Commonly Asked questions

Is chiropractic care safe?
Absolutely. Other medical treatments, including medication and surgery, can lead to complications that are sometimes worse than the original condition. Chiropractic care is far safer than drugs or surgery. It is estimated that 140,000 people die each year in the United States from drug-related reactions, and nearly 100,000 people die as result of medical errors. Insurance companies, who evaluate the risks of all professions, charge a premium based on the risk each profession poses. Chiropractors have the lowest insurance premiums of all medical providers by far.

What is an adjustment?
An adjustment is a gentle, carefully-placed thrust which moves vertebrae into their proper position and restores impaired spinal function. The chiropractor usually delivers the adjustment by hand, but occasionally uses other instruments. The purpose of the adjustment is to correct a spinal subluxation.

What is a subluxation?
Subluxation refers to a spinal bone (vertebra) that is not in its right position or is not moving in its normal range of motion. Misaligned or subluxated vertebrae can irritate nerves, blood vessels, and other soft tissues, which in turn can affect the way your body communicates through it’s nervous system. Subluxations are the cause of many pains and dysfunctions in muscles and organs. The body’s natural ability to heal itself is greatly improved with the subluxations removed.

Does the adjustment hurt?
Not only are most chiropractic adjustments completely painless, they can provide improvement or relief of symptoms. In cases of a recent injury, inflamed tissue may react to adjustments and cause some discomfort. Applying ice after treatment will help relieve most of your physical irritation.

What causes the “cracking” sound during an adjustment?
"Cracking" or "popping" sounds do not come from the bones themselves. Every joint contains a lubricant called synovial fluid, which contains dissolved gases. During an adjustment, the joints are slightly separated to move into proper position. This releases the built-up pressure on the fluid and gasses, creating a “pop” similar to the release of pressure when the cork comes off a bottle of Champagne. Not all patients "pop" and not all adjusting techniques produce the noise; an adjustment can be proper and effective even if you do not hear any noise.

Will repeated chiropractic adjustment lead to arthritis?
There is no evidence to suggest that manipulation of the spine or other chiropractic care can lead to arthritis. On the contrary, chiropractors often care for people with arthritis by maintaining joint health. Motion is life when it comes to joint health.

Is it safe to crack my own back or neck?
This question is often posed to chiropractors and concern has been raised over the safety of self-cracking. While people might have the right idea by trying to relieve pressure on the joints, the "cracking" or "popping" of one's back or neck is not the same as a chiropractic adjustment. The problem usually keeps coming back, which should be a clear indication that there has been no real adjustment. The cause of the spinal tension, the fixated or jammed vertebrae, has not been corrected. Even a chiropractor cannot adjust him/herself. You should not try to do it yourself, either.

Is there a minimum or maximum age for a person to receive chiropractic care?
There is no age excluded from chiropractic care. Children's subluxations should be treated early, as they interfere with nerves that control developing muscles and organs of the body. These stresses on a rapidly developing spine and other bones and joints can cause them to develop abnormally. Your chiropractor can detect these problems while they're still easy to correct.

Can chiropractors refer patients to other specialists?
Chiropractors are part of a network of health-care professionals. Like all doctors, they make referrals for patients when necessary. Chiropractors are trained to recognize risk factors and signs of disease that are outside their scope of treatment and will not hesitate to make a referral when it's in a patient's best interest.

Can chiropractors prescribe medication or perform surgery?
One of the principals of chiropractic medicine is the belief in the body’s ability to heal itself. For that reason chiropractors don't prescribe medication or perform invasive procedures. The focus is on providing your body with the right elements for self-correction by restoring free-flowing communication between all parts of your body.

Should chiropractic care continue even after I feel fine?
Chiropractors are trained to detect problem areas in your spine before they worsen and become symptomatic. A lack of symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean your subluxations are corrected. Regular adjustments help to maintain and support a healthy spine and nervous system. Maintenance or wellness spinal care programs, which may include advice on posture, nutrition and exercise, can effectively prevent pain. Your specialized treatment plan gives you all the tools to properly care for your spine; how you choose to utilize chiropractic care is in your hands. Because your spine directly influences the function of your nervous system, spinal decay permanently damages the nerves and spinal cord. Taking care of your spine is a lifetime investment, and you're worth it!