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If you should have a question that is not answered here,
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Dr.
DaCunha
 Is
Chiropractic care safe?
Absolutely.
Compared to other medical treatments, which include medication and
surgery, chiropractic is by far the safest. It is estimated
that 140000 people in the USA die each year from drug-related
reactions and nearly 100.000 people die as result of medical errors.
Insurance companies who evaluate the risks of all professions, and
charge a premium based on the risk the profession poses.
Chiropractors have by far the lowest insurance premium of all
medical providers. Even though thousands of chiropractic adjustments
are made each year, only a few complaints are registered. TOP
What
is an adjustment?
A gentle, carefully placed thrust which moves vertebrae into their proper
position. The chiropractor usually delivers the adjustment by hand, but
occasionally uses other instruments. The purpose of the adjustment is to
correct a spinal subluxation.
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What
is a subluxation?
Subluxation refers to a spinal bone (vertebrae)
that is not in its right position or not moving in its normal range
of motion. Misaligned vertebrae are irritating nerves and
blood vessels, which in turn affects the way your body communicates
with your spine. Subluxations are the cause of many pains and
dysfunctions in muscles and organs. The body’s natural ability to
heal itself is greatly improved with the subluxation removed. TOP
Does
the adjustment hurt?
Most chiropractic adjustments are not only
painless, they actually feel great and relieving. In cases of a
recent injury, inflamed tissue may react to adjustments and cause
some discomfort. Application of ice after treatment may soothe
any irritation. TOP
What
causes the "cracking" sound during an adjustment?
The sound is no reason
to be concerned. The sound is not coming from the bones
themselves. It's coming from a lubricant called synovial fluid
that's found in every joint. That fluid contains dissolved gases.
During the adjustment the joints are slightly separated to
move into proper position. This releases the built-up pressure on
the fluid and gasses and creates a “pop” similar to the release of
pressure when the cork comes off a bottle of Champagne. Not
all patients “pop” and not all adjusting techniques produce the
noise, which means an adjustment can be proper and effective, even
if you do not hear any noise. TOP
Will
repeated chiropractic adjustment lead to arthritis?
There is no evidence to
suggest that manipulation of the spine or other chiropractic care
can lead to arthritis. On the contrary, chiropractors often care for
people with arthritis by maintaining joint health. Motion is life
when it comes to joint health. TOP
Is
it safe to crack my own neck or back?
This question is often posed
to chiropractors and concern has been raised over its safety. While
people might have the right idea by trying to relieve pressure on
the joints, the "cracking" or "popping" of one's back or neck is not
the same as a chiropractic adjustment. The problem usually
keeps coming back, which should be a clear indication that there has
been no real adjustment. The cause of the spinal tension, the
fixated or jammed vertebrae, has not been corrected. Even a
chiropractor cannot adjust him/herself. You should not try to do it
yourself, either. TOP
Is
there a minimum or maximum age for a person to receive chiropractic care?
There is no age excluded from chiropractic care. Even
babies can have subluxations, due to the rigors of birth. In
Denmark, for example, Chiropractic Doctors are part of the
birthing team. Children's subluxations should be treated early, as they
interfere with nerves that control developing muscles and organs. Children's bodies contain
cartilage growth centers that the bone grows from. Abnormal stresses
on a rapidly developing spine and other bones and joints can cause
them to develop abnormally. Your chiropractor can detect these
problems while they're easy to correct. TOP
Can
chiropractors refer patients to other specialists?
Chiropractors are part
of a network of health-care professionals. Like other doctors, they
will make referrals for patients when necessary. Chiropractors are
trained to recognize risk factors and signs of disease that are
outside their scope of treatments and they will not hesitate to make
a referral when it's in a patient's best interest. TOP
Can
chiropractors prescribe medication or perform surgery?
Chiropractors
believe in the body’s ability to heal itself and for that reason
they don't prescribe medication or perform invasive procedures. They
focus on providing your body with the right elements for
self-restoration by restoring free-flowing communication between all
parts of your body. TOP
Should
chiropractic care continue even after I feel fine?
Chiropractors are
trained to detect problem areas in your spine before they develop
into problem conditions or symptoms. Just because symptoms
disappear, does not mean your subluxations are corrected. Regular
adjustments help to maintain or support a healthy spine and nervous
system. Maintenance or wellness spinal care programs, which may
include advice on posture, nutrition and exercise, can effectively
prevent pain. However, how you choose to use chiropractic care is
ultimately up to you. If your spine wears out, there
is no solution. Because your spine directly influences the function
of your nervous system, spinal decay permanently damages the nerves
and spinal cord. Nearly everyone flosses and brushes their teeth
even though their teeth don't hurt. Spinal adjustments are like
flossing the spine. Lifetime care of the spine should be a priority!
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