Benefits of Chiropractic
The purpose of chiropractic care is to correct nervous system interference. Subluxations (i.e. nerve interference) alter the messages from the brain to the individual cells, which cause disorganization. Subluxations are known causes of disease and ill health. They weaken every system within our body and compromise our vitality.

Can chiropractic help me? Absolutely!
If you have nerve interference (i.e. subluxation) then chiropractic can and will help. Whether you need wellness care or crisis care, the goal of chiropractic remains the same - remove any and all interference. The spinal column consists of 24 bones called vertebrae, 7 are located in the neck, 12 in the mid-back, and 5 in the low back.

The vertebrae stack on top of each other like the examples to the left. The spinal column houses the spinal cord, which is the lifeline of the body. The spinal cord and nerves allow the brain to communicate and control every cell within us. Chiropractors remove nerve interference by working with the structural integrity of the spinal column, thus allowing each person to achieve a greater state of health.

How long will I have to come?
There is no process that does not require time. Chiropractors work with the internal healing ability of each individual. The doctor will take information from your previous health care history, perform a chiropractic examination, take x-rays if necessary, and design a care plan specifically for each individual.

Every care plan is unique, however the objective is always the same: to remove all nerve interference so each person may achieve optimal health.

What does a chiropractor's education consist of?
The Doctor of Chiropractic is uniquely trained to help the body's natural healing ability by locating and correcting nervous system interference. The following are the minimum educational and professional requirements to become a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic:

1. Minimum of four years of undergraduate schooling with an emphasis on sciences.
2. Graduating from an accredited chiropractic college, which consists of four years of additional schooling.
3. Successfully passing the rigorous testing by the National Certified Board of Chiropractic Examiners, to become nationally certified.
4. Most states have their own chiropractic state boards that a chiropractor must complete before being issued a license to practice.

Chiropractic Definitions

• Subluxation: When one or more of the vertebrae are misaligned, the flow of energy and messages from the brain to the body is altered. This causes disorganization and disease. Subluxations are known as 'silent killers', often they go undetected, slowly deteriorating your health.
• Adjustment: A specific force applied to one or more of the vertebrae of the spinal column to remove nerve interference and promote the body's natural healing ability.
• Health: A state of optimal physical, mental and social well being not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (symptoms)-World Health Organizations definition.

Phases of Care

• Initial Intensive Care: If an ache, pain, or other obvious symptom has prompted you to begin chiropractic care, the first thing you want is to feel better. Office visits will be frequent and your adjustments may be combined with other procedures (such as massage) to help offer relief. Depending on your age, condition, and lifestyle, repeated visits over weeks or months may be needed to reduce or eliminate your symptoms.
• Rehabilitative Care: Muscle and other soft tissue damage often remain after the original symptoms improve. Rehabilitative care stabilizes your spine and promotes more complete healing. Visit frequency is reduced and you may be encouraged to supplement your care with exercises and other self-care procedures. With your ache or pain gone true healing can occur. Stopping care at this stage may risk a relapse.
• Maintenance Care: When maximum improvement is reached, periodic chiropractic checkups are recommended. These wellness visits can detect, and help correct, new problems before they become serious. Health conscious adults choose this type of care for themselves and their children. Like other preventative health measures, maintenance care can save time and money by helping you stay well.
• Wellness Care: Wellness Care can incorporate all phases of chiropractic care including a holistic approach to greater health through individual programs addressing areas of nutrition, exercise-fitness, and emotional health. Our staff of Certified Wellness Practitioners are available to help each individual reach their specific health goals.

A Holistic Approach to Your Health Care Goals
Recommendations for the number and type of healing treatments vary from patient to patient. You will be given an examination and report of findings to discuss your personalized care plan based on the recommendations of the doctor and your own health care goals. Your chiropractor may recommend other natural therapies to support your healing. Your chiropractor’s recommendations along with your level of commitment and how well you are able to comply with the recommendations will influence how quickly you move through the phases of your healing.

About the Nervous System
The nervous system controls the functions of the tissues, organs and all the system of the body. The spinal cord is the main trunk of the nervous system and is protected by the bones of the spine which is made up of 24 segments. This is the main structural support for the body. A healthy spine keeps the body erect and protects the billions of nerves that pass to and from the brain by way of the spinal cord . These nerves pass through small openings between the bones of the spine, also called the vertebrae to carry electrical nerve impulses to every part of your body, to keep you healthy, fully functioning and allow you to move the joints of your body freely.

Chiropractic concerns itself with the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (primarily coordinated by the nervous system) of the human body, and how that relationship affects the restoration and preservation of health.


Acute Care and Corrective Care
These are the first phases of the healing process; for some people the goal is simply relief from pain or prevention of its re-occurrence. Chronic issues may have acute flare-ups and may respond well to a schedule of corrective care.

Maintenance and Wellness Care
Day-by-day physical, mental and chemical stresses may lead to spinal mis-alignments. Therefore, periodic chiropractic checkups are as important to your health just as regular medical and dental checkups. How often you have your next chiropractic visit depends on your general health and life style. Your Doctor of Chiropractic will recommend the best program for your needs.