Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a Chiropractor?
A Chiropractor practices a type of "therapy" in which abnormal function of the nervous system is considered the cause of disease. The method of treatment is delivered by a chiropractic doctor, or Chiropractor and usually involves manipulation or "adjustment" of the spinal column and other body structures. A Chiropractor attempts to correct misalignments which are often the cause of pain, illness and lack of body harmony.
2. How does chiropractic care work?
Chiropractic is an overall way of looking at the human body. It's based on the idea that the body is self-sustaining and self-healing. The body is in essence completely controlled by the brain through its connection via the spinal cord and the vast networks of nerves that make up the body. When this system is not functioning at its peak, the overall performance of the human body is lacking.
While it's often perceived that the chiropractor is solely here to treat back and neck pain, this is simply a small piece of what the profession really is capable of handling. Chiropractors not only treat soft and hard tissue problems such as sciatica and joint pain, but are largely called on to deal with more significant issues. Some of these issues include fibromyalgia, allergies, insomnia, headaches and many more.
3. What happens during a visit to a Chiropractor?
The first visit usually lasts about an hour. Your Chiropractor will take a complete health history, including information on past injuries and illnesses; current conditions and medications; lifestyle; diet; sleep habits; exercise; mental stresses; and use of alcohol, drugs, or tobacco.
During a physical exam, the Chiropractor also tests the extent of spinal mobility and may perform various diagnostic tests, such as blood pressure and x-rays, to rule out other conditions. Patients are typically asked to lie on a specially designed table, where the Chiropractor performs the spinal manipulations. The most common maneuver is manual manipulation, which involves movement of the selected joint, followed by a low-force thrust. The Chiropractor may use other treatments including massage and soft-tissue therapies. Some people experience minor aches, stiffness, and tiredness for a few days after the manipulation while their body adjusts to the new alignment..
4. Is chiropractic effective?
Chiropractic helps to remove postural imbalances and structural misalignments that can accumulate in our bodies over time. Chiropractic works by restoring your own inborn ability to be healthy. For your body to remain healthy, your nervous system must function well. For your nervous system to function well it must be free of interference. By restoring spinal function with Chiropractic adjustments, nerve interference by misaligned vertebrae is removed, thus allowing optimal nervous system function and improved health.
5. How can chiropractic care help me?
How you are treated for your symptoms and issues at Sunset Chiropractic Center will be unique to you. We’re a premiere health facility with a variety of services, and that means we have a menu of treatments options available that will work best for you, including chiropractic adjustments, massage, phyiostherapy and other treatments. The objective will be to remove imbalances and structural misalignments. These can be the result of recent events or they can be the culmination of years of wear and tear. No matter how what state you are currently in, chiropractic care can address your issues and support you body’s natural ability to heal.
6. What results can I expect from treatment?
Chiropractic is based on the idea of removing imbalances both structural and postural in an effort to allow our body to heal itself. For this to happen the network of nerves and signals from your brain, down your spinal cord, to the network of nerves must be allowed to flow freely without any interruption. Chiropractors have the ability and skill to remove these interruptions or misalignments and allow the body to perform as it was meant to.
If you've ever been in a car accident, played a sport, fell down or just bumped into something too hard, it's very possible that you are not functioning at your best due to a misalignment. While there are many potential mechanical or structural causes for misalignment, there are also chemical reasons. For instance, if you smoke or drink excessively or even just have a poor diet, the chemical issues in your body can eventually cause underlying conditions and disease to appear.
Allowing a chiropractor to get you back on track both chemically and structurally will bring your body back to the proper state it should be in to perform at its peak.
7. Are chiropractic adjustments safe? Do they hurt?
Adjustments are controlled and precise maneuvers, that should only be performed by experienced and highly skilled chiropractors who have had many years of training. Though all health procedures involve some level of risk, chiropractic adjustments, because they don’t involve drugs or invasive surgery and are performed with care, are among the safest of health treatments available.
8. Is chiropractic care okay for children and elderly? Pregnant women?
Dr. Pettet's youngest patient was 5 hr old baby and oldest 93 years. Pregnant women can be treated also, and often come in with low back pain, knee pain, headaches and more. Treatment on pregnant women is done with great care. Please contact us to find out more
9. Are there conditions that should not be treated by a Chiropractor?
Individuals with bone fractures or tumors, bone or joint infections, or advanced osteoporosis should avoid therapy by a Chiropractor in areas affected by any of these conditions.
Patients should also tell their chiropractor about any physical disabilities they have, or if they are experiencing symptoms of numbness, tingling, weakness, or other neurological problems. In extremely rare cases, manipulation of the neck has damaged blood vessels or caused strokes. The screening process, however, is designed to detect people at high risk.
10. What is Subluxation?
When a vertebrae becomes misaligned or moves out of its normal position, this is referred to in the chiropractic profession as a subluxation. Subluxations can be caused by a wide range of issues ranging from a minor slip or bump to a car accident or any sudden trauma. When a vertebrae is subluxated, it begins to put pressure on nerves, blood vessels and everything around it. This pressure comes with a price. The subluxation interrupts the natural pathways that the messages sent from the brain need to be clear in order to be completed properly
11. What type of education or degrees does a Chiropractor need?
A minimum of eight years of study is generally required to obtain a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree (DC). The Chiropractor student is required to complete a four-year undergraduate degree and a four-year degree from an accredited Chiropractic College or University. In order to attain the Doctor of Chiropractic degree, the Chiropractor must complete a one-year clinical internship prior to graduation. After graduation, the Chiropractor must pass four demanding national board exams and state exams in the states in which they practice.
12. How do I find a Chiropractor in my city and state?
The wellness.com directory will help you locate a Chiropractor in your state. Select Chiropractor from the professionals menu and select the state that you are looking to locate a Chiropractor in. After you have located your state, find the city that you will need a Chiropractor in. Select the state and city and you will see a list of Chiropractors in your city and state.
