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How does chiropractic differ from conventional medicine?

Like conventional medicine, chiropractic is based upon scientific principles of diagnosis through testing and empirical observations. Treatment is based upon the practitioner’s rigorous training and clinical experience. Unlike conventional medicine, which focuses on attempting to treat disease once it occurs, chiropractic attempts to improve the health of the individual in an effort to avoid illness in the first place. Also, chiropractors are the only professionals trained to diagnose and treat spinal subluxations.

What is a spinal subluxation?

The word ‘subluxation’ comes from the Latin words meaning ‘to dislocate’ (luxare) and ‘somewhat or slightly’ (sub). So the term ‘vertebral subluxation’ literally means a slight dislocation (misalignment) of the bones in the spine. Today the word ‘subluxation’ has changed in meaning to capture the complex of neurological, structural, and functional changes that occur when a bone is ‘out of place.’ Chiropractors usually refer to subluxations of the spine as the “Vertebral Subluxation Complex”, or “VSC” for short.

What kinds of conditions can be helped through chiropractic treatment?

Chiropractic care is effective for a wide variety of conditions, not just back pain. It offers a drug-free alternative to pain management, improved mobility, and enhanced function for conditions ranging from asthma to PMS and headaches to carpal tunnel. Chiropractic care is also very important for injury recovery and rehabilitation, following auto accidents, falls, and other personal injuries. It’s also helpful in finding relief from repetitive use injuries and even respiratory function.

Who can benefit from chiropractic care?

From infants to older adults, children, athletes, men, and women, chiropractic care is appropriate for almost anyone. Chiropractic can help seniors remain active and prevent falls which are a big issue for older people. A chiropractor can assess their posture and gait, and use spinal manipulation to improve their musculoskeletal alignment and balance. People of any age who spend a lot of time working on a computer can benefit from chiropractic care. In addition to adjusting your spine, a chiropractor can advise you on ergonomic work stations and exercises to decrease back or neck pain, headaches or eye strain, and prevent future problems. Regular chiropractic care during childhood may head off problems that many adults experience later in life. And athletes—both professional and recreational—should make chiropractic a routine part of their lives.

You’re known for spending a lot of time with your patients. Why is that so important to you?

Chiropractic is so much more than simply a means of relieving pain. The chiropractic approach is holistic, addressing your overall health. Many lifestyle factors impact your health such as exercise, diet, rest, stress, and environment. For this reason, I like to talk to my patients about changes they can make for optimum wellness. The goal of the chiropractic treatment is to restore the body to its natural state of optimal health. As a chiropractor, I want to do everything humanly possible to make my patients feel better and allow them to live life to the fullest.