Chiropractic FAQs
Answers to some commonly asked questions about chiropractic care
At Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab, we believe understanding your body is the first step toward taking better care of it. We’ve compiled answers to some common questions about chiropractic care. If your question isn’t answered here, please contact us. We have an experienced team of chiropractors in Anchorage, as well as chiropractors in Juneau and Wasilla who ready to share their expertise and help you get back to your active, pain-free life!
A chiropractor is a physician with specialized training and experience in providing holistic treatment options for musculoskeletal system issues. Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab has a highly skilled team of chiropractors in Anchorage, Wasilla & Juneau.
Chiropractic treatment is often suitable for those who have experienced injury through a workplace accident, a car accident, a sports accident or another related event. Conditions such as sciatica, a slipped disc, whiplash, and neck or back pain can also be treated effectively by Better Health’s highly skilled team of chiropractors in Anchorage, Wasilla & Junea. Whether you are dealing with pain after an accident, or are dealing with long-term, chronic pain or other health issues, chiropractic care may be the solution you need to overcome your health challenges.
Subluxations can be caused by many different factors, including:
- Falling
- Injury
- Sudden jarring
- Trauma
- Inherited spinal weakness
- Improper sleeping position
- Poor posture
- Occupational hazards
- Incorrect lifting practices
- Obesity
- Lack of rest and exercise
- Stress
Often, just the activities of daily living can result in Subluxations, which is why regular chiropractic examinations are recommended for optimal overall health.
Chiropractors are experts in caring for bones, nerves, muscles, and tissues. They are specially trained to restore vertebrae to their proper position, using a procedure known as a “chiropractic adjustment.” During an adjustment, the chiropractor will usually use his or her hands to apply gentle force to the subluxation. In some cases, the chiropractor will use an instrument to adjust the spine. Adjustments return your bones to a more normal position and, afterward, you should feel pain relief and improved mobility.
Adjustments are performed to the spine to help correct subluxations, which are spinal bones (vertebrae) that are out of position or “stuck.” Subluxations occur most commonly in areas that have disc bulging or herniation, disc degeneration, arthritis, and muscle spasm or tightness. During an adjustment, the chiropractic physician will apply gentle force to the affected area. This usually results in immediate pain decrease and pressure, although sometimes a series of adjustments over a period of days, weeks or months is needed to reach a patient’s specific needs. In most cases, adjustments are painless. However, some patients may experience mild discomfort – especially if they have been recently injured. Afterward, most patients feel immediate pain relief and improved mobility.
Adjustments keep your vertebrae in place, restoring proper motion and flow of information from your brain to the rest of your body. Adjustments can also eliminate symptoms such as pain, numbness, or burning, stabbing or electrical sensations. In short, adjustments keep your body operating at its optimal level.
During an adjustment, sometimes there’s a “crack” or a “pop” when your vertebrae are adjusted. This occurs when the smooth joint surfaces become separated, creating a small vacuum. When the vacuum is released, it makes a noise – like when you crack your knuckles. However, the noise is not necessary for a proper adjustment. Your chiropractor is concerned with the position and movement of your vertebrae – not with the noise that may occur.
Due to the body’s amazing ability to adapt, spinal problems can exist for years without causing pain, so many people don’t believe that they have a spine problem until pain occurs. However, your spine is under constant strain. Improper lifting, poor posture, accidents, falls, bumps and sleeping positions can all contribute to spinal problems. Because of this, regular chiropractic care may be necessary to correct subluxations and maintain the health of your spine – and your entire body.
Chiropractic patients can be young or old. Regardless of your age, your vertebrae can become misaligned. If left uncorrected, these subluxations can lead to spinal deformity. An early chiropractic check-up can detect many spinal problems while they are still correctable. And chiropractic care throughout life will promote an overall healthy lifestyle.
Did you know that a tooth cavity usually doesn’t hurt until you’ve had it for two years?
Unfortunately, most people judge their health based on symptoms. However, symptoms are usually the last way your body tells you something is wrong. That’s why preventative care and regular check-ups are the best way to care for your body. At Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab, we focus on treating your condition – not just your symptoms. While reducing your symptoms is a priority, we need to correct the underlying problem to keep it from returning in the future. While this approach sometimes takes more time and effort – it is always worth it in the long run.
The muscles that support your spine are incredibly adaptive. They can easily get used to supporting your spine incorrectly. In fact, you can live without symptoms for years – until something happens that your muscles can no longer handle. This is when you finally start experiencing symptoms. Since the problem has taken a long time to develop, it makes sense that correcting the problem will take time as well. Long-standing spinal conditions, such as worn-out discs and arthritis, can be difficult to correct and may require months of regular chiropractic care. However, the benefit is long-term relief from your symptoms and a truly healthy body.
At Better Health, we pride ourselves on offering comprehensive, multi-disciplinary care to treat a wide variety of conditions all in one convenient location. You will find highly skilled, experienced chiropractors, physical rehabilitation therapists and massage therapists, all under one roof. We also introduced Alaskans to some of the most advanced and effective treatments, such as the DRS System for low back pain and the MCU therapy for neck pain.
While you may find some similar treatments at other Anchorage or Juneau chiropractors offices, Better Health’s level of care, quality of results and overall patient experience sets us apart. Many Alaskans repeatedly choose us as their preferred center because of our dedication to promoting the wellness of our patients. Our chiropractic team has been carefully selected based on their experience, educational background and overall commitment to patient care.
In addition, both our north and south Anchorage locations, as well Juneau and Wasilla have been designed to promote wellness and healing, and you will feel at ease as soon as you step through the door.
At your initial consultation, one of our experienced chiropractors will conduct a thorough examination and discuss your health history. We’ll then discuss your treatment options and may even begin treatment. We’re pleased to offer our First Visit Promise, which guarantees the satisfaction of our new patients. Many patients experience immediate results, including pain relief and improved mobility, from their chiropractic care. However, results vary from patient to patient, depending on the type and severity of the condition.
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