Chiropractic FAQs
When will I feel better?
Most people feel some improvement after the first treatment.
How is a chiropractic adjustment performed?
Chiropractic adjustment or manipulation is a manual procedure performed by a skilled doctor of chiropractic. The chiropractic physician typically uses his or her hands — or an instrument — to manipulate the joints of the body, particularly the spine, in order to restore or enhance joint function. This often helps resolve joint inflammation and reduces the patient’s pain. The chiropractor adapts the procedure to meet the specific needs of each patient. Patients often note positive changes in their symptoms immediately following treatment.
Will treatment hurt?
Traditional adjustments usually don’t hurt. Trigger point treatment can hurt, but can also feel good at the same time, because it “finds” the pain.
Some people experience discomfort after the first one or two treatments. These “day after” effects can include a general feeling of tiredness or muscle soreness, similar to that experienced after unaccustomed exercise.
How many treatments will I need? And how often?
A typical range is from 3 to 12. Along with treatment we usually show you exercises. Doing these can reduce the amount of treatment you need.
In many cases, we start out at twice per week to get rid of the worst of the pain, extending the intervals as you get better.
Once I start chiropractic care, will I become dependent on it?
No. Most problems resolve completely through a course of treatment and the patient no longer needs to come in, at least until another mishap. If we cannot resolve the problem, we’ll help you find someone who can.
If a resolved problem keeps coming back, it could be from activities you do frequently at home, work, or recreation. We can help you figure out how to do these activities differently and thereby decrease the likelihood of recurrence.
Some people have multiple or long-standing injuries that have changed their body’s architecture, leaving easily aggravated weaknesses. People with these types of conditions can benefit from occasional chiropractic intervention. The right exercises are especially helpful in these instances and can minimize recurrences.
Do you recommend maintenance care, and how often?
Absolutely. Chiropractors can often pick up on trouble before it’s symptomatic. People usually enjoy seeing chiropractors for maintenance care because they feel healthier and better.
The recommended maintenance interval varies per person. If you’re sensitive to your body’s signals, you can simply call when things aren’t right. But if you’re a tough guy, it can be helpful to schedule treatments at regular intervals, perhaps once per quarter or once per month.
Are there risks of treatment?
Yes. Like any bodywork, we are doing physical intervention. Although unusual, some undesirable effects are possible. We will do our best to minimize these effects and be sensitive to what you need. These are some of the possibilities:
- We could, just like any other health provider and in spite of a careful evaluation, miss an underlying disease.
- We could “rile up” an injury or area of inflammation. We do our best to avoid this, but if it happens, we will do our best to settle it down again.
- We could temporarily throw off your body’s balance. When your body has problems, it develops other problems to compensate. We may not catch them all at first, and you could experience discomfort from that, usually in a different spot.
- You could be sore or tired after treatment, especially the first or second.
Having said all that, statistics, and our own experience, tell us that chiropractic treatment is very safe. For more information and research, visit the American Chiropractic Association website.
Can chiropractic treatment help children?
Absolutely. Children typically respond quickly to chiropractic care.
Patients often tell us their adult musculoskeletal problems started with a childhood injury. Early chiropractic intervention may prevent painful problems later in life.
Can I get an adjustment while sick?
You should get an adjustment when you’re sick. Chiropractic wasn’t started just to fix backs, but as a complete system of health care.
When you have a mechanical problem in the spine, the irritation can affect the function of areas on that same nerve circuit. This includes changes in blood circulation, nerve output, muscle tone, and tissue health. These changes can compromise the immune system in the region affected. Next time you get a sore throat or clogged sinuses just on one side, ask, “why is this?” The lopsided symptoms can indicate imbalances in your body, and chiropractic treatments are directed toward restoring balance.
We often see these irritated circuits relate to organ dysfunction. We don’t always know whether or not the problem started in the spine or in the organ, but clinical results suggest taking care of the spine helps either way. Depending on the health of the organ, other care may be needed as well.
Medical science recognizes now what chiropractors have been saying for generations: resistance is critical in disease treatment and prevention. An adjustment can help your immune system function better.
Let our office staff know when you are scheduling an appointment while sick. Germs are still germs, and if you’ve been brewing them, we may ask you to come to the office at a time when you’re not likely to spread them to other patients.
Can I receive chiropractic care in areas I’ve had surgery?
Yes, once adequate healing has taken place. Treatments can easily be modified to accommodate surgeries such as fusion or joint replacements.
What makes that popping sound with an adjustment?
While joint noises have a variety of causes, the popping sound with a manual adjustment is due to a sudden drop in pressure in the joint fluid, much like popping a wine cork. It simply indicates quick isolated movement in the joint. It won’t always happen, nor is it necessary for an effective adjustment.
How about treatment during pregnancy?
Highly recommended. Chiropractic tables are even designed to accommodate pregnant women, allowing you to lie comfortably on your stomach.
It is especially important to take good care of the sacroiliac joints, which soften to accommodate childbirth. Many women report sacroiliac problems later in life that began with a pregnancy. These types of problems are preventable with chiropractic treatments during pregnancy.
Hypnosis FAQs
Can I be hypnotized?
- Can you relax?
- Can you imagine or visualize?
If so, then you can be hypnotized. However, you cannot be hypnotized if you do not wish to be. In that sense, all hypnosis is self-hypnosis.
How Does Hypnosis Work?
Our minds work on two levels—the conscious and the unconscious. We make decisions, think and act with our conscious mind. The unconscious mind controls our habits. In the relaxed state known as hypnosis we can communicate directly with the unconscious mind. This is why it is so quick and easy to change habits of a lifetime with hypnosis.
Is Hypnosis Safe?
Yes, absolutely! Hypnosis is completely safe. Hypnosis is a completely natural method of absorbing information. In fact, we all enter hypnotic states every day in our waking lives. You are aware and in control at every moment and can terminate the session at any time. Hypnosis is not sleep, nor can you get “stuck” in a state of hypnosis.
Can a Hypnotist Make Me Do Something I Don’t Want To Do?
NO! The suggestions given to the subconscious have to be in agreement with your moral belief system; otherwise the suggestion will be rejected. You are always aware while you are in a hypnotic state. You are always in control.
Will Hypnosis Work for Me?
Generally speaking, every normal person is “hypnotizable”. By that I mean, people with an IQ of a least 70, and no severe mental disorders. Therefore, literally anyone can achieve success results using hypnosis.
How Will I Know If I’m Hypnotized?
Most people cannot tell the difference between the hypnotized and waking states. Some people feel relaxed and lethargic, others feel a lightness. One thing that people do notice is an inexplicable change in their daily behaviors.
How Long Does It Take For Hypnosis To Work?
Hypnosis often produces dramatic results in as little as one session. However, it can take days or a couple of weeks before the changes are truly implemented at a deep level of the mind.
What Does Hypnosis Feel Like?
When you are in hypnosis, you are deeply relaxed physically, mentally, and emotionally. You have great control over what you will or will not do and could reject any suggestion you might find to be uncomfortable. When you like and want the suggestions given, you allow the suggestions to enter into the subconscious mind.