What is Chiropractic? | Office Treatments | FAQs | 10 Healthy Back Tips
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is the fastest growing natural health care profession in the world. It was discovered in 1895 in Davenport, Iowa, U.S.A. D.C.'s (Doctors of Chiropractic) specialize in locating and correcting a serious condition known as Vertebral Subluxation. A vertebral Subluxation is a misalignment of one or more of the twenty four moveable bones of the spine. They are commonly caused by stresses and impacts to the body from poor posture, poor sleeping habits, slips and falls, vehicular accidents, sports impacts, strenuous exercise, work injuries, childhood falls, even the birth process. Subluxations cause stress to the spinal chord and the delicate spinal nerves which exit the spine between the spinal bones. This causes irritation to the nerves and interferes with their ability to function properly. This nerve interference causes the body to lose it's ability to function optimally and ill health eventually results.
It may be obvious that you need to see a Chiropractor if you are experiencing neck pain, back pain, hip pain, headaches, numbness or curvature of the spine. However, many people don't realize that chiropractic care has an excellent record of success helping many health conditions. Maintaining a healthy and well-aligned spine is extremely important and is the most often overlooked key to staying healthy.
Chiropractic treatments called spinal adjustments are comfortable, safe, and highly effective. People of all ages can receive chiropractic care to stay healthy, including infants and the elderly. Years of training, education, and experience enable your Chiropractor to determine if chiropractic care can benefit for you and your family. Chiropractors are highly educated, caring professionals sensitive to the natural health care needs of your family.
Office Treatments
Treatments
Types of Cases Treated
Phases of Care
Treatments
MANUAL ADJUSTMENTS/ MANIPULATION- The treatments of choice to correct subluxations (misalignments) and fixations (reduced joint motion) of the spine which may cause “pinched”, irritated, or inflamed nerves. Symptoms are acute or chronic pain with irregular early wearing out of joints called arthritis.
ACTIVATOR - A low force adjustment technique to help restore normal joint motion with comfort. Suitable for all types of patients from babies to seniors.
ACTIVE RELEASE TECHNIQUES® - A manual soft tissue technique to break down adhesions working with problems of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves.
ULTRASOUND - High frequency sound waves help reduce inflammation, swelling, pain, and scar tissue through micro-massage of the deep tissues.
ELECTRICAL MUSCLE STIMULATION - Creates a relaxing electronic muscle massage which serves to reduce spasm and rehabilitate muscles.
THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE - Deep tissue, acupressure, sports, and cross fiber techniques release muscle spasm, improve circulation and reduce the effects of stress.
THERAPEUTIC EXERCISE - We teach our patients special exercises designed just for them to help strengthen and correct their own unique problem. These exercises can be performed in the comfort of your own home and can improve the effectiveness of your spinal correction by as much as 30-40%. This enhances the treatment process and helps maintain healing benefits, as well as reducing the likelihood of future problems.
LIFESTYLE ADVICE - We often find it helpful to “coach” our patients on certain activities they should avoid or do differently to avoid aggravating their particular health challenge. Our goal is to help every patient achieve a fulfilling and happy lifestyle full of the activities they enjoy most.
“Our center is committed to treating your spinal sports & orthopedic injuries naturally without the use of drugs or surgery.”
Types of Cases Treated
• Sports injuries
• Auto injuries
• On-the-job injuries
• Personal injuries
• Whiplash
• Scoliosis
• Migraines
• Headaches
• Shoulder pain
• Sprains/strains
• Neck pain
• Low back pain
• Arm pain
• Mid back pain
• Failed back surgery syndrome
• Herniated Discs
• Knee and ankle injuries
• Leg pain
• Joint pain
• Arthritis
• Numbness/tingling
• Carpal Tunnel syndrome
• TMJ
• Foot disorders
• Tension and stress and much more!
Phases of Care
There are three phases of care your can experience at Arvidson Chiropractic Center:
Relief Care to Eliminate Pain
Rehabilitative Care
Preventive and Wellness Care through follow-up Treatment
It is important to understand the stages of chiropractic care because they are unique relative to those of other health-care disciplines. Because chiropractic addresses core physiological and biomechanical aspects of the body, the process to correct problems without drugs or surgery can take some time. Some conditions can be treated in a few visits, while others may take longer.
The following is a brief summary of the three major phases of chiropractic care.
Relief Care
The majority of patients consult a chiropractor because they have an ache or pain. In the first phase of care, the main objective is to eliminate or reduce your discomfort and stabilize your condition in the shortest amount of time. During this phase, progress is usually rapid.
The number of times you visit a chiropractor during this phase of care varies and is dependent upon your specific condition. It's hard to say how long it will be until you see relief— it could be as short as a week or up to a month. If you are not responding to chiropractic care during this phase, you may be referred to another health-care provider.
Rehabilitative Care
Once your condition has stabilized, you enter the second phase of care, where the objective is to correct any underlying injury or cause of discomfort, strengthen the muscles, and improve neuromusculoskeletal function. The frequency of office visits is reduced over a period of two to six weeks. Care may be supplemented by rehabilitation exercises, nutrition, and modification of daily habits.
It is important to remember that many of the conditions for which people seek care have developed over many years; therefore, correcting these problems is a true rehabilitative process. It helps to understand that it takes time to correct these conditions.
Once your discomfort has subsided, you may think all is well and choose to abandon your efforts. However, if you end your care before fully healing the muscles and soft tissues, you can invite a relapse. This is a mistake many people make, and it sets them up for recurring health issues.
It's hard to believe that, after all the time, effort, energy, and money put into correcting a problem, a patient would choose to forgo this relatively easy phase of care! As much as we'd love to see you in our office, we'd much rather assist you in maintaining your health rather than relieving your pain.
Wellness Care
You then "graduate" to the wellness phase, which is designed to maintain your improved health, encourage normal spinal function, prevent the return of the original condition, and catch small problems before they become serious. A personal wellness care program will be designed specifically for you where we teach you how to incorporate good nutrition and exercise habits into your everyday life, thereby promoting vitality, endurance, and the ability to enjoy life at its fullest.
A good way to look at chiropractic is to relate it to dentistry. We all know it takes a long time to develop tooth decay, but with regular maintenance and check-ups, the plaque doesn't have a chance. Similarly, it often takes a long time to develop a spinal misalignment. But with regular maintenance, the bones will not have a chance to get out of line.
Few things as complicated as your body can be "fixed" and then ignored. Think of your car, your teeth, or your relationships. They take time and effort to maintain, but you know it's worth it in the long run. That's why we recommend a regular schedule of chiropractic check-ups.
You can then congratulate yourself on achieving your ultimate goal: optimal health!
FAQs
DO I NEED A REFERRAL FOR ACTIVE RELEASE TECHNIQUES, CHIROPRACTIC OR MASSAGE?
A referral is not necessary to be assessed or treated at Arvidson Chiropractic Center. However, we welcome patients who have been referred by their family doctor, physical therapists, or other health care specialists.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT ON MY FIRST APPOINTMENT WITH DR. ARVIDSON?
The initial assessment consists of a thorough health history and examination that helps identify factors that are influencing your health. At that point, we review the therapies that may be used in your treatment plan, the alternatives available including appropriate referral to other health care providers if necessary and any risks relevant to your treatment. We then address any questions that you may have. Treatment is then performed at that time or in a minority of patients, further diagnostic tests are ordered (i.e. x-rays) and treatment is continued at a later time. The typical initial assessment takes approximately 30-45 minutes, depending on each patient's condition(s).
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO MY INITIAL ASSESSMENT?
We suggest that patients bring comfortable clothing that they would typically wear as if they were going on a run or to the gym. This ensures that your concerns can be assessed properly.
DO YOU TAKE X-RAYS?
It has been our experience that the vast majority of patients who come into Arvidson Chiropractic Center do not require x-rays (diagnostic imaging) to have their conditions treated effectively. Sometimes, however, x-rays are recommended in order to rule out serious conditions or if a patient does not respond to treatment as expected. It is our policy to refer you to radiology centers outside of the clinic to have any diagnostic imaging performed.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET BETTER?
Every case is different; however, you should notice an improvement after the first few treatments. We never tell patients that they need to come 3 times a week for months on end before they see any change. Never. We assess progress and review the treatment plan during every patient appointment. Once your condition is resolved or we feel that the maximal improvement has been attained, you then have the choice regarding future treatment. For some people treatment is like a regular physical tune-up to help deal with the daily wear and tear of life. For others, it's simply an effective treatment when pain or other health issues occur. Arvidson Chiropractic Center's policy is to keep the patient fully informed and ensure that you play an active role in managing your health issues.
HOW ARE CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS PERFORMED?
A chiropractic adjustment is a manual procedure using the chiropractor's hands to manipulate the joints of the body in order to restore or enhance joint motion and function. Arvidson Chiropractic Center's policy is to adapt the procedure to meet the specific needs of each patient. For example, our older patients in their 80's will not be adjusted the same way as our patients who are in their 20's.
WHAT EXACTLY IS THAT SOUND I SOMETIMES HEAR WHEN I AM ADJUSTED?
Periodically during a chiropractic adjustment a small popping sound may be heard, which sounds similar to that produced by "popping" a knuckle. The source of this sound is actually a small pocket of nitrogenous gas being released when pressure comes off the joint space. The joint space is bathed in fluid and the gas bubble is released from there. All that being said, noise is really a non-issue. The powerful component is that at the moment of an adjustment, there is restoration of proper biomechanical and biochemical factors within the treated joint.
IS CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENT A SAFE PROCEDURE?
Chiropractic treatment is a non-invasive approach to common musculoskeletal conditions such as neck and back pain. As such, it is a very low risk procedure.
10 Healthy Back Tips
1. Exercise Regularly - This does not have to be anything overly strenuous. Something as simple as a daily walk can make a huge difference.
2. Eat A Healthy Diet - Proper nutrients allow the body to repair itself easier
3. Maintain Good Posture - Are you sitting up straight as you read this?
4. Stretch Your Spine Before And After Sports - This will also help to loosen up the surrounding muscles.
5. Don't Overload Your Backpack Or Purse - Remember to carry it over both shoulders to balance the load (if possible).
6. Stretch Your Legs And Back After Each Hour Of Sitting - Whether in a car or at a desk, stretching regularly will help to keep you from tightening up or injuring yourself further.
7. Never Cradle The Phone Between Your Neck And Shoulder
8. Sleep On Your back Or Side, Not On Your Stomach - This helps to keep your spine in line and reduces the risk of hurting your neck while you sleep.
9. Invest In A Good Chair, Pillow And Mattress - When you think about the amount of time you use these things each day, it's worth it.
10. Have Regular Spinal Check-Ups - It's much easier to prevent a problem than to correct one.
