Frequently Asked Questions

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A:  The word “chiropractic” might sound weird and complicated and unfamiliar at first, but the answer is really quite simple. Chiropractic is, quite simply, a natural method of health care that is focused on treating the cause of physical problems rather than just the symptoms. This is based on the scientific fact that your nervous system controls and coordinates the function of every cell, tissue, muscle and organ in your entire body. The nervous system is comprised of structures including your brain, spinal cord and the millions of nerves that run throughout your body. 

To protect these delicate structures, your body formed a skull to protect your brain and the 24 moveable vertebrae to surround and support the spinal cord. Activities of daily living (anything from exercise to office work to cooking to driving) can cause these spinal bones (vertebrae) to lose their normal motion or position. This is known as the "Vertebral Subluxation Complex" which irritates or chokes the delicate nerve tissue in the surrounding area. This causes an interference between the brain and the tissues of the body leading to malfunction and a lack of 100% health.

To determine the exact area of these vertebral subluxations, I conduct a thorough health history as well as a physical examination which includes orthopedic and neurological testing, and I often take x-rays to see the actual malposition of the vertebrae. After careful review of the examination and x-ray findings, I note the exact location of nervous system interference (usually located in the spine) and proceed to treat its origin through chiropractic care.

With a normally functioning spine and a healthy lifestyle, your body is better able to heal itself. Chiropractic care merely assists your body to do what it does best: heal and take care of you.  The sooner you seek chiropractic care, the sooner spinal malfunction can be detected, corrected, and future problems prevented. Chiropractic is simple. It is a safe. It is effective. It is a natural form of healthcare that looks beyond the symptoms to treat the cause of the problem and ensure future health.

A: The word "sub" means "less than", and the word "luxation" means "dislocation." So a subluxation is something "less than a dislocation" or, more accurately, a "misalignment." When a vertebrae (spinal bone) misaligns from the rest of the spine (subluxates), it chokes off delicate nerve tissue encasing the spine which will result in decreased function of the associated body part. Since the nervous systems affects every part of your body, this means a subluxation in the spine can cause decreased function or pain in almost any part of your body. Chiropractic care sees beyond the symptoms to the origin of the problem that's most often located in the spine.

A: A chiropractic adjustment is the application of a specific force in a precise direction to a subluxated (misaligned) vertebrae. This helps the vertebrae or spinal bone to gradually return to a normal position. While this might sound scary or painful at first, I assure you that this is a safe and natural procedure that improves spinal alignment, relieves pain and ill-health, improves nervous system function, and will ultimately allow your body to begin it's natural healing process. 

A: Yes! Chiropractic care has been around for hundreds of years, and many studies have found that chiropractic care is "remarkably safe." These studies have shown that chiropractic care is safer than back surgery, muscle relaxers, and even aspirin! Chiropractic care works with your body to return it to its proper and original functioning processes. I simply help your body do what it already wants to do: heal.

A: Yes! Actually, children tend to respond faster to chiropractic care than adults. Spinal trauma may occur during a fall as toddlers and even at birth. This can set the stage for serious spinal problems later in life if left uncorrected. The average 1 year old falls 150-200 times per day when learning to walk. This, plus many other normal childhood activities, can result in vertebral subluxations. Regular chiropractic check-ups for children can detect and correct such spinal misalignments before they become major health problems for them as adults.

A:   Chiropractors are uniquely qualified to restore the health of your spine. After completing my undergraduate degree, I entered the Northwestern College of Chiropractic where I completed a curriculum of over 4,500 post graduate classroom hours. These various health-science courses consisted of Biochemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Neurology, Orthopedics, Radiology, Biomechanics, and, of course, spinal adjusting techniques. Along with all other doctors of chiropractic, I had to pass three sections of the national boards before graduation and then had to pass still more difficult examinations for each state. 

Today's chiropractic doctors receive the same number of college and post-graduate classroom hours as medical doctors, and our education never ends. We continue to complete various education courses to stay abreast of the latest techniques and scientific research. Just as regular dental exams detect and prevent tooth decay, regular chiropractic spinal screenings are just as important. Even if you do not have symptoms, chiropractic evaluation is still one of the best ways to help prevent spinal problems. 

A: Absolutely not! My patients range from newborns to 90 years of age. It's never too late to enjoy the benefits of natural chiropractic care. Many of my patients report improvements with their arthritic conditions and other chronic health problems as they age that they couldn't fix with drugs or surgery. Chiropractic's safe, gentle techniques can be modified to suit anyone's age to ensure their chiropractic visit is both comfortable and enjoyable. 

 A: Many spinal problems are the result of years of neglect, trauma and stress to the body. Spinal misalignments, left uncorrected for long periods of time, may require some sort of ongoing supportive care to ensure maximum results. Long standing or chronic problems are often accompanied by muscle weakness, ligament or tendon damage as well as degenerative changes seen in the vertebrae and disc. 

Much like changing the part in ones hair, the spine needs re-training which may take time. Each individual progresses differently depending upon lifestyle, level of activity, exercise, diet and kept appointments. Just like regular dental or eye check-ups are important, regular chiropractic checkups are vital to a healthy lifestyle. Remember "How long you decide to benefit from chiropractic care is entirely up to you".  

A: See my blog post about the history of chiropractic here! 

A: Not at all. Chiropractors use the spine to access the nervous system. The nervous system controls and coordinates all other systems of the body.  Dr. Daniel David Palmer  gave the first chiropractic adjustment to his deaf janitor Harvey Lillard in 1985, and his hearing was restored! The second patient suffered from heart pain, and it was resolved. 

Chiropractic care began as a form of practice for just about any condition a patient suffered. Chiropractors later became known as "back doctors" because of their adjustments. Back care is only a very limited attitude in chiropractic. Research shows that chiropractors help headaches, migraines, neck pain, stomach ulcers, infant colic, middle ear pain, and premenstrual pain. We also improve immune function, brain function, vision, ankles, hips, knees, shoulders, wrists, etc., and even have had success in reviving comatose patients! 

Visit my "Services" page to find out more details on how I treat specific symptoms. 

A: Normally, the adjustment is not only painless but can actually feel good! In cases of recent trauma, such as a bad slip or fall, you may experience mild discomfort due to inflammation. Also after the first one or two adjustments, it's normal to feel a mild soreness in the muscles, but this doesn't last long and will go away after the following adjustment. 

A: This answer can be different for everyone. Because every person is different, the frequency of care changes. The initial, intensive care process can be anywhere from 2-3 times/week but can be as frequent as daily in extreme cases. After that initial stage, adjustment s should be spaced as far apart as possible for that particular person. Depending on the level of stress in a person's life, adjustments can range from once a week to every other week. Because of the daily stresses and strains our bodies are put through on a daily basis, I highly encourage you to continue chiropractic care on a regular basis. 

A: Most people think the pain is their problem. Pain is not a problem but rather a symptom. That means that, in dealing with pain, you should not try to treat it; you should treat the cause of the pain. Taking an aspirin or some other type of pill may make you feel better in the short-term, but it doesn't do anything to find the cause of your pain. All it does is temporarily mask the symptom. Chiropractors look to find the cause of pain not just to treat the symptom. Most pain is caused by pressure being placed on the sensitive nerve fibers along the spine. Since chiropractors remove nerve pressure as a profession, a chiropractor should be the first person you consult for a symptom of pain. 

A: It's easy! Schedule a FREE consultation with me today by calling me at 763-205-9624 or emailing me at scherpingchiro@gmail.com. I look forward to seeing you soon!

Welcome back to health!