»  FAQ

Here we try to answer some of the more common questions that people have about chiropractic: from what it is to how it works. If you don't find the answer you are looking for, check out our Myths page, and if that one particular question and answer is still evading you, try Asking the Doctor!

• Do I have a Pinched Nerve?
• Do I have a Slipped Disc?
• What is Chiropractic?
• How does chiropractic work?
• What do Chiropractic Doctors do?
• What type of education do Chiropractic Doctors get?
• What is an Adjustment?
• Are all patients adjusted the same way?
• Why does chiropractic work?
• What are the benefits of chiropractic care?
• What is pain, really?

 

 

 

 

 

Do I have a Pinched Nerve?

Many patients consult a chiropractic doctor because they think they have a pinched nerve. Because of the way your spine is designed, abnormal spinal function caused from physical trauma, emotional tensions, or chemical toxins can affect the delicate tissues of the spinal cord and nerve roots. While commonly associated with the spine, the pinched nerve (compressive lesion) is actually rare. Researchers suggest that only 10 to 15 percent of spine related problems are caused by direct pressure of bone on nerve tissue! This can result in numbness, burning, or a "pins and needles" feeling. The most tell-tale sign of a true pinched nerve is increasing weakness of the affected muscles. More frequently, nerves are irritated (facilitative lesion). This is caused when nerve tissue is rubbed, scraped, or stretched by a loss of spinal curve or irritated by malfunctioning spinal joints.

 

Do I have a Slipped Disc?

Technically, a disc can't "slip." The intervertebral disc is a pad of cartilage-type material situated between spinal bones. Each disc serves as a connector, spacer, and shock absorber for the spine. A soft, jellylike center is contained by outer layers of fibrous tissue. Healthy discs help allow normal turning and bending. Because of the way each disc is attached to the vertebrae above and below it, a disc cannot "slip". Most commonly, a disc can be sprained, since it is a ligament, and cause similar pain to herniations. However, trauma or injury to the spine can also cause discs to tear, bulge, herniate - or worse - rupture. This can be quite painful, as the soft center of the disc leaks, putting pressure on the adjacent nerve roots and spinal cord. Herniations and ruptures are rarely spontaneous events; they are normally associated with long-standing abuse and repetitive injury. While results cannot be guaranteed, many patients have avoided needless surgery or a dependency on pain pills by choosing chiropractic care for their disc-related health problem. Our new decompression therapy directly works on the discs and is very effective in relieving pain from discs. Adding our new laser therapy treatment is a powerful weapon in fighting this type of pain.

 

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism. These important functions are controlled by the brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves of the body. The skull protects the delicate tissues of the brain. The moving bones of the spine protect the vulnerable communication pathways of the spinal cord and nerve roots. If the nervous system is impaired, it can cause malfunction of the tissues and organs throughout the body. Doctors call this the Vertebral Subluxation Complex. Vertebral, meaning the bones of the spine, Subluxation, meaning less than a total dislocation, and Complex, meaning consisting of more than one part. Chiropractic is the science of locating offending spinal structures, the art of reducing their impact to the nervous system, and the philosophy of all things natural.

 

How does chiropractic work?

Chiropractic works by restoring your own inborn ability to be healthy. When under the proper control of your nervous system, all the cells, tissues, and organs of your body are designed to resist disease and ill health. The chiropractic approach to better health is to locate and help remove interferences to your natural state of being healthy. A common interference to the nervous system is the 24 moving bones of the spinal column. A loss of normal motion or position of these bones can irritate or impair the function of the nervous system. This can disrupt the transmission of controlling nerve impulses. With improved spinal function there is often improved nervous system function. Your chiropractic doctor can help remove interferences that may be impairing normal health. Since the primary focus of your care is improved nervous system function, chiropractic can have a positive effect on many health conditions not normally thought of as "back" problems.

In todays' world, when dealing with acute and chronic spinal pain, all avenues of treatment should be explored. In our office, we employ the most effective treatment for your particular condition, whether this includes spinal manipulation, active therapeutic motions, decompression therapy, or laser therapy.

 

What do Chiropractic Doctors do?

Helping to restore proper spinal biomechanics and improved nervous system function begins with a case history. This gives the doctor a background about your health, such as surgeries, accidents, the onset of your condition, and other details affecting your current health. After reviewing your history and discussing your specific problem, a thorough orthopedic, neurological, and chiropractic examination is performed. X-rays may be taken to uncover structural and functional problems associated with the spinal column. These examinations help identify areas of spinal malfunction and resulting nervous system deficit. The findings of these examinations are explained and a plan of chiropractic adjustments may be recommended. Progress is monitored with period examinations and follow-up reports. Since the word "doctor" comes from the Latin word meaning teacher, regardless of the doctor's unique clinical approach, he or she has a strong commitment to patient education.

 

What type of education do Chiropractic Doctors get?

Today's Doctor of Chiropractic is well educated. The science of chiropractic requires a special emphasis on anatomythe study of the human body; more specifically, the skeleton, physiologythe branch of biology dealing with the functions and activities of living organisms and their parts, including all physical and chemical processes, pathologythe scientific study of the nature of disease and its causes, processes, development, and consequences, neurologythe science of the nerves and the nervous system, especially of the diseases affecting them, biomechanicsthe study of the action of external and internal forces on the living body, especially on the skeletal system, X-ray, spinal adjusting techniques, and related subjects. This demanding curriculum prepares chiropractic doctors to locate the Vertebral Subluxation Complex and help correct the resulting nervous system dysfunction. To graduate with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, each candidate passes the demanding National Board Examination. Then, doctors apply to a governmental or professional licensing board and pass another state examination before being granted the privilege to practice. A chiropractic education never ends. In Pennsylvania, a chiropractor must take 24 credits of continuing education biannually.

 

What is an Adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment is the art of using a specific force in precise direction, applied to a joint that is fixated, "locked up", or not moving properly. This adds motion to the joint, helping the bones gradually return to a more normal position and motion. The purpose of this safe and natural procedure is improved spinal function, improved nervous system function, and improved health. There are many ways to adjust the spine. Usually the doctor's hands or a specially designed instrument delivers a brief and highly-accurate thrust. Some adjusting methods are quick, whereas others require a slow and constant pressure. Since beginning in 1992, Dr. Erdman is highly skilled in the delivery of many effective adjusting procedures.

 

Are all patients adjusted the same way?

The doctor evaluates each patient's unique spinal problem and develops an individual plan of care. The resulting recommendations are based upon years of training and experience. Some patients, who complain of lower back pain, may actually have a neck problem that is causing a compensation reaction at the base of the spine. Other patients may be experiencing numbness and tingling in their fingers, when the actual problem is in the neck. Every patient presents a uniquely different spinal pattern. Patients notice that their chiropractic care is delivered with confidence and precision. Each visit builds on the one before. And while visits may seem similar, each patient's care is uniquely different from every other patient.

 

Why does chiropractic work?

Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that the nervous system controls the function of every cell in the human body. The 24 moveable bones that make up the spinal column house and protect the delicate nervous system. Falls, injuries, bad posture, or even the birthing process can cause the bones to lose their normal movement, which interferes with proper nerve function. This can result in a variety of health complaints. Chiropractic helps restore normal spinal function, which reduces interference, allowing the body to heal itself. Chiropractic adjustments help to assist your natural healing process.

 

What are the benefits of chiropractic care?

Many common conditions have been known to improve with chiropractic care, including:

• Auto Injury / Whiplash
• Headaches
• Muscle Pain
• Work-related Injuries
• Lower Back Strains
• Shoulder Aches
• TMJTemporomandibular Joint Syndrome [click to learn more]
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Shoulder, arm, and hand problems
• Neck and Back Pain
• Sciaticaany painful disorder extending from the hip down the back of the thigh and surrounding area and Leg Pain
• Sports Injuries
• Arthritis
• Asthma

 

What is pain, really?

From The Pettibon System:

"Back Pain - it's annoying, limits our daily lives and keeps us from doing the things we love. Understanding the root cause and how to heal it without costly surgeries can save you from physical & fiscal pain.

Are you seeing all the media and social hype on spinal surgery to relieve back pain? A majority of those who opt for surgery simply trade one pain for another. Sadly if they had understood the root cause, how the body's healing process works and the existance of a non-surgical solution, they could have resolved the issue rather than creating new ones."

To learn more about pain and how to deal with it, visit The Pettibon System.