Chiropractic FAQ’s

 Chiropractic FAQ’s

What is chiropractic care?

There’s nothing mysterious about chiropractic. It’s a natural method of health care that focuses on treating the root causes of physical problems, rather than just treating the symptoms. Chiropractic is based on a simple but powerful premise: with a normally functioning spine and healthy nerve system, your body will work better, you will feel better, and in most cases, your body will work better for more years when you take good care of it.  Chiropractic care is an essential component of a good health regimen.

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How does chiropractic work?

Chiropractic works by improving the function of your joints, muscles, and nerves that control the body’s strength, flexibility, and balance.

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What type of education do chiropractic doctors receive?

Doctors of Chiropractic are well educated. Interested students get a minimum of 90 hours of basic science prerequisites to apply for Chiropractic College. Chiropractic College is a minimum of four years. Then after graduating with a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) Degree, each candidate passes the demanding four-part National Board Examinations. Then, doctors apply to a governmental or professional licensing board and pass a State Board test usually covering State-specific laws before being granted the privilege to practice. A chiropractor’s education, however, never ends. Most doctors complete regular postgraduate instruction for license renewal and to stay current on the latest research and treatment techniques. Chiropractors in the state of AZ are required to take a minimum of 12 hours each year for license renewal.

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Can children receive chiropractic care?

Yes.  Physical trauma from falls, sports injuries, car accidents, or repetitive stress like carrying a heavy backpack can create problems for children as well as adults.  Naturally, chiropractic treatment procedures are adapted for the child’s age and are both gentle and safe.

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Are all patients adjusted the same way?

No. The doctor evaluates each patient’s unique problem and develops an individual course of care. Each chiropractic adjustment builds on the one before. The resulting recommendations are based upon years of training and experience. Each patient’s care is designed to achieve the patient’s health goals safely and as quickly as possible.

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Is chiropractic safe?

Yes. Chiropractic has an excellent safety record. It is the result of a conservative and natural approach to health that avoids invasive procedures or addictive drugs.

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What causes the sound during a chiropractic treatment?

Actually, adjustments do not always produce a sound. Often, however, adjustments do create the sound of a spinal “release,” or “popping” sound. The sound is caused by little bubbles created inside the joint fluid as the joint is treated, and when those bubbles collapse, they can or may not make a noise.  This sound is painless and harmless.

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Can I adjust myself?

No. Since a chiropractic treatment requires a specific force, applied in a specific direction to a specific joint, it is virtually impossible to treat oneself correctly and accurately. It is possible to turn or bend or twist in certain ways to create a “popping” sound that sometimes accompanies a chiropractic treatment. Unfortunately, this type of joint pulling, pushing, or twisting can cause additional injury.  

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Is chiropractic care addictive?

No.  You decide how often you visit the chiropractor, based on your needs and the advice of your doctor of chiropractic.   It is possible to get used to feeling more balanced, less stressed, and more energetic as a result of regular chiropractic care. Chiropractic is not addictive, however, good health is.

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Does chiropractic work for all types of health problems?

No, however chiropractic care is often helpful because regardless of what health challenges you are up against, increased strength, improved mobility, better balance, less pain, and stiffness are all part of restoring your health to its optimum level.

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Is it OK to see a chiropractor if I’m pregnant?

Yes.  Pregnancy can create pain and stress, and chiropractic care is safe and appropriate during pregnancy.  Pregnant mothers find that chiropractic care is safe, gentle, and often helps the mother feel more comfortable during this very important time.

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Why do chiropractors order x-rays or other imaging?

Chiropractors order x-rays, CTs, or MRIs to better understand the internal structure and alignment of the spine. We are also concerned about underlying disease processes and disorders of the spine such as spinal deterioration, arthritis of the spine, abnormal development, bone spurs, disc disorders, and spinal curvature.

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