What Is Chiropractic Care?
Why Is Proper Joint Function So Important?
What Causes Improper Joint Function?
How Can Chiropractic Help?
What Is A Chiropractic Adjustment?
How Else Can My Chiropractor Help Me?
What Kinds Of Conditions Do Chiropractors Help With?
How Long Will It Take Before I Feel Better?
Why Should I Keep Going To My Chiropractor After I Start To Feel Better?
Can I Adjust Myself?
Can Children Be Helped With Chiropractic?
Can Chiropractic Help Me If I Am Pregnant?
What Kind Of Education Does A Chiropractor Have?

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WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC CARE?

Chiropractic is a natural method of health care that focuses on treating the cause of physical problems, not just the symptoms. Chiropractors specialize in locating and correcting improper joint motion and function (otherwise known as a misalignment or subluxation).

WHY IS PROPER JOINT FUNCTION SO IMPORTANT?

The Nervous System
The spine protects the spinal cord which is the pathway for your brain to communicate with the rest of your body. The brain, spinal cord, and nerves make up the nervous system. When you have improper joint function in your spine it can irritate your spinal cord and nerves, causing poor communication between the brain and the rest of the body.

Muscle Function and Joint Degeneration
Proper joint function is important for your muscles and joints as well. When you lose motion in a joint the tissues surrounding that joint are also affected. Adjacent muscles may begin to tighten or spasm and the disc or cartilage between the joint will thin and degenerate. The body senses the problems at that joint and may try to stabilize the area by adding extra bone, called osteophytes, or spurs. Improper joint function leads to osteoarthritis otherwise known as degenerative joint disease.

Being the Best at What You Do
When you have improper joint motion, it affects your body's ability to function at its highest potential. If you are an athlete- lets say a soccer player- and you have improper joint motion in your hip, your ability to kick will be affected. If you are a parent or grandparent and you have poor joint function in your neck causing headaches, the amount of enjoyable time you'll be able to spend with your child or grandchild will be decreased.

WHAT CAUSES IMPROPER JOINT FUNCTION?

Many things can cause poor joint function, and thus poor nervous system function. Here is a list of causes and also some examples.

• Stress (work, family)
• Diet (poor nutrition)
• Poor posture (slouching)
• Overuse of joints (typing)
• Poor sleeping habits (too little sleep, bad pillow or mattress)
• Trauma (auto accidents, falls)
• Toxins (air pollution or allergens)

HOW CAN CHIROPRACTIC HELP?

Chiropractors help restore normal joint, muscle, and nervous system function by performing an adjustment.

WHAT IS A CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENT?

An adjustment is performed by applying highly controlled gentle pressure to joints that are not functioning well. Adjustments are also known as spinal manipulation and are usually performed by hand. Sometimes there is a 'popping' noise heard during an adjustment. This is nothing more than gas escaping from the joint as normal motion is restored. Once your joints are functioning properly, your nervous system can function properly as well.

HOW ELSE CAN MY CHIROPRACTOR HELP ME?

Chiropractic physicians are well educated in areas such as nutrition and rehabilitation. In addition to an adjustment, chiropractors also often provide nutritional advice, perform soft tissue therapy, assign exercises for homework, recommend stress reduction plans, and offer advice on proper sitting and lifting techniques. Remember, your chiropractor is not just there to help relieve your symptoms. He or she also wants to help you achieve optimum health.

WHAT KINDS OF CONDITIONS DO CHIROPRACTORS HELP WITH?

Many people seek chiropractors because they are experiencing one or more of the following:

• Headaches
• Neck pain
• Low back pain
• Dizziness
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Joint injuries
• Joint pain
• Sciatica
• Disc herniation
• Pain associated with pregnancy
• Pain associated with a motor vehicle accident
• Chronic pain
• TMJ disorders
• Repetitive stress injuries
• Athletic injuries
• Scoliosis
• Arthritis

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE BEFORE I FEEL BETTER?

Many people begin to experience relief of their symptoms soon after they begin care. The number of times you will need to see your chiropractor is related to the amount of time that you have had your condition. For example, someone who is suffering from neck pain as a result of a car accident 20 years ago will probably take longer to get better than someone who sprained their ankle yesterday.

WHY SHOULD I KEEP GOING TO MY CHIROPRACTOR AFTER I START TO FEEL BETTER?

Pain is the last symptom to appear and also the first to go away. Your body's ligaments, muscles, and other tissues will continue to heal even after the pain is gone. Continuing to see your chiropractor will also ensure that your body is functioning well and help to prevent future problems and a relapse of your past conditions. Lastly, continue to see your chiropractor so that you can work with him or her to reach your optimum health.

CAN I ADJUST MYSELF?

No. If you are able to turn you neck or back and hear that popping noise, that is an indication that there is improper joint motion in your back. What you are actually doing is moving the vertebrae above or below the area where you have lost normal joint function. These vertebrae move more because they are trying to compensate for the loss of motion in the joint in the middle. Remember, improper joint motion can lead to arthritis and poor nervous system function. Your chiropractor can help restore normal joint function with an adjustment and other care.

CAN CHILDREN BE HELPED WITH CHIROPRACTIC?

Yes. Being born is a traumatic event which can result in injuries to the muscles and joints of the neck. Conditions that can result from birth trauma are frequent ear infections, asthma, headaches, colic, difficulty feeding on one side, and torticollis, where the neck is turned to one side. Learning to walk and sports are other activities which can adversely affect a child's normal joint function. Children especially need chiropractic care because the earlier we address the problem of improper joint function, the less likely it will be that conditions, like low back pain, show up later in life. Chiropractic adjustments are specially modified for infants and children.

CAN CHIROPRACTIC HELP ME IF I AM PREGNANT?

Yes. Chiropractic adjustments often help relieve the discomforts of pregnancy and can even make delivery easier for mom and baby. Dr. Chapman has a specially designed chiropractic table to make adjustments and care more comfortable for expectant mothers.

WHAT KIND OF EDUCATION DOES A CHIROPRACTOR HAVE?

Chiropractic school is comparable to the education that a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy goes through. Course work includes anatomy, physiology, neurology, biochemistry, diagnosis, x-ray, and chiropractic technique and management. Chiropractic doctors must also pass a 4 part National Board Exam as well as any exam that is required in the state they practice in. Most states require doctors of chiropractic to meet a minimum number of hours per year of continuing education credits.