Ask the Doctor

For those considering chiropractic care, a number of questions usually arise.  For your convenience, we have taken the time to answer the most commonly asked questions for you in advance.

If you have more specific questions you would like to ask Dr.Mark, please e-mail him.

What is chiropractic care?

Chiropractic is the science, art and philosophy that practices the vitalistic approach to health…the premise that the body is self-healing and self-regulating, that the nervous system controls EVERY function of the entire body, so if any bones in the spine becomes subluxated, it interferes with the nervous system and necessarily reduces our body to heal and regulate itself…and the purpose of chiropractic care is to correct subluxations in the spine that interfere with our body’s ability to be well and heal itself.

How does chiropractic work?

Chiropractic works to restore your body's inborn ability to be healthy by correcting the interference in the nervous system. When under the proper control, the nervous system guides, directs and coordinates all the cells, tissues, and organs of your body designed to resist disease and ill health. The chiropractic approach to better health is to locate and subluxation in the spine that interfere with your nervous system. With improved spinal function, there is improved nervous system function. The goal of the chiropractor is to remove interference that may be impairing normal health through specific chiropractic adjustments, allowing your body to heal itself. A healthy spine and a healthy lifestyle are your keys to optimal health!

What is a chiropractic adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment is the art of using a specific force in a precise direction to correct a vertebra that is subluxated,. The purpose of this safe and natural procedure is to eliminate interference to the nervous system, improving spinal function and overall health. An adjustment is a specifically directed force, normally by hand designed to 'unlock' the subluxated vertebrae returning normal motion and alignment to the spine. There are a variety of different methods used in Chiropractic to analyze and adjust the spine. Dr. Mark will choose the most effective techniques for his patients as well taking into consideration the physical build, age or any other health matters. Additionally the doctor will make sure the adjustment is as comfortable as possible.

What is a subluxation?

Subluxations are the specific areas of the spine that move out of normal position or motion that affect your entire nervous system. This irritates or puts pressure on local nerves, which interferes with the communication between your brain and body. It may also involve your muscles, discs, ligaments, tendons and other parts of the body as well.

What causes subluxations?

There are three basic types of daily stresses that cause subluxation…physical stress, chemical stress and emotional stress.  Physical stress might include auto accidents, slips and falls, work, sports, poor posture, heavy backpacks, etc.  Chemical stresses might include smoking, drinking alcohol, drugs and medication, preservatives in food, poor diet and environment.  Emotional stress might include relationship issues with spouse, family members, children or co-workers, loss of loved one, or circumstantial stress.  In children, subluxations can initially occur during the birth process, and then learning to walk, in play and from everyday childhood activities.

How do I know if I have a subluxation?

You don’t.  A subluxation is like a dental cavity--you may have it for a long time before symptoms appear. That's why periodic spinal checkups by your chiropractor are so important…they are the only trained professional to detect and correct subluxations. Although it may be possible to know you have a subluxation, it is rarely possible to be sure you don't. Regular spinal checkups are always a good idea, and they promote good health from the inside out.

What are some warning signs of subluxations?

Symptoms such as headaches, migraines, back pain, neck stiffness, pain in your shoulders, arms or legs, numbness in your hands or feet, fatigue, or nervousness are the most common signs of subluxations in adults.  Symptoms such as colic, ear infections, asthma, growing pains, attention deficit disorder, bed-wetting and digestive problems are common signs in children.  But, like a tooth cavity, most people will have a subluxation long before they notice any symptoms.

Are all patients adjusted the same way?

No. The doctor evaluates each patient's unique spinal problem and develops an individual course of care. Each chiropractic adjustment builds on the one before. The resulting recommendations are based upon years of training and experience.  Each patient's care is uniquely different from every other patient.

Can I adjust myself?

No. Since a chiropractic adjustment is a specific force, applied in a specific direction to a specific joint, it is virtually impossible to adjust oneself correctly and accurately. It is possible to turn or bend or twist in certain ways to create a "popping" sound that sometimes accompanies a chiropractic adjustment. Unfortunately, this type of joint manipulation can make the condition worse, often making an already unstable spine even more unstable, and can sometimes be dangerous. Adjusting the spine is not for amateurs…even chiropractors get adjusted by other chiropractors!

Is chiropractic care addictive?

No. However, it is possible to get used to feeling more balanced, less stressed, and more energetic as a result of regular chiropractic care. Chiropractic is not addictive, but most would agree that good health is.

What type of education do chiropractic doctors receive?

In 1897, D.D. Palmer opened the Palmer Infirmary and Chiropractic Institute in Davenport, Iowa.  Over a century later, there are more than 20 chiropractic colleges in the United States and in six other countries.  Although more tightly focused, chiropractic education is just as comprehensive as a medical education. To enter chiropractic college, students must have four years of undergraduate work with a heavy emphasis on basic sciences, and many schools now require a bachelors degree. The four-year course of chiropractic study includes classroom and lab work, as well as an internship to give students practical experience caring for patients under the close supervision of instructors.

A great portion of a medical education is devoted to disease diagnosis and pharmacology. Since chiropractic does not involve the use of drugs, the chiropractic student’s time is devoted to health-related topics such as anatomy, neurology, X-ray techniques, orthopedics, and analysis and correction of vertebral subluxation.  After students have acquired the necessary foundation of knowledge during the early part of their schooling, they later focus on specialized subjects, including chiropractic philosophy and practice, along with chiropractic diagnosis and adjusting techniques that aren't taught in any other health care field.

Before obtaining their degrees, all students must complete approximately 900 hours of work in the clinic setting.  And, after students graduate, they must then pass a state license exam. Most graduates also take the National Board of Chiropractic Examination which tests the doctors' knowledge in many areas. These particular tests are so comprehensive that most states now accept them as the state license exam.  In addition, a Doctor of Chiropractic must also pass a practical exam and interview conducted by the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners in the state where they are seeking a license.

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