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What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is part of the healing arts, based upon the understanding that good health depends, in part, upon a normally functioning nervous system (especially the spine, and the nerves extending from the spine to all parts of the body). "Chiropractic" is from the Greek word Chiropraktikos, meaning "effective treatment by hand." Chiropractic bases the idea that the cause of many disease processes begins with the body's inability to adapt to its environment. It looks to address these diseases naturally and not by the use of drugs or surgery, but by locating and adjusting a musculoskeletal area of the body which is functioning improperly.

I use an examination to diagnose a patient's condition and arrive at a course of treatment. I also use methods of consultation, case history, physical examination, laboratory analysis, and x-ray examination as any other doctor.

The examination of the spine to evaluate structure and function is what makes what I do different from the other health care professionals. Lets look at this further. Your spinal column is a series of bones with movable joints, which begin at the base of the skull and end in the center of your hips, and or tail bone. Thirty-one pairs of spinal nerves exit the spine. The nerves leave the spine to control and influence every muscle, joint, organ, and tissue in your body.

Accidents, falls, stress, tension, overexertion, poor posture, and countless other factors can result in problems with the spinal joints, disc's, muscles, and nerves. Thus causing irritation to spinal nerve roots. These irritations are often what cause problems and pain in the human body. Chiropractic teaches that reducing or eliminating these irritations to spinal nerves helps the body to operate more efficiently and more comfortably.

I also place importance on proper nutrition and exercise, wellness and lifestyle modifications for promoting physical and mental health. Even though I don't use drugs or surgery, I do refer patients for medical care when those interventions are indicated. In fact, I'm able to work with medical doctors, physical therapists and other health professionals as partners to get people better. I call it "Co-operative care".

What Can I Expect on My First Visit?

After filling out the proper paperwork. The first thing I do is ask about the health complaints you are mainly concerned about. I will also ask about your family history, dietary habits, other care you may have had (chiropractic, osteopathic, medical, etc.), your job, and other questions designed to help determine the nature of your illness and the best way to go about treating the problem.

A physical examination will be performed in accordance with my clinical judgment, which may include x-rays, laboratory analysis and other diagnostic procedures, if indicated. In addition, a careful spinal examination and analysis will be performed to detect any structural abnormalities which may be affecting or causing your condition. All of these elements are important components of your total health profile, and vital for me to evaluate and decide on how to treat your problem.

An "adjustment," means the specific manipulation of spinal joints and or other joints, which have abnormal movement patterns (lack of movement) or fail to function normally (instability). I spent years learning motion palpation (the art of examining to find lack of movement and instabilities in joints) and other forms of spinal examining procedures, so that I can administer an adjustment that is appropriate for the spinal joints and or other joints.

Once I have identified the problem, I will begin care. Particular attention will be paid to that area of your spine where a spinal problem has been detected. The adjustment is usually given by hand or "activator" type instrument, and consists of applying pressure to the areas of the spine that do not move properly within their normal range of motion.

I use many different techniques, since we are all so different. That way I can help just about everyone who comes to me.

Under normal circumstances, adjustments don't hurt. A minor amount of discomfort sometimes occurs during the adjustment, which lasts only seconds. Adjustments or manipulations are extremely safe. The risk factor is estimated to be in excess of 1 million to 1.