Chiropractic and Spinal Manipulation

The word “chiropractic” combines the Greek words cheir (hand) and praxis (action) and means “done by hand”. Chiropractic (“kye-roh-PRAC-tic”) is a form of health care that focuses on the relationship between the body's structure, primarily of the spine, and function. Doctors of chiropractic, who are also called chiropractors or chiropractic physicians, use a type of hands-on therapy called manipulation (or adjustment) as their core clinical procedure. While there are some differences in beliefs and approaches within the chiropractic profession, this Website will give you a general overview of chiropractic, who needs it, how often, discuss scientific research findings on chiropractic treatment for low-back pain, and answer the most commonly asked questions and suggest other sources of information.

How Does Chiropractic Work?

Chiropractic works because you are a self healing, self-regulating organism, which is controlled by your nervous system. Signals and instructions flow from your brain, down the spinal cord and out to every organ, muscle, cell and tissue. Signals are then sent back to the brain to confirm if your body is working right.

Improper motion and/or position of the spinal bones causes a condition called subluxation. Subluxations interfere with the vital exchange of information by irritating the nerves, which alters the function of organs and tissues. Specific spinal adjustments help improve mind/body communications. Health may then return with improved nervous system control of the body.

What Is An Adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment is the art of using a specific force in a precise direction, applied to a joint that is fixated, “locked up”, or not moving properly. This adds motion to the joint, helping the bones gradually return to a more normal position and motion. The purpose of this safe and natural procedure is improved spinal function, improved nervous system function, and improved health.

There are many ways to adjust the spine. Usually the doctor's hands or a specially designed instrument delivers a brief and highly-accurate thrust. Some adjusting methods are quick, whereas others require a slow and constant pressure.

What Will it Cost?

We are sensitive to the issue of cost containment. With rising costs of health care and a slumping economy, we pride ourselves on keeping treatment affordable. Because each case is unique, the doctor will discuss cost pertaining to your case during the consultation.

Many insurance plans cover chiropractic. Time payment plans are also available to ensure that you get the care you need today. All of our consultations are free of charge. This gives you an opportunity to meet the doctor and discuss your symptoms and treatment options.

Who Goes to a Chiropractor?

People of all ages are turning to chiropractic as a safe alternative to medications and surgery for acute and chronic pain. Traditionally, chiropractors served the needs of farmers and laborers through the first half of the Twentieth Century, but increasingly, people of all walks of life are turning to chiropractic treatment for relief of pain stemming from spinal injury or exposure to prolonged stress.

With computer operation growing in American businesses, stress as a primary cause of spinal pain has come to afflict people of all rank and file. An increase in our weight and poor posture are resulting in more back pain than ever before. Those who suffer are beginning to choose the safe and effective alternative for head, neck and back pain: chiropractic.

Nurses, bankers, brokers, manufacturers, couriers, airline pilots, publishers, reporters, professional athletes, police officers, accountants, attorneys and yes, even medical doctors are seeking out the services of chiropractic physicians. Older Americans and our children, too, can receive special benefits through gentle applications of chiropractic. Everyone is discovering the way to feel good naturally.

What are Common Conditions Treated by Chiropractic?

Long & Short term spinal pain syndromes including the following:

• Neck pain / stiffness
• Pain between shoulder blades
• Lower back pain / stiffness
• Buttock pain
• Muscle / Ligament Sprain / Strain
• Numbness / Tingling
• Slipped or Herniated discs
• Shooting pain down legs
• Spondylolisthesis
• Scoliosis
• Acute Torticollis (Waking up with a stiff neck)
• Headaches including Migraine, Tension and Cervicogenic
• Pinched Nerve
• Arthritis
• TMJ
• Sports Injuries
• Rotator Cuff injuries
• Elbow, Wrist & Hand sprains including Tennis and Golfers elbow
• Hip, Knee, Ankle & Foot sprains
• Shin Splints
• Achilles Tendonitis
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome
• Bone Spurs
• Frozen Shoulder Syndrome
• Whiplash
• Work / Auto Related Accidents
• Arthritis

Is Chiropractic Treatment Painful?

Rarely does chiropractic hurt. Modern techniques used today are comfortable and pain-free. The majority of chiropractic patients find being adjusted a pleasant experience.

After years of training and experience and after giving thousands of adjustments, chiropractors develop expertise in using just the right amount of force in the right direction. This may require a quick movement, or in other instances, a slow gentle pressure. In comparison with other forms of treatment for back and neck pain, chiropractic is one of the safest methods available.

Are Chiropractic Adjustments Safe?

Yes! In the words of the New Zealand government’s inquiry, chiropractic care is “remarkably safe”. Chiropractic has an excellent safety record. It is the result of a conservative approach to health that avoids invasive procedures or addictive drugs.

A thorough case history and examination help reveal areas of the spine that may be causing nervous system malfunction. This information will be used to determine the best course of care for each patient.

Chiropractic care is a natural approach to better health that is proven safe and effective.

The argument about safety concerns is an example of “junk science” and a perennial favorite by those who have an interest in discouraging people from seeking chiropractic care.

Due of the popularity of this tactic, year after year it has been the subject of countless research projects. The result of these studies show complications from neck adjustments, the supposedly “riskiest” chiropractic procedure, are exceedingly rare:

• 1972 – One death in several tens of million adjustments.¹
• 1978 – One in 10,000,000 neck adjustments.²
• 1981 – One in a 1,000,000 neck adjustments.³
• 1983 – Two to three per 1,000,000 adjustments.⁴
• 1985 – One in 400,000 neck adjustments.⁵
• 1993 – One in 3,846,153 neck adjustments.⁶
• 1995 – One in 2,000,000 neck adjustments.⁷
• 1996 – One in 900,000 neck adjustments.⁸

In other words, cases of serious injury are practically nonexistent. By comparison, it makes the deaths caused by over-the-counter-pain-relievers (more than 1,500 each year) to be considerably more troubling!

Even risk-adverse insurance companies recognize the safety of today’s chiropractic care. The premiums for malpractice insurance paid by chiropractors are a mere fraction of what medical practitioners must pay. Chiropractic care is safe.

References

1. Maigne R. Orthopedic Medicine: A New Approach to Vertebral Manipulations. Springfield, Illinois, Charles C. Thomas. 1972; 155, 169.
2. Cyriax J. Textbook of Orthopaedic Medicine. Vol 1. Diagnosis of soft tissue lesions (7th edition). London, Bailliere Tindall. 1978; 165.
3. Hosek RS, Schram SB, Silverman H, Meyers JB. Cervical Manipulation. J Amer Med Assoc. 1981; 245:922.
4. Gutmann G. Verletzungen der arteria vertebrailis durch manuelle therapie. Manuelle Medizin 1983; 21:2-14.
5. Dvorak J, Orelli F. How dangerous is manipulation of the cervical spine? Manuel Med 1985; 2:1-4.
6. Carey PF. A report on the occurrence of cerebrovasular accidents in chiropractic practice. J Canada Chiropractic Association 1993 (June);37 (2): 104-6.
7. Dabbs V Lauretti WJ. A risk assessment of cervical manipulation vs NSAIDS for the treatment of neck pain. J Manip Physio Ther 1995 (Oct); 18 (8): 530-6.
8. Klougart N, Leboeuf-Yde C, Rasmussen LR. Safety in Chiropractic Practice. J Manip Physiol Ther 1996 (Jul-Aug); 19 (6): 371-7.

If you have more questions, please go to the Common Questions section or call us anytime.