Bring a list of your questions and concerns for your visit to Back in Balance Family Chiropractic. Dr. Adam will take time to address every question you may have.
Can chiropractic help me?
Is chiropractic safe?
What is a subluxation?
How do I know if I have a subluxation?
Are you going to "crack" my whole back?
How long until I feel better?
How many visits will I need?
Can I adjust myself?
Does the adjustment hurt?
What should I expect after an adjustment?
Why do newborns get adjustments?
I've had back surgery, can you still help me?
Do I need a referral from my medical doctor to see a chiropractor?
Do chiropractors ever refer to medical doctors?
What if I was told that I need neck or back surgery?
Do I have a slipped disk?
Q: Can chiropractic help me?
A: Chiropractic care will benefit almost everyone in some way, just as dental care will benefit almost everyone in some way. The degree of response may vary due to the length of time the condition has existed, the lifestyle of the patient, and one's compliance to the care plan. back to top-->
Q: Is chiropractic safe?
A: Yes, chiropractic is extremely safe. No significant risk of complications from receiving a Gonstead Method chiropractic adjustment is known to exist... none. Considering that the Gonstead Method has been widely used for over 50 years, this fact is quite impressive.
In fact, a New Zealand government study found that adjustments are "remarkably safe." It is the result of biologically sound, specific adjustments without the use of drugs or surgeries that has given Chiropractic care an excellent safety record. According to the July 15, 2003 issue of Spine:
- Chiropractic care is safer than back surgery, muscle relaxers and aspirin.
- For the treatment of chronic spinal pain, chiropractic is superior to acupuncture and medication back to top-->
Q: What is a subluxation?
A: A subluxation occurs when a joint becomes misaligned and fixated, causing the nervous system to be dysfunctional. This nervous system interference may remain hidden for a long time or cause noticeable symptoms in the areas of the body supplied by that nerve. Chiropractors specialize in the detection and removal of subluxations by adjusting the spine and allowing the joint to heal. Dr. Adam is trained in the art of finding both symptomatic and asymptomatic subluxations.
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Q: How do I know if I have a subluxation?
A: Often times you can have a subluxation and not even know it! They can be present before you have obvious symptoms, like the progression of tooth decay. The best thing for you and your family is to be checked in our office with a thorough examination for the presence and severity of subluxations. After being adjusted you may find you are able to listen to your body and know when you are in need of future care. back to top-->
Q:Are you going to "crack" my whole back?
A: As a Gonstead Chiropractor, Dr. Adam carefully analyzes your spine to determine what segments need to be adjusted and which should be left alone. With Chiropractic care, more is not better. "Cracking or manipulating" your entire spine is not specific and does not provide the lasting results that carefully adjusted only specific segments does. The goal is to correct the exact cause of the problem and let your body do the rest of the healing. back to top-->
Q: How long until I feel better?
A: Happily, a lot of our patients have reported immediate relief. Others experience slow progress over a period of days or weeks. There are many factors that play a role in your healing process, including the severity or length of your injury. Other factors include proper rest, nutrition, exercise, keeping your appointments and closely following Dr. Adam's recommendations. The timing of your appointments are carefully determined based on your need for re-adjustment and time for healing. Please let Dr. Adam know how you are doing from visit to visit, he'll appreciate your honesty. back to top-->
Q: How many visits will I need?
A: It is impossible to predict exactly how many visits a new patient will need to resolve their initial condition because each injury is different and each individual's healing response is different. We give each patient an estimate on how long their recovery may take after the initial exam and will have an even better idea after 2-3 visits. We do not have the same "3x a week for 6 weeks" approach for every patient. Visits will be spaced out based on the rate of improvement.
Once we have improved or resolved their initial complaint(s), most patients decide to come in for monthly checkups for maintenance of their spine to reduce future episodes and for better overall health. back to top-->
Q: Can I adjust myself?
A: No. Turning your body or neck in one direction and/or the other may make your joints "pop", but that sound is not correcting the problem and certainly is not an adjustment! The pressure and gases released during that "pop" may immediately feel like relief, but only a licensed Chiropractor is able to adjust the actual misaligned vertebra that's really causing the tension. Even Dr. Adam takes the time to get adjusted!back to top-->
Q: Does the adjustment hurt?
A: Typically, no. If one is in so much pain that simply touching the spine hurts, the doctor will apply ice for 15 or 20 minutes and that will reduce the discomfort for the procedure. An adjustment is felt and heard like cracking one's knuckles. There could be some stretching sensation felt when the lower back or pelvis is adjusted in the side posture position, and that is normal. back to top-->
Q: What should I expect after an adjustment?
A: Often times after the first adjustment a patient will feel tired. The release of the adjustment to a fixated and inflamed segment is like releasing a great weight from your shoulders. The body says "ahhh" and wants to rest. This is normal. Some patients feel a little general soreness like they "used muscles they didn't know they had". This is because some muscles have been tight or spastic for so long in response to the subluxation that they go unnoticed until they start to relax. Only then do we realize how tense the muscles were.
About 3-5% of people may experience a sensation like their arms or legs are tingling as the nerves start to work properly after the adjustment. This is a good thing. If this occurs it typically lasts a couple of hours or less and does not occur again. This is similar to your arm or leg "waking up after it falls asleep". back to top-->
Q: Why do newborns get adjustments?
A: The birth process, no matter how natural, can affect an infant's spine. Some studies suggest that colic, unusual crying, poor appetite, ear infection or erratic sleeping habits can be signs of spinal distress. Newborns also become subluxated in the same physical, emotional or chemical ways an adult does as well. An infant is also examined very carefully to determine if there is a subluxation and, if needed, receives a gentle Gonstead adjustment involving very little pressure. back to top-->
Q:I've had back surgery, can you still help me?
A: Yes. Surgery often leads to instability in your spine above or below the area operated on. Your Gonstead Chiropractor will be very specific to your problem areas and will avoid the surgically altered segments. back to top-->
Q: Do I need a referral from my medical doctor to see a chiropractor?
A: No, but we are happy to accept referrals as we work well with medical doctors in the community. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find a medical doctor who does not see the benefit of chiropractic care. back to top-->
Q:Do chiropractors ever refer to medical doctors?
A: Yes. We know when to refer you to another appropriate provider. Chiropractors are trained in organ systems diagnosis along with musculo-skeletal diagnosis and refer accordingly. back to top-->
Q: What if I was told that I need neck or back surgery?
A: Having surgery is no guarantee that your problem will go away and is a risky undertaking. If you are told that you need orthopedic surgery for any reason other than immediate life-saving need or broken bones, it is in your best interest to see Dr. Adam first. If, upon examination, Dr. Adam feels that you would benefit from either chiropractic care, physical therapy, surgery, or a combination of these, he will tell you. Dr. Adam will review any X-Ray or MRI findings that you may have from other physicians. back to top-->
Q: Do I have a slipped disk?
A: No. The disc is a cartilage pad between each of your spinal vertebra that aides in your spine's connection, flexibility, movement, weight bearing & shock absorbing ability. Motion in your spine produces a pumping action to each disc allowing nutrients to enter and waste to be expelled. Because of spinal subluxations or severe trauma a disc can bulge, swell, tear, herniate, become thinner, dry out or collapse BUT it can't actually "slip" out from between the spinal bones it serves. The Gonstead Chiropractor pays special attention to your disc health. Dr. Adam gently corrects the misaligned vertebra and restores it to a proper position in relationship to the disc, allowing the disc to heal. back to top-->