COMMON QUESTIONS
Going to the doctor can be an intimidating experience, especially if you are not familiar with how the doctor works. Dr. Palmer would like to share some of the questions she typically gets from a new patient.
Causes of Misalignments/Vertebral Subluxations
Pain is the body's warning signal that something is injured. It is the last symptom to occur and the first one to leave during treatments. Unless an injury is acute, meaning it just happened from a trauma, many injuries especially disc related injuries have slowly developed over time. These occurrences are usually the cumulative effect of a series of injuries that they experienced.
Spinal Misalignments or vertebral subluxations occur due to STRESS, physical, chemical and emotional stress. Physical stress occurs in sports, falls, car accidents and even the birthing process. Chemical stress occurs in the air we breathe, water we drink and food we eat. Emotional stress occurs in relationships at work, family and loved ones.
What is chiropractic care?
Doctors of Chiropractic help people function at their best by finding spinal misalignments. These spinal misalignments interfere with the body's ability to heal itself. Using specific Chiropractic adjusting techniques, Chiropractors adjust these misalignments allowing the body and nervous system to function properly and thereby heal itself.
How did chiropractic care start?
Chiropractic care originated in Davenport, Iowa in 1895 by Daniel David Palmer. D.D. Palmer was evaluating a gentleman by the name of Harvey Lilliard who had lost his hearing. While Dr. Palmer was evaluating him, he noticed a spinal bone was out of place. Applying a firm pressure to the misaligned bone, Dr. Palmer performed the first Chiropractic adjustment. Mr. Lillard's hearing returned and the Chiropractic profession was born.
Why is chiropractic care called alternative medicine?
Chiropractic is considered an alternative medicine healing profession since it is an alternate choice to traditional medicine. The description alternative medicine does not adequately define the field of Chiropractic. Chiropractic strives to find the cause of the pain rather than to treat the symptoms with drugs or surgery.
Do you have to go to school?
Absolutely. To get accepted into a chiropractic school, a student must have completed a four-year degree and meet certain specific course/credit requirements in sciences, social sciences and humanities. Chiropractic School is similar to medical school the first couple of years taking classes in Anatomy, Biochemistry, Radiology, Orthopedics, Neurology, etc. The last years they focus on the art of Chiropractic technique balancing clinical studies with preparation of the Chiropractic National Boards. After successfully passing all four parts of the National Board, Chiropractors must pass their State Licensing Exam. It is only after successful completion of these exams may a Doctor of Chiropractic achieve licensure in their state.. In order to maintain licensure Doctors of Chiropractic are required to take continuing education credits.
What do the certifications mean?
In addition to her Doctors of Chiropractic, Dr. Palmer is a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician® (CCSP) by the American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians™ Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS).
How does chiropractic care work?
As a new patient to Chiropractic care, Dr. Palmer would take time to answer your questions about your current, past, and family health history. She would then perform chiropractic orthopedic, neurological, and visceral exams necessary to assess your overall health. Once all the health and Chiropractic information is gathered, she will sit down and explain the findings. At the next appointment, she will deliver a gentle Chiropractic adjustment.
Are there different types of chiropractic care?
The unique aspect of Chiropractic is that there are hundreds of Chiropractic techniques - each one works well and can target a specific misalignment. Dr. Palmer prefers to combine a variety of techniques to give a gentle, specific Chiropractic adjustment. In addition to the bones of the spine she also adjusts shoulders, wrists, elbows, knees and feet.
What happens during an adjustment?
Each movement is explained before being performed. Once a misaligned bone is found, a Chiropractic adjustment is performed to re-align the bones properly. Sometimes adjustments are so gentle patients are not even aware the adjustment was performed. In other cases, a "popping" sound can be heard. The sound is simply air being released in the joint similar to someone popping their knuckles. There is no pain associated with this sound.
Does chiropractic care hurt?
Chiropractic care is gentle. Although, sometimes after car accidents, falls, or a sports injury, a patient's back is very tender. Specialized Chiropractic techniques are utilized to minimize and alleviate any discomfort.
How can chiropractic care help me?
Chiropractic deals with your body's nervous system. The nervous system is composed of the brain, spinal cord, and thirty-one pairs of spinal nerves that control all the functions in the body from breathing to playing sports. If misalignments occur within the spinal column, the nervous system's ability to function is decreased. The only way to determine whether or not you have spinal misalignments is to seek the care of a Doctor of Chiropractic.
Why does my back/neck hurt?
Pain is your body's warning signal that something is injured. It is the last symptom to occur and the first one to leave during treatments. Unless an injury is acute, meaning it just happened from a trauma, many injuries especially disc related injuries have slowly developed over time. Many patients were just "blow drying their hair" or '"picking up something light" and their backs went out on them. These occurrences are usually the cumulative effect of a series of injuries and they experienced the "straw that broke the camel's back".
What causes my spine/bones/muscles to get out of alignment?
Spinal Misalignments or vertebral subluxations occur due to stress - physical, chemical and emotional stress. Physical stress occurs in sports, falls, car accidents and even the birthing process. Chemical stress occurs in the air we breathe, water we drink and food we eat. Emotional stress occurs in relationships at work, family and friends.
How often do I need chiropractic adjustments?
Great question! So often patients ask me how often they should get adjusted. The answer depends on how much physical, chemical and emotional stress they deal with in their daily lives. Each patient is unique, physically, emotionally and with their own individual health goals. Each patient's treatment plan is based on their unique self and health goals.
I am pregnant, can I still get treatments?
Yes! Chiropractic care is wonderful for expectant mommies. A women's body in pregnancy goes through many changes. Chiropractic care can help align a pregnant woman's' pelvis to make the child birthing process easier and make sure she is as healthy as possible for the baby.
How can it help me be a better athlete?
Athletes put a lot of physical demands on their body; running, jumping, tackling and falling, can cause the bones in the spine to misalign. Since muscles attach to bones, any misalignments within an athlete's body can interfere with their ability to compete. These interferences may present themselves as sprains, strains, chronic injuries such as shin splints and negatively effect performance. An athlete free of misalignments has the greatest ability to perform their best.
Do I have to be in pain in order to see a Chiropractor?
No, but unfortunately many people are in pain when they see a Chiropractor. However, athletes see Sports Chiropractors for peak performance. Some pregnant women see Chiropractors to align their pelvis to make child birthing process easier. Children see Chiropractors to have a healthier start in life. Everyone can see Chiropractors to maintain their nervous system health.
Do you give out pain medication?
No, Chiropractors do not prescribe drugs or medications. They do not perform surgery. Chiropractic utilizes the body's natural ability to heal itself.
Do you work with my medical doctor?
Yes, Chiropractors and medical doctors work well together to manage the healthcare of their patients.
Who should see a Chiropractor?
Grandmas, babies, mommies, daddies, coaches, athletes, everyone who wants to live a healthier life.
Do you take insurance?
Yes, Palmer Chiropractic and Sports Medicine accepts insurance from the major insurance carriers. Each insurance company has many different policy options. To find out if your policy covers chiropractic care, please call the office. Further, Dr. Palmer will work with those patients who policy does not cover chiropractic care or are without health insurance.