FAQ about Chiropractic Care
If you are seeking chiropractic care in Bristol Connecticut, we know you may have lot of questions, especially if you’ve never been to a chiropractor before. For your convenience, we would like to take the time to answer the most commonly asked questions below.
If you have a specific question that is not answered below, you can ask the Dr, by emailing Dr. Astrid Baldrich at: [email protected]
What Is Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractic is an art and science that involves treating the spine for various conditions. It is the largest healing art in America. Chiropractic care is natural method of health care that focuses on correcting the cause of the problem, rather than just treating the symptoms. The main tenet of chiropractic is that with your spine in proper alignment, in other words, no subluxations , the ability of your body to maintain health is enhanced. In addition, since subluxations cause pain, chiropractic helps eliminate neck pain, back pain, pain down the arms or legs, and even headaches.
How Does Chiropractic Work?
Chiropractic works by first determining the cause of the problem and then using various chiropractic techniques to eliminate what chiropractors call a subluxation. You see, subluxations interfere with your body’s innate intelligence, or inborn ability to be healthy. Since every cell, tissue and organ in your body has a nerve supply, if that nerve supply is acting optimally your body can resist disease and ill health. So, to put it succinctly; it’s the chiropractors job to locate and remove nerve root interference due to subluxations, aka misaligned vertebrae. According to chiropractic philosophy, with normalized spinal function there is a reduction of pain, an increase in range of motion and improved health.
What Is A Chiropractic Adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment is the art and science of normalizing spinal biomechanics by applying a specific force in a precise direction, to a subluxated vertebral motor unit (consisting of 2 vertebrae). As described on our subluxation page, when injured, vertebrae can ‘lock up, fixate. The goal of the adjustment is to eliminate nerve root interference and improve spinal function, which in turn can help improve overall health and well-being. Since not all patients are the same, the doctor treating you will use the chiropractic technique best suited for you and your condition.
What Is A Subluxation?
Subluxations of the spine are misalignments or fixated vertebrae that don’t move properly. When spinal bones are subluxated, pain and other problems may develop. The brain sends signals to all your cells, organs and tissues in the body via the spinal cord, which is protected by the spinal column. If there is nerve pressure on the exiting spinal nerves a myriad of problems can develop.
How Do Subluxations Occur?
Subluxations can occur from a variety of reasons including; poor posture, repetitive movements, sports activities, lifting incorrectly, auto accidents, falling, and even sleeping wrong.
How Can I Tell if I Have a Subluxation?
Subluxations sometimes occur and you may not have any symptoms yet. Other times, you may get a subluxation and have immediate pain, along with other symptoms. Because you don’t always have pain, it’s important to get a yearly ‘spinal checkup’ just as you would visit your dentist for preventative care. Dr Baldrich is more than happy to check your spine on a yearly basis to help prevent problems from arising.
Are There Warning Signs I Have a Subluxation?
Usually, the first symptoms of a subluxation is stiffness, loss of range of motion and pain. Other symptoms may be headache, tingling or numbness down your arms or legs.
Can I Adjust My Neck or Back Myself?
No. Chiropractic adjustments are specific to the individual based on the subluxations you have. When people try and self adjust, they are mobilizing various vertebrae that may not have a problem. We’ve also treated many patients that have hurt themselves, particularly the neck when trying to self adjust. Also, DO NOT allow anyone but a chiropractor to adjust your spine. We have had situations where friends say they can “pop” your back or neck and this has resulted in much pain and discomfort.
Does Chiropractic Work for All Health Issues?
No, Chiropractic care is not a panacea, however we successfully treat a variety of conditions. If yours is not a chiropractic problem, then chiropractic is not going to help you. In these circumstances, we will refer you to the appropriate specialist. We have a working relationship with neurologists, neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, physiatrists, pain doctors and various other medical professionals. If however, your problem is something that chiropractic care can help, then nothing else is likely to help; rather other treatments most likely would just cover up the symptoms. Let me give you an analogy. If you have a tack in your foot, then going to the doctor to get pain medication would be foolish, as it would just cover up the symptoms. If however, you see a doctor that finds the cause of your problem and removes the tack from your foot, the CAUSE of the problem will have been eliminated.
Can I Get Addicted to Chiropractic?
There’s a myth floating around that a person can get addicted to chiropractic treatment. That’s not true. What is true, is that once patients get treated by a chiropractor, they realize the types of things chiropractic can help with, and how good they feel following a chiropractic treatment. Many patients visit our office for maintenance care; in other words, to help maintain the integrity of their spine, and to prevent future problems. Others come in only when they are in pain, or a new problem occurs.
What Type of Training Do Chiropractors Need?
Chiropractors, also known as DC or doctor of chiropractic, are very well educated. Following a college degree, students who go to chiropractic school have a rigorous 4 year program similar to medical doctors. The chiropractic education differs in that chiropractors don’t prescribe drugs or perform surgery, and medical doctors don’t treat vertebral subluxations. The chiropractor’s education ¹ includes many classes in studying x-rays, MRIs, diagnosis, utilizing various chiropractic techniques, and much much more. After graduating chiropractic school with a DC degree, each doctor must pass the very hard five-part National Board Examination. Then, following the National Board Examination, depending on the State, the DC must pass a State board examination.
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¹ Chiropractor Educational Requirements – spine-health.com
² The Vertebral Subluxation Complex – New Zealand Chiropractors’ Association
