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What is a Chiropractic Adjustment?

A typical chiropractic adjustment is a quick but gentle force into the parts of the spine that have subluxations or misaligned vertebrae. Adjustments add motion to spinal joints that are not moving correctly. By adjusting vertebrae, Dr. Robinson alleviates compression in the targeted areas. Alleviating compression of the vertebrae allows nerve canals to re-open and function properly. Nerves can then resume sending signals to and from the brain and other organs in the body.

Many different adjusting methods exist. Some methods use the doctor’s hands, an instrument, a special table or the force of gravity. Adjustments should not be painful. In fact, most individuals look forward to their chiropractic adjustments to experience immediate relief from discomfort.

The chiropractic spinal adjustment is the cornerstone of the Chiropractic Care program. Spinal adjustments are used successfully to treat a variety of different soft tissue disorders as well as creating a properly aligned and highly functioning body. This in turn allows the body to heal itself of many secondary maladies such as allergies or digestive problems.

Do Chiropractors only adjust the spine?

No. In addition to adjusting the spine and pelvis, almost every other joint of the body can be adjusted by a chiropractor. This includes the joints of the hands and feet, wrists, ankles, elbows, knees, shoulders, hips, ribs and the jaw. Dr. Robinson is trained to adjust all extremities and is also trained in sacro-occipital techniques to adjust the joints (sutures) of the skull.

Are Chiropractic Adjustments Safe?

Yes. Studies throughout the decades have found time and time again that adjustments are remarkably safe. By helping patients avoid drugs with harmful side effects and risky surgery, chiropractic care enjoys a loyal following. A thorough exam can identify the rare person for whom chiropractic care might be unsuited. Any patient for whom Dr. Robinson feels needs other medical attention before beginning Chiropractic Care will be immediately referred to the appropriate physician or health care facility.

Who needs spinal adjustments?

Everyone can benefit from a chiropractic adjustment — whether a newborn, senior citizen or somewhere in between. Any type of spinal or neck pain is a sign that a chiropractic adjustment is needed. Even if pain is absent, but tightness and decreased range of motion is present, a chiropractic adjustment can help.

Who needs an extremity adjustment?

Once again, many people can benefit from an extremity adjustment. Any type of repetitive motion can create the need for an extremity adjustment. For example, runners, skiers, skateboards, soccer players, or dancers will benefit from feet, ankle, knee, and hip adjustments. Baseball, basketball, and hockey players will benefit from lower body adjustments as well as wrist, elbow, and shoulder adjustments. Musicians and anyone who frequently uses a computer can most definitely benefit from wrist and hand adjustments to maintain fluid movements. Regular wrist and hand adjustments will help reduce the likelihood of getting carpal tunnel syndrome and will help reduce pain and other symptoms for those who already have carpal tunnel syndrome.

Should Newborns and Children receive chiropractic adjustments?

Yes! When used preventatively, chiropractic care for children allows them to grow without nerve interference from spinal subluxations. Because their nerves function properly, they are able to achieve their full growth potential and may be much healthier than children not under Chiropractic Care. ProHealth Chiropractic is child friendly with toys, crayons and books available to keep them occupied while their parents are getting adjusted. Care is gentle and children look forward to their visits since Dr. Robinson makes them laugh and feel at ease. It is tough being a child with all the bicycle accidents, flag football, dance classes, ice skating falls and much more. Give your child a little extra TLC that may just help them pay better attention in school and grow up to be healthier, happier adults.

Is it safe for people over 65 to be adjusted?

Absolutely it is safe for seniors to be adjusted! Gentle adjustments and special techniques are used on patients with fragile, osteoporotic bones. For seniors, maintaining mobility and independence is important. A full Chiropractic Care plan can help seniors be more mobile, have less pain and inflammation and reduce the effects of disabling, degenerative arthritis. Even if your senior friends or family members do not exhibit any pain or symptoms, be sure to encourage them to have a chiropractic check-up on a regular basis to help prevent any future pain and stiffness caused by spinal misalignments. Even small things such as stiffness when getting out of bed or difficulty standing after sitting for a while are good indications they are in need of Chiropractic Care.

What Does an Adjustment Do?

A chiropractic adjustment corrects vertebral subluxations, otherwise known as misaligned vertebrae. Correcting subluxations reduces pain, inflammation, muscle spasms and tension. An adjustment also normalizes spinal biomechanics and more importantly, can remove nerve irritation and interference which, left untreated, can greatly decrease overall health and wellness of the individual. Chiropractic adjustments are the only way to eliminate vertebral subluxations.

What happens if my spine or extremity is out of alignment and is not corrected?

Simply put, the rate at which your body naturally deteriorates increases. When your spine is out of alignment and your range of motion is therefore negatively affected, your ability to move properly is limited which causes stress on the involved body parts. This stress begins a decaying process. Unfortunately, this process not only affects the problem areas, but left uncorrected, will negatively affect the areas above and below the original problem area. This type of domino effect is similar to the situation when your car is out of alignment. If you drive around a long time with your front end out of alignment, your tires and brakes will wear unevenly. Eventually, your car will not be able to steer or break as it is designed. Keeping your body and your car properly aligned creates an environment in which everything can function at maximum capacity.

Do I still need regular adjustments even if I have no pain?

Yes. Your body can be malfunctioning for months or even years before you experience any symptoms which are strong enough to alarm you to seek treatment. Since symptoms are always the last to show and the first to go, it is important to regularly monitor the function of your spine and nervous system and receive regular treatments to help ensure a properly functioning and healthy body.

How often should I get adjustments?

The frequency of your adjustments is entirely dependant upon your individual needs and your desired level of health. With the use of the Insight™ Millennium scans, we have a clear and literal picture of what condition your spine and nervous system are in and how much work it needs to be functioning at its highest level. Using the scans, we can set up an accurate treatment plan. If your scans indicate many problem areas, you may need treatment 3 to 4 times a week for several months. If your scans indicate only minor disturbances, you may be perfectly fine with ‘tune-up’ treatments that are once a week or once every 2 weeks.

Also, as you learn to ‘read’ and understand your body’s signals, you will find that you can identify when you need to come in for an extra adjustment in addition to what is regularly scheduled for you. Symptoms such as restricted range of motion, headaches, high stress, and muscle/joint pain that do not resolve with exercise are all good clues and indicators that your sympathetic system is over-stressed and needs relief. Also, any type of seemingly minor traumas such as lifting a heavy box incorrectly, a little fall, or accidentally stepping off a curb or a small step will all benefit from an adjustment.

At ProHealth Chiropractic we provide you information and a treatment plan that we truly believe to be in your best interest. Whether you choose to let the Insight™ Millennium scans guide your treatment plan or if you just want to come in for simple pain-relief, it is ultimately your decision and we are happy to treat you according to your preferences. Think of an adjustment as a tune-up for your body. Chiropractic adjustments improve your form and function and help reduce the risk of long-term problems.

What is a Subluxation?

A vertebral subluxation is the improper motion or position of the moving bones of the spine that interfere with or irritate nerves. In simple terms, your back is out of alignment. When a vertebra does not function properly, it causes mechanical stress which accelerates wear and tear on surrounding spinal muscles, ligaments, discs and joints. Pain, tenderness, inflammation, decreased mobility and muscle spasms most often soon follow.
Because of the direct relationship between the spine and nerve roots, vertebral subluxations can disturb communication with the Central Nervous System. When nerves have interference, communication between the brain and other organs and muscles is compromised thereby jeopardizing overall health and wellness of the individual.

How are subluxations discovered?

Subluxations can be discovered manually by Dr. Robinson palpating the spine or extremities, by x-rays, or by using the Insight™ Millennium. We find using the Insight™ Millennium machine yields excellent results without the risks associated with x-rays and it offers more different types of information than do x-rays. The Insight™ Millennium device evaluates the spinal and neurological systems to detect nerve disturbances as well as subluxations. On those instances when x-rays or an MRI seem to be needed, we refer out to the appropriate facilities.

What Are the Causes of a Subluxation?

There are 3 basic causes of subluxations.

  1. Physical causes are acute traumas to the body or repetitive motions that affect the spine. These could include slips and falls, accidents, bad posture, improper workstation habits, repetitive motions and improper lifting.
  2. Negative emotions such as grief, anger and fear cause stress on the body that can manifest many ways including spinal subluxations, TMJ and headaches. Excessive stress or inadequate stress management have been shown in medical research to have significant negative effects on the immune system.
  3. Chemical causes include poor diet and nutrition, alcohol, tobacco or drug use, pollution and/or chemical toxins ingested in foods, air, and water. Chemicals which are harmful to the body reduce the body’s ability to successfully adapt to and withstand internal and external stresses which can eventually cause spinal subluxations among other things.

How Do I Know if I Have a Subluxation?

Subluxations can exist without having any pain or warning signs, much like the early stages of tooth decay or osteoporosis. Only the results of a thorough examination can show the location and severity of subluxations that may exist. ProHealth Chiropractic recommends individuals seek periodic spinal evaluations to check for the presence of subluxations and other spinal abnormalities, even if no pain is present.

What are some signs of needing a chiropractic adjustment?

There are several signs and symptoms commonly associated with vertebral subluxations. Here are just a few of the possible signs you need a chiropractic adjustment:

Can Subluxations Clear Up Automatically?

Yes, sometimes. Today’s hectic lifestyles create a constant source of subluxations. Fortunately, our bodies have the ability to self-correct many of the minor problems as we bend and stretch, or when we sleep at night. When subluxations do not resolve themselves, pay us a visit.

How Are Subluxations Corrected?

Chiropractic adjustments usually involve a quick but gentle force into the misaligned spinal vertebrae that helps add motion to spinal joints that are not moving correctly. Some methods use the doctor’s hands, an instrument, a special table or the force of gravity. There are many ways to adjust the spine.

Subluxations generally require multiple adjustments for complete normalization to occur. Similar to straightening teeth, correcting malfunctioning and misaligned vertebrae requires time for the tissues to accept this new position as “normal”.

Dr. Robinson adjusts both prone (face down) and supine (face up). He uses a ‘drop table’ that literally drops a little bit during the force of the adjustment. He also uses an ‘activator’ which is a tension-loaded device to adjust osteoporotic patients and small bones such as those in the hands and feet.

What is traction and when is it used?

Traction is a gentle method of decompressing and opening up the joints and nerve canals. Typically given before an adjustment, it eases the movement of your spine during the adjustment. People who have had neck or low back traumas or a disc bulge are the most likely candidates for traction in order to relieve compression and offer pain relief.

What Conditions Are Commonly Treated?

There are 3 main types of conditions that Chiropractic Care treats: musculoskeletal (bones), non-musculoskeletal (everything other than bones) and injuries of all types.

Musculoskeletal

Chiropractic care provides effective relief for millions of individuals suffering from back and neck problems as well as many other musculoskeletal complaints ranging from knee and ankle popping to carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow. Most pain and discomfort in any areas of the spine are excellent candidates for a chiropractic adjustment. For those conditions which appear to be outside the Chiropractic scope of practice, Dr. Robinson is fully trained to identify these conditions and make an appropriate referral to another physician. Some common musculoskeletal conditions that are successfully treated with Chiropractic Care include:

Non-Musculoskeletal

Chiropractic Care has been shown to indirectly benefit more than just the back and neck. Research has shown that many of the following conditions can be caused or aggravated by irritation to spinal nerve roots. All nerve roots are at the spine. Thus, if subluxations are present for an extended period of time, the nerve irritation can stop the nerve from communicating properly with the brain and other organs. By restoring proper communication within the Central Nervous System, many of the following ailments are relieved or the conditions heal themselves as the body gets healthier.

Injuries

Dr. Robinson treats all types of injuries and is trained to recognize the unique conditions of each type of injury. With auto or personal injuries, delayed symptoms can occur weeks or months after the accident happened. Preventative care is always a safe bet with auto and personal injuries. In work-related injuries, Dr. Robinson addresses ergonomics, work station set-up, or safety issues so the problem does not keep recurring. Lastly, in sports injuries, he checks for biomechanical and muscle imbalances that are causing the injury. Commonly treated injuries include: