What causes the sound of an adjustment?
Actually, not all adusting techniques produce the shoud associated with "popping knuckles." Some create no sound at all, some a little. Many techniques, however, do create the sound of a spinal "release." The sound is cause by gas rushing in to fill the partial vacuum created when the joints were slightly separated.

Is it bad to "crack" your neck or back a lot?
The desire to pop the neck or back is caused by tension from a jammed or fixated vertebra, which causes another part of the spine to compensate by moving too much and "popping" a lot. The jammed part should be adjusted by a chiropractor so that the rest of the spinal column will balance and stop being so movable and noisy.

So I'm not "adjusting" myself?
Cracking or popping your neck gives relief for a while, but soon the urge to pop or crack reappears because the cause of the spinal tension hasn't been corrected.

At what age should chiropractic begin?
Newborns have recived spinal adjustments especially aftaer traumatic or difficult births. There are case histories of infants close to death who were adjusted in hospitals with seemingly miraculous recoveries.

Can I go only once?
Of course. Once is better than never. But chiropractic can help in so many ways. Why not ask your chiropractor about your personal spnial care needs?

Is chiropractic similar to massage?
No. Chiropractic deals with the spinal column, nervouse system, meninges, and body structure. Massage therapists deal with muscle tension, circulation, and body fluid drainage.

I'm not sick. Should I see a chiropractor?
Yes. Symptoms are not a good way to judge health. They sometimes surface after years of body malfunciton.

How often should I get a spinal adustment?
The answer is, "As soon as you develop subluxations." But since subluxations are often painless, it's good to get your spine checked periodically, as you get your teeth checked periodically for "painless" cavities.

Do I have to be a patient forever?
If your're referring to the overused adage, once you go to a chiropractor then you have to go forever, then the answer is no. There is nothing about chiropractic treatments that would cause the need for extended care. Those patients, who choose to make chiropractic a life-long addition to their personal health habits, do so as a form of preventative healthcare, much like a health diet and exercise. We often tell our patients that just as you need a regular dental exam you also need a regular spinal exam.

Can I adjust myself?
No. Anyone can move or pop bones, but not just anyone can move them correctly. When you have a pin or tightness in your neck or back, this is more than likely due to a vertebra that is fixated or jammed. When one joint is fixated, others end up compensating by moving more than they should, making them hypermobile. When you crack your neck or back, the hypermobile joints move even more and the fixated joints staty fixed. Not only does the problem remain, but the situation tends to get worse.

I'm afraid it will hurt or I'm uncomfortable with hearing any noise from an adjustment.
Chiropractic adjustments in themselves are typically painless. Ifa patient prefers not to hear any sound or is uncomfortable with a specific adjustment, there are several different techniques that we can use to get the same results. Patients are treated based on their comfort level as well as their condition.

Is Chiropractic only for the neck and back?
No. We can adjust most joints in the body and treat conditions such as Carpal Tunnel syndrome, chronic knee pain and shoulder problems. Many patients also find relief from conditions such as sinus trouble, ear infections and migraines through Chriopractic.

What is an adjustment, and does it hurt?
An adjustment is a highly controlled force applied to areas of the spine. Usually, there is a "poppling" noise heard with the adjustment. This noise is nothing more then gas escaping from a solution as the join is manipulated. The goal of the adjustment is to improve the function of the joint and to positively affect the nervous system. Occasionally, an adjustment can be uncomfortable, but under normal circumstances, it is painless.

What are some of the conditions chirpractic can help with?
Chiropractic focuses on the vertebral subluxations. Many conditions are a result of a subluxation. Some of the more frequent cases are:

The vertebral subluxations are commonly due to work injuries, poor posture, falls
or car accidents.

Can children be helped with chiropractic?
Absolutely! The youngest child I treated was 7-days old. There are several conditions that may be a result of birth trauma. Some of the more common conditions I see with kids are torticollis (the neck is stuck on one side), ear infections, asthma, headaches, and colic. Although theses same conditions are often treated medically, they also tend to respond quickly and effectively to gentle chiropractic adjustments.

As kids get older, they often hurt themselves playing sports and will also experience "growing pains." Chiropractic care is most often very effective with this also.

Is chiropractic affordable?
Part of our mission is to make sure chropractic is affordable for everyone. Financial hard ship agreements are available on an as needed basis. Most insurance companies realize the cost effective benefits of chiropractic, and cover between 70-100%. A small co-pay may be required in most insurance cases. Work related accidents are usaually covered at 100%. Automoblie accidents are usually covered at 100%.

Is chiropractic scientific?
Yes, numerous studies have been published about chiropractic documenting sfety, efficacy, and cost effectiveness. it is common sense...you must take care of your spine, because it protects your life line or spinal cord. Also, there is no such thing as a spinal transplant.

Are chiropractors real doctors?
Chiropractors go through a rigorous educational process that leads to the title
Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.). Chiropractors learn a tremendous amount about normal anatomy and nutrition. M.D.'s learn more about drugs, and what drugs do inside the body. Both the M.D. and D.C. are extensively trained in diagnosis. Chiropractic physicians are the only doctors trained to detect and correct spinal misalignments (subluxations).