Because we love to keep our patients informed, we’ve created this easy to access area where you can learn more about all of the important factors involved in choosing the right Chiropractor! Simple click on the “+” symbol next to what you would like to learn more about, and more information will drop down…
Manual manipulation of the spine being conducted by healers and physicians dates back to ancient Greek and Chinese history. Many ailments, not just those related to the spine, were believed to be cured by these manual manipulations.
The new age founder of chiropractic Daniel David Palmer brought back the manual manipulation attention that was lost to history. In 1895, D.D. Palmer performed a spinal adjustment on Harvey Lillard who was a partially deaf man. Hearing improvement was noticed. Since the spine has the ability to interfere with or press on many different nerves, D.D. Palmer believed that spinal manipulations/adjustments could cure a number of pains and ailments.
A few years later, D.D. Palmer opened the Palmer School of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, which has been educating doctors of chiropractic until today. Over time, the fundamental ideas of chiropractic has been honored more by some chiropractors than others, but great physiotherapeutic advances in musculoskeletal care has been made as more and more chiropractors experimented with combined therapies and more and more people have experienced the health benefits that Chiropractic offers.
People generally understand Chiropractic care to be common treatment for back and neck pain. This is just a small part of an entire profession. Chiropractic care can be used to treat any number of ailments, from muscle and joint injuries to osteoarthritis and many others. It even has claims to help asthma, digestion, and bladder function.
The core of Chiropractic care will always be recognized as manipulations or joint mobilizations, but it is a profession that has been and still is evolving with new combination therapies. Different Chiropractors incorporate different combinations of therapies. For some Chiropractors, complete care is just an adjustment/manipulation, while for others combination therapy could involve physiotherapeutic modalities as well as soft tissue (muscle release) therapy. Preventative maintenance care is important to maintaining our body. If patients take an active role in their health, then they can eliminate many issues of pain and other ailments. Active role is not defined as only consulting a licensed chiropractor, but also following instructions, having a healthy diet, and exercising. Your body is a shrine, treating your body well is the best way to stay healthy.
Chiropractic is a holistic approach to therapy and healing. In the pure sense, adjustments, exercises, and a healthy lifestyle promote the self-healing properties of the body. Depending on your problem and the therapeutic equipment that a specific chiropractor may have, the chiropractic care may provide immediate relief or relief after several sessions. In addition, depending on the chiropractor’s certifications and qualifications, complete chiropractic care can address more conditions as the doctor’s treatment toolbox will be greater.
Many current pain management techniques only treat the symptoms of a problem, not the cause. Chiropractic care works to investigate and treat the source of the issue. As a result of this, chiropractic care is effective at preventing future problems of the same sort or similar from arising.
Additionally, Chiropractic care is non-invasive (i.e. there is no surgery and no drugs), so there are fewer risks related to the procedures performed. Chiropractic uses your body’s own natural healing powers to manage pain and other problems. Many patients who visit chiropractors report decreased pain and an increase in general wellness.
Chiropractic is a drugless profession and addresses problems through direct physical, typically hands-on care. In the modern medical world, drugs are administered to treat everything from pain to ailments. Although sometimes necessary, the use of prescription drugs can have undesirable, unknown, or dangerous side effects. These drugs can also put the liver and kidneys through a lot of stress if used for a long time. By treating the origin of an issue, Chiropractic care can eliminate the need for these drugs. Whether the problem originates from restricted joints or the muscles around, chiropractic care can address it to improve range of motion and reduce or eliminate the pain naturally. Also, in considering the history of chiropractic care, since the spine houses the spinal cord and nerve roots, adjustments and release of restrictions may directly affect many of the body’s other systems by assisting with better nerve communication. Essentially, chiropractic can help speed up recovery and prevent a minor injury from getting worse.
Many myths about chiropractic exist and they tend to come from people who are unfamiliar with the concepts and methods of therapy behind chiropractic care.
1. Spinal adjustments are painful
Typically, right after a spinal adjustment, many patients feel immediate relief. Joint restrictions or a misalignment in the spine can cause pain not only in the neck and back, but also in other parts of the body. When the spine is properly aligned or the joint restriction is adjusted, the pain is often immediately relieved. If a joint is restricted, the overlaying muscles may get overworked trying to move the joint and in turn can start to hurt themselves. The problem can also start with the muscle resulting in a joint restriction after.
2. Chiropractors are not real doctors
Like medical practitioner, Chiropractors complete undergraduate studies and then follow that with several years of intense training in their field. As part of the conclusion of the training program, chiropractors must also complete hundreds of hours of clinical practice under a licensed chiropractor where a certain number of patients and treatments must be completed. To become licensed, chiropractors must write several country specific exams and province specific exams prior to registering with their province’s governing Chiropractic board, similar to medical doctors. Chiropractors attend schools which are accredited by the U.S. and Canadian Department of Education.
3. Chiropractic is Costly
Chiropractic is far less expensive when compared with Western medical care. In cases of worker’s safety insurance board claims, chiropractic care can cost half as much as traditional medical care and it treats the source of the problem as well as the pain. This attention to the cause, in the long run helps patients end up needing less chiropractic care than traditional Western medicine. Think of our bodies like machines, and as would be seen with a car for example, a degree of physical care or maintenance care is required for optimal healthy function.
4. You can adjust yourself, so don’t bother visiting a chiropractor
Attempting to adjust your own alignment is not only ineffective, but it can also be quite dangerous. If you’re not familiar with the different muscles, joints and nerves in your spine, you can end up seriously injuring yourself. It’s best to consult a licensed chiropractor for any back or neck pain you experience.
Auto accidents, no matter how small, can cause serious damage to your spine. Even those who do not report injury or pain at the time of the accident can experience pain, joint restriction, or misalignment later on especially due to muscle imbalances and compensating postures over a prolonged period of time. Auto accidents can produce problems that linger for many years.
Chiropractic can correct these joint restrictions or misalignments in the spine, even if a person does not know it is there. First damaged muscles may cause misalignments by avoidance of particular positions. Then the same misalignments could lead to more muscle imbalances and injuries as a result of over working guarding muscles and joints. Some chiropractors address both muscle and joint problems and this can have great long term corrective benefits. If you have recently been in an auto accident, consult a qualified chiropractor whether you are experiencing pain or not.
Whiplash occurs when the head is snapped forward or backward very quickly. This is what usually happens in an auto accident. Even minor fender-benders can cause whiplash. Depending on the type of accident and design of the car, the vehicle may absorb most of the impact. Though, even in a minor accident, however, the people in the vehicle will absorb much of the impact.
There are three main levels of whiplash ranging from no pain but muscle tension to joint restriction, muscle tension, and even nerve interference. A person might not even know they have whiplash. Some people don’t experience pain until as much as a week after their accident. Neck pain, headache, and even pain in the arms and hands can occur depending on how severe the injury is.
One of the most common treatments associated with chiropractic is back pain, especially low back and back of the neck. Many people relieve their back pain by taking pain medication. This can often make the back pain worse as the person may continue aggravating the area leading to greater pain medication prescription and possibly even take the initial pain to a severity requiring surgery. Identifying and treating the cause of the pain is the best way to relieve it. Often times, this is caused by one of two things: the spine isn’t moving correctly, or the discs between the vertebrae have been damaged. Both of these things can be corrected with Chiropractic care.
Typically, in Western medicine, treatment of back pain follows this trend: patient may be told to rest (which can prolong the pain); medicate (which can help you ignore it, thereby making it worse); and perform surgery (a drastic measure). A chiropractor can determine the cause of your back pain, which could be a number of things. Commonly, the cause is joint restrictions or muscle strains that may lead to a misalignment in the spine and muscle imbalances. This can cause the patient to not only have back pain, but can also affect other parts of the body, since the spinal cord is linked to many functions in the body and the patient may compensate for injured areas. A visit to the chiropractor can help relieve the pain in your back in as little as one treatment if minor enough.
Most people experience headaches from time to time. There are many different reasons that people can get headaches. Headaches can happen if you are dehydrated, ill, tense in the neck or upper back muscles, stressed, or your general wellness is decreased. They can also be caused by restricted joints in the spine. Sometimes, headaches can be caused by a problem in the lower spine as the upper spine shifts to compensate, throwing off the balance of the head, and causing frequent headaches. Muscle compensation and imbalances contribute to this as well.
While headaches are common, they are not normal. You don’t have to live with them. Consult a chiropractor and, after an assessment, they can determine the cause of the headaches. If the cause is a joint restriction or misalignment, a simple adjustment could be all that is needed. If the cause is muscular, a chiropractor who practices with various muscle therapies or acupuncture may be able to offer alternative treatment approaches to adjustments.
For those who have experienced a pinched nerve, you know the pain can be excruciating and can also radiate to other places in the body. Large nerves that branch off from the spinal cord go through nerve openings in the spine, as well as between or through muscles. When joint restrictions or misalignments block these nerve openings, the functions of these nerves can be impeded as the brain sends all commands through the spinal cord.
A “pinched nerve” feeling can occur due to one of three things: a compressed lesion, which is the actual pinching of a nerve; a facilitative lesion, which is the stretching, twisting, or chafing of the nerve root; or squeezed within an overactive or tense muscle. The facilitative lesion is more common, and the soft nerve tissue rubbing on the hard bone can be quite painful. Just as common is the muscle nerve entrapment which can mimic various conditions that some medical doctors may misdiagnose.
Adjustments, which are done by a chiropractor after a thorough examination, give your spine the little nudge it needs to put itself back into position. When joint restriction is released or spine alignment is once again correct, the pressure on the pinched nerve will be relieved and the muscles involved may start to relax immediately. In regards to nerve entrapments that take place in muscles, a chiropractor skilled in muscle therapies or acupuncture should be able to relieve the tension on the nerve.
The sciatic nerve is a thick long nerve in the body with several divisions that come off of it into the hip, thigh, and leg. It originates in the spinal cord and runs down through the buttocks and into the legs. Sometimes, a trauma or sudden injury can occur. The trauma may not be severe or even noticeable, but it causes the discs between the vertebrae to bulge. This creates crowding and pressure on the sciatic nerve origins, which then radiates down into the leg. This is one of many ways that the sciatic nerve can be aggravated. Due to the size of the nerve, this is extremely painful and can make walking, sitting, standing, and lying down painful.
A consultation and thorough examination can help a chiropractor determine where the source of the issue is and how to help it.
Scoliosis is the unusual sideways curvature of the spine. This can occur at different degrees, but there are three different kinds of scoliosis: congenital (genetic predisposition from birth), habitual (caused by habits and behavioral routines), and idiopathic (other unknown causes).
Scoliosis can cause pain and discomfort in the spine as well as muscle imbalances that also cause pain and discomfort. In some cases, scoliosis may not be completely reversible, but posture and curvature can be improved through a series of joint adjustments and muscle therapies. If these adjustments are started during childhood, muscles can be trained to support the spine differently.
In between each vertebra is a disc made of cartilage which allows for space between the vertebra where the nerves can exit the spinal column. At times, these discs can become traumatized and “slip,” causing a great deal of pain. The term “slipped disc” conjures an image of a whole disc actually sitting slightly out of its place in between 2 vertebrae. In reality, a slipped disc is actually a bulging, protruding, wedged, or herniated disc.
Slipped discs can occur from improper lifting, bending, turning, etc. Remember, if you are lifting something off the ground, the safest way to do so is to bend at the knees and lift with your legs; never bend at the waist to lift something from the ground.
Chiropractic care, after thorough examination, can help correct the slipped disc or at least many of the symptoms associated with it.
What happens to someone with carpal tunnel syndrome? The wrist houses a kind of “tunnel” through which nerves run up to the hand and fingers. Sometimes, the tunnel can collapse, creating painful pressure on the nerves. This is known as carpal tunnel syndrome. The affected nerves in carpal tunnel may even get impinged higher up in the forearm and a chiropractor, who works with such conditions, can help determine the origin of the syndrome as well.
Depending on the chiropractor, various treatment tools can be used to treat this condition, including mobilizations, acupuncture, and soft tissue therapy. With Traditional Chiropractic theory, adjustments may also help as a slight shift in the spine may cause the other joints in the arms to misalign or influence muscle function via the nerve tracts thus causing the painful collapse of the tunnel. Chiropractic can repair this through a combination of different treatment options.
Despite the name, it is actually the improper repetitive motion that causes the aggravation and can be caused by any similar activity. Both are injuries are related to overuse in improper ways. One is located on the front inner side of the elbow (Golfer’s) and the other is located on the back outer side of the elbow (Tennis). Depending on the Chiropractor and his qualifications as well as his treatment tool options, these conditions can be relieved with complete therapeutic care and proper identification of the cause.
To some degree, everyone has stress in their life. Between careers, families, school, traffic, and everything else we do, we’re bound to get stressed about all that we have going on in our lives. Stress leads to muscle tension, muscle tension leads to joint restrictions, and all together stress leads to pain and discomfort.
Many people tend to carry stress in the muscles surrounding their spines, especially in the neck and upper back regions. Tension in the muscles can cause joint restriction or pull the spine out of alignment and in turn cause more discomfort and compensation pain. As you may have already learned, a joint restriction or misalignment can cause a large variety of problems muscle and nerve problems. If you have a great deal of stress in your life, and are having health issues, go see a chiropractor. A simple adjustment and some muscle therapy or acupuncture may be all you need.
Plantar fasciitis occurs when mild trauma happens in the foot, such as wearing shoes with improper foot support (such as in the arch), standing for long periods of time, obesity, and other causes. The tendons in the heel region are compromised and cause pain.
A person may wonder how could chiropractic care help with plantar fasciitis? Simple, there is the direct approach where a chiropractor with muscle therapy training can help relieve immediate pain as well as instruct on home exercises and even prescribe custom orthotics to address foot mechanics. Another suggested way in which chiropractic can help, is via traditional theory of spinal adjustments. Since the spine houses the spinal cord, part of the central nervous system, many ailments and pains are related to it when restrictions may impede muscle and nerve flow. This is why chiropractic has such a wide range of treatment.
Traditional western medicine will treat the pain with medication to reduce pain and inflammation; they may even suggest surgery or steroid injections. Chiropractic offers a more natural and less invasive range of treatment options. A combination of various therapeutic modalities as well as the right exercises and stretches can work with your body to naturally treat the underlying causes of the pain and inflammation associated with plantar fasciitis.
Chiropractic can be beneficial during all stages of pregnancy, including pre-conception and post conception.
If you’re planning to get pregnant, a pre-conception adjustment to relieve any restricted joints can prepare the spine and relax the muscles for the journey to come. It can keep the spine balanced and ready to carry the weight that it will soon hold.
During pregnancy, there is a great deal of extra pressure on the spine and the muscles surrounding it. There are ways to safely adjust and balance your spine during pregnancy to help your body adjust to the changes that are being made. In addition, muscle tension can be address by a chiropractor skilled in muscle therapies or acupuncture.
Post-pregnancy, there are numerous injuries that tend to take place as the body has gone from a state of carrying and supporting extra weight within the body to a state of lack of sleep, lifting the baby weight that keeps getting heavier, lifting various baby materials (carriage, baggy, etc…), and all this while the hormone to ease delivery of the child is still affecting the ligaments in the body. Numerous muscle and joint injuries take place during this time.
Depending on the skill set and variety of treatment tools of the chiropractor that a person visits, many muscle and joint complaints can be helped prior, during and post pregnancy with conservative, non-invasive, chiropractic care.
Symptoms: the simplest explanation of fibromyalgia is widespread body pain. This can include fatigue, anxiety, depression, trouble concentrating, headaches, morning stiffness, irritable bowel syndrome, tenderness, swelling, painful menstrual cramps, deep muscle aches, and more.
While many people with fibromyalgia feel too fatigued to exercise, it can help. Even starting small will lead to increased energy and decreased pain. Water-based exercises and slower paced movements such as tai-chi have been shown to help, and are also very low-impact.
Chiropractic care can also help. Fibromyalgia affects every part of your body in most cases. The spine also affects every part of your body in some way. Studies have shown that fibromyalgia is related to abnormalities of blood flow to the brain, thereby causing the brain to interpret pain in various places throughout the body. Release of joint restrictions through adjustments and some muscle therapy can relieve tension in and around the spinal cord thus helping the overall pain. Chiropractic care can even help with exercise guidance and direction which can also help. Those suffering from fibromyalgia can find relief with chiropractic care and start to lead normal lives again.
Osteoporosis occurs when the bone density decreases over time. This is not reversible, but the risk associated with its progression is treatable. A chiropractor can help with pain management by introducing resistence exercises that will help strengthen the muscles and stimulate bone strength. Schedule a consultation to see what we can do for you and have your bone density scan results available.
Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage between then bones becomes worn down or wears away completely. This is not reversible, but the pain associated with it is treatable.
A chiropractor can help with pain management by introducing exercises that strengthen the muscles around the joints. This can help support the joint better. A chiropractor can also take pressure off the joint to help relieve pain and if the chiropractor has acupuncture licensing, various points can help various osteoarthritis conditions such as those in the knees. Schedule a consultation to see what we can do for you.
Everyone gets colds, and everyone has days where they feel awful and want to stay home, right? Not necessarily.
Habitually healthy people practice habitually healthy habits, such as:
- Regular exercise
- 30 minutes of physical activity a day is recommended
-Good hygiene-washing your hands after bathroom visits and being careful of touching door handles (avoid when possible, because even if you wash your hands, other people sometimes don’t!)
-Healthy diet-eating a diet rich with lean protein, veggies, fruits, and whole grains can boost your immune system’s ability to fight off infections, both bacterial and viral.
-Regular visits to the chiropractor to help combat spinal joint restrictions and associated muscle tensions, even ones you cannot feel. These can have a negative effect on your body’s immune system as an extra obstacle to daily living. If your spine is relieved of joint restrictions and in perfect alignment, the chances of becoming ill are lessened greatly and the muscles can relax more as well.
Typical Symptoms Include: Pain in the ears (a baby will often tug at the ear when in pain), fever, drainage of thick liquid, trouble sleeping and/or hearing.
Even though ear infections commonly afflict children, adults can get them as well. Regardless, chiropractic care may be an effective treatment for ear infections. Ear infections occur when natural drainage of mucus in the middle ear becomes blocked. When this happens, the middle ear becomes a haven for bacteria and viruses. While antibiotics treat the symptoms of an ear infection, they often leave the cause untouched. Children (and adults) prone to ear infections may need joints released in their spine. This minor adjustment may help prevent further infections from occurring.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can be the result of various physical and chemical imbalances. Symptoms Include: restlessness, inattentiveness, trouble concentrating in school or other controlled environments, inability to control impulsive thoughts or behaviors, easily distracted by noise and activity, inability to be still (always moving hands, arms, feet, legs).
The spine houses many of the body’s major nerves and is therefore in control of a great deal of nerve functions. Nerves travel all over our bodies and affect many different functions, especially (obviously) neurological functions. Since ADHD mainly presents itself as a neurological disorder, it falls within the realm of treatment by a chiropractor. Release of joint restriction through adjustments can help your child and has been shown to improve concentration, impulsiveness, and over activeness.
However, all treatments performed by a chiropractor are best when accompanied by the commitment to a lifestyle change. It is recommended that those suffering from ADHD rely heavily on a diet of naturally grown, organic foods devoid of caffeine, sugar and artificial sweetener. Combining this diet with chiropractic care has been shown to help children who suffer from ADHD.
Typical Symptoms Include: congestion, runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, sneezing.
Allergies affect millions of Americans and Canadians. It’s because your body is having an inappropriate reaction to certain allergens, like animal dander, pollen, and certain foods. That’s why everyone has different reactions to certain common allergens.
Rather than treating your symptoms of allergies, in traditional chiropractic theory, chiropractic treats the cause: that your body perceives these allergens as threat. Your immune system (which is responsible for your reaction to certain allergens) is directly tied to your nervous system. The spinal column is responsible for much of what happens in your nervous system. Correction of joint restrictions and misalignments in your spine may help relieve reactions to certain allergens.
Chiropractic is suggested to help asthma sufferers much in the same way as it is suggested to help those with allergies. An increase in the number of people being diagnosed with asthma can be attributed to the increased pollution in the atmosphere. Furthermore, because houses are now sealed so tightly, an inadequate air filtration system can trap irritants in the air inside a house. Since all people do not suffer from asthma, it can also be attributed to the body’s irregular response to these irritants.
Research had shown a link between the spinal column, the nervous system, and the respiratory system. Due to this relationship, the patients afflicted with asthma receiving chiropractic care have reported an improvement in their breathing.
One of the best ways to take control of your general well-being is to have a healthy diet. As a society, we’re all pretty busy, so sometimes eating out or eating less healthy food can seem faster and cheaper. In both cases, that’s not always true. Making meals in advance and freezing them can cut down on prep time. Planning a week’s worth of meals and buying all of the ingredients at once is always an effective strategy. When you are ready to make Monday’s dinner sometime in between dropping the kids off at soccer practice and your weekly yoga class, you have all your ingredients ready to go.
Make sure your diet is rich in vegetables, fruit, lean protein, and whole grains. If you don’t like the idea of never eating cookies again, that’s ok. Most foods are ok in moderation. Use your best judgment and remember that we only get one body. We need to treat it right.
Dr. Javitz has a huge background in fitness and health training. Being a certified personal trainer since 2002, Dr. Javitz has helped supervise gyms, created and ran an in home personal training business, and worked as a personal trainer in various fitness institutions prior to and even after becoming a chiropractor. Chiropractic has helped him develop his clinical nutrition knowledge even further. If nutrition guidance is required, consider booking an educational Nutritional Tips/Basic Nutrition Consultation session. Let his knowledge strengthen your goals.
Although it is getting more recognition in the media, exercise is still lacking amongst much of the population. Most physicians and medical associations recommend at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. If you are new to exercising, check with a medical professional before beginning any exercise regimen.
Light walking and taking stairs anywhere possible is a good beginner exercise. Anything you can do to get your heart rate going is helpful and will keep you mobile and active for many years to come.
Dr. Javitz has a huge background in fitness training. Being a certified personal trainer since 2002, Dr. Javitz has supervised gyms, created and ran an in home personal training business, and worked as a personal trainer in various fitness institutions. Chiropractic has helped him develop his rehabilitative exercise skills even further and has also helped him improve his training to better protect joints while helping clients reach their health and fitness goals. If fitness guidance is required, consider booking an Active Care Exercise (ACE)/Fitness and Health Training session. Let his expertise strengthen your goals and make it easier to stay focused.
If you experience a limited range of motion, Dr. Javitz can recommend a variety of stretches that will help you regain your mobility.
Training Packages Can be viewed by clicking here.
