Chiropractic Q & A

A. The length of time will depend upon how long the vertebrae (spinal bones) have been displaced, how successful the adjustment is in reducing the displacements, how much damage has been done to the nerve tracts and fibers, the vitality of the patient, and the rate of response of the nerve fibers to the adjustment.

A. The function of the adjustment is to restore misplace bone strictures to their normal positions and reestablish the normal pathways for the nerve tracts and fibers so that performance of the nervous system can improve, thus promoting healing.

A. Your progress is determined by the degree of the presence or absence of the objective and physical signs of imperfect performance of the nervous system: leg length checks, mobility checks, thermographic pattern measurements, spinal column distortion measurements, and evaluation of symptoms as compared to the objective signs.

A. If correction made by the adjustment is holding, the sensitivity of the nervous system may increase, making you more aware of your distress. This is important to your recovery and is usually temporary. Adjusting based on increased sensitivity of a reaction to your previous adjustment will hinder your progress. Adjustments are given only based on lack of proper performance of the nervous system.

A. Most subluxations have existed for years, causing harm to the nervous system and its control of the bodily functions. When the subluxation is removed by the adjustment, repair of the damage must take place before you can recover. Repair of tissue takes time.

A. No two subluxations are identical; therefore, every adjustment is different.

A. The neck (cervical) vertebrae, when interfering with the nervous system, cause problems throughout the body and the pain from a subluxation is most frequently expressed some distance from the location of the subluxation. Muscular imbalance will twist or distort the pelvis as well as the entire spine.

A. You may experience many other benefits as a chiropractic patient other than those for which you originally sought. Some of these are:

• • Better performance of the nervous system resulting in improvement in respiration,
    cardiac rate control, circulatory improvement, better functioning of the digestive tract,
    and better elimination.
  • Improved spinal balance through correction of the pelvic alignment.
  • Realignment of the gravity center of the body, causing better posture.
  • Correction of spastic contracture in skeletal (body framework) muscles, thereby

resolving back pain.

• Equalization of leg lengths, providing better body-weight distribution and protection of

spinal discs.

• Improved positions of internal organs.

A. If the nervous system is steadily improving in its performance, no adjustment will be given.

A. Yes, sensation of any kind is conveyed from the sense organs in the body to the spinal cord and brain over those nerves referred to as sensory. If the subluxation decreases the ability of these sensory nerves to convey messages to the central nervous system, you may feel quite well yet be very ill. This is somewhat like certain drugs, such as painkillers, given to relieve symptoms and which act by lowering or blocking the sensory input to the central nervous system.

A. Yes, if the same subluxation recurs and to the same degree. The intensity of the symptoms agrees rather closely with the severity of the subluxation. However, if the adjustment has held for a considerable length of time, it will require time for the symptoms to recur. Just as it takes time to get well, it takes time to get sick. This is the reason you should check in after a fall, and not wait for symptoms to appear again.

A. No, we are subject to our environment and must continually adjust to it. Within that environment are disease-producing organisms, pollutants, poisons, poor home and/or workplace ergonomics, and other irritants to the nervous system mechanisms. Any of these can produce a subluxation.

A. The only sure way is to have your chiropractor check you for the physical and objective signs.

A. It indicates strongly and positively that major change has taken place in the subluxation factors. The area should be X-Rayed again.

A. Very rarely does this happen and only after injury. Patients who suggest that a correction has occurred are judging by the symptoms. They feel better and believe that the reason for feeling better is that the subluxation has corrected itself. Frequently, an increase in the subluxation factors due to some injury will make the patient symptom-free, but only temporarily; later he/she will become more ill if an adjustment is not given. If the subluxation recurs slowly, the patient will feel exceptionally well a day or two before subluxation sets in.

A. Not unless there has been a rather severe injury. The vertebrae of the cervical (neck) spine have little to hold them, especially the atlas which is held by only ligaments and muscles and must support the weight of the head. It is more vulnerable to injury than are the other vertebral segments.

A. The nerve fibers have had time to increase in size following the adjustment, and the bony pathways through which the nerve fibers pass must be further enlarged by the adjustment to accommodate them.

A. Imperfect performance of the nervous system is an integral part of the inception of every disease process. Checking the nervous system’s performance to uncover conduction blocks, and removing them, could help prevent many conditions from developing.

A. An occasional check is advisable after you have been dismissed from care. There is always the possibility of a recurrence of the subluxation or of a new and different subluxation giving rise to a new condition with a different set of symptoms. Further, keeping a check on the functioning of the nervous system will help prevent many illnesses.

A. Following and adjustment, use care in moving the head and avoid any sudden movements. Avoid looking up as in reaching above the head, instead look with your eyes. Never put strain on your neck muscles. In order to avoid hitting your head when getting in your car, it is recommended to duck in with your head first then follow with your body. While sitting, do so upright; do not sit on the lower back (sacrum). Try to avoid any emotional stressors.

Do not sit in chairs that place pressure against the back of the head, forcing it forward. Do not sleep while sitting in chairs or in your car. When lying down, do not use your head to lift or turn your body to another position. Do not sleep on your stomach. Do not “pop” or pull on your neck or head. Do not permit anyone to massage your neck or to manipulate your spine without consulting your chiropractor. Check with your chiropractor if you have a cold or other feverish condition.