There's nothing mysterious about chiropractic. It's a natural method of health care that focuses on treating the causes of physical problems, rather than just treating the symptoms. Chiropractic is based on a simple but powerful premise. With a normally functioning spine and healthy nervous system, your body is better able to heal itself. That's because your spine is the lifeline of your nervous system. It controls feeling, movement, and all function through your body. The nerves that exit your spine go to your organs, muscles, tissues and glands. Therefore optimal function is imperative all of the time.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, a 2003 analysis of 39 clinical trials found that chiropractic treatments were about as effective as conventional medical care (including pain-relieving drugs, exercise, and physical therapy) in relieving low back pain. The American College of Physicians and the American Pain Society include spinal manipulation as a treatment option in their 2007 guidelines.

Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your nervous system controls the function of every cell, tissue, and organ in your body.

Chiropractic works by restoring your body's inborn ability to be healthy. When under the proper control of your nervous system, all the cells, tissues, and organs of your body are designed to resist disease and ill health. The chiropractic approach to better health is to locate and remove interferences (subluxations, misaligned vertebrae) to your nervous system. With improved spinal function, there is improved nervous system function. The goal of the chiropractor is to remove interference that may be impairing normal health through specific chiropractic adjustments, allowing your body to heal itself. A healthy spine and a healthy lifestyle are your keys to optimal health!

During your first visit, your chiropractor will take a comprehensive health history, perform a physical exam, and, if indicated, do laboratory tests or imaging involving radiographs, CT scans, or an MRI. He or she will normally issue a report that explains the diagnostic findings and outlines a strategy for treating and managing your condition or health problems.

As a branch of integrative medicine, chiropractic pays special attention to emotional relationships affecting health, as well as its physiological and biochemical aspects. After a thorough evaluation, he or she may counsel you on how to prevent disease and enjoy better health through proper nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle changes, among other things. If a chiropractor decides that you have an illness that requires medical care, you'll be referred to a physician or other health care provider for treatment or co-management.

During the treatment itself, you'll probably lie or sit on an exam table while your chiropractor adjusts your muscles and joints -- especially your spine -- depending on your individual needs. He or she may also use a reflex tool to do adjustments. Spinal adjustments are normally pain-free, although some slight soreness may be present afterwards that should improve quickly on its own. Your chiropractor may also counsel you on appropriate exercises that you can do on your own. For all new patients that are inquiring about care, click here for internet special.

Chiropractors take X-rays to reveal the internal structure and alignment of the spine. We are also concerned about underlying disease processes and disorders of the spine such as spinal deterioration, arthritis of the spine, abnormal development, bone spurs, disc disorders, tumors and spinal curvature. X-rays also provide a blueprint for correcting the spine back to optimal health and alignment. For all new patients that are inquiring about care, click here for internet special.

Research has demonstrated that chiropractic provides safe, effective, cost-effective care for a wide variety of musculoskeletal disorders such as; back and neck pain, sciatica, "slipped discs" (herniated discs), scoliosis, whiplash, arthritis, headaches, migraines, shoulder pain, elbow, wrist and hand pain, repetitive strain injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, sports injuries, hip, knee, foot and ankle pain, sprained ankles, painful bunions, flat feet, tendonitis and poor posture. For all new patients that are inquiring about care, click here for internet special.

A chiropractic adjustment is the art of using a specific force in a precise direction, applied to a joint that is subluxated, "locked up," or not moving properly. The purpose of this safe and natural procedure is to eliminate interference to the nervous system, improving spinal function and overall health. "Gentle spinal adjustments boost your body's immunity." Following a complete examination and diagnosis, your BackFit Doctor will determine what type of adjustment is best for you. For all new patients that are inquiring about care, click here for internet special.

Since significant spinal trauma can occur at birth, many parents have their newborns checked for vertebral subluxation. Naturally, chiropractic adjusting procedures are adapted for the child's spine. Many childhood health complaints that are brushed off can be traced to the spine. Health problems that emerge in adulthood could often be prevented by having your children's spine checked by a chiropractor early. Most parents report that their children enjoy their chiropractic adjustments and are healthier than their peers. From ear infections, colic, asthma, scoliosis and more there are hundreds of benefits for children. For all new patients that are inquiring about care, click here for internet special.

No. The doctor evaluates each patient's unique spinal problem and develops an individual course of care. Each chiropractic adjustment builds on the one before. The resulting recommendations are based upon years of training and experience. Each patient's care is uniquely different from every other patient. For all new patients that are inquiring about care, click here for internet special.

Is chiropractic safe?

Yes. Chiropractic has an excellent safety record. It is the result of a conservative and natural approach to health that avoids invasive procedures or addictive drugs. As proof, one merely has to compare malpractice rates between chiropractors and other health care professionals. Chiropractors' malpractice premiums are a small fraction of those for medical doctors. 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. In addition, at BackFit our Doctors take all necessary precautions to make sure that your treatment is not only effective but safe for you. For all new patients that are inquiring about care, click here for internet special.

What causes the sound during an adjustment?

Actually, adjustments do not always produce a sound. Often, however, adjustments do create the sound of a spinal "release," or "popping" sound. The sound is caused by gas rushing in to fill the partial vacuum created when the joints are slightly separated. This sound is painless and totally harmless. For all new patients that are inquiring about care, click here for internet special.

Can I adjust myself?

No. Since a chiropractic adjustment is a specific force, applied in a specific direction to a specific joint, it is virtually impossible to adjust oneself correctly and accurately. It is possible to turn or bend or twist in certain ways to create a "popping" sound that sometimes accompanies a chiropractic adjustment. Unfortunately, this type of joint manipulation is usually counterproductive, often making an already unstable spine even more unstable, and can sometimes be dangerous. When our Doctors adjust your spine or extremities they are doing it with a specific angle of force which cannot be done on oneself. Adjusting the spine is not for amateurs! For all new patients that are inquiring about care, click here for internet special.

No. If only it were, there would be more healthy people around and chiropractors would not get patients who last saw a chiropractor "a few years ago when their back went out." It is possible to get used to feeling more balanced, less stressed, and more energetic as a result or regular chiropractic care. Our BackFit Doctors devise a course of care that best suits your needs and also implement specific core stability and strength building exercises so that your body holds your adjustments. Chiropractic is not addictive, however, good health is. For all new patients that are inquiring about care, click here for internet special.

Can a person who had back surgery see a chiropractor?

Yes. It's an unfortunate fact that up to half of those who had spinal surgery discover a return of their original symptoms months or years later. They then face the prospect of additional surgery. This too common occurrence is know as "Failed Back Surgery Syndrome." Chiropractic may help prevent repeated back surgeries. In fact, if chiropractic care is initially, utilized back surgery can often be avoided in the first place. For all new patients that are inquiring about care, click here for internet special.

Does chiropractic work for all types of health problems?

No, however chiropractic care is successful with a very wide variety of health problems not necessarily considered "back" problems because of improved nerve system function. With a normal nerve supply the body's natural healing capacity can improve a variety of health problems. For all new patients that are inquiring about care, click here for internet special.

Is it OK to see a chiropractor if I'm pregnant?

Anytime is a good time for a better functioning nerve system. Pregnant mothers find that chiropractic adjustments improve their pregnancy and make delivery easier for themselves and their baby. Adjusting methods are always adapted to a patients size, weight, age, and condition of health. In addition to chiropractic adjustments, our pre-natal massages and physiotherapy that we offer at BackFit has helped thousands of pregnant patients over the years. For all new patients that are inquiring about care, click here for internet special.

What type of education do chiropractic doctors receive?

Doctors of Chiropractic are well educated. Chiropractic education and medical education are similar in many respects and different in others because chiropractors do not prescribe drugs or perform surgery, and medical doctors do not correct vertebral subluxations. After graduating with a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) Degree, each candidate passes the demanding four part National Board Examinations. Then, doctors apply to a governmental or professional licensing board and pass a still more difficult test before being granted the privilege to practice. A chiropractor's education, however, never ends. Most doctors complete regular postgraduate instruction for license renewal and to stay current on the latest research and adjustment techniques. Doctors of chiropractic are licensed in all 50 states and make up the third largest licensed health care provider group in the United States. For all new patients that are inquiring about care, click here for internet special.

What is the difference between a chiropractor and an osteopath?

Chiropractors base their care on the detection correction, and prevention of vertebral subluxations (spinal misalignments). We use specific spinal adjustments to correct the spine, to improve nerve system functions and reduce nerve interference. Osteopaths use drugs, surgery, and other traditional medical therapies and only occasionally use manipulative procedures. For all new patients that are inquiring about care, click here for internet special.

What Is The Difference Between Medical Doctors And A Doctor of Chiropractic?

That's like asking the difference between a physician and a dentist, they are different professions within the health care spectrum. Both chiropractors and physicians are legally entitled to use the title "doctor". As the appellation MD means "Doctor of Medicine", so DC means "Doctor of Chiropractic".
The role of chiropractic is complementary to other areas of primary health care. Chiropractic is not, for example, a replacement for medical care, but may offer an alternative to medication and surgery in appropriate circumstances.
Recognition by health science that many illnesses of our modern society are lifestyle based has shown that we, as individuals, can influence our own health and well being. Many people, therefore, welcome chiropractic medicine's emphasis on a healthy lifestyle and patient responsibility, as well as its help in improving the body natural functions and its ability to fight off disease. For all new patients that are inquiring about care, click here for internet special.

What is a Chiropractor's Educational Background?

Many people are unaware of the amount of rigorous schooling and training Chiropractors undergo. The following compares some of the course work of a Doctor of Chiropractic to a Medical doctor.