Frequently Asked Questions about Chiropractics

“I’m getting a massage, why do I also need chiropractic treatment?”
It is true that massage provides comfort and relief for sore muscles secondary to injuries. Muscles, which remain sore for months after an injury, are sore because of re-injury of recovering muscles or nerve irritation from spinal joints, which are dysfunctional. The dysfunctional (subluxated) joints irritate nerves, which in turn stimulate acute or chronic muscle hypertonicity (excessive tightness). Spinal adjustments along with exercises and stretches are aimed at restoring normal motion of those spinal joints. If allowed to heal without attaining full motion through spinal adjustments, the joints are likely to stabilize with scar tissue in aberrant, restricted motion. This will leave the patient with an unnecessarily damaged spine and chronic hypertonic musculature.

If a patient’s shoulder were restricted to half of its range of motion and constant movement of the shoulder was causing muscle pain, simply massaging the muscles for comfort without addressing the lost range of motion would be a similar disservice to the patient.

Spinal adjustments are a critical aspect of treating any injury to the spine.

“Do I need Physical Therapy or do I need a Chiropractor???”
Short answer is you may need both, but many people are unaware that Chiropractors in Oregon are licensed to perform Physical Therapy. Chiropractors should always be your first choice when an injury of the spine has occurred. No other profession is trained to treat spinal injuries to the extent that Chiropractors are. Chiropractic Physicians are indeed more than “back” doctors, but the neck and back are where the bulk of our training, experience and expertise lies. A Chiropractic physician will decide upon examination or during the treatment process of whether a Physical Therapist may be helpful in assisting in ones healing process.

“Can I get an adjustment from my DO, ND, Acupuncturist or PT?”
First off a PT does not have this under their scope of practice in Oregon and should not be performing this on you. You will not get an adjustment from any of these other professions. What you will get is a manipulation or joint mobilization which is somewhat different. These other professions do not utilize this treatment on a daily basis and are not as experienced in the delivery of it. However, this is exactly what Chiropractors do every single day. If you need medication or a cast go to your DO. If you need natural ways in which to deal with health conditions go to your ND. If you need acupuncture go to your acupuncturist. If you need an Adjustment go to the Chiropractor. This will insure that you are treated to the highest standards. Why receive a bad adjustment?

“I’m afraid of Chiropractors; do I really need to go?”
This is a common question/concern. One must really ask themselves exactly what they are afraid of and why. Chiropractic has been helping people for over 100 years. Unfortunately during that time the Chiropractic profession has been vilified in the press and by the medical community. These negative feelings have since decline exponentially while the benefits of chiropractic care have been displayed. Sadly, however, many people’s perception of the profession remains tainted. I’d ask you to consider something. Look at the elite athletes in the world: Olympians, Professional football, baseball etc. etc. and what you will find is that most if not all of these organizations have at least one chiropractor on staff to treat their athletes. The reason is that Chiropractic care allows these athletes the ability to function at their highest level and that chiropractic allows them the ability to get through injuries faster. If it’s good enough for them, chances are its good enough for you. Hey, I don’t like having my teeth cleaned, but I realize it’s got to be done. Chiropractic is certainly more pleasant than that.

Dr. Joe