What is Chiropractic

What is Chiropractic Therapy?

Chiropractic is a drug-free, surgery-free, healthcare practice that utilizes natural therapies to alleviate acute pain and problems created through misalignments, or vertebral subluxations, within the neck and spine. It is currently the second largest healthcare system in the United States and a leader in the alternative health movement.

Chiropractic is based upon the philosophy that the body has the ability to heal itself naturally through unrestricted communication between the brain, the spinal cord and nervous system, and all areas of the body. When the flow of this crucial communication is blocked, the body cannot work in balance and symptoms of pain, distress and "dis-ease" are created. Complaints most commonly addressed through chiropractic care include, but are not limited to, back pain, neck pain, painful joints, whiplash, pinched nerves and headaches.

Practitioners use a holistic approach to wellness, seeking first to analyze the cause of the ailment and identify appropriate lifestyle changes to prevent recurrence. Patients undergo thorough examination and testing to identify the most effective plan of treatment. The Doctor of Chiropractic is trained to take care of many types of injuries and to correct spinal misalignments and bring welcome relief and healing to the injured area.

Does Chiropractic Treatment Hurt?

The doctor uses very little force in making an adjustment. So, there is very little, if any, discomfort from a chiropractic adjustment. In fact, most patients find it relaxing.

How Long Until I Recover From My Injury?

The answer varies with the circumstances of your individual case. Recovery time depends on your injury or ailment. Generally, patients experience the following:

• 35% of patients feel better within one week
• 35% within two weeks
• 20% within one month
• 10% varies

Remember, feeling better doesn't always mean all problems have been corrected. It is best to continue your adjustments until the doctor dismisses your case. Rest assured that Dr. McCullough will not accept your case unless he feels there is good chance of helping you. And, he will NEVER recommend dangerous drugs or useless surgery.

What Should I Expect After My First Adjustment?

Once your chiropractor has begun adjustment of your spine, it is important to follow through with your entire treatment plan. Regular adjustments help maintain your spinal vertebrae's proper position and promote healing of the injured area. Irregular adjustments often hinder proper and speedy healing. The recommended number and frequency of adjustments are essential if you are to regain full health.

How Can Chiropractic Help With Sports Injuries?

From aerobics to wrestling, sports and exercise activity jars the body and can misalign the spine and supporting structures. If spinal alignment is compromised, so is the performance of the body: range of motion, balance and endurance can all suffer.

To help get you back in peak form, Chiropractors use gentle manipulations to restore spinal alignment and physical medicine modalities to help the supportive tissues heal. This combination gives the body the best opportunity to return to structural balance, restore proper function and get you back to your chosen field of play as quickly as possible.