Chiropractic Visit – What to Expect

Chiropractic is based on zthe scientific fact that your body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism. The brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves of the body control these important functions.

The skull protects the delicate tissue of the brain. The moving bones of the spine protect the vulnerable communication pathways of the spinal cord and exiting nerve roots. If the nervous system is impaired, it can cause malfunction of the tissues and the organs throughout the body. Doctors call this the Vertebral Subluxation Complex. Vertebral, meaning the bones of the spine. Subluxation, meaning less then a total dislocation. And complex, meaning consisting of more then one part. The most form of subluxation is intervertebral disc height loss.

Chiropractic is the science of locating offending spinal structures, the art of reducing their impact to the nervous system, and the philosophy of all things natural.

Chiropractic adjustments benefit the body’s physiology, according to some studies. One of these effects is to relax muscles and improve joint mobility, even long after the original injuries have taken place.

In the context of health care procedures, chiropractic treatments have a good safety record. About 30 million people see a chiropractor each year, and only a handful report serious injuries. The most common side effect of chiropractic adjustments is slight soreness, which you can usually relieve by icing the sore area. It’s a good idea, though, to tell both your chiropractor and your regular doctor about each other, so they can coordinate your care.

Chiropractors receive four academic years of training, which follows a minimum of three years of pre-professional education. They pass national board examinations similar to those doctors of medicine must take. Doctors of chiropractic are licensed in all 50 states and all provinces and make up the third largest licensed health care provider group in the United States and Canada.

A chiropractic adjustment is the art of using a specific force in a precise direction, applied to a joint that is fixated, “locked up”, or not moving properly. This adds motion to the joint, helping the bones gradually return to a more normal position and motion. The purpose of this safe and natural procedure is improved spinal function, improved nervous system function, and improved health.

There are many ways to adjust the spine. The doctor’s hands delivers a brief and highly accurate thrust. Some adjusting methods are quick, whereas others require a slow and constant pressure. Dr. Fryer uses both styles and picks which may be most effective for each region of the spine.

After years of training and clinical experience, each chiropractic doctor becomes highly skilled in the delivery of a variety of adjusting approaches.

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 patients, 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 care 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.

The adjustment is a painless procedure. If a person is already in pain any movement of course can be uncomfortable, but the adjustments are designed to ultimately reduce and eliminate the pain.

Most extended health plans cover chiropractic; check with your insurance company or health plan dynam924istrator.