What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic means “treatment by hand”. Another common term is ‘manual medicine’. The basic tenants of Chiropractic promote the use of conservative health care when possible before resorting to drugs or surgery.

Also emphasized is the ‘healthy lifestyle’, which promotes overall health, and reducing lifestyle related illness and predispositions to injury. Over time, poor posture and unbalanced joint motion cause joint stress, breakdown, arthritis, and pain. Chiropractors help problems in the musculo-skeletal system (muscles, bones and joints). Pain is reduced when we relieve irritation and stress from nerves, muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissues. Our goal is to restore normal motion and relieve pain. By doing this, Chiropractors are able to reduce the cost of health care, reduce the number of people exposed unnecessarily to surgery and the resultant risk of complications and reduce the number of “re-injuries” that occur to people.

Who is a Chiropractic Physician?
Chiropractors, also known as Doctors of Chiropractic or Chiropractic Physicians, diagnose and treat patients whose health problems are associated with the body's muscular, nervous, and skeletal systems.

Besides treating patients for back and neck pain, many chiropractors believe improving the body’s motion will relieve irritation of the nervous system. Since the body is controlled by the nerves, a well adjusted body functions better and is healthier. Many are trained in ancillary areas such as exercise, rehabilitation or nutrition.

What does a Chiropractic Physician do?
Chiropractic Physicians use what is referred to as conservative care as their primary approach to illness and injury. This ‘conservative care’ consists of methods including: adjustments (manual therapy), physical therapy, therapeutic exercise, lifestyle changes, and may include nutritional or vitamin supplements.

The chiropractic approach to long-term health care is holistic, stressing the patient's overall well-being. It recognizes that many factors affect health, including exercise, diet, rest, environment, and heredity. Chiropractic Physicians use natural, drugless, non-surgical health treatments. They also may recommend lifestyle changes to their patients (regarding eating, exercise, and sleeping habits, for example). When appropriate, Chiropractic Physicians consult with and refer patients to other health practitioners.

Like other health practitioners, Chiropractic Physicians follow a standard routine to secure the information needed for diagnosis and treatment. They take the patient's medical history, conduct physical, neurological, and orthopedic examinations, and may order laboratory tests.

In cases in which difficulties can be traced to involvement of musculoskeletal structures, Chiropractic Physicians may manually manipulate the structure in question. Many Chiropractic Physicians also use massage, ultrasound, electrotherapy and thermotherapy (ice/heat) and may apply supports such as braces, straps or athletic tape. They may also counsel patients about wellness concepts such as nutrition, exercise, lifestyle changes, and stress management, but do not prescribe drugs or perform surgery.

Do adjustments hurt?
Most patients find chiropractic treatment makes them feel great. Occasionally, there may be soreness similar to how one feels after working out. Soreness from using muscle for the first time in a while is actually a good thing and resolves quickly. The soreness is caused by the stretching of scar tissue and the improved motion of the previously locked joint.

Most people report greater flexibility following an adjustment. A spinal adjustment is extremely safe when performed by a qualified doctor.

What is alternative/conservative health care?
CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine. This may include chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, nutrition, yoga, pilates, ect.

The list of what is considered to be CAM changes continually, as those therapies that are proven to be safe and effective become adopted into conventional health care and as new approaches to health care emerge.

Why are so many MDs referring to Chiropractic Doctors now?
A tremendous amount of research has shown the effectiveness of chiropractic care for conditions such as low back pain. Medical Doctors who refer to chiropractors do so in the best interest of their patients.

What is a subluxation?
Subluxation is an old Chiropractic term that originally referred to the concept of a vertebrae that was impinging or “pinching” on a spinal nerve to create neural interference (think crimped garden hose). More recently it has been used by Chiropractors to represent a “joint dysfunction” which can create a local inflammatory process and result in pain. The term is used less and less by Chiropractic Physicians and is typically not used by other health care professionals except to occasionally refer to a “partial dislocation of a joint”

I have heard that Chiropractic Physicians try to treat people for a very long time. Is this true?
NO! That is a common misconception of the profession. While every illness/injury is different there are some general rules that can be applied. We care for problems in one of 3 phases of care. Patients always choose the level of care they desire.

1. AcuteCare Goal - Relieve Pain.
Most patients show improvement within the first 2 to 5 visits. Initial treatment usually works best when a person is seen frequently for a short period of time.

2. RehabCare Goal — Correct Bio-Mechanical Problems
Chiropractors restore pain-free motion and improve strength with continued joint mobilization, muscle therapy and posture exercises. Learning new body motion patterns helps change how you move so you can feel better and be healthier.

3. WellnessCare Goal - Prevention & Performance
Regular therapy and intelligent Life Habits help people keep moving, stay active and maximize their HealthSpan.

A lot of patients chose to continue on with Wellness care often referred to as “preventative or maintenance care” to just plain feel better. Wouldn’t it be nice to pamper yourself with a massage or getting your nails done once a week? Is it necessary? Probably not, but more people are placing their personal fitness at a higher priority then ever before.

What is HealthSpan?
Lifespan is how long you live. Healthspan is how long you live healthy.

Are chiropractors real doctors?
Yes. The degree that chiropractors hold is "D.C.", which stands for Doctor of Chiropractic. Becoming a chiropractor takes on the average seven years of school in a curriculum similar to a medical doctor's education (instead of training in pharmacology and surgery chiropractors have more training in radiology, neurology and spinal adjusting techniques).

Why/how are Chiropractors different from MD’s and DO’s?
A Chiropractic Physician (DC), receives much the same basic education as a Medical Doctor (MD) and Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), All three professions are trained in primary care diagnosis. However the focus of the MD is the utilization of drugs and surgery (hence the title of “Medical” Doctor), the chiropractor is trained on manual medicine (treatment by hand) and therapy, while the DO focuses on Medicine and Drugs with trends towards conservative care.

Beyond the techniques that these three physicians use to treat their patients, their goal is one and the same: To effectively reduce suffering and provide a positive quality of life for their patients.

What do chiropractors learn in school?
Many people are surprised to learn that chiropractors extensive education requirements include over 4000 hours of anatomy, radiology, pathology and clinical skills.

What can I expect in terms of licensure?
All 50 states and the District of Columbia in the United States regulate the practice of chiropractic and grant licenses to chiropractors that meet educational requirements of the State and pass a State approved board examination.

For licensure in the state of Florida, a doctor must have a basic education of a bachelor’s degree prior to entering chiropractic school; graduate from a chiropractic school accredited by the Council on Chiropractic Education through the U.S. Department of Education and complete a series of national standardized test administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. They then must pass a state examination covering standards of practice including diagnosis, treatment and rules and laws.

To maintain licensure, the state requires completion of a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education each year. Continuing education programs are offered by accredited chiropractic programs and institutions, and chiropractic associations. Special councils within some chiropractic associations also offer programs leading to clinical specialty certification, called "diplomate" certification, in areas such as orthopedics, rehabilitation, neurology, sports injuries, occupational and industrial health, nutrition, diagnostic imaging, and internal disorders.

Can Conservative Medicine help my allergies, asthma, headaches, TMJ, diabetes …?
YES. While certain conditions should be Co-Managed with other physicians, there are significant benefits to be gained through Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) care for frustrating conditions like asthma, allergies, fibromyalgia and diabetes. Just because you are on medication for an illness, doesn’t mean that the illness is 100% totally managed and there is nothing else you can do. Often nutritional and / or exercise therapy alone can reduce (and sometimes eliminate) the need for medications. With reduced medication, you have fewer side effects, allowing your body to respond to other therapies even better. Remember to contact the prescribing physician before changing your medication schedule.

Should I ask my medical doctor's opinion before consulting a chiropractor?
You are certainly entitled to ask your MD’s opinion on chiropractic, but be aware that some general practitioners may still have limited knowledge on chiropractic manipulative therapies. Chiropractors are trained to recognize disorders beyond a chiropractic scope of practice and when to refer a patient to the appropriate medical specialist.

You have said some things that my current Chiropractic/Medical Physician does not agree with. Why is this? How are you different from other Chiropractic Physicians?
It is important to remember that even within each health care profession, health care providers often do not agree on everything. The main difference between most Chiropractic Physicians and Medical Physicians is the point of view. The training is actually similar between the two professions with the exception of surgical techniques and Pharmacology (the Chiropractic Physicians replace Surgical training with manual therapies and Pharmacology with nutrition). A study done by the National College of Chiropractic showed that with the exceptions mentioned above, Chiropractic Physicians trained at their facility and the US national Medical School average education had essentially the same number of hours of instruction in all other categories.

Some Chiropractors may disagree with my statements because of a difference viewpoint, or practice technique. For instance, some Chiropractors still adhere to the Subluxation Theory, while others may believe that a particular technique or method is best. These are professional disagreements and should not interfere with your decision for health care. It is ultimately your decision to use Traditional (Medical) or Conservative health care, and if you are not comfortable with your Physicians’ opinion, you should seek a second opinion.

What is a typical chiropractic treatment?
First, the cause of your problem is determined with a complete examination including physical, orthopedic, neurological, and chiropractic tests. X-rays are taken if necessary.

The doctor will then explain your problem, tell you whether or not he/she feels chiropractic care is indicated, and an appropriate treatment plan will be recommended.

Then, gentle manipulation (or adjustments) to spinal or extremity joints are performed. Physio-therapy such as Ultrasound, Electrical Muscle Stimulation, Cryotherapy, Hydrocollator, and/or Intersegmental mobilization may also be used.

In addition, massage can stretch tight muscles and personalized postural exercises retrain poor patterns of body motion.

How does chiropractic help athletes improve and maintain their best performance? What about sports injuries?
Chiropractors help athletes balance body and joint motion for optimal sports performance. Chiropractic adjustments promote full range joint motion, stretch overly tight muscles, work underused muscles, and reduce stress from overused tissues.

An athlete who can move fully, with balance, and in control can perform his best.
OR
Many amateur and professional athletes are sidelined with injuries that could be avoided. Others sit it out on the bench because their injury does not respond to ordinary treatment. Still others are playing, but at less than peak efficiency, simply because their structural system is not balanced. Progressive coaches, athletes, and doctors are realizing that pain killing drugs are not the answer. They merely cover up the symptoms, deceiving the athlete into actions that could make the injury more serious. Probably more than any other health profession, Chiropractic's approach to health closely relates to the needs of the sports participant. Most sports involve body contact, fast starts and stops, and positioning that places an unusual amount of strain on the back and structural system. Doctors of Chiropractic consider a person as an integrated being, giving special attention to the spine, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. Chiropractic is a natural health care method that stresses the importance of keeping all the systems of the body functioning efficiently so the player enjoys peak performance, a minimum injury risk, and fast recuperative powers. Many world class and Olympic athletes, as well as professional stars and teams, have retained sports chiropractors to provide care. Joe Montana, Nolan Ryan, Muhammad Ali, Kareem Abdul-Jubbar, and Carl Lewis all utilize chiropractic care. The Players Association of the NFL has officially incorporated sports chiropractors as a regular part of care. Chiropractors have been selected as attending doctors at the Olympic Games and at national and world championships in track and field, cycling, volleyball, powerlifting, aerobics, and triathlons.

What can be treated with conservative care?
Practically any condition can be treated by conservative care or co-managed by a Chiropractic Physician and a Medical Physician. While conservative care excels with neuromusculoskeletal conditions, it also compliments traditional measures. Athletes are also benefited by conservative care. Many professional athletes are adjusted before competition as a "tune-up" in an effort to place their bodies in a state of peak efficiency. Following competition, they are adjusted to enhance the recuperative process after the stress of their particular event. When asked about chiropractic's effectiveness, Roger Craig, formerly of the San Francisco 49'ers, stated, "We won four Super Bowls in the 1980's with it, so it must be doing something right!"

What can Chiropractic Care do for Auto Injuries?
Many car accidents or “whiplash” injuries are classified as “soft tissue” meaning that no bones are broken or internal injuries were sustained. Most patients go to the ER where x-rays are taken and they are told nothing is broken and given pain pills and muscle relaxers and sent home.

Because the symptoms from a soft tissue injury may not show up until 3-7 days after the trauma, a thorough chiropractic examination is very important. These soft tissues may require conservative care to help the muscle, tendon, ligaments and neural tissues to heal and repair more effectively and efficiently. People are realizing that pain killing drugs are not the answer. They merely cover up the symptoms, deceiving the patient into thinking they are getting better. Then when the medication is gone they are hurting and have delayed important treatment that is designed to help them repair and recover. Pain changes how a body moves, therefore after the initial pain improves, the body may adapt to moving differently. Unless normal motion is restored, body motion will be unbalanced. Left untreated, the body adapts to the unbalanced pattern of motion, creating a chronic problem.

Does this mean you should not take medications?
Our recommendation is to look at the healing process and co-manage the injuries with conservative treatment as well medication if necessary.

Doctors of Chiropractic consider a person as an integrated being, giving special attention to the spine, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. Chiropractic is a natural health care method that stresses the importance of keeping all the systems of the body functioning efficiently, not just covering up the pain.

An MRI shows I have a disc problem. Do I need surgery?
Over half of normal adults with no symptoms will have some type of disc problem show on their MRI. Although each case is different, most problems respond well to conservative therapies such as chiropractic, massage and exercise. It’s your body. View surgery as a LAST resort.

What is a herniated disc?
Herniated Disc is a generic term for more specific derangements. They are classified either as a bulge, protrusion or extrusion depending on the size, extent and location of the problem.

What is sciatica?
Sciatic is pain in the back that runs down the back of the leg. It is caused from irritation of the sciatic nerve itself or from pinching of the spinal nerves which form the sciatic nerve.

Chiropractic care is a logical conservative approach to this condition. Reducing the irritation of the nerve by realigning the vertebrae reducing the joint, muscle and nerve tension helps many sciatic patients. Surgery is recommended when necessary, but can usually be prevented.

Everyone knows Chiropractic is effective for low back pain. What else can Chiropractic help?
Doctors of Chiropractic effectively treat headaches, neck problems and certain arthritic conditions. Joint problems of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle and foot also respond well to conservative chiropractic manipulative therapy. Chiropractors specialize in neuro-musculoskeleton (nerve-muscle-bone) and motion conditions.

However, many patient’s also find significant help with non musculoskeletal conditions like asthma, diabeties, digestive disorders, high blood pressure to name a few.

How will chiropractic care help arthritis?
Osteoarthritis/DJD is a mechanical irritation of the joint, usually due to unbalanced motion. The joint responds to the unbalanced and stressed motion with formation of bone spurs on the edges of the bone. Maintaining proper motion through a joint can reduce this mechanical damage.
Osteoarthritis is different than rheumatoid arthritis, which is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that attacks the synovium of the joint.

Can chiropractic relieve back spasms?
Just like a fever is the result of an infection and not the cause of the illness, back spasms are a symptom, not the cause of a back problem.

The spasm is usually caused by irritation of nerves controlling the spinal joints and discs. These are the same nerves which control muscle contraction in the back. If the nerves are irritated, they produce pain and reflex spasm. A spasm is the body's way of stopping motion to protect an injured joint.

The body can sustain a spinal injury from one big trauma (such as an auto accident) or by the buildup of many small traumas (such as long term unbalanced posture from working on a computer, lifting, or other activity). Restoring normal motion and allowing the body to first heal, and then move differently, is the most effective treatment.

Can chiropractic help my golf swing?
Chiropractic is effective in releasing tension from the low back, neck, shoulders, hips, groin and legs, areas which frequently trouble golfers.

An unbalanced swing causes reduced club head speed. Unlocking body motion to improve flexibility and then improving body balance teaches golfers to move with more fluid movement. Increasing flexibility and range of motion reduces the chance of injury, maximizes performance and makes golfing more fun.

What can help prevent back and other joint problems?
Focused motion exercises consisting of coordinated muscle conditioning and strengthening exercises and preventive stretching exercises before activity can keep motion balanced, reducing abnormal joint and muscle stress and strain.