Chiropractic & Acupuncture Review - What Services Do Chiropractors Offer?

Chiropractors can offer many different services in their health practice which are tailored to fit the specific needs of each patient. Chiropractors provide state of the art chiropractic techniques which are safer and more effective than ever before. The implementation of these newer advanced spinal correction methods available to chiropractors has allowed health practitioners to provide on unparallel level of assistance and expertise to improve the health and well-being of more patients.

Here are a few services or tools your local chiropractor may use:

-Spinal screening and X-Rays

-Chiropractic Care Adjustments

-Acupuncture

-Corrective Exercises

-Physiotherapy

Spinal screenings and X-rays play a crucial role in chiropractic care. These screenings and X-rays can reveal critical health information about a patient and help the chiropractor and patient formulate a plan together to alleviate pain based on the individual's concerns.

Chiropractors are the only health professionals trained to diagnose and treat spinal subluxations. These subluxations or misalignment of the bones in the spine can be corrected to allow the bones to return to their proper position. The procedure performed to correct this misalignment is called a chiropractic adjustment.

Acupuncture is another high demand therapy many chiropractors offer to Nebraska residents. Acupuncture is used as a method to alleviate pain and promote health and treat various ailments. The acupuncturist is able to influence health by stimulating certain areas along the "meridians" of the body to promote natural healing. This method of therapy is used prevent illness and as a natural treatment for various medical conditions.

Corrective exercises are another great tool health professionals use to help strengthen and keep the body in balance and improve the effectiveness of spinal correction. Patients are taught special exercises and stretches designed specifically for their needs and abilities which they can do in the comfort of their own home.

Physiotherapy involves using various therapeutic procedures such as mechanical transaction massage or ultrasound deep heat therapy. These procedures can help relax the spine, reduce swelling and increase blood flow while decreasing pain and stiffness.

The above-mentioned services are just some of the many services your chiropractic and acupuncture health professional may offer which he or she can use to decrease your pain and improve your overall health.

However, it is very important to communicate to your chiropractor your concerns and goals so you can work together and develop a specific health plan that meets your needs. You should not be afraid to take an active role in improving your health. Everyone has different goals and has a different level of commitment to a wellness lifestyle. Chiropractors can help you to reach the goal to be "pain-free" or they can also help you develop an overall optimal wellness plan. The choice is ultimately up to you. So take action to improve your health today.

Known Side Results of Chiropractic Care

Any form of health system intervention poses the risks of developing certain ill effects and chiropractic care is one of them. Although there are a a couple of them, gaining knowledge about potential ill effects that may be brought about by chiropractic care will help one prevent the possibility of it evolving into a more severe condition that may be life-threatening.

Common Side Effects

Ever since its emergence, chiropractic care has been receiving praises in the medical industry for introducing a brand of medical treatment that is effective and yet safe. For once, it lacks the use of invasive medical approaches that can be both hazardous and costly. Yet, bad effects with chiropractic care cannot be fully avoided attributable to differences in the way a patient's body adjusts to the chiropractic manipulation or the extent of the harm.

If there are any side effect to be experienced from the use of chiropractic remedy, they're mostly mild and pose no real threat to someone's health. For instance, a patient suffers from a feeling of soreness or slight pain on the part of the body where adjustments were done. In other cases, patients reported of having minor headaches after undergoing chiropractic remedy. Any form of pain experienced during therapy are thanks to the exertion of pressure and force on the spine by the chiropractor performing the adjustments.

How Common or Rare Is It?

Minor side effects vary from feeling of fatigue, soreness, headaches, among others and they're all short term. Plus, patients who go through them only cover a minor percentage of patients undergoing chiropractic care.

Another benefit of chiropractic remedies that you ought to use is the lack of drug prescription or use of surgical methods to remedy the medical condition. As a consequence, patients who need chiropractic care must not hesitate to proceed since any risks of developing bad effects is very low. In point of fact, it is determined to be the least risky way of health care treatment available in the medical profession.

Serious Side Effects

Several publications falsely claim that there are serious side effects brought about by spinal manipulation or other chiropractic treatments. Stroke is one of them. They claim the stroke is a consequence of the manipulation on the neck that create injury to the arteries that transport blood into the brain.

The case of chiropractic patients acquiring stroke as an effect of the operation is a rare incident though. In fact, statistics indicate that only 1 out of a million chiropractic patients are going to produce stroke. Hence, the risks of developing this particular ill effect can virtually be considered non-existent.

When Is Chiropractic Care Not Recommended?

Majority of chiropractic treatments provide immediate relief for patients. Even so, when pain continues even after the initial treatment procedure, it is recommended that the chiropractic remedy is continued for the next fortnight until the symptoms of their condition subsides. If there are no signs of improvement, then doctors re-think other therapy options apart from chiropractic care.

There are certain instances or disorders though wherein chiropractic isn't the best recommended type of treatment to go through. Among them are infection in the bones or joints, acute rheumatoid arthritis, bone cancer, osteoporosis, or other diseases in the bone marrow or spinal cord.

How You Can Prevent Them

There is no better way to guard yourself againt any serious complications that may arise from contracting bad effects on a way to address procedure than to prevent it. Here is how you can do it:

Talk with your chiropractors about possible ill effects that can develop from a treatment method. This will enable you to take proper measures in making sure that the bad effects do not aggravate or if there are any ways for you to prevent them.

Try speaking to previous chiropractic patients to determine what side effects they experienced (if any) and discuss how they addressed it.

When you experience side effects that last beyond 24 to 48 hours, ensure to inform your medical physician or chiropractor immediately.

Why Does My Chiropractor Recommend So Many Visits For My Treatment?

You wake up one morning with excruciating back pain. There is no way you are able to go to work. What should I do, you ask yourself. And then you remember your co-worker is always telling you to see his chiropractor. You're tired of taking medication like you've done in the past, so you give your friend a call and get an appointment at the chiropractor's office.

An examination is performed and xrays of your lower back are taken. The chiropractor seems very professional and you are genuinely impressed with the examination he performs as well as his concern for your condition. After discussing the findings of your tests, he recommends a series of treatments to help you address the lower back issues you are suffering with. That's where you have a problem. He is recommending 3 visits per week for 6-8 weeks to start. Heck, you only came in for some back pain. What's this all about?

Does this sound familiar to you? I'm sure it does for many patients who enter a chiropractor's office. Let me try to shed some light on this topic...

Treatment recommendations are based on two very important factors. The first is the severity of your condition, and the second, your goals with treatment. Once you understand both of these topics you can make an informed decision for treatment.

For example, if your condition is a very minor one, based on the findings of the diagnostic studies, NOT your interpretation of what is going on, then you will typically be given a very modest treatment recommendation. If however, the examination and xrays show a much more significant spinal issue, then it would make sense for a more rigorous treatment regimen. Examples of this would be extensive spinal arthritis, significant spinal curvature, or traumatic injuries such as those suffered in automobile accidents.

In my office, I always give patients options and take the time to explain exactly what my plan of action is and how it will benefit them. At the end of the day, my job is to inform you of your condition and what it will take to help you reach YOUR goals.... Your job is to tell me how you want me to help you.

Let's use a medical example to help you understand why a chiropractor recommends, what seems to be, overly frequent treatment visits.

Let's say you have an infection of some sort. You visit your MD and the doctor recommends a course of antibiotics to be taken once per day for 14 days. You fill the prescription and off you go. Over the next two weeks, would you agree that you have received 14 treatments? Yet you only visited the doctor's office once. That's because the treatment was taken in pill form at home. Now let's say that you go to a chiropractor for a minor condition. The chiropractor recommends three visits per week for that same two week period of time. Over the two week period you received 6 treatments. Wow, that's a lot less than 14 but it seems like a lot of visits, doesn't it? The difference is that the treatment was performed in the chiropractor's office, not out of a bottle.

When considering the recommendations of a chiropractor, it is important to understand that a chiropractor is not only trained in pain relief but also trained to promote wellness. Anatomically, if you understand that most of the information your brain sends your body travels through the spine you will realize how critically important a properly functioning spinal cord is to your overall health. If you also realize that everyday life puts a tremendous amount of stress on your spine, you will be able to understand why your chiropractor will recommend more frequent treatment if your goal is have the best health possible going forward.

Being in practice for 29 years has afforded me the opportunity to observe all types of patients, a myriad of conditions, and countless different goals set by patients. It would be impossible for anyone, without that experience, to fully understand the tremendous benefits that chiropractic treatment gives patients with many different types of conditions. When visiting your chiropractor don't be afraid to ask the rationale for treatment recommendations. I am sure you will get a detailed answer. Make sure your chiropractor understands your specific treatment goals. In that way you will maximize the benefits your receive from treatment now and in the future.

For more information on how to get the most out of your chiropractic experience visit the link in the resource box below.

Proven Chiropractic Care for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Golf Injury

The human body is very sensitive and prone to many diseases and injuries. It is not always possible to prevent yourself from the harms, diseases or injuries but to cure you is very much possible with the advanced and modern practices or treatments. People in current time avoid taking medications if their problem can be cured with other alternatives like some of the conventional or ancient field of medicines. Such people prefer the benefits of chiropractic. It is a type of massage or simply a massage in its medicinal form to cure the various injuries of the people. It is practiced by a chiropractic physician or a chiropractor or a doctor of chiropractic who is also responsible for diagnosing the patients with musculoskeletal pains or problems. These services are also offered to those who suffer from problems related to nervous system or any other general health problems.

Chiropractic treatment provides a total relief to your pain or golf injury which occurs while playing your favorite game golf. Some of the common golf injuries are related to lower back, wrists, elbow because these parts of your body are mostly occupied while playing golf or taking a golf swing. Apart from this, the injuries can also occur to your knees, neck and shoulder while playing the same which can cause awful ache. An interesting fact is that a seasoned or an experienced player is more likely to suffer from these injuries than a beginner of the popular golf game. That is why a good sports person always has a habit of warming up before starting with the actual game to avoid such injuries and its dreadful pains.

Other than this, another type of problem which is common among golfers is Carpal Tunnel syndrome also known as 'Golfer's Elbow' can also be successfully treated with the magic of Chiropractic. Many people have certain misconceptions regarding the treatment of chiropractic like they assume that it can only treat the general back problems. However, this is not at all true as it also cures headaches, lower blood pressure, pains of arthritis and many more. A chiropractor is a certified doctor like other doctors and he has the full knowledge regarding chiropractics and also has the license to practice it. None of the doctor practicing chiropractics can prescribe drugs or medicine to his patients and also they do not perform any kind of surgeries or operations. This field itself is based upon the principle that a body is capable of healing itself rather than just the medicines and surgeries.

Chiropractic: How Can Chiropractors Help With Ear Infection?

Why are younger children more susceptible to ear infections?

The Eustachian tube - linking the pharynx to the middle ear- of children are smaller in diameter when compared with an adult's tube. As a result of this, whenever children catch a cold, it is difficult to drain the fluid and thus the Eustachian tubes are blocked, resulting in accumulation of fluid in the middle ear and thus the infection.

If ear infections are left untreated, it may lead to damage of the ear drums which in turn would result in deafness and associated speech and developmental problems in growing children. The symptoms can include ear pain, fever, and irritability. Ear infection can be either bacterial or viral in origin, and is often an outcome of contagious illness such as a cold.

Standard treatment for ear infection is dosages of antibiotics:

Antibiotics are effective on bacteria but have zero-effect on viruses including a volley of side-effects like diarrhea, fungal diaper rash, oral thrush, vomiting, rash. Regular intake of antibiotics can lead to drug-resistant bacteria that refuse to have any effect at the drugs. In fact, the human body's immune system is much stronger than antibiotics.

In worst case scenarios:

When fluids from an ear infection haven't cleared from the ear after several months, specialists sometimes prescribe ear tubes to drain the fluid. The chances of recurrence are high resulting in the drastic step of surgery in children. For parents who can't bear subjecting their child to ear tubes and surgery at such young age, can consider trying chiropractic rehabilitation, treating the root cause of a health problem rather than just treating the symptoms.

Chiropractic care:

Chiropractic treatment is a conservative, drugless, natural approach and affordable option of curing your child with a history of chronic ear infections. For nearly 100 years, the chiropractic profession has claimed that ear and other upper respiratory infections respond favorably to a series of chiropractic adjustments-A treatment that is more conventional and appeasing.

Chiropractic adjustment mobilizes drainage of the ear in children, and if they can continue to drain without a buildup of fluid causing infection, they build up their own antibodies and recover more quickly. This chiropractic rehabilitation will correct any misalignments, scientifically known as subluxation, in the musculoskeletal system.

Technically, Chiropractors manipulate the upper-cervix on children with ear infections, focusing particularly on the occiput, or back of the skull, and atlas, or the first vertebra in the neck. By adjusting the occiput, the middle ear will start to drain. The number of visits may directly be proportionate to the level of infection - for an average child, ranging between six and eight treatments. In acute cases, a chiropractor will check the ear every day, using a tympanogram to measure the ear and track the movement of the eardrum to make sure that it's draining. The frequency of visits will decrease over time once the chiropractor is convinced that the middle ear has returned to normal and guarantees no chances of re-occurrence.

There are pediatric chiropractors who have undertaken training and have experience in handling children. They apply manipulation techniques that are gentle and suitable for the age of your child. You can still consult your child's regular pediatrician to synchronize the treatments.

Conclusion:

Not only can chiropractic therapy cure ear infections but can also prevent re-occurrences.

Chiropractic - A Truly Comprehensive Natural Healthcare

Chiropractic treatment is ideal for counteracting the sometimes unhealthy and stressful demands that modern living creates. It can treat various neuromusculoskeletal problems, relating to the nerves, muscles, and joints, and other conditions as well. Read on to find out how chiropractic treatment can help you.

Chiropractic is categorized as complementary and alternative medicine or CAM. It is a treatment method for various health conditions based on the manipulation of the nervous system. Hence, terms like "spinal adjustment" or "chiropractic adjustment" are often associated with it. Chiropractic is being rapidly integrated into mainstream medicine and has been growing and treating millions of people successfully and safely since it was founded by Daniel David (D.D.) Palmer in 1895.

Chiropractic treatment is ideal for counteracting the sometimes unhealthy and stressful demands that modern living creates. Modern lifestyle easily causes stress, poor posture from prolonged sitting and standing without breaks, poor nutrition, poor sleep habits, and a lack of exercise. In time, these unhealthy conditions accumulate and manifest in various adverse ways causing much pain - both physically and mentally. There are hundreds of pills available for different types of pains in the body, but they usually provide temporary relief. It is also a fact that taking too many strong pills results in serious adverse side effects. However, chiropractic treatment has a different approach and offers and treats the cause of the problem.

Chiropractic treatments can treat various neuromusculoskeletal diseases, related to the nerves, muscles, and joints, and other conditions as well. Although, a course of chiropractic care generally requires several ongoing treatments, the cure it delivers is often permanent. It has been known to be very effective for lower back pain, neck pain, headaches and other joint and limb pains. When looking for chiropractic treatment, it is advised to take time to find the best chiropractor for your particular condition. Basically, one would do research just like you would before visiting a medical doctor for the same problem. Here are some tips:

* Check up on more than one chiropractor so you can compare each service they offer and other aspects too.

* Ask friends and colleagues who have undergone a chiropractic treatment and seek their advice.

* Look for a reputable center.

* Check and compare the scope of practice from one chiropractor to another so you can make a better decision.

* Professional qualifications of the chiropractor is another area you should look into.

* You should also find out the experience and success rate of the chiropractor.

* Chiropractic encourages its patients to be self-reliant in keeping themselves healthy instead of depending on the doctor, so you can expect a chiropractor to educate you with practices and techniques that you can do on your own and get results.

* A chiropractic center that accepts insurance such as PPO and HMO plans gives you added advantage.

* Be sure to select a chiropractor who carefully listens to their patients.

* The chiropractor should not make unnecessary requests for tests and scans.

* The Chiropractic Physician should offers personalized treatment and apply individualized treatment plans, depending on the specifics of the condition being treated.

To start your search, you can use a search engine and type in chiropractor with your location, for instance - chiropractor Chicago.

Managing Diabetes Through Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care is generally known for helping people who suffer from neck and back pain. Studies are increasingly showing that chiropractic care is also helping those suffering from a multitude of diseases. One such disease is diabetes and more people are becoming convinced of the benefits of seeing a chiropractor.

Diabetes is the fifth deadliest disease in the U.S. and it is a growing epidemic across the world. Approximately 8.3% of the population in the United States has been diagnosed with the disease and the number continues to grow.

With these numbers expected to rise, it's time for doctors and patients alike to take a serious look at alternate methods of treatment. Recent studies are showing that there is a connection between the spinal column and nervous system and blood sugar. These studies have demonstrated that chiropractic care given to patients with diabetes reported that the glucose levels in their blood and urine adjusted to normal levels.

The upper neck and middle back are the two areas that supply the pancreas. The pancreas is responsible for regulating blood sugar within the body through the release of insulin. If the nerve supply to them is in any way interrupted, the function of the pancreas will suffer. This will lead to the blood sugar of a patient being unbalanced which in turn could lead to diabetes.

According to recent scientific literature, interference in the spinal nerves has been acknowledged as a contributing factor in endocrine and metabolic disorders, which includes diabetes. In addition, spinal injury is named as one of the most often named causes of diabetes. When there is a problem associated with the nerve supply to the digestive organs, this will cause stress to the nerve centers in specific area of the spine.

Given the relationship between the spine and pancreatic function, spinal adjustments are a primary method of treatment for diabetes. A combination of chiropractic care, nutrition counseling, and exercise is proving to give diabetics a significant improvement in their blood sugar levels and overall health. In some cases, this type of specialized treatment has been shown to normalize and stabilize blood sugar levels which allowed for the patients to eliminate their need for insulin.

Although further study is warranted, the potential benefit to diabetic patients is evident. With the total medical cost of diabetes in the United States reaching $132 billion, it's important to note the latest research surrounding diabetes and the role of chiropractic care as an effective treatment.

Fertility And Chiropractic Care

When you decide you are prepared to have a baby, you may be one of those people who are lucky to conceive in a few months' time or you may be one of those who find themselves in a fertility challenged situation. Despite the time you have been trying, you need to increase your chances of conceiving with a method that is inexpensive, fast, non-invasive and painless. Whether you believe it or not, chiropractic care can help you in conceiving.

Many researches have shown that chiropractic treatment results in good outcome when treating infertility despite of the age of the woman, previous medical intervention or health history like blocked fallopian tubes, colitis, miscarriages, trauma or amenorrhea and also the number of years of infertility.

The spine is a central highway of nerves. Just like it is important for an electrical cord to be properly plugged in for any appliance to work, the reproductive system also needs the nerves connected to them to be working properly and not be blocked away in any way.

Your chiropractor will identify pressed or pinched nerves and can treat the spinal distortions which are known as subluxations. These distortions can be a result of many things like illness, stress, childhood falls, poor posture and accidents. After the subluxations are corrected or eliminated, the menstrual cycle of a woman gets strengthened, the action of the delivery of the eggs through the fallopian tubes gets improved and some cases of endometriosis start to be reversed.

Chiropractic patients, holistic websites and chiropractors have many pregnancy success stories to tell. It has happened that some women who went to their chiropractors for other reasons found themselves pregnancy and also some women who have been fighting infertility for more than ten years have found themselves pregnant within a few visits or few months of visits to the chiropractor. These results have found to be the same despite of the method used by the chiropractor for treatment.

It works mostly for many women but it does not mean that it WILL work for everyone. It is definitely an option which is worth giving a shot alone or in combination with other treatment options for infertility especially if you have had an illness or accident. Visiting a chiropractor is a good idea even if you do not want to conceive as the nerves in the spine are not only connected to the reproductive organs but also to other body parts.

How Chiropractic Helps Fight Flu

Flu outbreaks rise during winter season. According to experts, flu viruses nowadays are worse than the ones from the past, which is why strengthening your immune system is crucial. For chiropractors, they highly recommend getting regular spinal adjustment for better immune system function to ward off viruses going around flu season.

Winter is the season of flu for those who live in the northern hemisphere. However, the exact time and duration of flu season vary. It may occur as early as October, but most commonly, outbreaks peak in the month of January or February.

Seasonal flu usually is not serious if you are on a normal healthy condition although you may feel miserable when you have it. It usually goes away with no lasting effects.
Flu or influenza is a contagious respiratory disease caused by flu viruses. It can cause mild to serious illnesses like pneumonia, bronchitis, sinus infections, ear infections, and even death. Older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions are susceptible for complications of flu.

Most typically, you can get flu when a person nearby coughs, sneezes, or talks and droplets with their germs land in your mouth or nose. You may also get flu by touching your mouth, eyes, or nose after touching a surface that has flu virus on it.

Regular visits to your chiropractor for spinal adjustment gives you a lot of benefits and one of them is preventing flu. Chiropractic adjustment helps strengthen your immune system. Chiropractors correct subluxations that cause interference to the nervous system.

Subluxations are misalignments of the spine that compress and irritate the nerve pathways. When nerve pathways are irritated, functions of some organ systems become affected. Research says that stress can alter immune function and increases risk to a variety of illnesses.

During the 1918-1919 influenza pandemic, around 50 million died worldwide due to the disease. Also known as the Spanish Flu, this pandemic has been regarded as the most devastating in world history. During the Spanish Flu era, chiropractic was young and almost extinct. Since medical doctors were making it hard to have a practice, chiropractors were making mostly house calls. In 1918, chiropractors in Wisconsin began going door-to-door, adjusting people who had the flu.

As a result, there happened an amazing thing. Those who were treated by chiropractors did not die.

Chiropractors achieved fantastic results from influenza patients while those who were treated by medical doctors died. Chiropractic has definitely taken a huge leap forward since their accomplishment during the Spanish flu period.

Regular spinal check up is a great way to fight off flu during winter season. The effects of chiropractic adjustment strengthen when accompanied by other things such as having enough sleep, avoiding stress, regular exercise, eating foods according to your nutritional needs, avoiding sugar, taking vitamin D, and eating garlic.

Perhaps these would not make you superhuman but they will greatly boost your resistance against flu. You don't have to take antiviral drugs and flu vaccines and their associated side effects. Improving your body's ability to resist illnesses is best done in a natural way.

Nerve Conduction Therapy and Chiropractic Care

With the rapid changes and new technologies being made every day in the medical community, new therapies are being utilized along with traditional chiropractic care to relieve pain and improve overall wellness. Traditional chiropractic care utilizes manual compression to realign the spine, digital x-rays to locate the sources of irritation and various stretching and massage techniques. Nerve conduction therapy, consisting of the nerve conduction tests designed to measure nerve conduction velocity and the therapies designed to relieve nerve irritation. Used in conjunction with the traditional chiropractic techniques and other therapies non-invasive and long-lasting relief is now a reality.

As previously stated, nerve conduction therapy measures nerve conduction velocity and measures how electrical signals are transmitted in the nerves. Nerves, along with the electrical impulses, control the muscles in the body. This is why nerve irritation in the neck can cause muscles in the neck and back to seize and also pull the spine out of line. Nerve conduction tests can identify actual nerve disorders or locate the place and size of nerve damage. These tests enable the chiropractor to apply techniques to the exact sites of nerve irritation and also to choose the appropriate therapy. Some nerve irritation responds well to massage, as irritation can be caused by the nerve sticking to surrounding tissue. Other times, when the spine becomes misaligned, nerves can become trapped and manual compression is needed to fix the misalignment and free the nerve.

Another type of therapy shown to improve nerve conduction is acupuncture. Acupuncture treats patients by the insertion and manipulations of thin needles in specific parts of the body, depending on the patient's ailment. Long time patients of acupuncture claim that it gets rid of chronic pain, can increase fertility, prevent disease and promote overall health. During the diagnoses process, the acupuncturist will inspect different parts of the body before deciding on a course of treatment. There will be a thorough inspection of the face, particularly the tongue which is believed to contain a map of the entire body and will let the acupuncturist know where to find specific points to manipulate. Questions about bodily functions will be asked and the acupuncturist will listen to you breathe, focusing on any wheezing or abnormalities. An inspection will also be taken of all the pulse points of the body including the three radial artery points of the arm that are thought to correspond to the internal organs.

When nerve conduction tests are used and combined with catered therapies, long-term pain relief and wellness can become a reality.

Study to Become a Chiropractor - Is it Worth it?

Seldom do children grow up and say "Mommy, when I grow up I want to align people's backs." Luckily as a child matures into an adult they recognize the choices they have in the medical field, the choice to become a chiropractor becomes stronger. Becoming a chiropractor requires as much work as becoming a medical doctor.

But if the desire to heal is there then it is well worth it. Here are some reasons to become a chiropractor. For most people, helping others is what its all about. To become a chiropractor is to have the desire to help your patients; and sometimes that means working more than the ordinary 40-hour week. If a patient calls complaining of relentless pain, it's your call to carry out.

To become a chiropractor, you are committing yourself to a holistic practice. You study the requirements of applying medicine using the basic elements such as water, heat, and your own hands. You advise your patients that an overall healthy lifestyle including diet and exercise can prevent them from requiring treatment and you must care as much about your patient as you would yourself.

Like any medical profession, the years and costs of school are inevitable and you must have the desire to step up to the challenge. Healing others is your goal. The standard prerequisite for a chiropractor is an undergraduate degree, of four years of schooling, followed by four years of Chiropractic College. A student in chiropractics must also pass national exams in order to become a certified chiropractor. A chiropractor integrates natural, healthy living along with treatment for injuries. When your patients leave your office feeling better and more alive, be proud.

Chiropractic and Cranial Adjusting

Headaches and other ailments can sometimes only be helped by Chiropractic and Cranial Adjusting. When all else fails, I always check the position of the cranial plates. The skull is a dynamic amazing structure that is not fused into a piece of armor just to protect the brain. THe plates of the skull shift ever so slightly and can also become stuck into the incorrect position. My office manger was complaining of severs headaches and terrible stomach pain that no one could find the cause for. She went to her medical doctor several times, and I had even adjusted away her subluxations numerous times without effect on her condition. One day I checked her skull to find that things were out of place. I adjusted them and her problems vanished immediately. WOW.

Neck Pain

Approximately 19% of our patients come to us with complaints of neck pain or discomfort. This pain can be caused by a variety of factors, such as an accident, injury, overuse, etc. The most common neck condition we address is whiplash.

The efficacy of chiropractic for neck pain has been well documented in numerous studies conducted in the United States, Canada, Wales, and the Netherlands. In a joint U.S./Canadian study published in 1996, researchers from UCLA, the West LA Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and two chiropractic colleges found that for some patients with sub-acute or chronic neck pain, spinal adjustment proved to be a more effective treatment than mobilization or physical therapy.

In a study conducted by the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto in 1997, researchers found spinal adjustments to improve neck mobility and decrease neck pain. An additional Canadian investigation published in 1997 by the University of Calgary found spinal adjustments to improve neck mobility and decrease neck pain in patients having back and/or neck complaints.

General practitioners in private practice at the Welsh National School of Medicine conducted a study of the efficacy of spinal adjustment in alleviating neck and shoulder pain. The results, published in 1983, indicated that pain and discomfort improved significantly after adjustment, as well as range of motion and flexibility of the affected areas.

A 1992 Netherlands study conducted by doctors of medicine and other professionals investigated different methods of treatment for patients with chronic back and neck pain. After 12 weeks of care, manual therapy (which consisted of adjustment and mobilization of the spine) had showed a "faster and larger improvement in physical functioning" relative to the other types of treatment such as massage, exercises, and physical therapy.

Head Pain

Headaches, both tension and migraine, are the chief complaint for approximately 13% of our patients. Before you reach for your pain-reliever of choice the next time a headache or migraine sneaks up on you, consider the following information on the efficacy of chiropractic care for head pain.

In a 1995 study conducted in Minnesota, the effectiveness of spinal adjustment relative to the administration of an antidepressant drug (amitriptyline) for patients with chronic tension-type headaches was investigated. The researchers included doctors of chiropractic, a doctor of medicine, and another professionals from Northwestern College of Chiropractic and the Pain Assessment and Rehabilitation Center, Ltd. They determined that, after four weeks of treatment, patients receiving spinal adjustment therapy experienced a continued lack of symptoms, whereas patients taking the medication returned to original, baseline conditions.

Cranial adjusting has been around for a while, so my technique is just a new slant on an old method - it does work!

The Chiropractic Advantage

Chiropractic care can be beneficial to almost every person. Chiropractic is a system of diagnosis and the treatment is based on the concept of spinal misalignment causing nerve irritation. Chiropractic care can help the patient's body functions. Using the care of a chiropractor helps to manipulate and adjust your body's structure in order to align the vertebra properly. The nerves that come out of the spinal column control the body's functions such as your vital organs, sensations, muscles, and all movement by your extremities. If you have any vertebra that are out of place, they can cause subluxations, or small dislocations of your vertebra, which then cause nerves to become irritated or "pinched." The results of these "pinched" nerves are pain, muscle tension, numbness and tingling in extremities, burning, and loss of sensation. Subluxation is the foundation of chiropractic and is what chiropractors manipulate in order to allow the nervous system to function at an optimal level.

Chiropractors correct these misalignments by gently adjusting the position of the vertebrae of the spine, reducing or eliminating neuropathy (changes in the pathology of the nerves) thus allowing your body to properly self-regulate, adapt and heal. In general, proper chiropractic treatment of your body's lumbar, or lower back, region, involves very little risk and the rewards can be significant.

Chiropractic can be especially helpful in relieving pain for facet joint injuries, osteoarthritis, and sacroiliac joint dysfunction, because such conditions respond well to mobilization. Moreover, scores of patients with chronic headaches, sinus problems, high blood pressure, ear infections, leg pain, arthritis, and many other illnesses have reported significant relief after chiropractic therapy. Chiropractors diagnose and treat a broad range of physical conditions in patients with muscular, nervous, and skeletal problems, especially the spine.

Chiropractors make use of conventional diagnostic tests, such as X-rays, MRI, and lab work, as well as specific procedures that involve manipulation by hand of various parts of the body. Chiropractors are best known for their ability to correct misalignments of the spine. But spinal manipulation is only a small part of what chiropractors do as part of an overall plan to manage and relieve pain and many kinds of ailments. Other kinds of treatments chiropractors are capable of providing include:

1. Electrotherapy


2. Therapeutic exercise


3. Ice/heat therapy, including therapeutic ultrasound


4. Lifestyle and nutrition counseling


5. Massage therapy


6. Physical rehabilitation


7. Stress management

Following chiropractic treatment, your body will start to realign and relieve yourself from any pressure that is causing pain in your joints. In mild cases, a patient will immediately experience relief soon after undergoing chiropractic care. Hence, this is one of the advantages of opting for chiropractic care over surgical or medical procedures that often require a long recovery period.

In other cases, there might be a slight feeling of soreness or aching that can be felt with chiropractic treatment. The reason for this is that your body has to readjust to the realignment done after being misaligned for a while.

However, it shouldn't take long either before your body can regain its normal function and mobility.

Arthritis Pain - Cold Laser Therapy & Chiropractic Can Reduce & Eliminate Joint Pain & Inflammation

As a chiropractor in the Plano, TX area, I treat patients for all types of arthritis. One of the most common types of arthritis is osteoarthritis. I've found that using Cold Laser Therapy provides tremendous benefit to my patients who have arthritic issues with their neck, back, shoulders, elbows, wrists, and knees. If you have a joint issue, this type of therapy can help.

Arthritis affects more than 50 million people living in the US, every year, and that number will only increase. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common types of arthritis I treat. This disease is degenerative in nature and causes cartilage to wear away along with giving you a lot of pain and discomfort. There are more forms of arthritis than I can count on my hand, but I'm guessing you've heard of bursitis, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and so on.

All forms of arthritis have one common symptom, PAIN. Pain develops as a result of multiple factors including inflammation, joint deformity, and can lead to lack of mobility and partial disability. Chiropractic treatment with cold laser has great results but this is not to discount the possible need for medicines, injections, and surgery. Each has their place and value in helping with arthritis pain, but there is still a need for potentially useful adjunctive modalities that can accelerate the recovery and reduce pain faster.

Beyond arthritis, cold laser therapy is excellent for treating various forms of chronic and acute pain. Chiropractors also use laser therapy for patients suffering from back and neck pain, musculoskeletal pain, fibromyalgia, tendonitis, busiitis, neuropathy, achilles tendon pain, migraine headaches, sinus blockage, sprains and strains, carpal tunnel and other associated pains. Cold laser therapy also treats conditions such as TMJ, reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) and other inflammatory and scarring conditions.

Cold laser therapy is non-thermal and noninvasive. With the proper combination of cold laser and electric stimulation, laser therapy is one of the most effective healing therapies in the medical community today. Completed in ten to twelve sessions, laser therapy is not only significant in reducing treatment times, it is cost effective as well.

How Cold Laser Therapy Works:

The laser instrument is applied directly to the area needing treatment. By sending short burst of photon laser light into the skin, it blocks pain transmitted by nerve cells. This in turn reduces/eliminates inflammation preventing further swelling in the joint and stopping the pain. Another benefit of the laser is the ability to assist the body in releasing high levels of pain killing chemicals such as endorphins and enkephalins. The laser therapy also benefits your body by accelerating cellular reproduction and growth.

When the cell is damaged or injured, for instance in arthritis, it is not able to repair itself so the joint continues to deteriorate. This is why it is so important to help the cells repair themselves so that the deterioration stops and the regenerative cells of tendons, bone, ligaments and muscles repair faster.

Chiropractic Care For Babies and Kids

Chiropractic has long been practiced, usually among adult patients. Some moms and dads are likewise looking at having their kids try the alternate remedy. You need to ensure that the approach is truly safe for the young kids to prevent unnecessary risks and dangers. Here are a few particulars about the techniques, as well as some preventative measures for you.

On Subluxation

Spinal bone misalignments can happen, thereby hindering the regular flow of nerve energy called subluxations. Several individuals still relate these with severe trauma. The spine is considered affected only after carrying very heavy items or being involved in a car accident. The truth is that daily activities among young kids and infants may result in subluxations. A great deal of babies actually get subluxations before birth or during shipping.

Cesarean section is probably one of the modern medical techniques that create irregular strains on the vulnerable body of the baby, due to use of forceps and different materials and drugs that induce shipping. On most occasions, physicians hold the baby in an upside down position, putting the tiny spine in a lot of stress as a result of the stretched, twisted and tugged form. Subluxations in turn will ensue.

Caring for Kids

Parents are highly encouraged to have their children go to the chiropractor's clinic at a very young age. The strain on your kids' spine will not end in the shipping room. Youngsters are naturally energetic, playful and active, so they indulge in several physically straining activities like jumping, running and falling.

On the outside, the body will only present bruises or small scratches. The interior, yet, may present more serious problems as a result of considerable force acted upon it. Small bones that form the backbone, may be forced to assume an unnatural position, thereby reducing the protection provided to the system.

Effects on Kids

Subluxations among kids may lead to different body problems like disabilities, disease and other characteristics and symptoms. Whenever nerve flow in your body is hindered, the brain will only get distorted communications, so the body cannot work excellently. Optimum level of health cannot be accomplished. Some of the manifestations that parents should watch out for to determine if the youngster needs to be investigated by a chiropractor include hyperactivity, stomach pain, fever, wetting the bed, sore throat, colds, influenza and poor posture.

Remedy Measures

Spinal problems in children can be handled by first having the chiropractor conduct a thorough evaluation of the spine. A great deal of these experts are experienced and trained to view pediatric spinal problems. Spinal adjustments may well be done on infants and children, using light fingertip techniques to raise spinal structures and various malfunctions.

The pressure usually does not exceed 1 pound. It is commonly enough to regenerate spinal joint mobility. A few of the things to expect are popping sounds as joints are moved.

Chiropractic on children and infants are not uncomfortable, although kids may find the initial few sessions frightening. It is normal to see kids cry during visits, as a consequence of apprehensive feelings. Children only need fewer adjustments, compared to adults, since their spine is more mobile and can be corrected more easily.

The amount of treatments will depend on the duration of the on-going condition. Kids will have to be re-evaluated every now and then to check progress, and if other therapies are necessary for full recovery.

The Power of Vitamin D

Lately we have seen a considerable amount of headlines regarding a winter flu outbreak nationwide. In fact, the CDC states that the flu has officially reached epidemic levels. Needless to say, as a parent, one of the first questions that comes up is how can I keep my children from coming down with the flu? One of the most useful natural preventions for the flu is Vitamin D. A recent clinical study from 2010 indicated that children taking a 1200 IU daily health supplement of Vitamin D had virtually a 50% decline in probability for contracting influenza.

What exactly is Vitamin D, and why don't we read about it all that much? Vitamin D is regarded as a steroid that has an impact on quite a few genes in the human body. It has been revealed that Vitamin D provides a significant effect on over 200 genes in the body, and it has in excess of 2000 binding sites upon the human genome. A good number of these genes happen to be related to an assortment of illnesses, showing that Vitamin D is likely involved on the manifestation and occurrence of these kinds of illnesses. Until recently, the only function Vitamin D was thought to possess was protecting against the bone disease known as Ricketts, because it helps with the intake and metabolism of calcium. Due to this limited view, the RDA for Vitamin D was established to be 400 IU every day. Don't forget that this is the least quantity needed to avoid developing Ricketts. In reality, your body may need a great deal more than that to grant optimal health.

At this point, you may be wondering from what sources can we get Vitamin D? It's quite hard to obtain adequate quantities of Vitamin D from the things you eat, because in all honesty it doesn't typically exist in foods. The absolute best method of getting Vitamin D is from sunlight. Skin carries precursors which are triggered when they're subjected to the sun. In fact, entire body exposure to the sun for only 30 minutes can create around 20,000 IU of Vitamin D. But what percentage of people actually go outside in the sun? Especially in the winter months it can be hard to obtain ample amounts of Vitamin D. It is projected that nearly eighty-five percent of people in the US may be deficient in this crucial vitamin.

So if vitamin D is important in our immunity, and we get less of it throughout the winter season, certainly it shouldn't come as a surprise that the flu and the common cold are inclined to arise with greater frequency in winter. But it doesn't cease with those seasonal illnesses. Research has gradually been amassing that Vitamin D could be valuable in a large number of diseases, including heart disease, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, eczema, psoriasis, schizophrenia, depression, and more.

It is becoming increasingly obvious that by improving your vitamin D levels, you will be a considerably healthier human being. The question then turns into, what is an optimal level of Vitamin D. There is quite a bit of debate on that topic, however in my opinion, a great range is 50-70 ng/ml. This range was identified from individuals in tropical and subtropical areas who consistently receive sufficient sun exposure. But for those of us who whether as a result of work, weather, or financial circumstances, can't get adequate sun exposure, taking a Vitamin D supplement may be our best alternative. However, before commencing oral supplementation of Vitamin D, it is very important to have your blood ranges checked. Every person is different, and can call for varied amounts of Vitamin D to be able to keep up an optimal level. To make it even easier, they now make a home test for vitamin D that you can order on-line.

If you're worried about getting sick this winter, consider getting your Vitamin D values checked. If you are like the majority of Americans, you'll probably find yourself to be deficient. Supplementation of Vitamin D could go a long way towards keeping you and your family healthy.

Different Types of Back Pain Problems

If you are a person, who is looking for an option to get rid of the low back problems, you are probably in the right place. This content will give you some vital information regarding the back problems. However, diagnosing a low back discomfort problem is a difficult task. Moreover, as there are various conditions that cause the low back pain problems, you should take the assistance of a good physician and figure out the exact problem. Effective pain management of your back completely depends on the type of treatment you select. Some of the variations of the low back pain include, trigger point pains, postural pain, nerve root compression, facet joint pain, neuropathic pain, lumbar stenosis as well as disc related pain.

The intervertebral discs, spinal facet joints, ligaments and muscles are some of the potential sources of the mechanical back pain, which is caused by the injured or damaged tissues. This type of pain is basically transmitted by your nervous system. Once the nervous system of your body is injured or damaged, it will start generating some sort of pain itself. This will gradually lead to the production of the neuropathic pain. Usual diagnoses for this type of pain are phantom pain, post-shingles pain, diabetic neuropathy pain and nerve root damage pain. Most of the patients suffer badly due to the unpleasant pain caused by the nervous system. This type of back discomfort is pretty hard to treat. Therefore, if you are experiencing any type of discomfort in your back or body, it is very important to consult a good physician and find the right type of treatment to get rid of the problem.

However, if you are interested to know more about the different types of back pain problems and the treatments available for them, doing a simple research on the web will help you.

Things You Should Know When Choosing a Chiropractor

Finding the right chiropractor to suit your individual needs can be a difficult task, particularly if you have never been to a chiropractor before. There are many different chiropractic treatment techniques as well as different philosophies and approaches to case management. Sadly, some new chiropractic patients are dipleased with their initial chiropractic experience because they chose a chiropractor whose approach was not consistent with the patient's wants and expectations. For those who have a bad first experience with chiropractic, there is a tendency to assume that all chiropractic treatment is the same and they may decide never to try chiropractic care again. This is unfortunate, because a large number of people who avoid chiropractic treatment altogether could benefit tremendously from the right "style" of chiropractic, and in fact might get superior health benefits to what can be achieved with any other form of treatment.

To find the right chiropractor, there are some simple steps that the individual can take to dramatically improve the chances of having a good experience and good clinical outcome. It may actually be easier to begin with discussing the things not to do when searching for a chiropractor.

What many people do when they first decide to try a chiropractor is they look in some sort of directory, such as the yellow pages, their insurance provider list, or they search online for the closest chiropractor. Because those new to chiropractic don't realize the vast differences in technique and patient management philosophies among chiropractors, the initial choice of a chiropractor usually comes down to considerations such as location, insurance coverage, and cost per visit. In actuality, these are probably the least important considerations overall in determining whether a given chiropractor is going to be a good choice for a given individual.

The most important factor to consider when choosing a chiropractor is probably the treatment methods that he or she utilizes. The primary treatment that makes chiropractic different from other types of health care is the "spinal adjustment", which is also called "spinal manipulation", and there are many different ways that this treatment can be performed. These ways range from moderately forceful manual thrusts that produce cracking noises from the joints to low-force methods that may be performed using an instrument that gently "taps" on the joints, or uses wedges to reposition the body to allow gravity to correct joint alignment. There are also techniques that are somewhere in-between in terms of the force applied that use special "drop" tables that have sections that drop down when the adjustment thrust is made to help "bump" joints back into alignment and proper mobility.

The forceful manual techniques may produce some brief discomfort, and they are generally not a good approach for patients with fragile bones (such as from osteoporosis), or for those patients who are fearful and have difficulty relaxing for the treatment. Even so, when appropriate, these methods tend to provide faster relief of pain and other symptoms than the low-force methods. A chiropractor who is experienced with manual adjusting techniques (such as Diversified or Gonstead technique) is often a good choice for younger, generally healthy patients who are not afraid of feeling and hearing their joints pop. Older patients and those who are anxious about the treatment will typically find that a chiropractor who uses a low-force method (such as Pro-Adjuster, Activator, or Sacro-Occipital Technique) or a medium-force method (such as the Thompson drop-table method) a better choice.

In addition to the spinal adjusting technique, chiropractors may offer a variety of other treatment methods, such as electrical muscle stimulation, ultrasound, massage, and rehabilitative exercise. Depending on the methods used, the total treatment time and cost per visit can vary dramatically from one chiropractor to another. While longer visits do not always translate into better results, in many cases, a chiropractor who spends more time per visit will require fewer visits. This can be a big consideration for both time and out of pocket expense.

A second major consideration is the doctor's philosophy and approach to patient management. Some chiropractors primarily provide treatment for symptomatic relief, while others believe in providing some degree of rehabilitation of underlying problems, and still others do long-term treatment to permanently correct skeletal alignment as much as possible. The differences in these approaches are considerable when it comes to the frequency and duration of treatment prescribed and the patient's out of pocket cost for treatment.

So, before you choose a chiropractor, it is strongly suggested that you take the time to consider what your goal of treatment is. You need o decide whether you are dedicated enough to invest the necessary time and money to do long-term corrective and preventive care, or whether you simply want a doctor who is willing to provide "patch" care to allow you to feel better and get on with your life for the time being. Neither approach is wrong or right, it just depends on what your needs and desires are at this particular point in your life.

Once you know what it is you want in terms of treatment techniques and your goal for the outcome of your treatment, you are then in a position to interview and select a chiropractor. It is recommended that you call or visit a few chiropractors first before you commit to scheduling the initial evaluation. Most chiropractors will be happy to speak with you on the phone and/or provide a no-cost consultation in person. It may take you a little time and effort to find the right chiropractor for you, but the results of making your choice carefully can be well worth it.

How Holistic Health Practices Can Help You Stay Healthy

As more people become knowledgeable about holistic health practices, they're turning to things like acupuncture and visiting the chiropractor to help them stay healthy. But what ailments can these holistic health practices help with? Before visiting one of these practitioners, learn more so you can know what kind of relief you can expect.

What Exactly Does Holistic Health Mean?

Holistic health is a term that encompasses a great deal of medical practices. Although many people think of this as non-traditional, the truth is that these practices have deep roots in traditional medicine. A practitioner who focuses on holistic health will try to help patients focus on their whole well-being and want them to adopt healthy habits related to exercise, diet and emotional and spiritual well-being. Instead of simply treating the symptoms or a disease, practitioners want to fix the problem in the first place. It is a more pro-active form of medicine, instead of simply always reacting to concerns. Practitioners include a chiropractor, someone who can perform acupuncture, a massage therapist and more.

Why Visit A Chiropractor?

A chiropractor does more than just help after an injury. A qualified chiropractor can help eliminate assorted body pains. Although many people think of a chiropractor as someone who only assists with back pain, shoulder pain, hip pain, knee pain and neck pain can all be eliminated with a visit to the chiropractor. A chiropractor can also help with allergy symptoms, migraines, arthritis and more.

A chiropractor helps restore normal motion to a body's joints. Proper movement is vital, as joints that can't move properly become stiff with misuse. If you've never been to one before, let them know. A good doctor will be happy to sit down with you and explain what they're going to do and why. They'll also be able to tell you why you're having the problem in the first place, which can help eliminate future pain.

What Can Acupuncture Do For You?

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medical practice and people who have acupuncture use it for a number of reasons. Acupuncture has been known to help with women's issues, such as menopause, painful or heavy periods, infertility, fibroids and endometriosis, weight issues, anxiety and depression, pain and even smoking cessation.

Why A Massage?

A massage does more than just relax your muscles. A qualified massage therapist can help with muscle stiffness and pain related to an injury, relieve stress, manage anxiety and depression, control blood pressure, boost immunity. Some qualified therapists can even use massage as a part of cancer treatment. You should always let your doctor know that you're getting regular massages and make sure to let your therapist know about any changes, including pregnancy, severe osteoporosis, open wounds and more.

If you're unsure about the different types of massage, talk with a massage therapist to see which type is best for you. A Swedish massage is probably the most common, but some people may benefit more from a deep tissue massage. Don't be afraid to speak up if the pressure is too strong or too soft. A therapist wants to help you relax and they know that what's right for one patient might not be right for another.

Holistic health practices are more common than ever before and people everywhere are seeing the benefits. Even many insurance companies are understanding that these practices can help with a number of issues, which means it might be possible to have these therapies covered by insurance. If you're interested in learning more, contact a holistic health provider in your area.

Chiropractor Detox Services

A chiropractor detox service will help individuals by working on the mental and dietary side of their lives. Cleanse the body does not just have to do with drugs, detoxifying the body also has to do with impurities found throughout the body. A chiropractor detox service will help you using a holistic and natural approach .Toxins in our bodies can block the meridian points, and a chiropractor detox service will help to get the meridian points regulated. When they are regulated, the flow of energy can be evenly distributed. This will make our bodies run more smoothly, make us feel wonderful when the process is completed.

A chiropractor detox service clears our body of harmful toxins through the using diets, herbal remedies, and physical adjustments to our bodies. This is a holistic approach designed to fix the body before major harm is done. A chiropractor detox service can help get your cleanse and help keep your skin younger looking as well. You will have fewer colds and flu this next season, and your chiropractor detox service will help you so you don't have to deal with the aches and pains. Getting the toxins out of your body will keep you stronger to fight off the harmful germs, because a chiropractor detox service will keep you your body and mind healthy.

Impurities build up over a period of time, and these impurities contribute to many health factors. As they build up over time, you can find you are not as healthy any more. Going to a chiropractor detox service will help you to get your body back on track to help you will feel young and vibrant once again. Keeping the toxins out of your body is a focal point for the chiropractor detox service, along with keeping you on the right diet to help you keep the toxins out of your system.

The chiropractor is a person skilled in holistic medicine which means they get to the cause of the problem to figure out how to fix it. Just making the problem go away doesn't mean it won't return if you don't take care of what is at the root of the problem. When you participate with a chiropractor detox service, you can fix the root of the problem before it even happens, and by keeping the body healthy, there are less toxins.

Secretly Effective - Chiropractic Weight Loss

The numbers are in and the results might surprise you. More than 65 percent of American adults are either obese or overweight. This statistic reflects the rapidly increasing number of people looking for weight loss solutions and ways to improve their overall health. Most of these people have not discovered chiropractic as the best kept secret for weight loss.

More than ever before, patients are complaining of how a popular diet or "breakthrough" prescription, failed to provide the long-term results they expected. Don't be fooled by their catchy taglines and colorful packaging, these type's of plans do not provide any personal care or individual assessment of your goals and current condition. They are designed for a mass consumer audience and intended to grab your attention by promising quick and dramatic results. Unfortunately more often than not, at best they are nothing more than short-term solutions and at worst, can actually impede or harm the natural process for healthy weight loss. You might be surprised to find how you feel younger after shedding a few extra pounds and how much more energy you have throughout the day. Without using any drugs or prescriptions, natural weight loss is driven by nutrition, exercise and creating healthy lifestyle habits that last a lifetime.

Lifestyle and weight management don't have to be mutually exclusive! Natural clinical weight evaluation programs will help you lose weight, increase your energy and allow you to still enjoy your lifestyle. By promoting a natural plan, chiropractor's are able to ensure steady and productive improvements in your health and weight. Chiropractic techniques provide a highly effective way to slim down and stay that way. These techniques have proven to be instrumental in finding lasting solutions to chronic pain and curing obesity, by offering a safe, natural and personalized approach to weight loss.

Make sure your plan is personalized according to your health goals, lifestyle and current condition. A licensed professional should provide a thorough health examination and laboratory assessment before your personalized plan begins. They should also strategize with you to build and create a program that integrates nutrition, exercise, laboratory assessment and chiropractic care.

With new weight loss companies, products and diets constantly being put in front of you, it's always important to remember natural solutions and how they can make a positive impact on your life. It's only March, so it's never too late to get started on those New Year's resolutions!

Back Pain Tips and Advice - Influence of Nerves

Do you have a "back problem" or a "health problem"?

The same nerves that control your back, also control your health & wellness!

Your nervous system (brain, spinal cord and nerves) controls and coordinates everything in your body and mind. When your nerve energy flows abundantly without obstruction, your body and mind are 100% self-communicating, self-healing, self-regulating and robust. Subluxations (nerve interference or damage) cause body and mind miscommunication malfunction and disease. Subluxations are caused by our inability to handle life's three major stressors; physical, mental-emotional and chemical. When Subluxations impede nerve flow, similar to static on your cell phone, you are no longer functioning at 100% and your health and vitality are compromised. Left uncorrected, subluxations have devastating effects upon human health and well-being, leading to breakdown, malfunction and disease. Our goal is to locate subluxations, remove them and their causes and allow you to heal yourself on every level. Adjustments correct subluxations so your body can heal and function at higher levels.

Only Chiropractors can determine if you have Subluxations!

If you're one of the many American's with upper back pain, it is most closely related to the gall bladder and could also be the reason you're experiencing heartburn, bloating after meals, bad gas, burping and/or trouble with fatty foods. Chiropractic works because your are a self-healing, self-regulating organism controlled by your nervous system. Millions of instructions flow from your brain, down the spinal cord and out to every organ and tissue. Signals sent back to the brain confirm your body is working right. Improper motion or position of the moving bones of the spine (Subluxation), can interfere with this vial exchange by irritating nerves and compromising the function of affected organs and tissues. Specific spinal adjustments can help improve mind/body communications.

Chiropractic care has also been linked to effective weight loss programs that focus on treating back pain. Upper back problems can often be related to stomach problems, low energy throughout the day and stress. Mid-back pain is related to the spleen and immune function and common internal symptoms include immune deficiencies, frequent colds and/or allergies.

When You Have Subluxations (Factors to Consider)

1) Subluxations and Lifestyle (may relate to chief concern and other health issues)

2) Left uncorrected subluxations and overall health may degenerate and worsen

3) If you correct the subluxations you are initiating a proven strategy to quit re-creating problems in the future that may reverse the effects of the aging process and help you have an overall better quality of life

4) Subluxations are not just related to back problems... They are a health problem!

Chiropractic Treatment: What You Should Know

Alternative medicinal care like chiropractic treatment helps to prevent issues with the neuromusculoskeletal system. Apart from therapy, this care also includes body movements, health counseling and exercises that patients can perform at home. Treatment often includes manipulation of the spine to eliminate back or neck pain related to health issues.

Chiropractic Treatment Ensures Quick Evaluation

During your first appointment, you will be asked questions about the type of pain, length and severity that you experience. A chiropractor will monitor the movements of your spine as you perform simple stretches or other exercises. Hands may be placed on your back to manually feel your spine. X-rays are often used to get a closer look at bone structures to help plan treatments. Many people seek care from a chiropractor due to falls, arthritis, pinched nerves, back pain or whiplash to help decrease or eliminate the pain. A person that experiences jaw pain or migraine headaches can seek treatment to reduce the frequencies or severity of symptoms.

Manual Treatments of Chiropractic Techniques

An adjustment to the spine or manipulation is the main goal of treatment. The normal range of movement of the joints can be manipulated without a full dislocation of the joint. You could hear sounds of cracking, popping or other sounds as your joints become stretched. To start the treatment, a chiropractor could ask you to lie on a padded table to provide easier access to your spine. He or she might use their hands to massage or stimulate the joints and nearby muscles for realignment.

If a chiropractor cannot achieve the correct torque or strength during manual techniques, he or she could bring in a device known as an activator to help with the force placed on your spine. This small handheld instrument includes an electronic spring that places electrical impulses along the spine. This kinetic energy provides enough force for the spine and vertebrae to be moved without causing injury. While the treatment is administered, you might be asked to rotate or move certain muscles as the activator is used.

After Chiropractic Treatment

Pain can temporarily become worse, but will subside within 24 hours. You should notice a reduction afterward. The pain stems from realigning your spine and vertebrae. You may be asked to perform exercises at home in between future treatments. Your treatments may need to continue regularly to get the most benefits for your spine and posture.

Tattoo Art Gallery

If you are very interested in getting a tattoo, then please, Please, PLEASE shop around! Every tattoo artist has his or her own personal tattoo art gallery in the form of pictures that they have take of their past tattoo designs. Nowadays, many tattoo artists have actually taken art classes, and are very good at what they do. I personally had a tattooist who had recently graduated from The Art Institute of Chicago. His artwork, on paper as well as on skin, was phenomenal! I have heard that this artist moved to Tijuana, and opened an excellent tattoo studio. Of all places, he is probably kept busy by the many eighteen-year-old party teens - newly graduated and looking to enhance their party experiences!

Not all tattoo artists are going to have the credentials that mine had, but that should not stop you from looking at others. There are many self-taught, talented tattoo artists - you just need to shop around for them. Oh, a quick word to the wise: Tattoo artists generally will NOT work on a person if he or she is drunk. (Even though many weird tattoo stories seem to start with, "Well, I was drunk one night, and I . . .") Some inexperienced people may believe that dulling the senses with alcohol will help the tattooing procedure less painful. However, alcohol thins the blood, making you bleed more while the artist is working. Yes, he or she is poking you with a needle, so, yes -- you will bleed!

Some bleeding is normal, however, bleeding a lot (like when drunk) can potentially hide the tattoo as it is being worked. Therefore, you may end up with a tattoo that does not meet good quality standards, simply because your bleeding distorted the tattooist's view! (Yes, it would be YOUR fault - not the tattooist!) as far as adventurous tattoos go, I happened to come across one such tattoo at a motorcycle rally in Kankakee, IL. One of the many shirtless, tattooed men had come up to have a conversation with my stepfather. I happened to look at the man's chest, and found a very unusual tattoo. On his left upper chest area, there was a tattoo of a very voluptuous woman "riding" on the back of a serpent.

One of her breasts were tattooed around the man's nipple, thereby making it look like both he and the girl shared that particular body part. He had accented it, by piercing his "shared" nipple! It was funny, inventive, and made you smile. At the very least, it was one of the most memorable and intriguing tattoos I had seen in my lifetime! Just as you would want to find a doctor to suit your ills; a chiropractor to take care of your aches and pains; or even a dentist to take care of those cavities -- so should you find a suitably experienced tattooist! Some actually have more experience with one style of tattoo or another, so finding the one that will do the best job, will make you feel better about you tattoo in the end!

Experiencing Neck Pain Resulting From an Auto Accident?

At least once in a person's life, he or she is bound to experience a car accident. No matter how light the severity of the accident is, experiencing neck pain since these accidents is a common problem for many. Anatomically, the spine and cervical region of the body is vulnerable to injuries due to whiplash. These injuries may happen in your tendons, muscles and ligaments in the neck can manifest through mild achy pain or complete disability in severe cases. A combination of neck pain and whiplash headaches can lead to a disrupted lifestyle which makes it a condition that necessitates the assistance of chiropractors.

Neck Pain and Whiplash Treatment At Home

Neck pain treatment needs constant guidance and care from chiropractic doctor to manipulate and massage soft tissues, use ice, heat and other forms for techniques and physiological therapies such as low laser therapy and electric muscle stimulation. All these are proven effective in relieving your neck pain and other injuries incurred in a car accident. But there must be other things you can do on your own to alleviate your pain while you are at home.

Before you try any home remedies, it is always best to consult with a chiropractor to ensure that your home devices and exercises are well suited for your treatment program. The pain you experience with your neck and back will be effectively treated with proper training from your accident chiropractor and the use of durable medical supplies such as cervical traction units, cervical pillows and exercises.

Cervical traction units come in inflatable collars, towel traction, laying and seated over-the-door types. This device slowly stretches the neck bones apart to avoid scar tissues from forming and gluing the joints. Using traction units can feel good and provide relief from the pain you feel. Another type of traction device is the fulcrum or a type of dense triangular foam used behind the neck when lying down. This allows the head to hang from the edge and keep the neck properly curved to repair injuries after the accident.

Cervical pillow is another effective device to promote faster healing for your neck pain. It has a contoured shape to fit the neck and the head and keep it in a favorable position while sleeping. These pillows can come in water pillow type, buckwheat, inflatable, rice and others.

Your Choice in Effective Neck Pain Treatment

Apart from these devices, a chiropractor may also suggest effective exercise routines that will help relieve neck pain after an auto accident. Stretching and other fine motor exercises are also very important, you must keep your joints moving while scar tissues are healing to prevent the onset of osteoarthritis.

Patients must always understand that they have a choice when it comes to the effectiveness of treatment and management of their injuries after an auto accident. Neck pains is a common issue so you must make room for neck therapy and consult with a chiropractor on the best possible treatment and self help approach to recovery.

Differentiating Pilates From Chiropractic Treatment and Physiotherapy

A number of methods and techniques are available that provide treatment to several types of pain that people commonly complain about. People may opt to try a physiotherapist, who is a recognized healthcare practitioner with established treatment methods for injuries and pain. Another is a chiropractor, who is a health care professional offering non-surgical treatment that focuses on spinal alignment and treatment the structures surrounding the spine.

But over the past years, pilates exercises has gained a huge following in various exercise gyms and through physical training media. Pilates is a series of stretching and strengthening movements that focus on certain muscles that are vital for the overall function of all body parts. It has proven to provide relief for pain including in the neck, shoulder, back, and knees.

What is pilates?

Pilates is a popular exercise created by Joseph Pilates in the 1920s for core muscle strengthening and flexibility improvement. It was originally used for the rehabilitation war veterans who were hurt during the war. Pilates can be performed quickly and easily by almost anyone regardless the age and fitness level. It is a form of exercise known for its low impact and gradual muscle build-up.

Having core strength is what essentially what pilates is about. Strength in the body's core muscles provides good alignment. It also makes the trunk muscles strong, flexible, and coordinated for proper stability and support of the spine.

Pilates is the exercise of choice for many athletes, gymnasts, dancers, and even famous Hollywood actors and actresses. It has currently found its way in mainstream physical fitness training. Its popularity stems from its many unique benefits not otherwise achievable through traditional forms of aerobics and body strengthening exercises.

Comparing pilates and chiropractic treatment

Pilates is a gradual, low impact exercise geared toward correcting imbalances in the body, increasing the joints' range of motion and strengthening the core muscles. It is designed for neutral alignment of the posture through core muscle strengthening.

Chiropractic treatment, meanwhile, is also designed to restore normal alignment of the spine in order to minimize the discomfort and pain suffered in certain areas of the body. Usually, what a chiropractor does is to take the patient's medical history, perform a physical exam, and, if necessary, require laboratory tests or diagnostic images in order to find out what treatment approach is appropriate for the patient's pain particularly in the back area.

Treatment may consist of manual adjustments in the joints, using well-controlled, swift force to make the necessary improvements in the quality and range of motion. Chiropractors also provide counseling for proper nutrition and various exercises, which could even include pilates pain relief exercises, into their treatment plan.

The objective of the treatment plan is to restore normal function and injury prevention on top of the back pain relief. Spine manipulation techniques utilized in chiropractic care is safe as well as effective treatment for acute pain in the back area. The rehab could last until 6 weeks.

Comparing pilates and physiotherapy

Pilates mat-based exercises are ideal for strengthening the muscles required to provide proper support of the spine. They also bring about awareness for proper posture. Good posture is vital in treating back pains and integrating pilates principles into everyday life is highly advised.

Physiotherapy's concepts of treatment have similarities with pilates with regard to providing lower back pain relief. It also has various exercises and massages that focus on releasing muscle tension in order to reduce pain in the back. It is a well-known method to treat various sports-related injuries.

Physiotherapists do not just focus on a single body part though they could do a lot of work on the spine. They spend particularly a lot of time in treating a specific injury while keeping the patient's pain on a minimum. The objective of a physiotherapist is to improve the patient's range of movement. A physiotherapist may provide coaching on what exercises the patient can perform at home or works well in his daily routine.

Managing Tennis Elbow and Golfers Elbow With Chiropractic

Lateral epicondylitis, more commonly known as tennis elbow, and medial epicondylitis, more commonly known as golfers elbow, are conditions which describe pain and inflammation of the tendons and muscles at the elbow joint. If the irritation is at the lateral epicondyle or outside of the elbow it is referred to as tennis elbow and if it is at the inside or medial epicondyle it is referred to as golfers elbow. Both of these conditions are named as such due to these sports inclinations to specifically overuse these muscles and attachments. However, any repetitive movements of the wrist, forearm, and elbow or continued gripping of tools or equipment can cause these conditions including gardening, painting, knitting, cooking, and more.

Tennis elbow and golfers elbow can cause pain, stiffness, and the temporary inability to properly flex or extend the elbow or grip an object.

Rarely will epicondylitis heal on its own. At best, ice and medication may keep it at bay but usually further treatment is required to address not only the symptoms but the underlying cause of the pain and dysfunction.

Chiropractic is a natural, holistic practice that has helped many patients rehabilitate from tennis and golfers elbow. A chiropractor providing a physical examination to assess these conditions will check for loss of range of motion (flexion and extension), joint and tendon tenderness, and weakness. Once the level of epicondylitis is determined, the chiropractor can plan a course of rehabilitation which may include adjustments to the spine and extremities, heat and ice therapy, low-level laser therapy, electrotherapy, acupuncture, massage, temporary bracing, and home strengthening exercise therapy.

Chiropractic care for tennis and golfers elbow has helped many people avoid surgery and the reduse the use of pain medications which only mask symptoms and do not treat the cause of the pain. Surgery is invasive and involves the risks associated with anesthesia, infection, and scar tissue development, which can lead to more pain and dysfunction. Chiropractic is a safe and cost-effective alternative which treats the underlying cause of the pain and provides for a complete rehabilitation.

Chiropractors are licensed Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) who are trained extensively in the biomechanics of the body as whole and how to correct imbalances and injuries naturally using manipulative therapies. Adjustments are medical practices and should never be attempted by anyone other than a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic. A visit to your local chiropractor could help you safely and effectively manage your tennis elbow or golf elbow pain and dysfunction once and for all.

The Autism Epidemic

Autism is on the rise, an article appearing in the Journal of Environmental Medicine (2000;10:261-266) reports. Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control reported 40 cases per 10,000 in Brick Township, New Jersey and 67 cases of autism spectrum disorder in the year 2000. In Cambridgeshire, in the UK, there were 57 cases per 10,000. Similarly, in London there were 58 cases per 10,000. Between 1987 and 1998 there was an increase in autism between 273% and 346%, depending on the definition of autism used. When reviewing studies published between 1966 and 1988, there was an average prevalence rate of 4.3 per 10,000. When looking at studies published between 1989 and 1998 there is a prevalence rate of 7.2 per 10,000.

It has been postulated that the increase in cases is due to a change of the diagnostic criteria, but others are concerned that the cause may be mercury. The symptoms of autism mimic those of mercury poisoning. The increase in autism also parallels the increase in the number of immunizations. That added to the fact that autism pretty much didn't exist until the 1940s, after the advent of immunization, makes many suspect immunizations as a possible cause of autism.

The article goes on to discuss testimony before the US House of Representatives given by parents in 2000. A six-month old child receiving the full course of vaccinations gets a dose of mercury that exceeds the acceptable dose permitted by the EPA. In other hearing, Congressman Dan Burton said that his grandson became autistic after a course of immunizations that exposed the child to 41 times the level of mercury considered safe for adults.

The medical community has conducted some studies that deny the possibility that vaccinations are responsible for autism. The studies that appear in medical journals have tested things like the amount of mercury in the hair of autistic children compared to healthy normals; essentially there was no difference in the hair levels. There have also been studies that involved testing for mercury before and after inoculation; researchers found no difference. There has been research comparing societies that use less mercury in vaccines-finding that they have the same autism rate. What has not been done is a comparison between a population that does not vaccinate and one that does. A study like that would probably solve a lot of the controversy.

Will My Health Insurance Cover Chiropractic Care?

"I'm thinking about seeing a chiropractor. Oh, but chiropractic isn't covered by health insurance, right?" Wrong! I get this question all the time. When someone is making the decision to choose chiropractic to take care of their health issue, they have to go through several decision processes.

First, will chiropractic help my problem? Typically, they are dealing with pain and aren't getting much help from other methods they've tried to resolve it. They may have tried over-the-counter pain medications, maybe even some stronger versions prescribed by their doctor. They may have bought a brace or support, changed their bed, or just tried to rest for awhile. Nothing's working.

Next they consider the location of the chiropractor. Are they close? Can I get to the office during their office hours? If this all fits, the person will eventually start to realize their is a cost involved and will start considering whether or not their insurance will cover all or at least part of the cost of going to see a chiropractor.

Does insurance cover chiropractic? In most cases, it does. There is not going to be "unlimited treatment for an unlimited time," but there will be some coverage. Most insurance will place two types of limitations on coverage; either they will limit the total dollar amount they will pay, or they will limit the total number of times you can visit the chiropractor in a given year.

Will the amount of insurance coverage be enough for all of your treatment? It really depends on what's wrong. Most health insurance is not set up to handle "wellness care," that is, treatment when you're already feeling pretty good. Health insurance is usually there to help in time of crisis. You have a heart attack, you've been involved in a car accident, or you back is so painful you can't get to work. That's a crisis.

The best way to find out if your insurance covers chiropractic and to find out what limitations are present, is to contact the office you want to go see. Many offices will verify your insurance benefits before you even go into the office. This way, you'll know what you're in for before you set foot in the door. Choosing your chiropractor only by your out-of-pocket expense is not usually the best way to find a doctor (or any service for that matter), but it's helpful to get as much information as possible.

Herniated Disc Recovery - How Spinal Decompression Helps With Herniated Disc Recovery

Spinal decompression is a drug-free and non-surgical solution to disc-related issues of the cervical or lumbar spine. This is an effective option for herniated disc recovery. Several patients have found great relief from pain because of this form of therapy. It utilizes computer-aided technology in applying a non-surgical decompression and gentle pressure to the spine, which stimulates circulation into the joints and spinal discs. Upon completion of the therapy sessions, many patients experience relief from various symptoms that cause dysfunction and pain.

How Spinal Decompression Works

Those who suffer from herniated discs, facet syndrome, and other similar types of spinal problems should consider this procedure. Unlike surgery, this form of therapy does not involve the use of medication. Many patients have noticed an improvement in various body pains after each session.

Once the patient is positioned properly on the table, the chiropractor puts padded straps to fasten the person securely. As the table begins to pull on the spine, it results to an increase in the space between two spinal bones, or disc space. The movement creates a vacuum or pressure in the disc, which helps it to suck the disc inwards and farther from the pinched nerve. While the space may seem small initially, consecutive sessions will create more disc space that will decrease the size of herniated disc.

The pumping action made by the table sucks all nutrients in and pushes these out to promote a nutrient exchange. The increase in the level of nutrients in the disc will help hasten the healing process. Most people who suffer from herniated disc do not get any better without therapy because of insufficient blood supply and nutrients in the discs. However, spinal decompression increases the amount of nutrients to these areas and provides the essential building blocks for healing. In fact, many researchers have discovered an increase of about 1 to 3 mm in the disc space after the entire therapy sessions.

Reasons to Consider Spinal Decompression

This is a form of herniated disc therapy developed by back specialists that include osteopaths, neurologists, physical therapists, chiropractors, and orthopedists. These medical professionals have studied, analyzed, and devised spinal decompression to help individuals who suffer from herniated discs and related conditions.

The procedure has been proven to be effective by numerous patients, and it has been clinically validated by health specialists. It is non-invasive and non-surgical, so there are no complications after each therapy session has been performed. Moreover, spinal decompression prevents debilitating conditions that often result from severe complications associated with surgery. This procedure is completely painless and it does not involve recovery time.

Each therapy session lasts for a maximum of 30 minutes, so it is convenient and efficient. This procedure could help return people to active lives. Patients can perform their daily routines because of the non-invasive feature of spinal decompression. After they have completed the required number of sessions, they will experience a marked improvement in their condition.

In addition, it is cost-effective, as compared to surgery. Most therapy centers offer a wide selection of payment plans to patients, so they can determine the ideal payment method that will fit their budget.

Is Chiropractic Treatment Effective for Colic?

If you have a baby suffering from colic then you know you will search to the ends of the earth to find some form of treatment to help soothe your baby's suffering and make them stop crying. You may be looking for conventional or natural treatments, or both, to help your baby and may have discovered the option for chiropractic treatment. You might think chiropractic treatment is only for those suffering from problems with their spine's alignment ad the like, and it is to some degree, not to mention this could be the problem that is causing your baby's colic. Amazingly, chiropractic treatment has great results for relieving colic symptoms and helping baby and parents feel better again.

If you are not interested in chiropractic treatment for colic simply because you believe it is too radical or something you just don't approve of, then you can learn some massage moves that might prove effective as well at relieving colic symptoms and soothing your baby. If you do want to try the chiropractic treatments then you need to find a certified chiropractor for infants and you will need to talk with him/her to ensure you are confident in their skills and perhaps even ask for references. This is important because while chiropractic treatment for colic is natural it can be harmful if done incorrectly so you want a qualified chiropractor to perform the treatment. Once you find a chiropractor licensed to perform treatments on infants that you are comfortable with and confident in then you should give it a try and see if it works for your baby.

You are probably anxious about how the treatments will work and what will actually happen to your baby. However, don't worry because the treatments simply include lengthening procedures that lengthen the body to remove the kinks that are in the intestines. Additionally, many chiropractors simply align the baby's spine by adjustments to help relieve colic. Many times this helps and you might be surprised when a chiropractic adjustment helps your baby. You should not worry your baby will be in pain, either, during chiropractic adjustments because they are normally painful. Your baby might look as if he/she is in pain because of the chiropractor's strong hands and movements, but rest assured the adjustment is virtually pain free and will likely help your baby's colic tremendously.

After the chiropractic adjustment your chiropractor will likely show you some exercises to perform on your baby each day. These are generally called colic release exercises and they benefit approximately 70% of babies suffering from this condition significantly while a great many others benefit marginally. So, there is a pretty good chance that a chiropractor can significantly help your baby's colic pain, or at least reduce the pain somewhat, so you ought to give it a try.

The reason chiropractic techniques work so well is that they treat the condition of colic rather than the symptoms. Many parents give their children drugs or other remedies to treat symptoms and while this is OK it really is better to treat and eradicate the problem of colic altogether and that is what a chiropractor does. So, look for a certified chiropractic that can work on infants and give it a try, it just might be the best choice you ever made!

How To Pick The Right Chiropractor For You

The modern chiropractor is the only doctorate level health practitioner in the world that is drug and surgery free. Having a very similar in training to the Medical Doctor, Chiropractic Doctor has about ten times more nutrition training, along with more radiology and diagnostic training. The first consideration when picking the right chiropractor for you is technique or services offered. About 70% of the chiropractors in the world use "Diversified" which is a collection of various spinal manipulations, generally using "motion palpation" do determine when and when to manipulate the spine. Gonstead is another manipulative method, but is considered to be more precise and gentle. There are techniques that focus on the upper cervical (neck) region, like "Atlas Orthogonal", "Blair", "Grostic" and NUCCA. Upper cervical practitioners are are rare, lower force, and considered to be excellent. There are other methods that focus on the opposite end of the spine, the sacrum and the pelvis, "Logan Basic" is an excellent example. "Activator", "Torque Release" and "Pro-Adjustor" are techniques that use a mechanical device between the practitioner and patient, and are generally considered to be lower force. In my opinion, the creme de la creme of chiropractic is "Network Spinal Analysis", originally networking ideas from the major technique branches together into a scientific whole, it now has grown beyond that box, and is considered to be one of the leading body-mind modalities ever. Patients love the "self-correcting" nature of the work that happens after visits. A three year study of more than 2800 patients found benefits beyond reduced pain, eczema, and allergies; patients reported reduced stress in all areas of their life, and more satisfaction in their relationships of all kinds. The better chiropractors will be proud to share all the extra training they have had after completing their doctorate. You want a practitioner who continues to develop professionally.

The second factor in choosing the right chiropractor for you is personal connection. I urge you to try out various chiropractors and see how you like them in person. Keep in mind that the falsely cheerful persona makes a good impression at first may be aggravating after the first few visits. You don't need to be buddies with your chiropractor, but you do need to have confidence in their clinical skills, honesty, and sincerity.

The third factor is convenience, if you spine really needs work, it may be better to have the second best chiropractor who is a few blocks away rather than your first choice that is a two hour drive away.

The fourth factor is cost. This can be affected by their participation in your HMO, and how much they charge, and what they recommend in terms of a care plan. Do be aware that there may be a false economy with the Doctor who only recommends care until your symptoms are better. My father-in-law saw one of those chiropractors for thirty years. He would go see him for two or three visits, until he was "better" and told him to come back when his symptoms flared again. When I took Xrays of his spine at age 70, there were bone spurs and degeneration throughout, which could have easily been prevented had his chiropractor cared to do more than just get him out of his symptoms. I believe my father-in-law's chiropractor failed him. This is what I mean by false economy. Good luck finding the right chiropractor for you.