Frequently Asked Questions in Rockaway

Chiropractic is an all-natural, holistic method of healthcare with proven ability to increase vitality and promote well-being. As a result, chiropractic has earned its place as the largest drugless and non-surgical healthcare profession in the United States. Chiropractic is the science, art and philosophy of locating and correcting interference in the nervous system, which are called subluxations. Chiropractors correct subluxations through specific, gentle chiropractic adjustments that allow the body to communicate better and function more efficiently.

Chiropractic is very safe. It is a non-surgical, non-invasive, drug-free approach to health and is among the safest of all health care practices. Chiropractic does not take anything out of the body or put anything in the body. It is designed to clear the path of communication from the brain to the body so the body can heal and maintain its own health. Because chiropractic is so safe, chiropractors are able to enjoy one of the lowest malpractice rates of all healthcare practitioners.

A subluxation is a misalignment of spinal bones (vertebrae) causing nerve interference. Our vertebrae house and protect the spinal cord, but when these bones shift out of alignment they put unnecessary pressure on the nerve system. This disrupts the communication between the brain and the body, causing the body to not function optimally. Subluxations are not always associated with pain. Many subluxations are present for up to 10 years before they cause pain or any symptoms

Although pain is usually an indicator of a subluxation, the reverse is not true. Not all subluxations cause pain. This is because most of the nerves in our body do not carry pain signals. As our nerves go to every muscle, tissue, and organ in our body, subluxations that are left untreated can negatively impact the functions of our organs and ultimately affect our overall health. Chiropractors use a variety of methods to locate subluxations including posture analysis, chiropractic instruments (like the Integrator), and highly-trained hands. At ADJUST, we use state-of-the-art technology that can tell us if you have subluxations and how severe they are.

There are a variety of ways you can become subluxated. Causes of a subluxation can be broken down into the 3 T’s: Traumas, Toxins, and Thoughts. “Traumas” can be from a car accident, sports injuries, repetitive motions, or even the birthing process. “Toxins” can be from exposure to smoke, medications, household chemicals, or processed foods. “Thoughts” can be caused by emotional stress, like an argument, a long workday, or anxiety. While it’s easy to understand how traumas can cause subluxations, chemical exposures and emotional stresses need further explanation. When the body perceives a threat, physical or non-physical, it elicits a similar response. Muscles contract to defend and brace the body which holds bones into positions that can cause asymmetry in the spine, leading to subluxations.

At ADJUST we pride ourselves in providing high quality chiropractic care and wellness education. We are highly trained in other modalities such as nutrition and physical therapy; however, we choose to focus our energies on our core passion and expertise – chiropractic. As strong advocates of the holistic lifestyle, we understand nutrition, exercise, mental health, etc. are essential to overall health, so we have developed a network of trusted and respected holistic doctors and professionals that we refer patients to upon request.

As principled and neurologically-based chiropractors, the only condition we treat is the subluxation. Chiropractic is widely known to treat back pain, but back pain is ultimately a nerve issue, and when the subluxations are corrected, back pain tends to go away. Correcting subluxations enables the body to heal itself and express itself to the fullest.

There is no other method of healthcare that has proven itself more effective than chiropractic in relieving back and neck pain. However, seeing a chiropractor for just back pain is like buying an iPhone just for the calculator. The rewards of chiropractic are numerous as it is centered on restoring the body to its optimal form and function. People under regular chiropractic care continually report better health and well-being.

Yes, chiropractors are doctors. While often referred to as chiropractors, the official title is Doctor of Chiropractic (also known as DCs). Chiropractors are not Medical Doctors (MDs). Like MDs, DCs undergo extensive education and training before becoming licensed professionals. Their curriculum is grounded in the sciences, but while medical doctors focus largely on pharmacology, chiropractors dedicate those hours to nutrition and neurology.

Like all healthcare practitioners, chiropractors undergo extensive education and training before receiving their doctorate degree and licensing. Prior to entering the doctorate program, students are required to master the core sciences such as chemistry, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology, pathology, and physics. Once in the doctorate program, students continue training into the advanced clinical sciences, including neurology, bacteriology, virology, radiology, toxicology, orthopedics, and differential diagnosis. Chiropractors do not practice medicine, but instead receive PhD-level education in nutrition. Students also receive extensive training on adjusting techniques and must complete clinical internships to perfect these skills. Lastly, all doctors of chiropractic must pass several rigorous board exams and state exams before obtaining their license.

The doctor will determine if x-rays are necessary during your initial consultation. In most cases the doctors need to study specific postural x-rays in order to give their recommendations for care as x-rays reveal spinal integrity and alignment. It is also a powerful diagnostic tool to see things like spinal degeneration, abnormal bony development, bone spurs, disc disorders, tumors, spinal curvatures, and determine if there are any contraindications to chiropractic care.

At ADJUST we have a state-of-the-art digital x-ray suite. The digital x-ray emits a very small dose of radiation and is a fraction of what patients would be exposed to with a film-based x-ray. The average person in the United States receives about 3 mSv of naturally-occurring radiation every year from the environment. The average spinal x-ray emits 1.5 mSV of radiation. In other words, the digital x-ray is equivalent to 6 months of naturally-occurring radiation.