Q) What is chiropractic? Chiropractic is a safe, natural, drugless method of healing that is utilized by millions of people of all ages. Chiropractic utilizes the inborn healing powers of the body to allow an individual to function at their maximum potential. A chiropractic adjustment removes interference in the nervous system by correcting misalignments in the spine (called vertebral subluxations) in order to allow this complete expression of health. Chiropractic is a different approach to health care; it is not a treatment for disease or conditions. Everybody deserves a healthy spine that is free of nerve interference. At Active Life Chiropractic, we recognize the body’s own natural recuperative powers to heal and rejuvenate itself without the use of drugs or surgery.
Q) How long is the first visit? Upon arrival you will be asked to complete a patient history form that will include pertinent information concerning your health and your reason for seeking care. You will be given a chiropractic examination, computerized spinal scan, and digital spinal radiographs (if necessary). This first visit will take about 45-90 minutes depending on your past & current health history, as well as your age.
Q) How long are subsequent visits? On the second & third visit, the doctor will discuss the findings determined from your exam, and a personalized care plan will be tailored for you. Depending on your goals for care, we will give you an estimate of how long it will take to make any spinal corrections, we will discuss home exercises and stretches, and will make recommendations. Generally the second visit is approximately 20-30 minutes. Any visit after that will be shorter depending on your personal situation.
Q) Why should I see a chiropractor if I don’t have any pain? Most if not all health problems begin long before any symptoms develop. Only 1/10th of the function of your nervous system is for sensation, the other 9/10th is for function of all the organs, glands and muscles in your body. In other words, you could have a lot of dysfunction going on and experience no pain at all! This is where the Insight Millenium computerized scan helps us determine the health of your nervous system (see First Visit). In addition, pain is different from person to person depending on tolerance levels. In many disease processes, pain is the last thing to appear and the first thing to go away.
Q) Once I get adjusted, do I have to go for the rest of my life? This all depends on your personal health care goals, and we will take care of you whatever that decision may be. Regular preventive chiropractic care is a wise investment in your health. We hope that you find or come to see the benefit in our belief that early prevention-based care is easier and less costly than acute, relief-based treatment that is delayed because warning signs that were ignored. That is why we encourage maintenance and wellness care on a schedule that is appropriate for each individual. This is similar to eating healthy and getting exercise, something that must be done on a regular basis in order to reap the greatest benefits.
Once your relief care is completed, your chiropractor will suggest a schedule for corrective care, and then finally you will be recommended for a wellness and preventative care program. This is similar to going to the dentist for regular check-ups and cleaning, or to changing the oil in your car every 3000 miles. Occasionally, some people may need to have maintenance adjustments as often as once a week. Others may need to go as little as once a quarter. Your Doctor will make a recommendation based on their findings from your history, examinations, and prognosis. This will vary person-to-person depending on your past and current health history. Of course, how long you chose to benefit from chiropractic care is always up to you.
Q) Do children need chiropractic care? Yes, Chiropractic adjustments to children are very gentle and effective. Even the so-called “normal” birth experience can subject a newborn’s delicate spine to excessive pressure and stress, causing spinal nerve interference. A chiropractic adjustment removes this spinal nerve interference by gently correcting misalignments in the spine (called vertebral subluxations). This nerve interference can affect the infant’s ability to express health to his/her fullest potential.
Childhood is a very active time. Running, jumping, falls and accidents are all part of a normal childhood and yet they can cause spinal misalignments. Many parents may believe the children are fine because there is no external evidence of injury or obvious symptom. However, resulting spinal injuries are often overlooked and many times are left uncorrected. These subluxations can block the natural flow of life across the nerves to any part of the body.
Dr. Stone has attended hundreds of hours in post-graduate education and has received her diplomate in prenatal and pediatric care through the Academy Council of Chiropractic Pediatrics (D.A.C.C.P. certified) and is a Fellow of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (F.I.C.P.A.). She also has been certified in the Webster’s Technique since the year 2000 & has adjusted hundreds of pregnant women over the years.
Q) Can pregnant women get adjusted? Yes. Studies show that women are able to carry and deliver their babies with more comfort when receiving chiropractic care. These adjustments are specifically tailored to the pregnant woman. Correcting vertebral subluxation ensures that both the expectant mother and her unborn child have the best opportunity to have a healthy pregnancy and birth. We believe strongly in the benefits of chiropractic care to the mother and unborn child. Please click on our link Pregnancy and Chiropractic for more information.
Dr. Stone has attended dozens of seminars in caring for pregnant women, and is also certified in The Webster’s Technique, She is also certified in the Webster’s Technique, a specific chiropractic sacral analysis and diversified adjustment, primarily for pregnant women. The goal of the adjustment is to reduce the effects of sacral subluxation/ SI joint dysfunction. In so doing neuro-biomechanical function in the pelvis is improved.
