11. Am I too
old for chiropractic care?
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your body is a self-regulating,
self-healing organism. These important functions are controlled by the brain,
spinal cord, and all the nerves of the body.
The skull protects the delicate
tissues of the brain. The moving bones of the
spine protect the vulnerable communication pathways
of the spinal cord and nerve roots. If the nervous
system is impaired, it can cause malfunction
of the tissues and organs throughout the body.
Doctors of Chiropractic call this the Vertebral
Subluxation Complex.
Chiropractic does not share
medicine’s traditional focus on pain or symptoms.
Rather, it focuses on what it regards as the
usual cause of symptomatology: a nervous system
impairment that has resulted in an interference
with the body’s own built-in defenses and regulatory
mechanisms.
Chiropractic contends that
an optimally-functioning nervous system enables
the body to maintain its homeostasis (i.e.,
its proper internal environment) and therefore
its
adaptability, both of which are pre-requisites
for its health and survival of life’s many
onslaughts.
Chiropractic is the science
of locating offending spinal structures, the
art of reducing their impact to the nervous system,
and the philosophy of all things natural.
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What education is required of a doctor of chiropractic?
Today’s doctors of chiropractic must have at least
six years of highly specialized college training. They must pass rigid state
board examinations in many states
and continuing education seminars must be completed for annual license renewal.
Through these measures, modern chiropractic has achieved recognition as a
comprehensive, scientifically sound force among the health professions. Required
courses of study for a chiropractic doctorate include anatomy, physiology,
pathology, chemistry, bacteriology, diagnosis, neurology, X-ray, psychiatry,
obstetrics, as well as specialized chiropractic courses.
Because of this intense education, today’s chiropractor
is qualified and capable of relieving a wider range
of ailments, pain and suffering than ever before.
Included here is a comparison of basic educational
requirements for medical school graduates and doctors
of chiropractic.
| Subject |
Medical Class Hours (Minimum) |
Chiropractic Class Hours (Minimum) |
Anatomy
Physiology
Pathology
Chemistry
Bacteriology
Diagnosis
Neurology
X-ray
Psychiatry
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Orthopedics
TOTAL HOURS
|
508
326
401
325
114
324
112
148
144
198
156
2756 |
520
420
205
300
130
420
320
217
65
65
225
2887 |
Other
required subjects for the doctor of chiropractic
include: spinal mechanics, adjustive techniques
and other similar basic subjects related to his
specialty.
Other
required subjects for the medical doctor include:
pharmacology, general surgery and other similar
basic subjects related to his specialty.
This
information may be valuable to others who are
misinformed about the nature of chiropractic
education today. If you know someone who could
benefit from a better understanding of modern
chiropractic, why not share it with them?
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Is chiropractic care safe?
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. In fact,
chiropractic adjustments are safer than back surgery,
muscle relaxers and even aspirin!
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. In fact, chiropractic
adjustments are safer than back surgery, muscle
relaxers and even aspirin!
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Does insurance cover chiropractic care?
If
your insurance policy reads like a foreign language
and you have questions about what types of chiropractic
procedures are covered by your insurance company,
have no fear - Dana is here! Through seminars and
day to day operations, Dana is an expert in dealing
with all aspects of insurance companies. Blue Cross
Blue Shield, Medicare, Auto Insurance, Workman Compensation,
and Commercial Insurance are just a few of her specialties.
Dana is on hand and ready to help you solve your
insurance mystery.
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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
constant pressure.
After years of training
and clinical experience, each chiropractic doctor
becomes highly skilled in the delivery of a variety
of adjusting approaches.
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Do I have a pinched nerve?
Many
patients consult a chiropractic doctor because they
think they have a pinched nerve. Because of the way
your spine is designed, abnormal spinal function
caused from physical trauma, emotional tensions,
or chemical toxins can affect the delicate tissues
of the spinal cord and nerve roots.
While commonly associated
with the spine, the pinched nerve (compressive
lesion) is actually rare. Researches suggest
that only 10%-15% of spine related problems are
caused by direct pressure of bone on nerve tissue
! This can result in numbness, burning, or a ’pins
and needles’ feeling.
More common are
nerves that are stretched, twisted, or irritated
by spinal structures.
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Will an adjustment hurt me?
A
Chiropractic adjustment involves a precise thrust
of force into a joint that is not functioning correctly.
Most patients experience an immediate sense of relief.
At times, the involved joint may be tender, creating
a very mild discomfort during adjusting, but the
end result is a healthy, functioning, pain-free joint.
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What’s the ’popping’ sound
I hear when I get an adjustment?
The "popping" sound
heard during an adjustment is caused by gasses being released within the
numerous joint capsules between each vertebra . When a specific force, or
thrust, is applied to a joint, a pressure change occurs within the joint
capsule and gas is released.
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Do I have to come for treatment the rest of my life?
While is often noticed
in the first few treatments, it is recommended to continue with preventative
care. Everyone experiences the effects of stress, gravity and trauma every
day to their body which can affect your spine. Just like your car, your body
needs an occasional tune-up as well!
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Why do children need chiropractic care?
Since significant spinal
trauma can occur at birth, many parents have their newborns checked for the
Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Later, learning to walk, ride a bicycle,
and other childhood activities can cause spinal problems. While a bandage
and some comforting words can help a skinned knee, the unseen damage
to the child’s spine is the unique domain of a chiropractic doctor.
Many childhood health complaints that are
brushed off as ’growing pains’ can often be traced to the spine. Regular
chiropractic checkups can identify these problems and help avoid many
of the health complaints seen later in adults.
Naturally, chiropractic adjusting procedures
are modified to a child’s spine. Most parents report that their children
enjoy their chiropractic adjustments and seem healthier than other children.
Chiropractic has been shown to be helpful
with scoliosis and many other so-called ’normal’ childhood health problems.
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Am I too old for Chiropractic care?
More and more people are
consulting chiropractic doctors, especially in their later years. With growing
concerns about over-medication and the side effects of combining various
prescription drugs, safe, natural chiropractic care is growing in popularity.
Restoring better spinal function can help
improve mobility, vitality, endurance and appetite. Many patients report
improvement with arthritic symptoms and other chronic ailments often
associated with the aging process.
The adjusting technique used by your doctor
will be modified for maximum comfort and results. As we get older and
wiser, the simplicity and effectiveness of chiropractic care becomes
more and more obvious.
Regardless of your age, chiropractic
care can help improve
mobility and maintain vitality.
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