Chiropractie Natuurlijk

Frequently Asked Questions

Is chiropractic care for everybody?
Yes, 80% of the population experience back or neck disorders during their lives. Mostly when people get older, though these problems occur due to a variety of causes.

Is chiropractic alternative medicine?
Yes and no. Chiropractic has a scientific background and the title Doctor of Chiropractic is a university degree. But the theoretical framework is different from regular western medicine. The chiropractor treats the whole person as opposed to treating parts of the body.

Is chiropractic care safe?
Chiropractic is the safest healing profession. Among all the major health professions, chiropractors have the lowest malpractic insurance as our care is effective and safe. It can help to prevent the need for invasive procedures or surgeries or the use of addictive medications. Chiropractic is safer than Aspirin!

What does the title D.C. mean?
D.C. means Doctor of Chiropractic. A Chiropractor spends an average of 7.5 years in college before receiving this degree. Have a look at how that time is spent in the section Education. Great for those considering a career in Chiropractic.

What is that noise that you hear during an adjustment?
Note, first off, that not all adjusting techniques create a popping or cracking noise. If a "popping" noise is created by a technique, know that it is simply due to shifting of gases in the joint fluid when the joint surfaces are slightly separated. The sound is not due to any bones rubbing or grinding....but merely gas bubbles popping. Note that the sound is irrelevant in that you can be adjusted without hearing the popping and that the popping has nothing to do with whether or not the subluxation (misalignment) was corrected.

If I crack my own neck or back, am I "adjusting myself"?
It is common for people to associate the cracking or popping sound in their backs with a chiropractic adjustment. However, the two are not the same thing. Usually, when a person has the desire to crack his/her own back or neck, this is an indication that an area of the spine is fixated and mis-aligned which then causes other parts of the spine to compensate and move too much....which then causes the crack or pop sound. That fixated, mis-aligned vertebrae must be properly adjusted with specific direction and force by a trained chiropractor. This will then allow the rest of the spine to cease being so movable and noisy. Chiropractors can't even adjust themselves. When you crack your neck or back, your are lessening the tension in the area for a little while, but you aren't giving yourself an adjustment. Eventually, that desire to crack will return as the cause of the problem, the fixated mis-aligned vertebrae, still has not been corrected.

Can you tell if you need chiropractic care on your own?
Generally, no. Subluxations are like cavities in your teeth. You might have one for a long time before experiencing any symptoms. Therefore, a regular spinal checkup is advised, just as you would get a dental checkup.

What is the difference between chiropractic and physical therapy?
The chiropractor is working with the spine and it's misalignments, causing the nerve system to malfunction, wich is the cause of back and neck pain. A physical therapist is working with muscles. They can support each other in treating a patient.

Can chiropractic prevent back surgery?
Yes, in most cases it can.

Can a person who had back surgery get chiropractic care?
Yes. Many previous spinal or disc surgery patients often experience the return of their previous back problems months or years later which is often due to scar tissue formation from the surgery. Such problems occur so often, that there is a special name for it: "Failed Back Surgery Syndrome". Chiropractic may help in prevention of future surgeries.

Can you get addicted to chiropractic care?
No, but it is definitely possible for people to become accustomed to the sense of well-being, balance, decreased stress, and increased energy that results from getting regular chiropractic care. Often, as you become more in tune with your body, you may sometimes even know that you have "lost" your adjustment. If you don't enjoy the benefits, then you may simply stop getting your spine checked and soon those feelings will be gone.

What happens if I stop going?
Simply put, your spine will start to decay as it had been doing before you began chiropractic care. Often people comment that "if you start going you will have to go for the rest of your life". Such comments are like saying "that if you start brushing your teeth then you will have to do it for the rest of your life"! Shouldn't we maintain spinal hygiene for life?

Do I still need chiropractic if I already exercise and get massage?
Chiropractic's focus is on the nervous system and the structure of the spinal column that houses the nervous system. The nervous system controls EVERYTHING in your body, therefore it is of utmost importance that it functions free of interference.

Massage can help to relax muscles and to improve circulation. However, if the nerves are irritated, those muscles will become tight again. Chiropractic goes to the cause (irritated nerves) and not the muscle tightness/spasm that is simply a result of that cause.

Exercise is a necessary part to any wellness program, but it is not a substitute for chiropractic care! Studies show that chiropractic care is the single most important factor in health....even more important than diet, exercise, or even avoiding smoking.

Is chiropractic care cost effective?
In recent years, many studies have shown that for many conditions, the MOST cost-effective treatment that is available is chiropractic. People who use chiropractic care on average spend less money on all healthcare expenses due to the simple fact that they are healthier and thus have less illness and injury. With wellness oriented care on a regular basis, you thus increase your chances of avoiding dangerous, invasive medical and/or hospital care. The Journal of American Health Policy reported in 1992, following a review of data from over 2,000,000 chiropractic care users in the U.S., that "chiropractic users tend to have substantially lower total health care costs" and "chiropractic care reduces the use of both physician and hospital care”.

What does a chiropractor do if he can't help me?
If you have a problem the chiropractor really can't help you with, he or she will refer you to another medical specialst.