Chiropractic FAQs & Myths

If any of your questions aren't answered below, just email or call in for more info.

How does chiropractic work?

You are a self-healing, self-regulating organism controlled by your nervous system. Millions of instructions flow from your brain, down the spinal cord, and out to every cell, organ and tissue in the body. Your body then sends signals back to your brain to indicate that all is well. Improper motion or position of the moving bones of the spine can interfere with this vital exchange by irritating nerves and compromising the function of organs and tissues. Specific spinal adjustments can help improve mind/body communication. With improved communication across the network, your body can then heal and return you to optimal health

What are subluxations?

"The spine is responsible for carrying millions of signals between your body and your brain. Subluxations are the improper position or movements of the bones in the spine. These can be caused due to compression, hyperextension, bad posture, chemicals, drugs or pinched nerves. Most of the time it's hard to notice them but they do affect your body's performance and hormone production in the background. Sometimes, they can be accompanies with pain or the lack of motion."

How long will a session take?

"Your initial session will take up to 40 minutes, where we go over your issues with you to plot a course of action. On this day we will also conduct a short adjustment session to see how your body reacts. This session may also require the use of an X-Ray machine which will allow us to get a better look at what's going on within you - thus eliminating the guesswork. Regular sessions take about 20 minutes and can easily be fit into your busy schedule as a pit stop."

What symptoms/conditions can you help with?

"Chiropractic adjustments are not considered a “”therapeutic approach”, because it’s main goal is not just the “treatment” of symptoms. Instead the main goal is to optimize the way your brain and body communicate, so that you can truly heal. With that said however, by releasing tension from the spine and helping the nervous system adapt to stress more effectively, our unique process has helped thousands of people experience relief or improvement in the following areas:
» Low back pain
» Whiplash
» Asthma
» Neck pain
» Sciatica
» Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
» Tension Headaches
» Headaches
» Allergies
» Scoliosis
» Migraines
» Depression
» Disc Herniation
» Muscle Spasms
» Anxiety
» Disc Injuries
» Muscle Strains
» Fibromyalgia
» Bulging Discs
» Osteoperosis
» Chronic Fatigue"

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, much the same way when you remove the cork off a bottle of champagne and you hear that ‘pop’ noise. The sound is interesting, but isn't a guide to the quality or value of the adjustment. Bone’s aren’t ‘cracking’ and things aren’t breaking or being damaged in any way."

Why do newborns and children get adjustments?

"Even today's "natural" childbirth methods can affect an infant's spine. Preliminary studies suggested that colic, unusual crying, poor appetite, ear infections or erratic sleeping habits can be signs of spinal distress.

Paediatric adjustments are gentle. Knowing exactly where to adjust, the Chiropractor applies no more pressure than you'd use to test the ripeness of a tomato. Later, learning to walk, ride a bicycle, and other childhood activities can cause spinal problems. While a bandage and some comforting words can help a skinned knee, the unseen damage to the child's spine is the unique domain of a Chiropractor.

Many childhood health complaints that are brushed off as "growing pains" can often be traced to the spine. Regular chiropractic checkups can identify these problems and help avoid many of the health complaints seen later in adults. Many parents report that their children enjoy their chiropractic adjustments and seem healthier than other children."

What are the negative side effects of chiropractic?

"Many people find the idea of 'cracking' one's back to be scary. While it may sound drastic, it is not and most patients only see positive effects. The adjustments performed are more adjustments than breaks which act as reset buttons for your system. In some rare cases where toxins have been stored by the body due to improper posture or alignments, they may get released, causing you to not feel 100% for a few hours. This soon shall pass leaving you feeling great thanks to a properly firing and toxin free body. In fact, according to the numbers, adjustments are safer than surgery or crossing the road or taking pain killers."

How can these subluxations be fixed?

"Subluxations can be fixed through chiropractic adjustments. We first have a look to see where the problem lies and plot out a plan to correct it for long term relief. There are different methods of adjustments ranging from the use of hands or a specific activator tool or using gravity to decompress your spine. Different levels of subluxations call for different techniques and we'll be sure to discuss your options with you when we see you."

How many visits does it take to see a difference?

"You can expect to immediately feel more relaxed, loose and flexible in your body. Your breathing will become deeper and easier. In most cases, your pain and tension levels will be significantly reduced within a short time. But that’’s really the tip of the iceberg. As your body shifts out of “fight or flight” mode, you’’ll begin to experience more clarity, a sense of inner-calm and peace and a pleasant elongation and fluidity of your spine as your posture straightens. Depending on the severity of their condition, most people will see a difference after the first visit. During the initial consultation, I will assess your conditions and go through a course of action with you. We will initiate the body's own healing mechanisms. After this, we will be able to gauge how well your body responds to chiropractic care and will have a better idea as to how long it will take to heal itself."

Will adjustments make my spine loose?

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

Can I adjust myself?

"No. Some people can make their joints "pop" but that's not an adjustment! Worse, damage can occur by mobilising a joint with weakened muscles and ligaments. Adjustments are specific and take years to master. Even Chiropractors must consult a colleague to benefit from chiropractic care."

Am I too old for chiropractic care?

"More and more people are consulting Chiropractors, especially in their later years. With growing concerns about over-medication and the side effects of combining various prescription drugs, safe, natural chiropractic care is growing in popularity.

Restoring better spinal function can help improve mobility, vitality, and endurance. Many patients report improvements with arthritic symptoms and other chronic ailments often falsely attributed to aging. Your Chiropractor will modify their adjusting technique for maximum comfort and results."