FAQ:
GENERAL QUESTIONS REGARDING CHIROPRACTIC CARE-section 1
QUESTIONS ABOUT CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR CHILDREN- section 2
QUESTIONS ABOUT CHIROPRACTIC DURING PREGNANCY-section 3
SECTION 1:
What is Chiropractic care?
Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. Doctors of practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling. The most common therapeutic procedure performed by doctors of chiropractic is known as “spinal manipulation,” also called “chiropractic adjustment.” The purpose of manipulation is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become hypomobile – or restricted in their movement – as a result of a tissue injury. Tissue injury can be caused by a single traumatic event, such as improper lifting of a heavy object, or through repetitive stresses, such as sitting in an awkward position with poor spinal posture for an extended period of time. In either case, injured tissues undergo physical and chemical changes that can cause inflammation, pain, and diminished function for the sufferer. Manipulation, or adjustment of the affected joint and tissues, restores mobility, thereby alleviating pain and muscle tightness, and allowing tissues to heal. In many cases, such as lower back pain, chiropractic care may be the primary method of treatment. When other medical conditions exist, chiropractic care may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the musculoskeletal aspects associated with the condition.
Doctors of chiropractic may assess patients through clinical examination, laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging and other diagnostic interventions to determine when chiropractic treatment is appropriate or when it is not appropriate. Chiropractors will readily refer patients to the appropriate health care provider when chiropractic care is not suitable for the patient’s condition, or the condition warrants co-management in conjunction with other members of the health care team.
How much care is necessary for a patient to improve with chiropractic treatment?
Patients with spine pain commonly appreciate functional improvement and pain relief within a few treatment sessions, while others require more extensive care. It is not uncommon for immediate relief following the first treatment. The acute, uncomplicated spine pain patient should appreciate significant relief within 2-4 weeks of care. Chronic or complicated acute patients may require four to five weeks of treatment before a cumulative symptom response is appreciated.
Patients with chronic or permanent conditions may be treated under a —disease management— model. Once the patient has reached a point of maximum therapeutic benefit in a comprehensive treatment program, manipulation and adjunctive therapies may be provided on a periodic basis to maintain functional and symptom gains. Our goal is to encourage independence from treatment.
*It is always our goal at Derleth Chiropractic to get you feeling better as quickly as possible, we pride ourselves on having patients feeling better fast!
Is chiropractic manipulation safe?
When the correct manipulation technique is paired with the appropriately selected patient, spinal manipulation is a very safe procedure. There are relative and absolute contraindications to spinal manipulation that have been identified in the physical medicine literature. The most common side effect experienced by patients receiving spinal manipulation is short-tem soreness in the area of the treatment; commonly 1 in 5.
Absolute contraindications include: severe or progressive neurologic deficit, infections, acute bone demineralization, acute fracture/dislocation and acute arthropathies.
A contraindication to spinal manipulation in one region of the spine rarely precludes treatment in another region. If techniques cannot be modified to accommodate the patient's condition, manipulation is withheld.
How does manipulation work?
Spinal manipulation has shown to result in an immediate post treatment increase in range of motion, decreased adjacent soft tissue tenderness, improved function and decreased pain.
Although the exact mechanism is not clear, current models that explain the treatment benefits appreciated following spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) include: motion segment unbuckling, meniscoid inclusion release, intra-articular adhesion / fringe release, stimulation of joint mechanoreceptors and/or relaxation of hypertonic muscle. Centrally mediated reflexes are being investigated.
With all of the variation in chiropractic, how does one identify a qualified chiropractor?
The Journal of Family Practice (1992) published the following guidelines to consider when selecting a chiropractor:
* Treats mainly musculoskeletal disorders * Does not radiograph every patient * Willing to be clinically observed * Positive feedback from patients * Communicates with the referring physician * Administers reasonable treatment programs * Does not charge a global, up front fee
How well educated are chiropractors?
Candidates for entry into most chiropractic colleges are required to complete a four-year undergraduate program. Ten trimesters of chiropractic college training (four years) must be completed to graduate. The first eight trimesters are primarily didactic training. Courses include human anatomy and dissection, branches of physiology, pharmacology, diagnostic imaging, nutrition, rehabilitation, spinal manipulation and medical patient management strategies. The ninth and tenth trimesters are completed through an internship under the direction of a licensed chiropractor. Upon graduation, most chiropractors enter private practice after successfully passing national and state board examinations.
Residency programs after chiropractic training are optional and include specialties in Orthopedics, Diagnostic Imaging, Clinical Studies, Rehabilitation and Research. A multitude of post-graduate lectures are also offered.
SECTION 2
WHY SHOULD MY CHILD RECEIVE CHIROPRACTIC CARE??
Why should my baby receive chiropractic adjustments? My baby is healthy!
The birth process, as amazing as it is, can be extremely stressful for both the mother and the baby. Physical stresses, such as pulling, torsion, and squeezing are all common to the birth process, even in the most natural and easy births. Add chemical input from pain medications, labor inducing drugs such as Pitocin, and physical trauma due to forceps, vacuum extraction or Cesarean section, and that is a lot of extra stress for a baby’s still developing immune and nervous systems. The adjustment facilitates the release of any tension that is being held in your baby’s system. It is a gentle and nurturing way to help your baby adapt to life “on the outside.”
Is a chiropractic adjustment for a child the same as for an adult?
NO! This is important for parents to understand… An adjustment for an infant or child is extremely mild; in fact it’s the amount of pressure you can comfortably place on your eyeball with your pinky finger. Typically you won’t hear cavitations, “cracks or sounds” when adjusting an infant or child. Sometimes it may even look as though nothing is being done, however the small amount of pressure is all that is necessary to move the tiny cartilaginous bones.
Why would my child have tension in his/her nervous system?
Children are subject to many different forms of physical and emotional stress. Those backpacks are heavy! Sitting for lengths of time puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the base of the spine and on the lower vertebrae. Sports and regular horsing around create opportunities for injury and physical stress. Chiropractic adjustments aid your child in successfully adapting to the various types of input and activities we want them to enjoy.
May we maintain our regular health care routine while receiving chiropractic care?
Absolutely. In fact, there should be no other way. Chiropractic care is not intended to replace regular and standard medical care, we work together to optimize your Childs health.
What about babies who are experiencing certain difficulties such as:
•
Colic
•Failure to thrive
•Difficulty with ‘latching on’
•Digestive disruption
•Difficulty sleeping
Infants who are expressing any of these symptoms should see a chiropractor to help facilitate their body’s natural ability to heal. Chiropractic adjustments may greatly aid the baby and may also eliminate the need for unnecessary prescription medications.
Is chiropractic care appropriate for my active toddler?
Yes. Toddlers are constantly encountering potential stresses! Imagine how many times your toddler falls on their buttocks, or bonks their head! Just picture how you would feel after falling over and over again on your buttocks, or after whipping your neck after falling. These can create patterns of stress and tension in your child’s system.
Why would my child have tension in his/her nervous system?
Children are subject to many different forms of physical and emotional stress. Those backpacks are heavy! Sitting for lengths of time puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the base of the spine and on the lower vertebrae. Sports and regular horsing around create opportunities for injury and physical stress.
Are there specific situations in which chiropractic care can help my child?
Yes. While chiropractic care is not a specific treatment for any type of condition or disease, because we are releasing tension held in the nervous system, which coordinates every function of our body, chiropractic adjustments can create dramatic results for your child’s health and well being.
Children experiencing any of the following should be checked by a chiropractor:
•Chronic asthma
•Allergies
•Chronic colds
•Ear infections
•ADD &/or ADHD
•Chronic bedwetting
•Autism
What are the side effects of chiropractic care?
Chiropractic care is a safe and gentle approach to one’s body and health. In some cases you may feel sore after an adjustment.
For more information on the safety of chiropractic care for your child, please visit or check out our affliate links:
http://www.icpa4kids.org/research/chiropractic.htm
This site provides you with many greatly informative articles, such as:
Chiropractic and Children: It’s All About Function. http://www.icpa4kids.org/research/wellness.htm
SECTION 3:
Why should I receive chiropractic adjustments during my pregnancy?
Pregnancy is an amazing process, during which the mother’s body must adapt to and create literally millions of changes. Chiropractic adjustments will aid this process by allowing the body to discover where it is holding unneeded tension and helping gently to release it.
Expected results include:
•Better function
•Decreased back and pelvic pain
•Increased ease with natural changes related to pregnancy
•Increased pelvic space facilitating the baby’s growth
•Increased pelvic space facilitating labor and delivery
•Decreased labor time
•A deepened awareness of one’s body
•Increased appreciation of all the processes that occur during pregnancy
•Increased ease and comfort during labor and birth
How often should I get adjusted during my pregnancy?
As often as feels right to you. We suggest getting adjusted regularly, as part of your new routine. Typically we suggest anywhere from weekly to monthly appointments, as you start to grow rapidly we suggest weekly appointments to allow us to help your body adapt during this period of rapid change. The goal is to gently allow the body to relax and open as tension patterns melt away. Our office provides a welcoming environment that celebrates and honors the process of pregnancy.
May I continue my other types of prenatal care while receiving chiropractic care?
Yes! You absolutely must continue conventional medical treatments with either a midwife or obstetrician. There are no contraindications for the gentle type of chiropractic adjustments that I perform. Chiropractic care is not a replacement for any other type of health care. It is designed as a beneficial addition to your regular prenatal health routine.
Will I be comfortable during the adjustments?
Absolutely! I have special adjusting props to create comfort and ease during your time with me. Your comfort is of utmost concern to me. As your body grows and changes, you will truly welcome your visits to Derleth Chiropactic. Most of my pregnant mothers don’t ever want to get off the table!
For further information check out these articles or our affiliates link:
http://parenting.ivillage.com/pregnancy/pfitness/0,,40lj,00.html
http://www.dcdoctor.com/pages/rightpages_wellnesscenter/pregnancy/chirocare.html