Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT CONDITIONS DO CHIROPRACTORS TREAT?
Doctors of Chiropractic treat many different types of conditions but mainly focus on the conditions that affect your muscles, joints, and nerves. Problems such as low back pain, neck pain, headaches, pain to your arms and legs, carpal tunnel syndrome, jaw pain, muscles not firing properly in sports and whiplash injuries following car accidents are just a few examples of what we treat effectively. It is only after a thorough examination ANY doctor can really tell if chiropractic is right for you. At Embody Health Chiropractic, we pride ourselves on our core value of honesty and trust. If we think we can help you (for whatever your condition may be) we will tell you. If we think we cannot, we will tell you that, too.
WHAT DOES AN ADJUSTMENT DO, AND IS IT PAINFUL?
Chiropractic adjustments are safe, gentle, and effective movements of your joints by the chiropractor’s hands or an adjusting tool and performed for the purpose of restoring normal position and movement of those joints. Once these segments and fixations are restored to their proper position and movement, the spinal cord and its nerves are no longer irritated and can then function properly. Remember that the nervous system allows EVERYTHING in your body to work properly. Once the spine is simply “in line” and no irritation is on the nerves or spinal cord, the body has the ability to be strong, healthy, and if injured, heal.
WHAT IS THAT CRACKING NOISE THAT I HEAR DURING THE ADJUSTMENT?
The noise you hear is similar to when you crack your knuckles. When an adjustment is made, the gasses that are present in the adjusted joint are released. When gasses are released, you hear that familiar popping sound. It is nothing to be concerned about, and is not harmful. Furthermore, that “cracking” sound is not what determines that an adjustment is made. We have many gentle techniques we can use to deliver the Chiropractic adjustment without having to have a cracking or popping noise.
CAN I ADJUST MYSELF?
No. Some people can make their joints “pop,” but that is not an adjustment! Worse, damage can occur by mobilizing a joint with weakened muscles and ligaments. Adjustments are specific and take years to master. Even your Chiropractic doctor must consult a colleague to benefit from chiropractic care.
DO I HAVE A PINCHED NERVE?
A pinched nerve is rare. It is more than likely an adjacent spinal bone is irritating or stretching a nerve. This dysfunction is called a subluxation and distorts the nerve messages sent between the brain and the body. This can produce unhealthy alterations to the organs and tissues connected by the affected nerve.