IS CHIROPRACTIC CARE RIGHT FOR ME?

Do you have a spine? If you do, then chiropractic care is right for you.

 
Most people understand chiropractic to be a profession that specializes in back pain relief, i.e., "you make an appointment  with the chiropractor when your back hurts". This understanding of chiropractic is not wrong—because most chiropractors  are very good at relieving back pain—it’s just not the main focus of what chiropractors do.

The primary focus of chiropractic care is to support the body in what it already knows how to do—heal, function, and  thrive. The brain and the nervous system are often referred to as “the master control system” of the body because they  control and regulate all our our bodily functions. The brain and the spinal cord are so incredibly delicate and so incredibly  important, that they are encased in solid bone—the skull and the spine. Any shifts in the proper alignment of the  musculoskeletal system can result in decreased nervous system function.

 
Throughout our lives, our bodies are subjected to many sources of stress. These stresses can be physical stresses,  mental stresses, or even chemical stresses, which individually or combined, can lead to devastating damage to our spine  and our nervous system function. When these stresses occur, our body begins the process of operating at a state that is  less than our full potential. This is often referred to as a state of dis-ease. A healthy, vibrant body is constantly healing and  recreating itself in a perpetual state of ease. When interference is allowed to take hold of the nervous system, the body  enters a state of the dis-ease. In a state of dis-ease, the body is not healing or functioning at its best.

Sadly, for many people, when they have interference to their nervous system and are operating in a state of dis-ease, they  may not feel symptoms at first. Some may not even experience symptoms for years. Others may have symptoms that come and go. Every body is unique and responds and adapts to stress differently. Over time though, the eventual  outcome is the body’s breakdown reaches the point of crisis. A crisis can take on many different forms, including, but not  limited to: pain, numbness, tingling, fatigue, weakness, and even organ system breakdown.

 
Chiropractic care is a gentle mechanism of removing interference to the nervous system through chiropractic adjustments,  postural support exercises, and healthy lifestyle habits. So, the question of when one should seek chiropractic care will  depend on when you want your body to begin moving away from a state of dis-ease and towards a state of optimal health  and healing. Regardless of disease or condition, you are always better off with a healthy spine that encourages an  optimally functioning nervous system.

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WHY WOULD A CHILD NEED TO SEE A CHIROPRACTOR? 

"It's easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” — Frederick Douglass 

Very often when someone comes into our clinic they notice that we see a lot of children. When asked why children would  need to see a chiropractor, Dr. Scott will often respond, “because they have parents who love them and want them to be as healthy as possible.” 

In our modern world, the sad truth is that children are often subjected to many sources of stress that can have devastating  effects on their spines and their nervous systems. Physical traumas are extremely common in children, since most  children experience falls and accidents when learning to walk, ride a bike, or play a sport for the first time. One of the most  significant sources of physical trauma for many children results from the birth process. Many children are born in a state of  panic and stress. Aggressive birthing techniques, such as vacuum extraction, forceps delivery, or even a c-section  delivery, can result in pulling and twisting of the very delicate vertebra of the infant’s neck. Emotional and mental stresses  are perhaps higher than they have ever been, with conditions like anxiety and ADD continuously on the rise. Additionally,  chemical stresses are ever present in our environment, in our food, and throughout our homes.

These physical, mental, and chemical stresses can lead to a breakdown of the communication pathways between the  brain, the nervous system, and the body. Left uncorrected, this can potentially have a negative impact on key aspects of a  child's development. The goal of chiropractic care is to remove interference from the nervous system by detecting and  correcting subluxations (misalignments of the spine) that may have resulted from physical traumas, mental stresses, or  exposure to toxins the child may have experienced.  

We have noticed that most of the health problems faced by adults actually began in childhood. Just like the best time to  correct a tree that is wrapped around a fence post is when it’s a young sapling; likewise, the best time to correct a spine  that is out of healthy alignment is as early in life as possible. What we have observed after caring for hundreds of families  over the past 25 years, is that correcting a child’s spine can often lead to a much more vibrant and healthy future for that child.

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CAN DIFFERENT CHIROPRACTIC TECHNIQUES BE USED? 

Absolutely! There are many gentle, low-force techniques available in modern chiropractic care. In fact, most people don’t  realize that there are over 100 techniques utilized in chiropractic today. Dr. Scott has been very fortunate to have been  exposed to many different chiropractic techniques over the past 30 years; through chiropractic school, continuing  education, and from both of his parents who are both experienced Chiropractors and Naturopaths.

 
Our clinic ensures that each new patient who comes into our clinic undergoes a thorough health history, a detailed spinal  examination, a nervous system evaluation, and any other necessary diagnostic testing, prior to beginning chiropractic  care with us. A program of care will then be recommended by your doctor on an individual basis, based on the results of  the examination findings. Chiropractic techniques that are best suited to the individual patient’s condition and individual  health needs will be utilized by your doctor to ensure that each patient receives the best care possible.

 
All effort is made to ensure that every patient interaction in our clinic is safe, comfortable, and effective. As our many  positive patient testimonials will tell you, you are in great hands at Scott Family Chiropractic. We encourage you to speak  with our doctor about what chiropractic techniques are best for your body.

 

 
ARE ALL CHIROPRACTORS THE SAME?

 
This is often one of the most wonderful and confusing things about chiropractic. There are so many ways in which a  chiropractor will apply their art, science, and philosophy based on their educational background and clinical experience. In  fact, it is likely that there are no two chiropractors that work exactly the same. With over 100 different techniques available  in the profession of chiropractic, you can be sure that the experience you have with one chiropractor, may not be the exact  same experience you have with another.

 
Some chiropractors use instruments to adjust; others use the treatment tables that drop to adjust; some chiropractors use  machines; and others use solely manual, hands-on techniques. Additionally, some techniques use deep pressure, some  use rapid movements, and still others use a very gentle touch.

 
Prior to visiting a chiropractor, it is important to know what techniques they use and determine if that approach is in line  with your desired health outcome. Communication is a critical part of the chiropractic journey. Not only is it critical for the  patient to let the doctor know all of their concerns and expectations, but it is also essential that the patient understands the  practice style and spinal health goals of the chiropractor. Some chiropractors are focused simply on short-term symptom  relief, while other chiropractors focus on a more permanent, long-term solution to spinal health problems. Both  approaches to chiropractic are very good at what they do; what matters most is to find the approach that aligns best with  your personal health and wellness goals.  
Over the years we have found that once a person finds the chiropractor that best suits their needs, they are going to have  a wonderful experience. At times when we realize that a patient would likely not benefit from the approaches we utilize, we  would seek to recommend a chiropractor doctor that is best suited to help them. Diversity is one of the greatest blessings  of the chiropractic profession. 

DO I HAVE TO SEE A CHIROPRACTOR FOR LIFE?

"If your spine is not aligned, you simply cannot feel your best, and you will not enjoy optimal health.” — Dr. Andrew Scott,  Midland Chiropractor

There seems to be a misconception out there that once you start seeing a chiropractor, you have to continue seeing a  chiropractor for the rest of your life. The reality is, only you decide how long you want to benefit from chiropractic care.  Just like with any good health decision—healthy eating, regular exercise, sufficient sleep habits, or anything else—the  benefits last only as long as you stay the course.

 
The approach of chiropractic is to first correct the health of the spine. The second stage is to stabilize the spine. Then the  most fun and rewarding stage is optimizing the function of the nervous system through wellness chiropractic care. The  third stage is the one that requires the least effort, expense, and frequency, but produces the greatest reward.

 
No matter how long someone decides to continue on the chiropractic journey with us, we celebrate the opportunity to help  them achieve their health and wellness goals.

 
Chiropractors are independent practitioners; a referral from a medical doctor is not necessary to schedule a chiropractic  appointment. Simply contact our clinic and one of our team members will be happy to help you schedule an appointment.