Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
At what age should chiropractic begin?
Newborns can receive care especially if they’ve had a difficult or traumatic birth. There are case histories of infants close to death who were adjusted in hospitals with seemingly miraculous recoveries.>
Is it bad to “crack” your neck or back a lot?
The desire to “crack” or “pop” the neck is caused by a buildup of tension that usually comes from jammed or fixated vertebrae. When one area of the body is locked up another part may compensate by moving too much and “popping” or clicking a lot. The jammed part should be adjusted by chiropractors so the rest of the body will balance and stop being so movable and noisy.
When I crack my neck, am I adjusting myself?
“Cracking” or “popping” your neck gives relief for a while, but soon the urge to “crack” or “pop” reappears because the cause of the tension hasn’t been corrected.
Can subluxations automatically correct themselves?
Yes. Massage, acupuncture, meditation, various types of bodywork permit the body to automatically realign. Occasionally, even a good night’s sleep can correct a subluxation.
Can I tell if I have a subluxation without consulting chiropractors?
Not always. A subluxation is like a dental cavity--you may have it for a long time before symptoms appear. That’s why periodic checkups are so important. Although it may be possible to know you have a subluxation, it is rarely possible to be sure you don’t. An occasional chiropractic checkup is always a good idea.
Is chiropractic similar to massage?
No, but they work great when they are combined in treatment together. Chiropractic deals with the structural system and balance, especially the spinal column, discs, nervous system, meninges and mind/body. Massage therapists usually restrict their care to muscle tension, circulation, and body fluid drainage.
Do chiropractors have medical (M.D.) degrees?
Chiropractors have a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degree granted from chiropractic colleges. Chiropractic education and medical education are similar in some respects and different in others because chiropractors do not prescribe drugs and medical doctors do not correct subluxations.
Can a person with a broken back or neck see chiropractors?
After the break heals, yes. In fact, a broken bone forms a callus or bone scar where it heals that is stronger than the rest of the bone. This should dispel any concerns about the safety of chiropractic. People who have had broken bones need chiropractic checkups because accidents usually cause subluxations.
Can I go to chiropractors if I am under medical care?
Yes. Having subluxations corrected is important, no matter what other type of healthcare you are receiving. Today many D.C.s and M.D.s are working together in clinics and on joint research projects. M.D.s are quite likely to have patients who are under chiropractic care; in fact, many medical doctors see chiropractors themselves.
How often should I get a chiropractic adjustment?
As soon as a subluxation develops. However, since subluxations are not always painful, it is a good idea to get chiropractic checkups periodically.
