FAQs

• What Is Chiropractic?
• My Chiropractor Prescribed a Series of Visits for Me…Why Does it Take More Than One Treatment?
• What is the “Popping” Noise Sometimes Heard During an Adjustment?
• What do Chiropractic Doctors Do?
• Do you have a Pinched Nerve?
• Do I Have a Slipped Disc?
• What is An Adjustment?
• Is it safe to see a Chiropractor if I am pregnant?
• Are All Patients Adjusted the Same Way?
• Is Chiropractic Care Safe?

What Is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism. These important functions are controlled by the brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves of the body.

When your nervous system is working properly all of the tissues and organs of your body are designed to resist disease and ill-health.

A common interference to the nervous system is the 24 moving, weight bearing bones of the spinal column. A loss of normal position or motion of these bones can irritate the nerves, tissues, and muscles surrounding these bones resulting in impaired nervous system function. This can result in pain or other abnormal bodily functions.

The goal for us at Greentree Chiropractic & Rehabilitation is to detect these bones and joints that are not functioning properly, adjust the specific areas, and recommend stretches, exercises or other conservative methods so that you and your nervous system can operate at its best.

My Chiropractor Prescribed a Series of Visits for Me…Why Does it Take More Than One Treatment?

Chiropractic care is like “orthodontics” for the spine. Clinically, repeated chiropractic adjustments re-train the vertebrae, muscles and ligaments to their proper alignment and range of mobility. Just as the time required for braces to achieve correction depends on the condition of an individual’s teeth and mouth structure, the time required for proper spinal alignment to occur depends on the condition of the individual patient’s spine, their job duties, their hobbies, their posture, and many other lifestyle factors.

Does your M.D. ever prescribe you just one pill? Does a physical therapist expect stretch and strengthen your muscles in one visit? Of course not. Chiropractic adjustments are the same. You cannot expect to receive long lasting results with a quick fix. In order to obtain the best long term results, a series of treatments are typically recommended. Throughout your treatment plan, Dr. Chappie will perform periodic re-evaluations and outcome assessments to measure your progress.

Chiropractic results may vary. Some patients enjoy immediate results while others find that their recovery takes several months or longer. Some problems may have been around for a long time and only recently may have become symptomatic. These long-standing problems are often associated with muscle weakness, soft tissue damage, and degenerative changes to the spine. It takes time and dedication to make changes to our bodies. “Health is a process, not an event!”

What is the “Popping” Noise Sometimes Heard During an Adjustment?

The “popping” or “cracking” noise is simply the release of gas from a joint when bones move, much like when you “pop” the cork out of a bottle of champagne or when you remove a suction cup from a window. Most people fear that somehow their bones are breaking or that there is damage occurring to their joints. Most people are familiar with the old-wives’ tale that relates the cracking of knuckles with causing arthritis in hands. This is simply not true, as new research supports the idea that cracking joints may be beneficial. A study performed by Dr. Tyler Cymet at John Hopkins University found that osteoarthritis is more common in those who have never cracked their joints, Dr. Cymet told Reuters Health News in 2005.

What do Chiropractic Doctors Do?

Helping to restore proper spinal biomechanics and improved nervous system function begins with a case history. This gives the doctor a background about your health, such as surgeries, accidents, the onset of your condition and other details affecting your current health.

After reviewing your history and discussing your specific problem, a thorough orthopedic, neurological and chiropractic examination is performed. Xrays may be taken to uncover structural and functional problems associated with the spinal column. These examinations help identify areas of spinal malfunction and resulting nervous system deficit.

The findings of these examinations are explained and a plan of chiropractic adjustments may be recommended. Progress is monitored with periodic examinations and follow-up reports.

Since the word “doctor” comes from the Latin word meaning teacher, regardless of your doctor’s unique clinical approach, he or she has a strong commitment to patient education.

Do you have a Pinched Nerve?

Many patients consult a chiropractic doctor because they think they have a pinched nerve. A “pinched nerve” diagnosis is a simple way to state a very complicated condition.

Because of the way your spine is designed, abnomal spinal function caused from physical trauma, emotional tensions, or chemical toxins can affect the delicate tissues of the spinal cord and nerve roots. Nerves are irritated (facilitative lesion). This is caused when nerve tissue is rubbed, scraped, stretched by a loss of spinal curve, or irritated by malfunctioning spinal joints.

Do I Have a Slipped Disc?

Technically, a disc can’t “slip.”

The intervertebral disc is a pad of cartilage type material situated between spinal bones. Each disc serves as a connector, spacer, and shock absorber for the spine. A soft, jellylike center is contained by outer layers of fibrous tissue. Healthy discs help allow normal turning and bending.

Because of the way each disc is attached to the vertebrae above and below, a disc cannot “slip.” However, trauma or injury to the spine can cause discs to tear, bulge, herniated, or worse, rupture. This can be quite painful, as the soft center of the disc leaks, putting pressure on the adjacent nerve roots and spinal cord.

While results cannot be guaranteed, many patients have avoided needless surgery or a dependence on pain pills, by choosing chiropractic care for their disc related health problem.

What is An Adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment is the art of using a specific force in a precise direction, applied to a joint that is subluxated/misaligned or not moving properly.

This adjustment adds motion to the joint, helping the bones gradually return to a more normal position and motion. The adjustment also activates certain position and motion sensing nerves called “proprioceptors” and “mechanoreceptors” which are found in abundance in your spinal joints, your knees, and your feet and ankles. These nerves are very powerful and important to your survival. Without them you would have a hard time knowing which way was up or down and whether or not your hand was moving towards a hot stove or not!

When these powerful nerves are activated by a chiropractic adjustment they can shut down or “reset” the nerves that are causing pain or muscle spasm. This is the one reason why some patients experience immediate relief for certain conditions. The overall purpose for the safe and natural procedure is improved spinal function, improved nervous system function, and improved health.

There are many ways to adjust the spine.

Usually the doctor’s hands or a specially designed instrument delivers a gentle brief and highly-accurate thrust. Some adjusting methods are quick, whereas others require a slow and constant pressure.

After years of training and clinical experience, each chiropractic doctor becomes highly skilled in the delivery of a variety of adjusting approaches, making chiropractic care safe and effective for the whole family.

Is it safe to see a Chiropractor if I am pregnant?

Not only is chiropractic care safe for a pregnant woman, in some cases it can naturally alleviate the headaches, nausea, back pain and leg pain which are common during pregnancy. Most D.C.’s adjusting tables are designed with a “drop pelvic piece” designed specifically for pregnant women. Many chiropractors care for expectant moths in the regular course of their daily practices. It is a good idea, however, to first inquire about the experience of your chiropractor in caring for pregnant women and what he or she recommend as a plan of care for you.

Are All Patients Adjusted the Same Way?

The doctor evaluates each patient’s unique spinal problem and develops an individual course of care. The resulting recommendations are based upon years of training and experience.

Some patient’s who complain of headaches, may actually have a lower back problem that is causing a compensation reaction at the base of the skull. Other patients may be experiencing numbness and tingling in their fingers, when the actual problem is in the neck. Every patient presents a uniquely different spinal pattern.

Patients notice that their chiropractic card is delivered with confidence and precision. Each visit builds on the one before. And while visits may seem similar, each patient’s care is uniquely different from every other patient.

Is Chiropractic Care Safe?

In the words of the New Zealand government’s inquiry, chiropractic care is “remarkably safe.” Chiropractic has an excellent safety record. It is the result of a conservative approach to health that avoids invasive procedures or addictive drugs.

A thorough case history and examination help reveal areas of the spine that may be causing nervous system malfunction. This information will be used to determine the best course of care for each patient.

Chiropractic care is a natural approach to better health that is proven safe and effective.