Frequently Asked Questions in Washington, DC

A chiropractor is a healthcare professional who deals with the diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular issues. Their method depends on the manual manipulation or adjustment of the spine, and the connection between the spine and the nervous system. A chiropractor focuses on the delicate marriage of the nervous system and the spine, using manual manipulations to manage or adjust it.

Chiropractic practice is based on two fundamentals. One of these fundamentals would be that of biomechanical and structural imbalance of the spine can affect the state of the nervous system. The other fundamental would be that for many conditions, chiropractic treatment can restore the structural integrity of the spine, thereby reducing pressure on the sensitive neurological tissues that might be compressed.

Whether you’re suffering from neck pain, back pain, or sciatica, a good chiropractor can help you solve your problems by focusing on the structure of the body. By helping a patient regain normal spine mobility and alleviate the burden on the spine, which is one of the most important structures in the human body required for normal functioning.

There are two kinds of chiropractic care you can opt for. The first is symptomatic care, where patients approach the chiropractor with pain somewhere in their bodies. Using chiropractic techniques, the professional makes adjustments and provides various treatment options with the goal to relieve you of that pain you came with. Once you feel better, you are discharged from care. This can take anywhere from two to twenty sessions depending on the severity of pain.

The second kind of care is maintenance care, where patients are committed to a long-term plan of chiropractic care. These patients regularly receive chiropractic adjustments, stretching and other exercises, and soft tissue therapy even after the resolution of their pain. These visits can range anywhere from once a week to once a month depending on how much you are willing to invest in your spinal health.

By asking you about your symptoms and making observations, the chiropractor chooses the right kind of treatment for you. For instance, he may decide that you have ‘tight’ muscles, a problem that can be easily resolved with soft tissue techniques that ‘release’ them.

In conclusion, there is no set number of sessions that you need to take with a chiropractor. The number of sessions depends on whether you are looking for symptomatic care or maintenance care, and the severity of your issue.

Chiropractors are dedicated to the non-surgical and non-medicinal treatment of the musculoskeletal system and disorders of the nervous system. They pay unique attention to the physical manipulation of the spine and treatment of surrounding structures.

As far as lower back pain is concerned, there have been many studies conducted that prove how effective manual therapies are for the treatment of pain or discomfort. Not only pain in the lower back, but chiropractic care is also helpful for a lumbar herniated disc and neck pain among other conditions of the back.

When patients with a non-specific complaint of lower back pain approach a chiropractor, there is a promise of better long-term outcomes. After the initial intensive manipulation therapy, the chiropractor will also help you in maintaining a healthy spine.

The chiropractic treatment for lower back pain is through manual therapy of two kinds: spinal manipulation and mobilization. The first refers to a high velocity, short lever arm thrust applied to the painful vertebra. The goal is to improve functionality and nerve irritability. There is ample evidence that this treatment plan is effective. The second part of the treatment is mobilization, which employs low velocity techniques. The chiropractor will manipulate, move, and stretch your muscles and joints until the range of motion within these areas is increased.

The short answer is: Yes! Not only is chiropractic care appropriate for children of all ages, but it is also essential for their overall health and wellness. The spine is one of the most essential structures of the human body, and beginning an early preventive care can contribute to healthy growth and development. In fact, about 17% or more of all chiropractic patients are under 18 years of age. Out of that 17%, about 8% are 5 years old or even younger!

It may seem counterintuitive to think of getting chiropractic care. However, it is a fact that human beings of all ages can experience subluxations in the spine because of several kinds of physical trauma in the developmental stage. By giving them appropriate care with a licensed chiropractor, you can ensure that your child is free from pain and discomfort today and forever.

It is interesting to note that the human body produces more new neural pathways in early life than at any other time. This production should not only be ensured but maximized through children’s chiropractic care to give your child room to outgrow their potential.

By choosing the right chiropractor in DC, you can ensure that your child is given gentle care. The chiropractor will perform a mild adjustment using his hands or a small tool. This method will be combined with other chiropractic therapies to restore the health of the spine!

To become a professional chiropractor, a person must earn a D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic) degree and a state-issued license to practice. The degree program takes about 4 years to complete and requires at least 3 years of college education for admission. Chiropractors are highly educated professionals who have learned about the human body extensively.

Chiropractors study physiology, anatomy, biology, and other medical subjects that help them understand their patients’ complaints. Not only do they study theoretical courses, but they are also trained in spinal assessment, various adjustment techniques, and making sound diagnoses.

After their education is complete, all states require them to apply for a license. They will only be given one if they complete their degree program entirely and pass all four parts of the NBCE (National Board of Chiropractic Examiners) exam.

Besides formal education, it is also essential for a chiropractor to have a number of other skills. For instance, their decision-making skills enable them to decide the best course of treatment for a patient, their dexterity determines how well they can make spinal adjustments, and their detail orientation can help them make proper diagnoses.

Interpersonal skills like empathy, communication, and kindness also go a long way when treating a patient. Without these human qualities, a chiropractor cannot do his job well or connect with his patients.

The neck, or what we call the cervical spine in medical terms, contains seven small vertebrae starting from the base of the skull. It can only be called incredible that these seven vertebrae support the weight of our entire head, which is nothing short of hefty at an average of 12 pounds. As the neck moves in virtually every direction, it is also susceptible to all kinds of injuries and pain.

If you have sustained a neck injury or are feeling pain in your neck due to osteoarthritis, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, or plain old age, a chiropractor can be consulted for a swift, nonmedicinal and non-surgical treatment.

To treat the neck, a chiropractor will first do a physical or neurological exam. He will ask you all sorts of questions about the beginning of the neck pain, its duration, and all the treatment you have opted for so far. After acquiring enough information about your problem, the chiropractor will perform a neck adjustment, which is also known as cervical manipulation.

This precise procedure is applied to the cervical joints, using the pressure of the hands. An adjustment like this will work to improve the mobility of the spine and adjoining muscles. Most patients notice an improved ability to maneuver the head and neck, and a significant reduction in pain, stiffness, and soreness.

If you have been to the chiropractor more than once, you will probably be used to the popping sound that adjustments can sometimes make. They may be loud, which may make you wonder if everything is right with your spine - it may even end up alarming you! However, there is no reason to worry. The pop you hear during a chiropractic adjustment is completely normal.

When the spinal facet joint is stretched at the chiropractor’s clinic, a crackling or popping noise may be heard. This is caused by small pockets of air bubbles that form in the fluid that surrounds each joint. The sound is not unlike the pop your finger joints make when you add pressure to them. When a chiropractor stretches the joint tissues during an adjustment, the air pockets ‘pop,’ thus making the sound you hear.

After a spinal adjustment, you may feel like your back has more movement, even though the muscles can remain tight and sore. Your chiropractor may include other care treatments alongside adjustments, such as muscle therapy, to give you more relief from back pain. He may even recommend preventive care and a mindfulness about your posture.

The chiropractor will also tell you the importance of keeping your body in good shape through exercise and better postures, so you can take care of your back better!

Yes, you can opt for chiropractic care during pregnancy. Chiropractic deals with the maintenance of the spine through physical manipulation and adjustments. Since there are no medications or surgery involved, it is usually considered a safe form of alternative medicine. By reducing stress on the spinal nerve, chiropractors promote the general health of your body.

If you aren’t suffering from any other complications, chiropractic care during pregnancy is not only safe, but also recommended. However, if you are experiencing vaginal bleeding, placenta previa, placenta abruption, ectopic pregnancy, or moderate to severe toxemia, you should take it easy until your baby is born.

All chiropractors receive training that lets them treat pregnant women. They have special tables that can accommodate their bellies so there is no pressure on the abdomen. Your chiropractor will probably go for light maneuvering that doesn’t cause you any discomfort!

As a woman’s body physically changes in nine months, she may experience hormonal and other changes that impact her posture and comfort levels. Your back may take the brunt of the heavy baby you are carrying, especially towards the final months. In this time, chiropractic care can address these issues to provide you with pain relief and a better posture. Moreover, a chiropractor will realign the balance of your pelvis and spine, which can make you feel more than a little better!

The shortest answer to this question is yes, but let us explain fully. Chiropractic is widely known as one of the safest, drug and side-effect free way of treating the neuro and musculoskeletal systems. Although there is always a risk of adverse effects in every medical treatment, chiropractic practice has a great safety record. The risks associated with chiropractic are almost non-existent when compared to the sideeffects allopathic drugs sometimes warn about!

After your chiropractor performs spinal manipulation of your spine, in particular, some patients feel immediate relief, while others may experience mild soreness, stiffness, or a dull ache. All of these are completely normal and disappear within 24 hours. Similar is the case with cervical manipulation, which is a manipulation of the neck.

There have been rare cases of stroke or vertebral artery dissection, but the evidence proves it only affects patients who have a pre-existing arterial disease. In fact, if someone has these pre-existing arterial problems, even turning their heads the wrong way can result in an arterial dissection. In any case, arterial injuries during chiropractic care are extremely uncommon.

Whenever you speak with your chiropractor, remember to be very specific about the kind symptoms you are experiencing. The chiropractor will base his treatment on the solution of your problems, so explain them well and in great detail.