Chiropractic Care for Children… Part 2

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Chiropractic Care for Children… Part 2

What does chiropractic care involve? The first thing a chiropractor will do is to conduct a thorough history of your child’s health and any complaints. This is followed by a complete physical examination of the child’s spine. Most chiropractors are trained to evaluate paediatric spinal problems, and will use gentle, specific skills to find and adjust any involved spinal areas.

When I tell people that I care for many children and babies in my practice, their initial reaction is often one of surprise, as they assume that I use the same techniques on children as I do on adults. Chiropractic care is ‘tailored’ to the individual and their particular spine, and children are no exception. We offer specific, gentle adjustments appropriate to the infant and child’s spine and cranium.

Spinal adjustments for infants and young children involve very light fingertip pressure to correct spinal misalignments. This amount of “force” is often not more than a finger touch. This is usually sufficient to restore mobility to spinal joints which have become locked and are causing interference to the normal nervous system function. Occasionally, the adjustments will make a ‘popping’ sound when the spinal joints are moved; however, this is not always heard when children’s spines are adjusted. Other techniques involve the use of hand-held instruments which offer specific and gentle correction.

Does it hurt? In general, chiropractic care for children is painless, except in cases where the child has an actual injury. In these areas, the child may be sensitive to touch; however, once the adjustment has been made and the area can heal more effectively, the sensitivity is alleviated. Overall, most parents report that their children enjoy their spinal adjustments, and that they look forward to their next visit.

How long will it take? A child’s spine will generally respond much faster than an adult’s spine to chiropractic adjustment, and will often require only a few adjustments to restore normal function. The actual number of adjustments will vary depending on many factors such as the length of time the problem has been present.

Is it safe? The risks of a child suffering notable injury from a spinal adjustment are extremely minimal. Chiropractors have been adjusting children’s spines for more than 100 years and have an excellent safety record.

A recent study done by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA) in the United States, Canada, and Europe showed that only a few children (out of more than 10,000 visits) experienced minor discomfort and fussiness. The remaining children in the study had no adverse reactions to the adjustment. These preliminary data tells us that chiropractic care for children may be one of the safest forms of health care available. Australian ICPA chiropractors will be participating in a similar study as well.

How can I tell if my child has spinal problems? is_23172083-children-grasping-overhead-bars-200x300

Unless a child has an obvious problem it can be difficult for a parent to recognize when a child’s spine is not working correctly. There are some signs which can indicate spinal problems. These include:

  • disturbed sleeping patterns
  • breastfeeding difficulties in the very young
  • restricted head or neck movement to one side
  • one shoulder higher than the other


Common childhood disorders can also be linked with spinal dysfunction, these include:

  • recurrent ear infections
  • persistent sore throats and colds
  • colic/reflux
  • asthma
  • scoliosis
  • headaches
  • bedwetting and/or constipation
  • growing pains
  • ADHD

One of the most common reasons for parents to seek chiropractic care for their child is physical trauma from an injury of some sort. The spinal misalignments that may occur at the time of the injury will not necessarily result in immediate pain or symptoms. In addition to physical stress, parents should be aware that emotional and chemical stress affect the child’s nervous system and may also warrant a spinal check up.

Regular chiropractic checkups can identify potential spinal dysfunction resulting from these stresses, and chiropractic adjustments may help to enhance future function and well-being.

Chiropractic Care for Children… Part 1

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Chiropractic Care for Children…  Part 1
Chiropractors have been caring for adults and children for more than 100 years.  It is well-known in the scientific literature that many common ailments respond extremely well to this safe, natural form of health care.  In recent years more and more parents, especially those who have been treated themselves with chiropractic care are seeking chiropractic care for their children.  This week’s FaceBook article attempts to answer some of the frequently asked questions asked by parents about their children’s health.

Let’s start here:

What is chiropractic? Chiropractic is based on the important relationship between the spine and the nervous system.  One of the most basic ideas in chiropractic is that dysfunction in the spine and its joints can lead to dysfunction within the nervous system and since the nervous system controls and coordinates all the systems of the body, spinal dysfunction can have wide ranging effects on the body’s health.  As Chiropractors we are trained to evaluate how the body is functioning as related to the spine and treat areas of dysfunction.

Why do my kids need chiropractic? A child encounters many physical stresses during their growing years.  The resulting problems in children’s spines can occur at almost any point in their development and growth.

Dr. Mark examining 5 year old Trevor's cervical spine after school last week.

Dr. Mark examining 5 year old Trevor's cervical spine after school last week.

The earliest challenge a growing spine faces is the position it is forced to adopt in utero, there are many fetal positions that can cause problems with labor and delivery, some are: brow, breech, transverse, posterior and ascynclitic.  What is less well known is that these fetal positions can also cause problems in the baby’s spine as well.   Spinal segments can lose functional activity or motion, often times are pushed or jammed out of place which can jeopardize the health of your child.  Additionally birthing methods can stress an infant’s spine and nervous system not to mention interventions such as induction, forceps, vonteuse suction, or caesarean section.  The cause of many newborn health complaints such as colic, reflux, breastfeeding difficulties, sleep disturbances, allergic reactions, and chronic infections can often be traced to nervous system irritation caused or complicated by dysfunction within the spine.  Since significant spinal trauma can occur at, or prior to birth, a recent trend for many parents is to have their newborn’s spine checked right after birth. Many developmental milestones such as learning to hold up the head, sitting upright, crawling, and walking are all activities that are affected by spinal dysfunction and are important times to have a child checked by a chiropractor. Additionally, falls, sports injuries, playground bumps, heavy school bags and sitting all day in the classroom are all physical stresses to the growing child.

Next week we will discuss the scope and nature of chiropractic care including common childhood disorders, the examination process, the actual treatment procedures, safety concern, the “does it hurt” question and others.

Here is the link to a very recent and local news article that talks about the benefits of chiropractic care for children and babies

http://www.wmctv.com/story/21790908/chiropractor-visits-a-rising-trend-in-baby-health

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Safety

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Safety

Chiropractic treatments are extremely safe for people of all ages. Unfortunately, some critics of chiropractic care have attempted to manipulate the public into thinking chiropractic treatments are dangerous. Nothing could be further from the truth. Chiropractic treatments are among some of the safest treatments used in the health care field.

Read what Canadian researchers stated after performing the largest analysis of scientific literature on the most effective and cost effective treatments for low back pain:

“Chiropractic manipulation is safer than medical management of low back pain. Chiropractic management is greatly superior to medical management in terms of scientific validity, safety, cost-effectiveness and patient satisfaction.”

• The Manga Report
• The Agency on Health Care Policy and Research Study
• The New Zealand Commission Report

The Manga Report
The Ontario Ministry of Health commissioned Manga Report represents the largest analysis of scientific literature on the most effective and cost effective treatments for low back pain. After reviewing all of the international evidence on the management of low back pain, lead investigator Pran Manga, Ph.D., found the treatments provided by Doctors of Chiropractic were exceptionally safe – much safer than for standard medical treatments of similar conditions.

“There is no clinical or case-control study that demonstrates or even implies that chiropractic spinal manipulation is unsafe in the treatment of low back pain. Some medical treatments are equally safe, but others are unsafe and generate iatrogenic (doctor-induced) complications for low back pain patients. Our reading of the literature suggests that chiropractic manipulation is safer than medical management of low back pain.”

“Indeed, several existing medical therapies of low back pain are generally contraindicated on the basis of the existing clinical trials. There is also some evidence in the literature to suggest that spinal manipulations are less safe and less effective when performed by nonchiropractic professionals”

“Chiropractic manipulation is safer than medical management of low back pain. Chiropractic management is greatly superior to medical management in terms of scientific validity, safety, cost-effectiveness and patient satisfaction.”

(See The Effectiveness and Cost Effectiveness of Chiropractic Management of Low-Back Pain (The Manga Report). Pran Manga and Associates (1993) – University of Ottawa, Canada.)

The Agency on Health Care Policy and Research Study

On December 8, 1994, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) of the US Department of Health and Human Services released Clinical Practice Guidelines for the management of acute low back pain. Their guidelines were developed after extensive study of diagnostic and treatment methods for acute low back pain.

The guidelines were created by the AHCPR panel to provide primary care clinicians with information and recommended strategies for the assessment and treatment of acute low back problems. The AHCPR panel was made up of 23 members consisting of medical doctors, chiropractic doctors, nurses, experts in spinal research, physical therapists, an occupational therapist, a psychologist, and a consumer representative.

Their findings included:
• The risk of serious complications from lumbar spinal manipulation is rare;
• Conservative treatment such as spinal manipulation should be pursued in most cases before considering surgical intervention;
• Prescription drugs such as oral steroids, antidepressant medications and colchicine are not recommended for acute low back problems.
(See Acute Low Back Problems in Adults. Clinical Practice Guidelines. Bigos S, et al. Agency for Health Care Policy and Research Publication No. 950642 (1994) – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.)

The New Zealand Commission Report

The government of New Zealand published a 377 page report which assessed the efficacy and safety of chiropractic care. The report was a result of almost 2 years of conducted hearings from recognized health care experts.

Their principal findings included:
“Chiropractors are the only health practitioners who are necessarily equipped by their education and training to carry out spinal manual therapy (spinal adjustments).”

“Chiropractors carry out spinal diagnosis and therapy at a sophisticated and refined level.”

“Spinal manual therapy in the hands of a registered chiropractor is safe.”

“The duration and training of a registered chiropractor are sufficient to enable him/her to determine whether there are contraindications to spinal manual therapy in a particular case, and whether that patient should have medical care instead of, or as well as, chiropractic care.”

(See New Zealand Report. Hasselberg PD. Government Printer, Wellington – 1979.)

Chiropractic Myths

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Myths and the Chiropractic Lifestyle

Chiropractors Often Utilize X-ray Studies
Based on the nature of your condition as well as a number of other factors, x-ray studies of your spine or injured body part may be indicated. Doctors of chiropractic receive over 300 hours of x-ray studies in college prior to graduating and thus are fully trained to take radiographs and identify subtle abnormalities of the spine as well as more serious pathologies.

X-rays Are Safe and Provide Valuable Information
X-rays are a relatively safe and cost effective way to view the structure and general condition of the spine. They can reveal spinal regions under high stress and expose areas of degenerative change. This can often provide essential additional information which correlates history and examination findings allowing for a more accurate spinal analysis and a more individualized and effective treatment plan. X-rays are also useful in assessing the appropriateness of chiropractic care as they can help to rule out the existence of more serious pathological processes such as spinal fractures, tumors and infections which require immediate emergency medical intervention.

Procedures Used To Minimize Exposure
While prolonged exposure to radiation can be potentially harmful to the human body, the diagnostic x-rays utilized by the chiropractic doctor pose a minimal health risk. In fact, according to radiation guidelines for diagnostic x-ray studies, it would take more than 300 full spine x-rays performed by a chiropractor for these guidelines to be met. In addition, the following steps are used to further reduce the amount of x-ray exposure:

  • Only necessary x-ray views will be taken eliminating unnecessary x-ray exposure
  • Shielding & filtration to block or reduce the x-ray beam from affecting sensitive tissues and areas of nondiagnostic interest
  • Rare earth (intensifying) screens can cut x-ray exposure by 50 percent
  • Collimation to narrow the x-ray beam to include areas of interest only
  • Grids to reduce scatter radiation and improve x-ray quality
  • High speed film lowers exposure time by up to 1/12th compared to “hospital” x-rays
  • Increasing kilovoltage and minimizing milliamperage further reduces x-ray dosage
  • Minimal exposure times of just 100ths of a second
  • Regular changing of processor chemicals to give high quality, diagnostic films

(See 1988 Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors – Plaugher G. Textbook of Clinical Chiropractic: A Specific Biomechanical Approach. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1993.)

Importance of Fitness and Exercise

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Importance of Fitness and Exercise Programs

Participating in regular physical activities is a must for all individuals, of all ages. Unfortunately, approximately 60% of all Americans fail to meet their recommended levels of physical activity. Worse yet, 25% of Americans fail to participate in any sort of physical activity. Many studies have shown exercise can significantly increase energy levels. Ironically, the number one excuse for not exercising is a lack of energy or the person being too tired.

Resistance training involves the use of resistance, such as through the use of free weights or nautilus equipment, to increase the strength, tone and sometimes size of a muscle. Resistance training is not just for bodybuilders who wish to increase their muscles’ size, but rather, is for anyone wishing to keep their body strong, healthy and fit. In addition, resistance training can simultaneously provide a cardiovascular workout. By keeping the rest-time between the sets of exercises minimal, a moderate heart rate can be achieved and maintained throughout the entire workout. This extends the benefits of your exercise training program to the most important muscle of all, the heart.

Note: Please check with us or other health care provider prior to initiating any fitness or exercise routine, especially if you have a pre-existing health condition that you’re aware of.

Studies conducted on exercise have shown the following benefits:

cardiovascular health

  • reduction in LDL (“bad” cholesterol)
  • increase in HDL (“good” cholesterol)
  • increased heart strength and health
  • increases V02 max (maximum oxygen uptake)

emotional health and quality of life

  • anxiety reduction
  • stress lowering
  • increased sense of well being
  • increase in self confidence

disease prevention

  • reduced disease and sickness
  • reduction of fall injuries in seniors
  • diabetes prevention in the aging

weight management

  • reduction of body fat
  • prevention of obesity

size and strength gains

  • increased physical performance
  • increased strength
  • increased speed
  • increased muscle tone

functioning and quality of life in the elderly

  • increased mobility and independence in seniors
  • life extension

pregnancy

  • increased on-time deliveries
  • increased protection from miscarriages

Chiropractic Versus Medical Approach

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The Chiropractic Approach Versus The Medical Approach

The Chiropractic Approach To Back Pain In The Elderly
The chiropractic approach to treating back pain follows a “holistic” type course. The chiropractor is concerned with the patient’s personal health goals. This plays an important role in designing an effective treatment plan which results in the wanted outcome. While evaluating the patients health disorder, the cause as well as all contributing factors which lead to the development of the condition will be sought. Once determined, this information will be combined with the health goals of the individual in order to design the safest and most successful treatment plan. There will also be a careful evaluation to rule out more serious causes of back pain in the aging; cancer, compression fracture, infection, etc.The treatments utilized by chiropractors do not include drugs or surgery. Instead, safe and natural noninvasive methods of healing are utilized. These include spinal adjustive techniques, physical therapies, soft tissue therapies, exercise and stretching programs, diet and nutritional counseling, and lifestyle modifications. As stated above, these therapies are directed towards the root cause of the health condition. The result is safe, fast, effective long-term relief as well as the overall optimization of health and wellness. Treatments which focus solely on symptomatic relief are short lived, ineffective, and lead to patient frustration and dissatisfaction.		   The Medical Approach To Back Pain In The Elderly
While our wish here is not to “bad mouth” medical doctors, it is a well known fact that the majority of primary care physicians simply do not understand back pain and lack not only the knowledge and experience, but lack confidence in treating back pain.According to a recent study titled Practitioner Self-confidence and Patient Outcomes in Acute Low Back Pain, chiropractors had significantly stronger self-confidence scores than physicians when it came to treating back pain. (See Arch Fam Med. 1998;7:223-228)The majority of medical doctors prescribe (1) prolonged rest, (2) avoidance of exercise, and (3) prescription medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and Ibuprofen to mask pain and decrease inflammation. The problem with this approach is that although the pain has been artificially lessened with medications, the cause of the pain has not yet been addressed – kind of like cutting the wire to a flashing “low oil” light on your car dash; rather than adding oil to the engine.

i. numerous studies show that bed rest is detrimental rather than beneficial; patients can lose their capacity at a rate of 3-7% daily in total rest but can only improve at a rate of 1% per day,
ii. early motion and mechanical loading stimulate properly aligned, newly formed collagen fibers, promoting synovial fluid diffusion in joints and enhanced local blood flow,
iii. the use of NSAIDs and analgesics do not focus on increasing function or inhibiting progression of the disease, rather, it simply masks the symptoms of pain; moreover, a recent study has found that many NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, fenoprofen, sodium salicylate, sodium tometin) actually inhibit the repair processes involved with the articular cartilage of joints… rapid deterioration of joints after long-term NSAID use has been termed “Analgesic Arthropathy” and is essentially deterioration of a joint induced by the use of NSAIDs.
(See Nelson, DC. Top Clin Chiro 1994;1(4):20-29 and Gottlieb MS, DC. JMPT 1997; 20(6):400-414)

While not as prevalent as back pain, neck and head pain still affect a large percentage of the aging population. And similar to the back, tissues of the cervical spine undergo degenerative changes which accumulate over time eventually giving rise to headaches, neck pain and stiffness, as well as dizziness and balance problems.
The Chiropractic Approach To Neck and Head Pain In The Elderly
The chiropractic approach to treating neck and head pain follows a “holistic” type course. The chiropractor is concerned with the patient’s personal health goals. This plays an important role in designing an effective treatment plan which results in the wanted outcome. While evaluating the patients health disorder, the cause as well as all contributing factors which lead to the development of the condition will be sought. Once determined, this information will be combined with the health goals of the individual in order to design the safest and most successful treatment plan. There will also be a careful evaluation to rule out more serious causes of neck and head pain in the aging; tumors, temporal arteritis, infection, etc.The treatments utilized by chiropractors do not include drugs or surgery. Instead, safe and natural noninvasive methods of healing are utilized. These include spinal adjustive techniques, physical therapies, soft tissue therapies, exercise and stretching programs, diet and nutritional counseling, and lifestyle modifications. As stated above, these therapies are directed towards the root cause of the health condition. The result is safe, fast, effective long-term relief as well as the overall optimization of health and wellness. Treatments which focus solely on symptomatic relief are short lived, ineffective, and lead to patient frustration and dissatisfaction.		   The Medical Approach To Neck and Head Pain In The Elderly
While our wish here is not to bad mouth medical doctors, it is a well known fact that the many primary care physicians simply do not understand back pain and lack not only the knowledge and experience, but lack confidence in treating back pain. According to a recent study titled Practitioner Self-confidence and Patient Outcomes in Acute Low Back Pain, chiropractors had significantly stronger self-confidence scores than physicians when it came to treating back pain. (See Arch Fam Med. 1998;7:223-228)The majority of medical doctors prescribe (1) prolonged rest, (2) avoidance of exercise, and (3) prescription medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) such as aspirin and Ibuprofen to mask pain and decrease inflammation. The problem with this approach is that although the pain has been artificially lessened with medications, the cause of the pain has not yet been addressed – kind of like cutting the wire to a flashing “low oil” light on your car dash; rather than adding oil to the engine.

i. numerous studies show that bed rest is detrimental rather than beneficial; patients can lose their capacity at a rate of 3-7% daily in total rest but can only improve at a rate of 1% per day,
ii. early motion and mechanical loading stimulate properly aligned, newly formed collagen fibers, promoting synovial fluid diffusion in joints and enhanced local blood flow,
iii. the use of NSAIDs and analgesics do not focus on increasing function or inhibiting progression of the disease, rather, it simply masks the symptoms of pain; moreover, a recent study has found that many NSAIDs (aspirin, ibuprofen, fenoprofen, sodium salicylate, sodium tometin) actually inhibit the repair processes involved with the articular cartilage of joints… rapid deterioration of joints after long-term NSAID use has been termed “Analgesic Arthropathy” and is essentially deterioration of a joint induced by the use of NSAIDs.

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Click here to read information on the Chiropractic Approach Versus The Medical Approach

Click here to read information on the Importance of Fitness and Exercise Programs

Click here to read information on the Myths and the Chiropractic Lifestyle

Click here to read information on the Safety

Benefits

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What Can Chiropractic Care Do For Me?
Chiropractic Increases Spinal Range of Motion.
Chiropractic Decreases the Frequency and Severity of Back, Neck and Head Pain
Chiropractic Increases Balance and Coordination
Chiropractic Can Decrease Fall Injuries, as well as Other Injuries
Chiropractic Increases Joint Nutrition and Decreases Spinal Joint Arthritis
Chiropractic Decreases Joint and Tissue Degeneration through Optimizing Biomechanics
Chiropractic Increases Health and Well-Being

Chiropractic Increases Spinal Range of Motion.
Increasing spinal range of motion can positively influence lives in many ways. For some, an increased range of motion means being able to bend down to pickup the grandchildren. For others, it translates into an extra 30 yards of distance out of their driver on the golf course.

Chiropractic care has a long history of helping individuals like yourself reach these and other goals through increases in spinal range of motion. Best of all, increases in spinal range of motion can occur immediately following chiropractic treatments. This is one of the reasons why many top professional sporting teams have team chiropractors treat the athletes prior to and during sporting events.

Chiropractic Decreases the Frequency and Severity of Back, Neck and Head Pain
The treatments utilized by chiropractors have been consistently shown to be one of the most effective and safest forms of care to treat the majority of back, neck and head pain complaints. This is because most causes of back, neck and head disorders are related to abnormalities of the soft tissue components within the spine – something doctors of chiropractic are specifically trained to identify and treat.

Chiropractic Increases Balance and Coordination
As we age, balance and coordination become increasingly impaired. Studies have shown that the receptors located in the joints of the upper cervical spine are largely responsible for providing the brain with essential information important for balance and coordination. Research has also shown that injury to these “neck” receptors is a significant cause of balance and coordination problems in humans.

According to Dr. Caranasos, MD:

Mechanoreceptors in cervical facet joints provide major input regarding the position of the head in relation to the body. With aging, mild defects impair mechanoreceptors function. Loss of proprioception can also involve the legs, especially with diabetes. With decreased proprioception, body positioning in space is impeded and the patient becomes reliant on vision to know the location of a limb. To compensate for the loss of proprioception in the legs, the feet are keep wider apart than usual. Steps become irregular and uneven in length. As impairment increases the patient becomes unable to compensate. With severe loss of proprioception, the patient is unable to get up from a chair or rise after a fall without assistance.
(See Caranasos, MD, Isreal, MD. Gait Disorders in the Elderly. Hospital Practice. 1991; June 15:67-94)

According to Dr. Guyton, MD:

By far the most important proprioceptive information needed for the maintenance of equilibrium is that derived from the joint receptors of the neck.
(See Guyton, MD. Textbook of Medical Physiology. 9th edition. WB Saunders, Philadelphia 1996;714)

Studies have shown that chiropractic care can help restore balance and coordination by stimulating the joint receptors (mechanoreceptors) in the cervical spine. This stimulation is thought to restore or normalize joint receptor functioning which leads to improvements in balance and coordination.

Chiropractic Can Decrease Fall Injuries, as well as Other Injuries
Fall injuries are extremely prevalent in the elderly population and are one of the most detrimental events that can occur to the older individual. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are responsible for 90% of the 850,000 bone fractures which occur annually among Americans past the age of 65.

Chiropractors reduce the risk of falls by (1) utilizing specific chiropractic adjustive techniques in the cervical spine to normalize cervical joint receptors which provide the brain with important balance and coordination information, (2) utilizing stretching and exercise programs to increase strength, flexibility, mobility, balance and coordination, and (3) utilizing diet and nutritional counseling to improve nutritional status, increase energy levels, and increase sense of well-being.

The above benefits also minimize other types of injuries as well as improve the outcome for injuries already sustained.

Chiropractic Increases Joint Nutrition and Decreases Spinal Joint Arthritis
Spinal discs and spinal facet joints, similar to other joints, receive their nutrition and eliminate their wastes through joint movement. Without sufficient movement, adhesions and scar tissue will soon develop in the joints.

Chiropractic care involves restoring and optimizing spinal and extra-spinal joint motion which brings vital nutrients into the joint and flushes toxic waste products out. This helps keep the joints healthy and minimizes the degenerative joint changes which lead to arthritis.

Chiropractic Decreases Joint and Tissue Degeneration through Optimizing Biomechanics
Similar to an out-of-aligned wheel on an automobile, a misaligned spine with abnormal biomechanics will wear out prematurely. As all moving parts will eventually wear down over time, it’s important to get the maximum “mileage” out of your spine, especially since it’s the only one you’ll ever get.

Chiropractic care is focused on optimizing spinal biomechanics which reduces spinal stress and, as a result, decreases spinal degeneration and other arthritic changes.

Chiropractic Increases Health and Well-Being
When you’re free from nagging pain, stiff joints and can do the things you enjoy (golf, gardening, playing with the grandchildren, etc.) life is far more enjoyable. Feeling good, staying healthy and doing the things that make us happy are what keeps us looking forward to each new day.

Regular chiropractic care in those over the age of 40 is aimed at increasing the quality of life, and not just the elimination of pain and correction of soft tissue abnormalities. Don’t cheat yourself from living life to its fullest… call today and let us get you started on a personalized health plan.

Back pain or “arthritic back pain” is the most common ailment experienced in the aging population. This is typically the result of many years of uncorrected spinal stresses and injuries which have accumulated to become increasingly symptomatic. However, the risk of more serious disease does exist in the aging population. Thus, we strongly recommend individuals with back pain over the age of 40 schedule an appointment to at least rule out more serious causes which include spinal cancer, compression fracture and infection.

FAQs

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F.A.Q.s (Frequently Asked Questions)

What’s Wrong With Me?
Can Chiropractic Help Me?
How Long Will It Take?
How Much Will It Cost?
Do I Have To Keep Coming Back For Treatments?
Are Chiropractic Treatments Safe and Do They Hurt?
Why Is Chiropractic Care So Important For The Maturing Adult?
What Benefits Does Chiropractic Care Provide For The Maturing Adult?
Are There Any Studies Showing The Benefits of Chiropractic Care In The Aging?
What Can Chiropractic Care Do For Me?

What’s Wrong With Me?
Accurately identifying the cause of spinal pain or other discomfort almost always requires a thorough consultation and examination. Individuals should not assume their pain stems from the same problem, for example, their neighbor had, and thus what has helped their neighbor will help them. Just as every individual is unique and different from the next, so too are the health conditions they suffer and the treatments they require.

Chiropractic doctors are highly trained in the diagnosis and treatment of soft tissue injuries and abnormalities common to the spine, extremities and rest of body. Rest assured that if you are suffering from back or neck problems, extremity problems or other health related ailments chiropractic can provide you with the effective professional relief you demand. If your condition is out of the chiropractic scope or would be more appropriately managed by another health care specialist, we will gladly and promptly make the necessary referral.

Can Chiropractic Help Me?
Chiropractic has helped millions of people worldwide suffering from all types of problems and not just back and neck ailments. Chiropractic works with the spinal column and it’s intimate relationship with the nervous system – the major controller of all bodily functions. By optimizing spinal column structure and biomechanics, irritation and stress are removed and health can once again be achieved.

You may be surprised to learn that research studies have provided scientific evidence showing chiropractic care is not only effective in the treatment of back and neck ailments, but can also provide effective relief with children suffering from ear infections, women suffering from dysmenorrhea (painful menses), and a number of other seemingly “non-spinal” conditions. While it’s not prudent to guarantee relief from such conditions or claim to “treat” these conditions, chiropractic has successfully helped millions of individuals with all sorts of health conditions by positively affecting the nervous system.

Of course, doctors of chiropractic are best known for their success in treating back and neck problems. Through the use of chiropractic spinal adjustments and other highly specialized chiropractic techniques, chiropractors have established themselves as the back and neck injury specialists. Many medical experts are now coming to understand the true effectiveness of chiropractic care and are recommending major changes in the way our health care system manages many common spinal problems. According to a recent Ontario Ministry of Health commissioned study on low-back pain,

“A very good case can be made for making chiropractors the gatekeepers for management of low-back pain…”

How Long Will It Take?
While treatment lengths vary somewhat from person to person and from condition to condition, there are a few rules of thumb you can follow.

First, newer injuries, if treated appropriately and immediately, tend to respond to fewer visits assuming that major tissue injury has not occurred. Many of these first time injuries can be effectively managed in as little as 3 to 4 visits. Conditions that have been present for greater than 3 months and recurring conditions are generally more stubborn and difficult to manage. Resolution may require 12 visits or more.

The only sure way to determine how long your treatment will take is to schedule a consultation and/or examination.

For those of you who believe in just waiting for the problem to “go away” on it’s own – understand that the longer your condition has been around, the more treatments it will eventually require to resolve.

How Much Will It Cost?
Costs vary and generally depend on the number of treatments required to effectively treat your condition. A number of studies have shown that chiropractic care is extremely cost effective when compared to other “medical” forms of care for similar conditions. According to the 1993 Manga Report,

“There would be highly significant cost savings if more management of low-back pain was transferred from physicians to chiropractors. Users of chiropractic care have substantially lower health care costs, especially inpatient costs, than those who use medical care only.”

Do I Have To Keep Coming Back For Treatments?
You may have heard the notion that once you go to a chiropractor you have to keep going back. Before we answer that question, ask yourself how many times you have visited a dentist? Like most people, you’ve probably gone dozens of times. Why? Quite simply, to prevent your teeth from literally rotting out of your head.

Once we have eliminated your pain and rehabilitated the injured tissues we do recommend that you maintain a schedule of periodic spinal checkups. Like your dentist and like many of the medical experts are now recognizing, prevention is the key to reducing recurrences of existing health conditions and minimizing new injuries in the future.

So the answer is yes, we want you to keep coming back, but just periodically. Periodic chiropractic care minimizes spinal and nerve stresses, reduces recurrences of old injuries, prevents new injuries from developing, minimizes degenerative processes, which enhances overall health and wellness.

Are Chiropractic Treatments Safe and Do They Hurt?
Chiropractic treatments are extremely safe for individuals of all ages – from infants to 100 year olds. Our treatments are safe because we only use natural and noninvasive methods of care. Research consistently shows that care from chiropractors is among the safest care available and is literally light years ahead of traditional medical care in terms of “safeness”.

The treatments themselves are generally not painful. In fact, most patients look forward to their treatments as many experience instantaneous relief immediately afterwards. Individuals who present with moderate to severe pain may experience some minor discomfort for obvious reasons, however, care is always gentle, safe and noninvasive.

Why Is Chiropractic Care So Important For The Maturing Adult?
Chiropractic care is extremely important for the maturing and elderly adult because of the dramatic changes that occur in the spine with increasing age. As we age, spinal discs, facet joints, ligaments, muscles and other spinal tissues become weaker, less hydrated, more fibrotic, and less able to withstand normal stresses. As a result, spinal pain from spinal degeneration (arthritis) becomes more prominent, tissue injury from relatively benign events occurs, and the time to heal from injuries increases.

Chiropractic procedures take into consideration the nature of the aging spine and the many abnormalities present to provide a strategically effective, safe and noninvasive treatment plan. Through the use of gentle adjustive and mobilization techniques, physical therapies, and incorporation of stretching and exercise programs spinal pain is reduced, spinal stresses are decreased, flexibility and mobility are improved, and degeneration is minimized.

Treatment techniques must focus on the underlying problem and involve participation of the patient in order to be truly effective and long lasting. Treatments which solely focus on pain and other “symptoms” only, are far less effective, and are often dangerous since the conditions causing the symptoms remain untreated and uncorrected.

What Benefits Does Chiropractic Care Provide For The Maturing Adult?
Routine chiropractic care has a number of benefits which are especially important for maturing adults:
• spinal and extremity pain relief
• decreased stiffness and muscular spasms
• increased mobility and range of motion
• increased balance and coordination
• increased sense of well being
• increased energy
• enhanced tissue healing
• decreased tissue inflammation
• increased joint health
• decreased arthritis and arthritic joint pain
• minimized spinal stress and subsequent degeneration
• minimized risk of fall injuries

Are There Any Studies Showing The Benefits of Chiropractic Care In The Aging?
A recent study evaluated the health status of 414 elderly individuals (average age of 80 years) and compared those individuals under chiropractic care with those not under chiropractic care. The researchers found a number of significant findings which included:
• 87% of those who used chiropractic care rated their health as good or excellent compared with only 68% in the nonchiropractic group
• 13% of those who used chiropractic care rated their health as fair or poor compared with 32% in the nonchiropractic group
• 44% of those who used chiropractic care reported having arthritis compared with 66% in the nonchiropractic care group
• those who used chiropractic care were more likely to do strenuous levels of exercise
• at 3 years follow-up, less than 5% of those who used chiropractic care used a nursing home while a staggering 48% of those who did not use chiropractic care did use a nursing home
• at 3 years follow-up, only 26% of those who used chiropractic care were hospitalized compared with 48% of those in the nonchiropractic group.
(See Coulter, PhD et al. Chiropractic and Care for the Elderly. Top Clin Chiro 1996;3(2):46-55)