Questions and Answers about our approach to Chiropractic

What exactly is Chiropractic?
Our approach to chiropractic is unique. We have a singular objective and do not infringe upon other fields of health, disease treatment or human performance. Our philosophy and practice seeks to keep the bones of the spine (vertebrae) in their proper relationships with each other, in order to allow the body to more fully express its maximum potential.

What do you mean by maximum potential?
Each individual human being has his or her own unique blend of potentials preprogrammed by genetic heritage long before birth. These include such factors as the capacity to see and to hear, the capacity for eye-hand coordination in work and play, the capacity to think clearly, to remember, to reason, to organize thoughts, the capacity to resist disease and to recover from injury, the capacity for balanced emotional response, for humor, for love. These are but a few examples of the many potentials and capacities inherent within the individual.

What does chiropractic and the bones of the spine have to do with expressing potential?
The bones of the spine house and protect the spinal cord, which is the brain's control pathway to organs, glands and other body parts. It has been shown that a loss of normal relationship between spinal bones, called a vertebral subluxation, interferes with normal nerve impulses to and from the brain, and thereby disrupts the harmonious interaction of body parts. Because all of the glands and organs manufacture body chemicals, this interference disturbs the delicate balance of body chemistry. This disturbance in the balance of body chemistry affects every physical, mental and emotional aspect of life, thus interfering with the ability of your body to completely express its full potential in all areas of life.

Can changes in body chemistry, caused by vertebral subluxations, affect such mental factors as mood, memory or creative ability?
Yes. We have only to think of the physical, emotional and mental changes that can result from alcohol, drugs, medicines and life changes to realize how important body chemistry is to ALL functions. When body chemistry is disturbed either by adding chemicals from the outside, or by changing what the body manufactures from the inside, the result always affects every aspect of life.

How do you know if you have a vertebral subluxation?
Unfortunately, most of the time you don't. It is true that some vertebral subluxations may be accompanied by pain and/or muscle spasms, but most are not. The only way to be absolutely sure is to have your spine checked by the trained hands of a chiropractor.

How do you identify these vertebral subluxations?
In our office, identification of vertebral subluxation is done mostly by hands. It is based upon the fact that the body always uses its spinal muscles to try to correct any and all vertebral subluxations. After much training and sensitizing of our fingertips, we identify exactly what the body is trying to do with any spinal bone. If the body is trying unsuccessfully to move a bone, we implicitly trust the body's innate wisdom to know what it is doing, and we offer a little extra thrust for the body to complete the job. When the balance of spinal muscles indicates that the body is content with the position of all spinal bones, we are also satisfied, and nothing further is done.

Our office also utilizes the most recent technological advancements in the chiropractic industry (i.e. the static, surface electromyography) to assist in documentation and identification of vertebral subluxations.

How does a chiropractor correct these vertebral subluxations?
Where there are muscle fibers working to correct a vertebral subluxation, we apply a very gentle and specific force so that your body may adapt accordingly. If after this application of force your body is no longer working for change, our job is completed.

What particular physical, mental or emotional conditions respond to chiropractic?
As offered at Well Balanced Chiropractic, chiropractic is NOT a treatment for any condition or an attempt to cure any disease. It is true, of course, that one of the potentials which could be reduced by vertebral subluxation is the body's potential for health. A body which has vertebral subluxations could never be as healthy as it could under the same circumstances without the subluxations. Whatever potential one has for resisting disease or recovering from disease will be better expressed without vertebral subluxations. However, it is important to realize that ALL people are better off without vertebral subluxations under ALL circumstances, without regard to whether they are sick or well. If you want to know the best treatment for any disease condition, ask your medical doctor, not a chiropractor. If you want to stay free of subluxations just because that's the best way to be all that you could be, see your chiropractor regularly.

What causes vertebral subluxations?
Almost any fall or accident could cause a subluxation, so could poor posture and other physical stresses, such as repetitive motions, birth trauma and improper sleeping. Chemical stresses including smoking, alcohol abuse, not drinking enough water, improper diet, or the overuse of drugs or medications can cause vertebral subluxations. And lastly, emotional stresses such as financial burden, loss of a loved one, and divorce are amongst the thousands of other things that will cause a subluxation. In fact, almost everyone gets subluxations at some time or another, often in childhood. Unless these subluxations are corrected, we spend our entire life being less than we could be. Having your spine checked regularly for vertebral subluxations is a major factor in maintaining optimal body function and maximizing your performance in all areas of your life at all times.

Is it OK to see a chiropractor if I'm pregnant?
Pregnant women frequently get amazing results from chiropractic. Chiropractors are trained in special techniques for adjusting pregnant women. Because of the inability to take medication for pain, the natural approaches of chiropractic are the logical choice for pregnant women. More and more, obstetricians are referring to chiropractors due to the effectiveness of spinal adjustments for pain relief.

If I crack my own neck or back, am I giving myself an adjustment?
People often equate the popping of one's neck or back with an adjustment. This is a common mistake. If a person feels the need to "crack" their own back or neck, this usually indicates that they have other areas of their spine that are misaligned which causes spinal tension. When a person "pops or cracks" their back or neck, they are moving the vertebrae that are already moving too much! You cannot adjust yourself.

If you aren't satisfied with your current level of performance or if you think you see room for improvement in your life, then you owe it to yourself to have your spine checked and see what life is really like when you're running on all cylinders.