1. What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is based on the principle that the human body has an inborn ability to maintain its own health. It is based on the scientific fact that the nervous system controls and coordinates the function of every cell, tissue, organ and system in your body. The way it works is, nerves, connected from the brain, travel down the spine and exit between each vertebra reaching and controlling all parts of your body. If these vertebrae misalign, they can rub or compress the nerves, causing a blockage in the messages that the brain is sending to the particular part of the body that that nerve controls. If such blockages exist, your body is not functioning at its optimal level. The Chiropractic approach to optimal health is to locate and help correct these interferences so that your body can function as it was intended.
2. What is a Subluxation?
The term subluxation describes the misalignment of spinal bones, resulting in nerve pressure or irritation. The slightest misalignment can cause improper transmission of nerve impulses from the brain to the organs, cells and muscles of the body.
3. What is a Trigger Point?
Trigger points are tiny knots that develop in a muscle when it is injured or overworked. These trigger points tighten and shorten the muscles and can pull spinal bones out of alignment, irritating nerves and causing pain. Active trigger points keep the muscles tight, restricting flexibility, misaligning spinal bones and compressing nerves. If trigger points are not treated, they cause lingering pain and can be the reason why headache, neck pain and back pain keep returning time after time.
4. What causes Subluxations and Trigger Points?
There are three main causes: physical traumas, emotional stresses, and chemical toxicities. Physical causes could include the birth process, slips, car accidents, falls, sports injuries, repetitive motions and improper lifting. Emotional causes are grouped under stressful conditions such as loss of job, traffic jams, demanding jobs, feeling overwhelmed, divorce, familial pressures, etc. Chemical causes could include alcohol, drugs, pollution, and poor diet.
5. What type of treatment do you offer?
At Kirossage® Chiropractic, we offer you a total approach to wellness. We combine spinal adjustments, trigger point therapy, deep tissue massage, and heat therapy to facilitate the body’s natural healing process. When your spine is in proper alignment your immune system effectively fights off germs and bacteria, your digestive tract properly breaks down food, you’re able to sleep better, etc. Not only do we treat symptoms, we also educate our patients on the causes of emotional and physical stress, and how to live a more a healthy lifestyle. By loosening tight muscles, keeping your spine in proper alignment, and managing stress more effectively the potential of optimal health can be reached. We are here to support you!
6. How does Trigger Point Therapy Work?
Treatment of trigger points consists of applying sustained pressure for a long enough time to inactivate the muscle spasm. Pressure can be applied with a thumb, finger, knuckle or elbow depending on the size, depth and thickness of the muscle being compressed. Pressure is sustained for a few seconds, gradually loosening trigger points and releasing accumulating byproducts such as lactic acids. This procedure is one of the most powerful ways to treat pain and dysfunction in the body.
7. What is an adjustment?
An adjustment restores misaligned vertebrae into their proper position in the spinal column. Dr. Ioan uses his hands in applying gentle pressure to the spine in a specific direction and location. The manual thrust helps restore the alignment and mobility of the vertebrae.
8. How much will it cost?
Most health insurances will cover chiropractic treatments, however, if you do not have insurance coverage we offer several affordable plans to cater to your personalized financial abilities. Our fees are not only reasonable, but are also very competitive. We believe cost should not be a deterrent to receiving health care.
9. Do you do massages and physical therapy?
Yes, we do combine massage into our treatments. Massage helps work out chronic tension, helps you relax, and aids in preparing the body for chiropractic adjustments. And, yes, we do physiotherapy. Our treatments rehabilitate the body to its normal state by using a variation of techniques, i.e., passive range of motion stretching, heat therapy, and manual traction of tendons, ligaments and muscles. We provide treatments for all types of soft tissue ailments, such as ankle, knee, shoulder as well as neck and back.
10. What are the benefits of heat therapy?
It is a well documented fact that heat relieves pain. Many episodes of back pain result from strains and over-exertions, creating tension in the muscles and soft tissues surrounding the spine. Heat stimulates the sensory receptors in the skin, which means that heat application will decrease transmissions of pain signals to the brain, relieving the discomfort. Heat therapy also dilates the blood vessels within muscles, which helps to heal damaged tissue, decrease stiffness, relax sore muscles and provides soothing comfort.
11. How does chiropractic care relieve stress?
Stress irritates the nervous system, resulting in tension in the muscles neck, shoulders and back, and causing spine misalignment. Muscle tension can then lead to headaches, fatigue, stiffness and pain. Chiropractic’s natural approach to relieving stress involves locating and correcting any interference to your body’s state of good health. The deep tissue massage and adjustments relieve and relax tense muscles, improves circulation and restores mental and physical well-being.
12. How long will it take to get better?
It varies according to the extent of muscle damage, the condition of your spine, age, lifestyle, occupation, and so on. Typically, the beginning of your treatment involves frequent visits to eliminate your pain. As your condition improves, treatment visits are reduced, until eventually, treatments are aimed at preventing recurrences, to minimize new injuries from forming and preventing future degeneration.
13. Is chiropractic care addictive?
No. If you ever heard that chiropractic is addictive, rest assured, it’s just a myth. Chiropractic care is safe, natural, and non-abrasive. It is possible, however, to get used to feeling more balanced, less stressed, and more energetic as a result of chiropractic care. Just like anything that produces positive, pleasant results, the desire to repeat it over and over again can develop. In addition to positive results, you may become more sensitive to your body and know when you’re not feeling 100 percent. When you truly understand the amazing benefits of regular chiropractic care, you will want to make it an integral part of your life! Awareness is the first step toward optimal health. But please know, how long you decide to continue care is always up to you!
14. Is regular Chiropractic care necessary?
Yes. Whether you’re in pain or not, everyday modern living and work cause stress and strain on your spine and muscles. To keep your body functioning at its very best (interference free) and preventing future problems, it is imperative to include chiropractic care to a healthy lifestyle of good diet, exercise, adequate sleep, positive mental attitude, and stress management.
15. What is health?
In a broad sense, it involves your physical, mental, and emotional states, social relationships, spirituality, and life habits. Today, holistic health has become an approach to the well-being of people that focuses on the prevention of illness. To be really healthy is to feel great, to enjoy life, not just postponing death and disease. This is the first generation in human history to know what constitutes a “whole person.” Our goal at Kirossage™ Chiropractic Center is not only to correct your physical ailments but to also equip you with the knowledge needed to craft your life intelligently, deliberately, and responsibly. You can make effective choices to better your health. Please ask us about our “Stress Management” and “Healthy Lifestyle Habits” pamphlet…a more enjoyable, healthy life is within your reach.
16. What do adjustments feel like?
After the brief thrust, many patients report a sense of well-being or a feeling of calmness. Others feel improved mobility. Inflammation or muscle spasms may delay these positive effects. Chiropractic doctors specialize in making adjustments comfortable and effective.
17. Are adjustments safe?
Yes. A New Zealand government study concluded that chiropractic adjustments are “remarkably safe.” Taking an over-the-counter pain reliever is about 100 times more risky.
18. Will adjustments make my spine too loose?
No. Only the spinal joints that are “locked up” receive adjustments. This allows weakened muscles and ligaments to stabilize and heal.
19. What makes the sound?
Lubricating fluids separate the bones of each spinal joint. Some adjusting methods can produce a sound when the gas and fluids in the joint shift. It’s much like opening a soda can or removing a suction cup. The sound is interesting, but isn’t a guide to the quality or value of the adjustment.
20. Can I adjust myself?
No. Some patients can make their joints “pop” but that’s not an adjustment! Even your chiropractic doctor must consult a colleague to benefit from chiropractic care.
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