Frequently Asked Questions
This is a list of questions we are frequently asked. If you have additional questions, please give our office a call at (623) 882-3598 and we would be happy to talk to you about any questions or concerns you have about chiropractic. Also, feel free to email your questions directly to Dr. Hedrix at drlaurenhedrix@gmail.com. We know that the more you learn about chiropractic, the more confidence you'll have that it will work for you, and we want to assist you any way we can!
The information on this site is not intended to serve as a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendations given by a health care professional. Be sure to consult your doctor before making any changes in your healthcare routine.
What is chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on your musculoskeletal system (joints, bones, muscles, and everything that connects them) and your nervous system, as well as the effect problems in these areas have on other aspects of health.
Chiropractors do not use any drugs or medications in the treatment of the body, but rather focus on your body’s ability to heal itself. They release that power by “adjusting” the spine, helping the body to heal from the inside out. Chiropractors also use a variety of other tools, such as soft tissue work, nutrition, stretches, and exercises, to help your body heal.
What is an adjustment? Is it safe?
An adjustment is a rapid, specific force applied by a doctor of chiropractic to a joint to correct a subluxation. The doctor may adjust you using their hands, an instrument (such as an Activator), or by using a drop function on a table. There are many different ways to adjust, and all are effective.
Adjustments are incredibly safe, particularly when compared to conventional medical approaches to pain, like medications and surgery. The side effects of adjustments are very rare and chiropractic’s safety statistics show it is much safer than surgery, prescription medication, and even common over the counter medications.
What is a subluxation?
A subluxation is a misalignment of a bone. Most commonly, you get subluxations in your spine, but you can get them in any joint of the body, like a shoulder or wrist.
How do I get a subluxation?
Subluxations are caused by stress. There are three types of stress that cause subluxation. The first is physical stress, like a trauma, fall, repetitive motion (like typing) or car accident. It doesn’t need to be a major trauma, sometimes just catching yourself off balance is enough to cause a subluxation. The second is emotional stress, which most everyone is all too familiar with. Negative emotions take a serious toll on your body and cause subluxations. The third type of stress is chemical. This includes environmental toxins, poor nutrition, alcohol, cigarettes, and other drugs.
Do subluxations go away on their own?
Sometimes, but not usually. Our bodies are amazing, self-healing, self-regulating organisms that can adapt to many different things. When we sleep, exercise, stretch and take care of our bodies, subluxations can sometimes heal on their own, but when we have areas of constant stress in our lives, they are more likely to stick around. Subluxations do not always clear up on their own and when you start to experience pain or other physical symptoms, it is time to see your chiropractor so they can adjust your subluxations and get your body back to normal. Also, the longer you have had a subluxation, the longer it takes to treat. By getting regular spinal “check-ups,” your chiropractor is able to catch problem areas before they get too severe and can more quickly restore balance to your spine and nervous system.
How does chiropractic work?
Chiropractic works by allowing your nervous system to function more normally by reducing the pressure on your nerves. Your nervous system sends and receives signals to and from your brain and body through nerves into every organ and tissue. Subluxations, which are caused by improper motion, poor joint position, tension in the body, and stress, restrict your nervous system’s ability to communicate, which can lead to pain and dysfunction throughout your whole body. Chiropractic care reduces that nerve pressure and irritation through specific joint adjustments around those nerves, so that your nervous system can freely communicate with your body, allowing normal functioning and optimal health.
Do I have a slipped disc?
Technically, no. Your body’s discs cannot “slip” out from between your vertebrae. What can happen is the squishy inside of the disc, which acts as a spinal shock absorber, can pop out of the more fibrous outer portion of your disc. Your spinal disc can herniate, prolapse, bulge, tear, dry, and thin, but it won’t slip completely out.
Can I adjust myself?
No! Not only can you not adjust yourself, but it can be dangerous and damaging to try. When your joint makes a “pop” sound, it is not an adjustment. When you try to “adjust” yourself, you are just putting additional pressure on already weak and lengthened ligaments and muscles, which can cause permanent damage. It takes years of education and training to be able to properly perform adjustments, and even your chiropractor cannot adjust themselves, they must see a colleague for their adjustments.
What makes that “popping” sound?
The sound you sometimes hear during an adjustment occurs when the lubricating spinal fluids surrounding a joint move, allowing gases and fluids to shift around in the joint. It’s like when you open a bottle or remove a suction cup. This noise does not have anything to do with the quality or the value of an adjustment.
Are your patient’s all adjusted the same?
No. Each of our patients is seen as an individual and we customize a treatment plan unique to each patient that is based on their condition, age, chiropractic findings, and health goals.
How many adjustments do I need to get better?
The number of adjustments required for a person to heal varies based on their condition, age, chronicity of their problem, amount of degeneration, and general health. For some people, they will start to feel a difference after two weeks of frequent adjustments, and visits become less frequent as your spine starts to stabilize. For people with chronic conditions, it can take months or even years for their bodies to completely heal.
Why do children need adjustments?
Children frequently experience physical trauma as a part of the learning and growing process, and their birth (even when done completely naturally) can be physically traumatic and cause subluxations.
When children are adjusted, it is done very gently with far less pressure than used on an adult. Children also heal much faster than adults and need to see their chiropractors less frequently.
Children can experience back pain, particularly when they get to be school-age and wear backpacks to school. Your chiropractor can give you tips on backpack safety and check your child’s spine for subluxation and abnormal spinal curves (scoliosis).
For more information, see the “Chiropractic for the Whole Family” portion of our website.
Can I receive chiropractic care following back surgery?
Absolutely. Your chiropractor will not adjust the levels than have been surgically altered, but will focus on the areas above and below to restore normal motion and stability to those areas, which commonly become less stable after surgery.
How long will I need chiropractic care?
Most people choose to continue with periodic chiropractic visits after their condition has improved. They come into the office feeling good, and leave feeling even better. These periodic visits support the changes that were made during the more intense beginning stages of care and decrease the likelihood and severity of future problems by correcting the before they become advanced.
Does exercise help with musculoskeletal issues?
This depends on the type of exercise. While exercise is wonderful for the body and crucial for health and wellness, there are some types of exercise that are more damaging to the body. Ideally, exercises are performed with the body in balance, examples of this include: power walking, swimming, yoga, elliptical training, bicycles, and other exercises of that nature. The problem can occur with exercise that put a lot of pressure on specific areas of the body and that can be easily performed incorrectly. We are not saying do not do these exercises, because they are a lot of fun! But you do need to be aware of the added stress on your body and modify accordingly, particularly if you are developing a physical problem as a result. Examples of this type of exercise include: tennis, racquetball, and even golf. If you enjoy these activities, be sure that you are receiving regular chiropractic care to avoid injury the best way possible.
Will I receive any medication?
No, doctors of chiropractic do not prescribe drugs. However, we can show you natural ways to manage your pain and will give you tips on ways to help your condition improve at home.
Will my chiropractor work with my medical doctor?
In this office, the answer is absolutely, yes! We want to help you achieve health in the safest, most effective way possible, and if that means referring you somewhere else, we will! Chiropractic is not the only answer for all conditions, just as medication and surgery are not always the best option. We are more than willing to collaborate with any other health care provider to be sure you get the best care possible.
That said, some medical professionals are hesitant to work with chiropractors due to a lack of information. Opinions are slowly changing in acceptance of chiropractic as a safe and effective treatment for musculoskeletal pain as more and more chiropractic research is performed, proving its effectiveness and benefits. Attitudes of some are slow to change, but as patients request natural alternatives to traditional medicine, more and more medical practitioners are referring people for chiropractic care.
What if chiropractic doesn’t work for me?
If chiropractic care does not work for you, we will refer you to a specialist who will be better able to help you. Your health is our primary concern and we will do our best to help you or to get you to a specialist who can.
When do most people decide to see a chiropractor?
Usually when they are in pain. Most people don’t think they have a problem with their bodies until it is too late, the injury occurred and pain has set in.
The better question is, “When is the best time to see a chiropractor?”
The answer to that one is simple: NOW!
Almost everyone, from 0 to 110, can benefit from seeing a chiropractor. The best time to start is before you are experiencing physical symptoms, such as pain, muscle tension, or even illness. By seeing a chiropractor early and regularly, you can help prevent future injury and decrease the severity of any problems that may occur. Now is the very best time to start seeing a chiropractor, so take action and call our office today!
