Frequently Asked Questions
 
Is Chiropractic safe? Chiropractic is among the safest of the healing arts. As proof, one merely has to compare malpractice rates between chiropractors and other health professionals. Chiropractors' malpractice premiums are a small fraction of those for medical doctors, especially orthopedists and surgeons. What causes the sound of an adjustment? Actually, not all adjusting techniques produce the sound associated with "popping knuckles". Some create no sound at all, some a little. Many techniques, however, do create the sound of a spinal "release". What causes it? The mystery may have been solved by a British research team that took x-ray movies of people "popping" their knuckles. The sound appeared to be caused by gas rushing in to fill the partial vacuum created when the joints were slightly separated. Is it bad to "crack" your neck or back a lot? The desire to pop the neck or back is caused by tension from a jammed or fixated vertebra, which causes another part of the spine to compensate by moving too much and "popping" a lot. The jammed part should be adjusted by a chiropractor so that the rest of the spinal column will balance and stop being so movable and noisy. Do chiropractors have medical (M.D.) degrees? Chiropractors have Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degrees granted from chiropractic colleges. Chiropractic education and medical education are similar in some respects and different in others because chiropractors do not prescribe drugs and medical doctors do not correct the vertebral subluxation complex. What is a subluxation? Subluxations are spinal malfunctions caused by many things including: poor posture, poor sleep habits, work stress, emotional stress, car accidents, sports injuries, strenuous exercise, falls abd even the birthing process. Chiropractors work on enhancing the body's health as well as helping patients make lifestyle changes to reduce the stress on the spine. Chiropractors also treat disorders related to the joints of the extremities, including sports and work-related injuries. Is chiropractic care addictive? If only it were (just a little!), there'd be a lot less sick people and chiropractors wouldn't get patients who last saw a chiropractor "a few years ago when my back went out". It is possible to get used to feeling more balanced, less stressed and more energetic as a result of periodic chiropractic care. You may become more sensitive to your body and know when you've "lost" your adjustment. A what age should chiropractic begin? Newborns have received spinal adjustments especially after difficult or traumatic births. There are case histories of infants close to death who were adjusted in hospitals with seemingly miraculous recoveries. Can I go only once? Of course. Once is better than never. But chiropractic can help in so many ways. Why not ask your chiropractor about your personal spinal care needs? Can a person with a broken back or neck see a chiropractor? After the break heals, yes. In fact, a broken bone forms a callus or bone scar when it heals that is stronger than the rest of the bone. This should dispel any concerns about the safety of an adjustment. People who have had broken bones need chiropractic check-ups because accidents usually cause spinal subluxations. Chiropractors can also treat a person who has had prior back surgery. I'm not sick. Should I see a chiropractor? Yes. Symptoms are not a good way to judge health. They sometimes surface after years of body malfunction. If you have any more questions, feel free to give us a call at (613)549-0866 Also, check out these helpful links: More FAQs about Chiropractic Common Misconceptions