What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is the science which concerns itself with the relationship between structure, (primarily the spine) and function, (primarily the nervous system) of the human body as that relationship may affect restoration and preservation of health. Chiropractic is a drugless health care method of relieving pain and restoring health. A Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) can balance the body structures through specific movements of the spine (called a chiropractic adjustment) and assist the body to heal naturally by recommending good body mechanics, exercise, good diet, supplementation, and by using physiotherapy modalities such as heat, cold, traction, ultrasound, electrical muscle stimulation. In some cases, Acupuncture will be used. Most chiropractic physicians work with the balancing of the muscular systems of the body to create a more relaxed patient.

With such an abundance of chiropractors and specialists, many people get stuck "Doctor Shuffling", scurrying from doctor to doctor hoping he or she is "The One" that will handle their particular complaint. The Doctor of Chiropractic can eliminate the shuffle from doctor to doctor. As a family care physician, your chiropractor can be the primary entry to eliminate the "Doctor Shuffle." A well qualified chiropractic physician can handle 90% of your medical direction and additionally, have the expertise to recognize if your problem requires another specialists attention. For medical care, you will be referred to a medical referral doctor, who will see to your care in the proper manner.

A Doctor of Chiropractic understands your family's structure and support system and how that might relate to disease. With emphasis on musculoskeletal problems, Doctors of Chiropractic can effectively treat most of our everyday stress and strains. Knowing that aches and pains, headaches and numbness are correctable, you can make the treatment by Chiropractic your most effective choice for health care. Each patient receives a thorough physical examination to determine the amount and type of care necessary to alleviate your complaint. I will discuss with you the type of care that will bring you the most relief, and the time involved in correction of your problem.

How Does Chiropractic Work?

Chiropractic works through restoring the normal function of the spinal (and other) joints of the body and allowing the body's natural healing processes to take effect. In essence, we remove the restrictions to healing. (When caused at the spine, this is often referred to as the Vertebral Subluxation Complex). It has to do with removal of interference to nerve fibers through proprioceptive responses to the chiropractic therapy. This proprioceptive response creates measurable chemical changes in the body which affects the spinal nerves, spinal discs, muscles, ligaments and tendons.  A Doctor of Chiropractic corrects nerve interferences and spinal misalignments through a technique called an adjustment.  This is where a low force is applied to the affected spinal region(s) to restore proper realignment.  For those of you who have been adjusted in the past, you know it feels as if pressure has been taken off the area almost immediately and is not painful.  We do get many patients at the clinic who request a low force type of adjustment, so aside from traditional adjusting methods (Palmer Diversified and Gonstead), Dr. Jon Tanner is also trained in using the Impulse Adjusting Technique.  This is the latest technology in low force adjusting that has pressure sensors to determine how much force the patient needs (see below).

What is a Subluxation?

A subluxation complex is the dis-relationship of two or more spinal vertebrae causing one or more of the following:

• Nerve irritation
• Nerve encroachment (putting pressure where the nerve exits the spine)
• Swelling of the joint spaces between the vertebrae
• Muscle tightness or spasm of the surrounding area
• Abnormal pressure or pulling on muscles, tendons and ligaments
• Twisting, tilting or tearing of the intervertebral disc
• Tearing of the supportive ligaments causing too much motion
• Compression of the joint space allowing too little motion

Sometimes this complex can be very severe (such as after an injury) and sometimes it can be long term (such as in arthritic conditions). In most instances, a subluxation complex will cause pain.

What Kind of Problems do Chiropractors Treat?

Doctors of chiropractic treat neuro-musculo-skeletal problems. (nerve, muscle, bone) such as low back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, knee pain and pain involved after accidents. Chiropractic care is also very effective in the treatment of headaches, especially tension headaches. We are the top choice by athletes who want to improve their performance and keep their body injury-free. Chiropractic doctors should not treat, and should refer to proper physicians, any patients with cancer, bone infections, HIV, fractures, or any neurological active lesion (i.e. neuroblastoma).

Are Chiropractors Primary Care Doctors?

Actually, chiropractic doctors are PRIMARY PORTAL OF ENTRY doctors and cannot be accurately classified as primary care by definition. However, most persons writing legislation and insurance use the terms interchangeably and do not know the difference, therefore for THEIR definition we are primary care doctors. This means that patients can come to us directly for care, without being referred by any other physician. We are also able to make the appropriate referral if we feel x-rays or MRI's are necessary. The true reason we cannot fall into the classification of primary care is that the definition includes care for life threatening situations.

Why Don't Chiropractors Prescribe Drug Therapy?

Chiropractic was designed from the outset to be drugless, as an alternative to allopathic medicine. Drug therapy can be useful, but it can also be harmful when it masks the symptoms instead of taking care of the problem that is causing the patient discomfort or disease. There are times when limited access to pain killers would be beneficial to alleviate a patient's "unbearable" pain, however, I find that I just work harder to get the patient past that "unbearable" stage. The vast difference between the Medical profession and the Chiropractic profession is that Medical Doctor's can prescribe medications but are not licensed to perform manipulation. Doctor's of Chiropractic are not licensed to prescribe medications, but can perform manipulations.

Why does someone who doesn't hurt need an Adjustment?

An adjustment (spinal manipulation) can only be performed when there is something to correct. Many "healthy" people have small problems (that have not yet developed into pain expressions) that may or may not turn into larger problems. Treating these small (painless) problems when they are not serious is beneficial to the patient, by eliminating a possible cause of future problems. For those who understand the importance of preventative care, Chiropractic is your best option. As we age and our joints dry up, the vertebrae move closer to each other leading to a form of arthritis known as Osteoarthritis, or D.J.D. (Degenerative Disc Disease). When this arthritis forms, calcium can accumulate at the end plates of the vertebrae causing a slight fusion of the 2 adjacent levels. Chiropractic adjustments help keep the joints spaces moving freely and can slow the progression of calcium build-up caused by arthritis.

What to Expect When You Visit a Chiropractor

• Chiropractors take a complete health history of the patient and discuss his/her specific problem as well as overall lifestyle.
• Common questions concern family history, dietary habits, prior treatment received, job duties and others to determine other important health information.
• If necessary a complete health examination is performed. Also, a careful spinal examination and analysis will be performed to detect any structural abnormalities that might affect a patient's particular health condition.
• Chiropractors may find a significant connection between a bump, jar or fall a patient experienced many years ago and the patient's present health problem.
• Only after a chiropractor determines that your condition could be helped with chiropractic does he or she initiate care.
• Care often involves corrective spinal adjustments; however, adjunctive therapies may be used to supplement the adjustments.

What kind of Education do Chiropractors have?

Here is a list of the core curriculum classes that we must endure with no sleep and endless pots of coffee....and remember, this is AFTER a 4-year degree (Bachelor's of Science in Biology) has been obtained!

Required Curriculum
First Trimester	Course Credits
Philosophy I	2
Neuroanatomy I	5
Principles of Anatomy	2
Gross Anatomy I	6
Embryology	5
Biochemistry I	6
Neurophysiology	3
TOTAL	29
Second Trimester	Course Credits
Philosophy II	2
Gross Anatomy II	6
Spinal Anatomy	5
Cellular Physiology	3
Neurophysiology I	3
Endocrinology	3
Biochemistry II	5
Scientific Research	2
TOTAL	29
Third Trimester	Course Credits
Organ Histology	5
Neuroanatomy II	5
C-V-P Physiology	4
Neurophysiology II	2
Pathology	4
Microbiology	6
Immunology and Communicable Diseases	2
Palpation	2
TOTAL	30
Fourth Trimester	Course Credits
Philosophy III	2
Digestive Physiology and Nutrition	3
Renal Physiology	3
Public Health	3
Systems Pathology	7
Radiology I	6
Toggle Recoil	5
Instrumentation	2
TOTAL	31
Fifth Trimester	Course Credits
Toxicology	3
Radiology II	4
Cervical Technique	5
Neuromusculoskeletal Diagnosis I	5
Physical Diagnosis	10
Spinal Biomechanics	4
TOTAL	31
Sixth Trimester	Course Credits
Philosophy IV	2
Radiology III	4
Thoraco-lumbar Technique	5
Pelvic Technique	5
Neuromusculoskeletal Diagnosis II	5
Geriatrics	2
Obstetrics and Pediatrics	5
TOTAL	30
Seventh Trimester	Course Credits
Radiology IV	5
Technique Principles and Practice	5
Extremity Adjusting	5
Visceral Disorders & Laboratory Interpretation	5
Gender Disorders	2
Clinical Methods	5
Emergency Procedures	3
TOTAL	30
TOTAL = 308 Credits

With almost 8 years of training, you can feel safe knowing that your health is in good hands...Chiropractic hands.