Chiropractors are biomechanics. A chiropractor frees locked joints and restores balanced body motion.

Over time, poor posture and unbalanced joint motion cause joint stress, breakdown, arthritis and pain. Chiropractors help problems in the musculoskeletal system (muscles, bones and joints). Pain is reduced when we relieve irritation and stress from nerves, muscles, ligaments and other soft tissues. Our goal is to restore normal motion and relieve pain.

Besides treating patients for back and neck pain, many chiropractors believe improving the body’s motion will relieve
irritation of the nervous system. Since the body is controlled by the nerves, a well adjusted body functions better and is healthier.

Yes. The degree that chiropractors hold is "D.C.," which stands for Doctor of Chiropractic. Becoming a chiropractor takes, on the average, seven years of school in a curriculum similar to a medical doctor's education (instead of training in pharmacology and surgery, chiropractors have more training in radiology, neurology and spinal adjusting techniques).

Chiropractic colleges are accredited by the Council of Chiropractic Education (CCE), and are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. In order to receive a license to practice chiropractic, comprehensive State and National Board examinations must be passed, and continuing education must be earned each year.

First, the cause of your problem is determined with a complete examination including physical, orthopedic, neurological and chiropractic tests. X-rays are taken if necessary. The doctor will then explain your problem, tell you whether or not he/she feels chiropractic care is indicated, and recommend an appropriate treatment plan. Then, gentle manipulation (or adjustments) to spinal or extremity joints are performed. Physiotherapy such as ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation, cryotherapy, hydrocollator, and/or intersegmental mobilization may also be used. In addition, massage can stretch tight muscles and personalized postural exercises retrain poor patterns of body motion.

Most patients find chiropractic treatment makes them feel great. Occasionally, there may be soreness similar to how one feels after working out. Soreness from using a muscle for the first time in a while is actually a good thing and resolves quickly. The soreness is caused by the stretching of scar tissue and the improved motion of the previously locked joint. Most people report greater flexibility following an adjustment. A spinal adjustment is extremely safe when performed by a qualified doctor.

Over half of normal adults with no symptoms will have a disc problem show on their MRI. Although each case is different, most problems respond well to conservative therapies such as chiropractic and massage. It’s your body. View surgery as a LAST resort. Research shows: A bad disc doesn't always mean back surgery.

A tremendous amount of research has shown the effectiveness of chiropractic care for conditions such as low back pain. Medical doctors who refer to chiropractors do so in the best interest of their patients.

Doctors of Chiropractic effectively treat headaches, neck problems, shoulder, elbow and wrist problems. Hip, knee, ankle and foot conditions also respond well to conservative chiropractic manipulative therapy.Chiropractors specialize in neuro-musculoskeletal (nerve/muscle/bone) and motion conditions.

The spine, or backbone, is made of the vertebrae separated by the discs (IVDs, or intervertebral discs). A disc is a round pillow of cartilage between the vertebrae. The disc has a leathery outside and a gel-like substance in the center. It is the part of the spinal joint which cushions the motion between each pair of vertebrae.

They are all the same thing. A herniated, slipped or bulging disc is like a bubble in the sidewall of a car tire. The gel in the center of the disc pushes the weakened part of the disc outwards creating a bulge. This bulge can press on a nerve or other delicate spinal structures.

Most likely, yes. Recovery time is often directly related to the amount of effort a patient puts into recovery and rehab.
Sticking with your treatment plan and doing your home exercise helps you move, feel and be well faster.

Sciatica is pain in the back that runs down the back of the leg. It is caused from irritation of the sciatic nerve itself or from pinching of the spinal nerves which form the sciatic nerve.

Chiropractic care is a logical conservative approach to this condition. Reducing the irritation of the nerve by realigning
the vertebrae helps many sciatic patients. Surgery is recommended when necessary, but can usually be prevented.

Occasionally, yes. Frequently, the relief is only temporary. Unless the cause of the injury is treated, the masking effects of the anti-inflammatory medication provide short term relief at the cost of continued tissue damage and adaptive patterns of motion.

Osteoarthritis/DJD is a mechanical irritation of the joint, usually due to unbalanced motion. The joint responds to the unbalanced and stressed motion with formation of bone spurs on the edges of the bone. Maintaining proper motion through a joint can reduce this mechanical damage.

Osteoarthritis is different than rheumatoid arthritis, which is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that attacks the synovium of the joint.

Long term overload of the balancing muscles of the neck and back causes chronic tight muscles and pulls against
vertebra of the neck causing nerve irritation, headaches and other painful stress related symptoms.

Chiropractic helps reduce and relieve stress caused by poor posture, continuous standing or sitting, or muscle tension
from mental exertion.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) usually begins with occasional hand and wrist numbness. Most people ignore CTS when it is in its early stages. Over time, the numbness persists and turns into pain and hand weakness. People at risk for CTS include computer operators and anyone who performs a repetitive hand motion frequently.

Early detection and treatment is important. Since different people have different pain thresholds, it’s best to be screened by a trained professional. A doctor of chiropractic can help determine if a problem is on its way to carpal tunnel syndrome, or is a temporary, mild ache from overuse.

Just as a fever is the result of an infection and not the cause of the illness, back spasms are a symptom, not the cause
of a back problem. The spasm is caused by irritation of nerves controlling the spinal joints and discs. These are the same nerves which control muscle contraction in the back. If the nerves are irritated, they produce pain and reflex spasm. A spasm is the body's way of stopping motion to protect an injured joint.

The body can sustain a spinal injury from one big trauma (such as an auto accident) or by the buildup of many small traumas (such as long term unbalanced posture from working on a computer, lifting, or other activity). Restoring normal motion and allowing the body to first heal, and then move differently, is the most effective treatment.

Chiropractors help athletes balance body and joint motion for optimal sports performance. Chiropractic adjustments promote full range joint motion, stretch overly tight muscles, work underused muscles, and reduce stress from overused tissues. An athlete who can move fully, with balance, and in control can perform his best.

Yes. Many people who have had various kinds of spinal surgery often discover a return to their same back problems
months or years later. There are so many of these people around that the condition has a special name: "Tailed Back Surgery Syndrome.” These people can usually receive chiropractic care without undue worry. Usually the chiropractic care will save them from future operations. It’s best to check with your chiropractor on a case-to-case basis.

In a majority of cases the answer is a resounding “yes!"