General Questions

Are Chiropractic Adjustments Safe?

A New Zealand government study found that adjustments are “remarkably safe”. By avoiding drugs and risky surgery, chiropractic care enjoys an excellent track record. A thorough exam can identify the rare person for whom chiropractic care might not be unsuited.

Can The Bones Move Too Much?

Highly unlikely. A chiropractic adjustment is special. It has the right amount of energy, delivered to an exact spot, at a precise angle, at just the right time. The intent is to get a stuck spinal joint moving again, helping reduce nerve interference. Years of training, practice and experience make chiropractic adjustments specific and safe.

How Many Adjustments Will I Need?

The number of adjustments varies with each patient and their individual health goals. Many patients sense progress within a week or two of frequent visits. Visits become less often as your spine stabilises. In chronic cases, complete healing can take months or even years.

Can I Have Chiropractic Care After Back Surgery?

Yes. Rest assured that your chiropractic doctor will avoid the surgically modified areas of your spine. Surgery often causes instability above or below the involved level. These areas will be the focus of your chiropractic care.

How Long Until I’ll Feel Better?

Some patients experience almost instant relief. Others discover it can take many weeks or months. Many factors can affect the healing process. How long have you had your problem? Are you keeping your appointments? Are you getting the proper rest, exercise and nutrition? Do you smoke? Are you in otherwise good condition? Within a short period of time, most patients sense enough progress to fully carry out their doctor’s recommendations.

Why Don’t Medical Practitioners and Chiropractic Doctors Get Along?

That’s changing. Years of prejudice and bias are giving way to research showing the benefits of chiropractic care. Attitudes are slow to change. However, as the public demands alternatives to drugs and surgery, more and more medical practitioners are referring their patients to our office.

Will I Ever Be Normal Again?

Patient results vary based on how severe the original problem was. Other factors that will influence the outcome is your age, your level of physical fitness, how long the problem has been there, whether it is getting better or worse, and how much physical damage the body has sustained through injury or wear and tear. Your expectation of what a successful outcome looks like is something you should discuss with the chiropractor. For some people, full resolution is easily achieved, while others may be limited to short term pain relief. After assessing you, your chiropractor will tell you what treatment plan would be appropriate for you in your individual circumstances, and also what kind of results you might be able to expect.

Can Subluxations Clear Up On Their Own?

Sometimes. Today’s hectic lifestyles are a constant source of subluxations. Fortunately, our bodies have the ability to self-correct many of these problems as we bend and stretch, or when we sleep at night. When subluxations don’t resolve, you need to see a chiropractic doctor!

Will Adjustments Make My Spine Too Loose?

No. Only the spinal joints that are locked up receive adjustments. This allows the muscles and ligaments to stabilise and heal.

What Makes the Sound During The Adjustment?

Lubricating fluids separate the bones of each spinal joint. Some adjusting methods can produce a sound when the gas and fluids in the joint shift. It’s much like opening a bottle of champagne or removing a suction cup. The sound is interesting, but it isn’t a guide to the quality or value of the adjustment.

Why Do Newborns Get Adjustments?

Even today’s natural childbirth methods can affect an infant’s spine. Paediatric adjustments are gentle. Knowing exactly where to adjust, the doctor applies no more pressure than you’d use to test the ripeness of a tomato, or may alternatively use a specialised instrument especially developed for low force adjusting.

Can Patients With Osteoporosis Get Chiropractic Care?

Of course. When developing a care plan, your chiropractic doctor considers the unique circumstances of each patient. There are many ways to adjust the spine. The method selected will be suited to your age, size and condition.

Will I Receive Any Medication For My Pain?

No. Chiropractic doctors don’t dispense drugs. Because we rely on natural methods, we can show you how to use ice and/or heat packs to control painful symptoms. When properly applied, ice/heat can have an analgesic effect without the side effects of pain medications.

What If My Health Insurance Doesn’t Cover Chiropractic?

Your health affects everything you do and everyone you know. It is your most valuable possession. Yet, each of us is free to place a different value on our health. It’s convenient when an insurance company or third party helps pay the bill. But be careful! Don’t allow the profit motive of a huge corporation to make the decision for you. Find out how we make chiropractic care affordable for just about anyone.

How Do I Know If I Have A Subluxation?

You can have subluxations and not even know about it. Like the early stages of tooth decay or cancer, subluxations can be present before the warning signs appear. The results of a thorough examination can show the location and severity of subluxations you may have.

What If Chiropractic Doesn’t Work?

If we’re unable to find and correct the cause of your particular health problem, we will refer you to another specialist who may be able to help. Your health is our primary goal.

At Walkerville chiropractic we are pleased to provide a comfortable and state of the art chiropractic clinic for our patients.