Chiropractic FAQ
1. What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic specialises in the diagnosis and treatment
of
conditions caused by mechanical joint dysfunction
and their effect on the nervous system. When these
mechanical
joint disfunctions occur in the spine they are called
a
'spinal joint subluxation'.
Chiropractic is unique because it emphasises the recuperative
power of the body to heal itself without the use of
drugs
or surgery.
Chiropractors use their hands to adjust the joints
of your spine and extremities where signs of restriction
in movement are found. This treatment is known as
'adjustment'
or 'manipulation'.
Poor, inadequate or incorrect function in the spine
can cause irritation of the nerves that control posture
and movement. Spinal nerve irritations (subluxations)
inhibit proper nerve function and can lead to symptoms
of discomfort, pain and even disease.
Causes of subluxations include accident, poor diet,
lack of exercise, poor posture and anxiety, trauma
lifting or carrying heavy weights, unsuitable seats
or beds,
sports or other injuries, stress, pregnancy, general
'wear and tear'.
Irritation on the nerve by a subluxated vertebral
joint can sometimes lead to referred pain in other
parts of
the body.
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2. Is Chiropractic safe?
Yes, chiropractic treatment involves the use of gentle & safe
muscle & joint adjustments aimed to restore proper
joint movement.
All proper precautions are taken prior to treatments,
and this may involve taking x-rays of the area
to assist in diagnosis.
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3. What is chiropractic suitable for?
What types of conditions will benefit from chiropractic
intervention?
Chiropractic treatment is suitable for everyone,
including newborn babies, the elderly, pregnant
women and sports
enthusiasts.
Once you are better, your chiropractor will help you
to maintain your own health, and keep your body working
as it should, by offering exercise and lifestyle advice
for you to follow in the future.
The process of chiropractic adjustment is a safe, efficient
procedure which is performed nearly one million times
every working day in Australia.
There is a singular lack of actuarial data that would
justify concluding that chiropractic care is in any
way harmful or dangerous. Chiropractic care is non-invasive;
therefore, the body's response to chiropractic care
is far more predictable than its reactions to other
treatments. Of the nearly one million adjustments given
every day in this country, complications are exceedingly
rare. Perhaps the best summary statement on the subject
of safety was published in 1979 by the Government of
New Zealand which established a special commission to
study chiropractic. They found:
"The conspicuous lack of evidence that chiropractors
cause harm or allow harm to occur through neglect of
medical referral can be taken to mean only one thing:
that chiropractors have on the whole an impressive safety
record."
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4. What happens during a consultation?
Your chiropractor will begin your first consultation
by taking a full case history. Then you will be
given standard orthopaedic and neurological tests
and the
movement of your spine and joints will be checked.
If X-rays are necessary to assist the diagnosis a referral
to a local radiologist will be made. Chiropractors are
trained and qualified to take and interpret X-rays.
If your chiropractor identifies an underlying condition
for which other treatment is appropriate, you will be
referred to your GP or another specialist without delay.
As well as using spinal adjustments and manipulation,
your chiropractor will use soft tissue release techniques
when required.
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5. What sorts of techniques are implemented
in treatment sessions?
Mechanical correction of joint dysfunction is achieved
with specific and gentle joint adjustments. Adjustments
are corrective procedures performed to the stiff/subluxated
joint to re-introduce movement to the misaligned
vertebrae.
More technically joint adjustments release joint
meniscus, re-align vertebral misalignments, release
joint adhesions,
stretch and stimulate joint capsule receptors which
reduce pain and stimulate local blood flow.
For safety reasons adjustments will not be administered
in cases of moderate degeneration and gentle mobilisations
are used instead.
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6. Is there scientific proof that chiropractic
works?
Particularly for low back pain, yes. The Clinical
Standards Advisory Group recommended in 1994 that
there should
be earlier access to the manipulative therapies
and a redistribution of resources within the NHS
to make
this happen.
In September 1996 the Royal College of General Practitioners
issued guidelines for GPs which recommend manipulative
treatment within the first six weeks for patients
with low back pain. They also state that the risks
of manipulation
are very low in skilled hands.
Now research is beginning to concentrate on how
chiropractic affects other areas of the musculoskeletal
system,
including a trial at the University of Odense in
Denmark (1) on
the effect of spinal manipulation in the treatment
of neck-related headache and a Canadian patient
satisfaction study (2) which shows chiropractic
as an effective
means
of resolving or improving back and/or neck pain.
Chiropractic treatments provide effective, low-cost
health care for a wide range of conditions.
Studies conducted according to the highest scientific
standards and published by organisations not affiliated
in any way with chiropractic institutions or associations
continue to show the clinical appropriateness and
effectiveness of chiropractic care. One of the most
recent, funded
by the Ontario Ministry of Health, stated emphatically
that:
"On the evidence, particularly the most scientifically
valid clinical studies, spinal manipulation applied
by chiropractors is shown to be more effective than
alternative treatments for low back pain...There
would be highly significant cost savings if more management
of low back pain was transferred from physician
to chiropractors."
Chiropractic care is an effective source of preventative
and wellness care.
The anatomical focus of the chiropractor on the
human spine has created the perception of the profession
as just a "back doctor." Although this perception
is not entirely incorrect, it is very much incomplete.
Chiropractors are a highly appropriate resource in matters
of work-place safety, stress management, injury prevention,
postural correction and nutritional counseling."
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About subluxation
7. What is a subluxation?
The word "subluxation" comes from the Latin
words meaning "to dislocate" (luxate) and "somewhat
or slightly" (sub). A subluxation means a misalignment
or biomechanical malfunctioning of the vertebrae (bones
of the spine). These disturbances may irritate nerve
roots and blood vessels which branch off from the spinal
cord between each of the vertebrae. This irritation
may cause pain and dysfunction in muscle, lymphatic
and organ tissue as well as imbalance in the normal
body processes.
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8. What causes a subluxation?
A fall, injury, sudden jar, trauma, or sometimes an
inherited spinal weakness can displace a vertebra.
Other causes include improper sleeping conditions
or habits, poor posture, occupational hazards, incorrect
lifting practices, obesity, lack of rest and exercise,
and stress.
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9. How is a subluxation corrected?
Chiropractors are specialists in neuromusculoskeletal
conditions. They are trained to restore the misaligned
vertebrae to their proper position in the spinal
column. They do this manually, utilizing the chiropractic
procedure known as "spinal adjustment." Your chiropractor,
in most cases, will use his or her hands in applying
corrective pressure to the spine in a specific direction
and location. The manual force or thrust helps restore
the alignment and mobility of the vertebrae. In some
cases, the chiropractor may use instrumentation to detect
subluxations and adjust the spine.
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10. Does the adjustment hurt?
Under normal circumstances, chiropractic adjustments
are painless. In cases of recent trauma, such
as whiplash, mild discomfort may be experienced
due
to inflammation.
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11. Is regular chiropractic care necessary?
Regular chiropractic care may be necessary
to correct spinal subluxations to help
maintain sound health
and fitness. Your spine is under constant
strain
during waking hours. Improper lifting
techniques, poor posture,
accidents, falls and bumps, and other
causes can contribute to spinal strain. Timely
adjustments can help restore
the neuromusculoskeletal integrity of
the spine to normalize
the bodily equilibrium and increase resistance.
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12. How old should a person be before
he or she begins chiropractic care?
Chiropractic patients range in years
from birth to old age. Regardless
of age, the
vertebrae can become
misaligned.
For example, the birth process may
cause trauma to the neck and spine. Left uncorrected,
the
vertebral subluxation
may disturb the delicate spinal cord
and nerves which
control the youngster's muscles and
organs. In some cases, an uncorrected
subluxation
may
lead
to a
deformity of the spinal column. An
early
chiropractic checkup
may detect many spinal problems while
they are still easily correctable.
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13. How will the adjustment help me?
Chiropractic adjustments by themselves
do not actually heal the body.
When any of
the 24 moveable
spinal
vertebrae become misaligned, a
basic imbalance or disruption can
occur in the nervous system, which
may contribute to stress in the
body. Chiropractic
adjustments
help eliminate
that imbalance or disruption so
that the body can function at its true
potential.
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14. Does an adjustment have to make
a noise to be effective?
No, it is a common misconception
that your joints must make
a noise to be
properly adjusted. However,
more
often than not when your vertebrae
are adjusted,
the smooth articular (joint)
surfaces become separated,
creating and
then releasing a
small vacuum, making
a noise. This is the sound
made when you crack your knuckles.
Your chiropractor is concerned
with the position of
your vertebrae, not with the
noise that may occur.
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15. Should
I go to a Chiropractor if I feel fine?
Even if you feel fine, chiropractic care can help
your body maintain its required level of health
and fitness.
Your chiropractor can recommend a preventive
spinal-care program and advise you on correct posture,
dietary
information and back exercises. Regular spinal
checkups can help detect and prevent spinal stress
due to
subluxations.
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16. How does chiropractic care help
the pregnant woman?
Because of the additional weight and stress
on the framework of the body in pregnant
women, chiropractic
adjustments
can help lower the incidence of pain in the
low back and legs, and between the shoulder
blades.
In some
cases, fewer headaches and problems with
nausea and elimination
may also result. Many chiropractors care for
expectant mothers in the regular course
of their daily practices.
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