FAQs

Your nervous system controls all living cells, tissues, and organs. The spinal column encases and protects the spinal cord and the nerve roots, which is the way your nervous system does its work. So, anything that irritates the spinal column, including injury or wear and tear, has the potential to irritate the nervous system. Irritation of the nervous system leads to problems with the cells, tissues, and organs that it controls.

Chiropractors locate and treat the sources of the irritation, such as nerve impingement or misalignment of the vertebrae. They treat the spine and the joints of the arms and legs to make sure everything moves in the way it should. Chiropractors also use techniques such as massage, nutritional counseling, exercise, and lifestyle modification programs. Chiropractors are more likely to approach health complaints holistically in order to promote long-term benefits to the patient.

Usually, one thinks of lower back pain or spinal stenosis when thinking of chiropractic. But it also helps with things like migraine headaches, neck and shoulder pain, ligament damage, knee injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and infantile colic.

Spinal discs are not simply stacked bone segments. They are fluid cushions that act as shock absorbers between the bones of the spine. The discs allow for pain-free movement and keep the vertebrae from grinding against each other. They work perfectly when the spine is correctly aligned.

When the spine gets misaligned because of stress, accident, or dislocation, the disc may "bulge" out between the vertebrae and lose its fluid. Eventually, the vertebrae rub against each other. This causes severe pain. Traditional treatment often involves surgery and pain-killing drugs.

Chiropractors work to gently realign the spine so that the discs no longer "bulge." This prevents further disc deterioration and provides the needed cushion between the vertebrae, thus alleviating the pain.

Chiropractic adjustments can be very gentle. After the treatment, you may feel like you have had a good, solid workout at the gym. You may feel a bit of discomfort during the actual adjustment, but it usually lasts only seconds. You may hear some "popping" sounds, which come from the bones getting back into line. It is the same thing as "popping" your fingers.

Chiropractic practice is extremely safe. Chiropractic practitioners have a lot of training and experience to put just the right amount of pressure on your bones and joints and bring you back into alignment. And when you compare chiropractic with the number of mistakes in traditional medicine, chiropractic care shows up as very safe indeed. Some have estimated the risks as one million to one.

Before entering into a chiropractic college, one must complete a minimum of 2 years of undergraduate study, and many colleges require a four-year undergraduate science degree. Training in chiropractic care involves extensive study of neuromusculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment. The course of study focuses on three areas:

1. Basic training in biological and health sciences.

2. Specialized training in chiropractic theory, practice, technique, diagnosis, and application.

3. Extensive clinical and practice training with patients.

Dr. Bearden is a board-certified chiropractic physician. He is a certified spinal decompression rehabilitation expert. He received a master's certification in spinal biomedical trauma. He was trained at Texas A & M in the area of accident reconstruction forensics.

Your doctor will take a complete medical history and ask you questions regarding the complaint that brought you into chiropractic care in the first place. Where does it hurt? When did it start? Additionally, your doctor will want to know about your family history, your diet, exercise history, previous injuries, and other care you might have received. Gathering this information will help your doctor make a diagnosis.

A physical examination will be performed, and your doctor may order tests such as x-rays, laboratory analysis, and other tests that are deemed necessary.

The chiropractic "adjustments" are short, gentle thrusts delivered to specific locations on your spine or other joints. These adjustments may correct misalignments, increase joint mobility, and relieve pressure on sensitive, irritated tissues and nerves.

Additionally, you may receive physiotherapy to the affected soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, and/or tendons) to help with pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms.

Most insurance plans cover chiropractic to a degree. And most chiropractors are able to work out payment plans. Please get in touch with the office if you have concerns about affordability. Chiropractors care about your health and will work with you to make sure you get the care you need.

Chiropractors are generally specialists of the spine but can treat any alignment problem from feet and ankles to chest and shoulders and wrists and hands as well. Many ailments are related in some way to a spinal problem.

Many people come to a chiropractor for a single specific ailment. You may decide that once your pain goes away, you have completed treatment. However, for permanent relief, it may take more time and commitment on your part, depending on the severity of your pain. You are in complete control of how long your treatment lasts. Your chiropractor will give you as much information as you need to make an informed decision about how long and to what extent you will benefit from chiropractic care.