  circulation, flexibility and mobility. 
3. Chiropractors are considered primary care doctors. We are trained to detect and correct misalignments along the spinal column, extremities that cause nervous interference. 

NOTE: You may want to ask a physical therapist and massage therapist more of their specific duties. POP QUIZ 

Words you should now be able to identify: 

∙ Chiropractor 

∙ Subluxation  

∙ Adjustment 

∙ Dys-ease 

∙ Disease 

∙ Health 

∙ Symptom 

∙ Allopathic Medicine  

∙ Holistic Medicine 

∙ Proprioception