What Conditions Has Chiropractic Helped/Resolved?
What Is A "Subluxation?"
- Chiropractors have a term for misaligned bones & joints: "subluxations". A vertebral subluxation is a misalignment of the bones protecting your spinal cord. It's a "leak in the roof" or a "kink in the wiring" of your nervous system. The severity of the subluxation can vary, and there are a number of probable contributing factors: physical, emotional, mental, or chemical problems. The subluxation can be caused by any number of incidents, from birth trauma to an auto accident to simple repetition or over-use.
- As a Chiropractor, Dr. Spear's primary goals are to correct your "subluxations" and their correlating side-effects.
Can Chiropractic Help Me?
Chiropractic care will benefit everybody, including you, in some way just as dental care will benefit almost everyone in some way. The reason being it is very difficult to go through life without having the stress of life affect the structure of your spine in some way. If a subluxation, a.k.a. misaligned vertebrae, is diagnosed, chiropractic adjustments will be beneficial. 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. More on this topic ...click here!
Does The Adjustment/Spinal Manipulation Hurt?
Typically, no. The degree of pain you're in at the time of your treatment and the chiropractic technique utilized has a lot to do with this answer. Whether you're in severe pain or minimal pain, Dr. Spear utilizes some of the most gentle techniques, such as Activator, and some of the more aggressive techniques, such as Gonstead.
At your appointment the appropriate Chiropractic Technique is determined based on your pain levels, age, gender, condition, etc. In addition, Dr. Spear is Board Certified in Physiotherapy. This means modalities such as Electrical Muscle Stimulation, Ultrasound, Quantum Laser Therapy, Ice Application, etc. may be used to further reduce your soft-tissue inflammation, spasms, and pain prior to or after the adjustment is performed.
What Is The Cracking Sound?
- Your vertebral joints are highly pressurized. When the joint is corrected nitrogen gas is released resulting in the noise heard. It can be equated to opening a can of soft drink ... when we hear the shhhhh.
What Should I Expect After An Adjustment?
- Often times after the first adjustment you will feel tired. The body often needs time to heal and wants to rest. This is normal.
- A subluxation causes pressure on the nerve and when this pressure is released the nerve may become overactive. About 3-5% of people may experience a sensation like their arms or legs are tingling. If this occurs it typically lasts a couple of hours or less and does not occur again.
- Some patients feel a little general soreness. When a joint has been subluxated, muscles and ligaments become excessively tight and contracted to prevent further misalignment of the bone. Reducing the misaligned joint doesn't immediately resolve your soft-tissue irritation and the soft-tissue therapies are utilized to get you out of pain as fast possible. Nonetheless, you may feel mild sore ... similar to that of exercise.
How Many Adjustments Will I Need?
It is impossible to predict exactly how many visits a new patient will need to resolve their initial condition. Each injury is different and each individual's healing response is different. We'll give you an estimate on your recovery time after the initial exam. We'll have an even better idea after 2-3 visits. Once we have improved or resolved your initial complaint(s), most patients decide to come in for regular (one to six month) checkups for maintenance of their spine to reduce future episodes and for better overall health.
Will My Doctor Give Me Exercises?
- YES. Dr. Spear will give you exercises specifically for your condition. Exercise is not recommended until the motion of the spine has been restored to at least 50% of its normal movement. Prior to that the muscle will not receive the exercise well and may aggravate your presenting problem and pain.
Who Should Be Checked For Subluxations?
EVERYONE. If you have a spine and a nervous system, you should be checked. Dr. Spear has extensive experience in treating infants to the elderly.
Do I Need A Referral From My Medical Doctor?
- No. Chiropractors are primary health care physicians, however, we are happy to accept referrals as we work well with medical doctors in the community. In some rare occasions your insurance company may require a referral to a "Specialist." Chiropractors are "Specialists" and you may need one in this case.
What If Chiropractic Can't Resolve All Of My Problem?
Being a primary practitioner, Dr. Spear, will know when to refer you to another appropriate provider. Chiropractors are trained in organ systems diagnosis along with musculo-skeletal diagnosis and will refer accordingly.
Is Chiropractic Safe?
Yes, chiropractic is extremely safe.Chiropractic adjustments of the spine are internationally recognized as being far safer in dealing with neck and low back pain than medication and many other alternatives. (A Risk Assessment of Cervical Manipulation, JMPT, 1995. Manga Report, Ontario Ministry of Health, 1993.)
Can I Have Chiropractic Care After Back Surgery?
Yes. Rest assured Dr. Spear will address the surgically modified areas of your spine accordingly. Surgery often causes instability above or below the involved level. This will be the focus of your chiropractic care.
Isn't Some Back Pain Normal?
"Normal" ... no. "Average" or expected in cases of overuse ... yes. Pain of any kind, at any age, is a sign that something isn't right. Pain is the way your body signals that a limit has been reached or a problem has developed. Since we can adapt, minor aches and pains are often shrugged off. While they may go away, if the underlying problem remains unattended, the problem can slowly worsen until it becomes more difficult and expensive to resolve.
Can Patients With Osteoporosis Be Adjusted?
Of course. Dr. Spear considers the unique circumstances of each client. There are many Chiropractic Techniques available to adjust the spine. The technique selected will be best suited to your age, gender and condition.
Can I Adjust Myself?
No. Some people can make their joints "pop," but that's not an adjustment! Remember, the "pop" is only gas being released ... nothing more. An adjustment is specific and properly performed by a trained Chiropractor.
Even worse, damage can occur by mobilizing a joint with weakened muscles and ligaments. Adjustments are specific and must only be applies to the joint that is subluxated. It take years to master and even Dr. Spear must consult a colleague to benefit from chiropractic care.
Why Would A Newborn Get Adjusted?
Even today's "natural" childbirth methods can affect an infant's spine. Colic, unusual crying, poor appetite or erratic sleeping habits can be signs of spinal distress. Adjustments are gentle. Knowing exactly where to adjust, no more pressure than you'd use to test the ripeness of a tomato is involved.
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