Chiropractic @ Enfield Health &
Wellness Center
The chiropractic adjustment is also referred to as a
joint "manipulation". Your doctor will
apply his / her hands to the area of the spine
to be treated in such a way as to mobilize the
joints. Most commonly, the doctor will apply a
quick, short manual movement to the joint. The
joint usually elicits an audible "pop".
You may sense movement of the joint. The joint
"pop" is not necessary for treatment to be
successful.
The goal of the chiropractic manipulation is to :
-
Increase the joint mobility / range of
motion.
-
Relieve pain
-
Reduce muscle spasm
-
Restore optimal joint function
Frequently asked
questions....
Is chiropractic manipulation safe?
Approximately 20% of patients will experience some
temporary stiffness and soreness following the
first couple of treatments. The risk of
serious injury has been estimated between one in
one million to one in ten million. If you
have specific concerns about potential
complications from receiving chiropractic
manipulations, please discuss them with the
doctor before receiving treatment. Chiropractors
receive the highest level of education on spinal
manipulative therapy and administer greater than
90% of skilled manipulation services provided in
the United States.
What should I do if I am uncomfortable
following treatment?
-
Apply ice several times to the sore area for
15-20 minutes, with an hour between
applications.
-
Some patients also report benefits from
over-the-counter medications such as
ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
-
Do not hesitate to contact your doctor if
you are at all uncomfortable following
treatment.
How much chiropractic care will I
require?
Some factors that may influence recovery include:
the patient's age, his / her treatment goals,
general health status, severity of the injury,
chronicity of the problem, genetics and the
number of prior episodes Adhering to any
prescribed home therapy is an integral part of
recovery.
Some patients simply want relief from the immediate
pain and may require only a few treatments.
Others prefer to experience optimal health and
require more intensive and comprehensive care.
We will make recommendations that we believe are
in the patient's best interest, but the choice
is always up to the patient.Many individuals
make chiropractic care part of their routine
health maintenance; similar to exercising
regularly.
What should I do after being adjusted?
-
Stay active.
-
Try to use your full range of motion.
-
Although you may feel better, you may not be
fully recovered. Do not jump into strenuous
activities too early.
-
Do your home exercises and stretches as
recommended.
What is the cracking sound that occurs
during a chiropractic manipulation?
Spinal joints contain a lubricating fluid known as
synovial fluid. Within the synovial fluid
are dissolved gasses; mostly carbon dioxide.
When the spine is manipulated, a vacuum is
created within the joint and the dissolved
gasses come out of solution, forming a gas
bubble. This vacuum creates a "cracking"
sound. The cracking sound is not necessary
for treatment to be successful.
I have heard that knuckle cracking
causes arthritis.
Do chiropractic
manipulations cause arthritis?
Contrary to what you may have been told, knuckle
cracking actually does not cause joint
arthritis. However, frequent knuckle
crackers tend to experience more joint stiffness
later in life.
Regardless, spinal adjustments /
manipulations are
quite different than knuckle cracking.
When a spinal manipulation is performed, the
joint is momentarily slightly gapped, separating
the joint surfaces. On the other hand,
knuckle cracking actually grinds the joint
surfaces together, potentially damaging them.
There is no current evidence to suggest that
chiropractic manipulative therapy is detrimental
to your spinal joints.
Is it true that once you have
chiropractic treatment, you must keep going
back?
No. On the contrary, our goal is to help our
patients to become independent from care.
Some people do elect to continue their
chiropractic treatment after feeling well.
Why? Because periodic elective care helps
them feel and function better.
Chiropractic care is an integral lifestyle
component of many health conscious individual's
"wellness— plan; which incorporates healthy
eating, exercise and proper sleep.
How does the Doctor know where to
perform a manipulation?
The doctor will palpate (feel) and examine your
spine for several indicators of the need for a
manipulation. These include:
-
Regions of local muscle tightness and
tenderness
-
Asymmetry in the contours of the spine
-
Restrictions in overall movement of the
spine
-
Abnormal postural deviations
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