Frequently asked questions
What is the vertebral subluxation complex (vertebral displacement)?
What training does a chiropractor receive?
What is an adjustment (similar to manipulation)?
Why do children need chiropractic care?
How long do I need chiropractic care?
Chiropractic treatment is reimbursed?
What is the difference between chiropractic, manual therapy and physiotherapy?
A referral from the general practitioner is required?
Can I also be treated if I am pregnant?
It makes sense to have the spine checked to prevent complaints?
How many treatments do you need?
Can I just do everything and exercise after a treatment?
WHAT IS THE VERTEBRAL SUBLUXATION COMPLEX (VERTEBRAL DISPLACEMENT)?
This is a very common condition. Chiropractors call this the vertebral subluxation complex or simply simply a subluxation. The chiropractic approach to achieving better health is to help normalize spinal structure and function, improve the integrity of the nervous system and allow your body to heal itself naturally.
The degeneration process of the discs or joints can take place anywhere in the spine or any other joint of the body. In fact, we call this subluxation degeneration because the cause of the subluxation complex is in the intervertebral disc, elsewhere in the body we would call this process osteoarthrosis, which means as much as bone and arthritis and which is an inflammation of a joint.
“If there is a trauma or injury to the spine, stage one of degeneration is usually thought of as a loss or a change in the curve or a reduced range of motion. Apparently, the body sees this malfunctioning joint as a ‘weak link’ and begins depositing calcium on the adjacent joint surfaces, it is too early to see this, but the process has already begun.
“With the passage of time and neglecting this problem in phase two, the calcium deposits can be clearly recognized as bone spurs. You can have this problem with no obvious symptoms. At this stage, chiropractic can slow this process down or prevent it from getting worse and other areas of the spine that need to compensate because of this problem.
“Over time and without adequate care, eventually the heel spur and the abnormal bony growths will practically fuse these two bones into a solid block of minerals entering the spine; this is phase three.
“At this stage, there is not much we can do, other than to keep the other areas of the spine as healthy as possible. The most important thing to know is that this degeneration process is the result of misalignment, trauma or injury. It can get worse over time and may be present with no obvious symptoms. ”
WHAT IS A PINCHED NERVE?
Many patients consult a chiropractor because they think they have a pinched nerve. Due to the way the spine is designed, an abnormal spinal function results from a physical trauma, emotional stress or chemical toxins affecting the delicate tissues of the spinal cord and nerve roots. Although the pinched nerve (compressive lesion) is often associated with the spine, it is actually rare. Research suggests that only 10% to 15% of the spine-related problems are caused by direct pressure from the bone to the nerve tissue. This can lead to numbness, a burning sensation or a stinging sensation. It is much more common for nerves to be irritated (facilitating lesion). This is caused by friction or scraping over the nerve tissue, stretching due to curvature of the spine or irritation of malfunctioning vertebrae.
HOW DOES CHIROPRACTIC WORK?
Chiropractic works by restoring your own innate ability to be healthy. In a properly functioning nervous system, all cells, tissues and organs of your body are able to withstand disease and poor health. The chiropractic approach to achieving better health is to detect and remove interferences in your natural health. Common nervous system interferences are malfunction of the 24 moving bones of the spine. A loss of normal movement or a position of these bones can irritate or affect the function of the nervous system. This can interfere with the signals from the nerve impulses that drive the body. Improved spine function is often associated with better nervous system function. Your chiropractor can help you get rid of interferences that are detrimental to your overall health. Since the care you receive mainly consists of improving the functioning of the nervous system, chiropractic can have a positive effect on many physical conditions that are not normally considered “back” problems. Today’s chiropractor looks at the underlying involvement of the nervous system that can be the cause of many health problems.
WHAT DOES A CHIROPRACTOR DO?
Chiropractors help restore spinal biomechanics of the spine and improve nervous system function beginning with an anamnesis. This gives the chiropractor an idea about your health such as operations, accidents, the origin of your complaints and other data that are relevant to your current health. After going through the anamnesis and discussing your specific problem, a thorough orthopedic, neurological and chiropractic examination will be performed. X-rays can be taken to discover structural and functional problems of the spine. These studies help identify the areas from which the interferences arise and where the nervous system is deficient. The findings of these studies are explained and a plan of chiropractic adjustments can be recommended. Progress is monitored with a periodic review. Since the word “doctor” comes from the Latin word “teacher”, regardless of your specific treatment, he or she has a strong commitment to complaint-related information to the patient.
WHAT TRAINING DOES A CHIROPRACTOR RECEIVE?
Today’s chiropractor is well trained. The science of chiropractic requires a special emphasis on anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, biomechanics and x-rays, spinal adjustments and related topics. This demanding curriculum prepares the chiropractor to locate and correct the intervertebral disc subluxation complex and to help correct nervous system dysfunction. In order to graduate with a degree in chiropractic, each candidate must pass the demanding National Board Examination. After that, a chiropractor can sign up with a government or professional licensing agency and pass an even more difficult test. Only then does the chiropractor have the privilege to practice his practice. The training of a chiropractor never ends. Chiropractors take postgraduate courses to renew licenses and keep up to date with the latest scientific research. After undergraduate studies, a chiropractor has taken an additional four-year curriculum of more than 4,500 college hours in health sciences today.
WHAT IS AN ADJUSTMENT (SIMILAR TO MANIPULATION)?
Chiropractic adjustment is the art of using a specific force in a precise direction applied to a joint that is fixed, “locked”, or unable to move properly. This provides movement to the joint to help the bones gradually return to a more normal position and movement. The aim of this safe and natural method is to improve the functioning of the spine, nervous system and health. There are many ways to adjust the spine. Usually this is done with the hands of the chiropractor or with a specially designed instrument to deliver a short and very accurate impulse. Some methods are quick to apply while others require slow and constant pressure. After years of training and clinical experience, each chiropractor becomes highly adept at applying a variety of adjustments. There are hundreds of ways to adjust the spine.
IS CHIROPRACTIC CARE SAFE?
According to the New Zealand government, chiropractic care is “remarkably safe.” The chiropractic is known for its excellent safety. It is the result of a cautious approach to health that avoids invasive procedures or addictive drugs. A thorough history and examination help to uncover the areas of the spine affected by interference from the nervous system. This information will be used to determine the best care for each patient. Chiropractic care is a natural approach that has been proven to be safe and effective for better health. Chiropractic care is safer than back surgery, the use of muscle relaxants or even regular aspirin!
WHY DO CHILDREN NEED CHIROPRACTIC CARE?
Damage can already start at birth. Detecting spinal problems at an early age can help prevent problems in adults. By the time some adults see a doctor or a chiropractor, spinal damage has been going on for years. This makes it difficult to get the immediate results that most patients want. Many of the problems in adults begin at birth.
LIFESTYLES TODAY CAN MAKE A LOT OF ADVANTAGE OF CHIROPRACTIC CARE.
Even so-called “normal” births can cause invisible damage to the structure and function of a newborn’s young spine. Muscles that support the spine adapt and incorrectly support the spine. If after years of neglect something happens that exceeds the body’s adaptability, clear symptoms can develop. While your health complaint may seem new, the underlying problem may have been present for years. One of the main goals of your chiropractor is to restore the reduced nervous system through the normal movement or position of the individual vertebrae. Children usually respond quickly to this. Still, long-standing spine problems in adults can be difficult to fully correct and may require regular chiropractic care for months or even years. The underlying muscles and soft tissue damage may require ongoing care even long after symptoms have disappeared. Skipping appointments or canceling care prematurely can lead to a relapse. That’s why many patients choose to visit the chiropractor regularly to maintain their progress. How long you want to benefit from chiropractic care is your decision. The sooner you start chiropractic care, the sooner a spinal defect can be detected, reduced and problems avoided in the future. Start today!
Many spine problems in adults started with traumatic births and were neglected until there were obvious symptoms. Through repeated chiropractic adjustments, the slow process of adjusting the support muscles to your spine begins. For optimal results, you should start with a thorough chiropractic examination. Those with an active lifestyle often benefit from regular chiropractic care.
Spinal trauma can occur at birth, many parents have their newborn checked for intervertebral disc subluxation complex. Later, learning to walk, learning to cycle, and other youth activities can lead to spinal problems. While a bandage and some comforting words can remedy a scraped knee, invisible damage to the child’s spine is the unique domain of a chiropractor.
Many of the health complaints of children sheared as “growing pains” can often be traced back to the spine. A regular visit to the chiropractor can help identify these problems and prevent the symptoms you see in adults. Naturally, the chiropractic adjustment procedures for a child to treat the spine have been adapted. Most parents report that their children benefit from chiropractic corrections and appear healthier than other children. Chiropractic has been shown to help with scoliosis and many other so-called “normal” childhood health problems.
HOW LONG DO I NEED CHIROPRACTIC CARE?
Spine problems that have been neglected since early childhood may require ongoing supportive care for optimal spine function. These long-lasting problems are often accompanied by muscle weakness, damage to the soft tissues, and degenerative changes to the spine. Most patients find that the periodic checkups at the chiropractor help keep them in top shape. People who are active, have jobs that are stressful or want to stay in good shape find preventive visits very useful for maintaining good health. Some patients only seek help from a chiropractor when their pain becomes excruciating. While this “crisis management” style is usually costly and time consuming, our practice is always ready to help all patients, regardless of their health goals. How long you want to benefit from chiropractic care is of course always up to you. Periodic chiropractic checks, like brushing and flossing, getting regular exercise and eating healthy foods, are part of a healthy lifestyle. Ask your chiropractor, because we are happy to inform the patient.
Chiropractic treatments are useful for: headache, migraine, neck pain, back pain, sports injuries, asthma, ADHD, autism, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, arthritis, hernia, fibromyalgia, Forward Head Posture, Parkinson’s, scoliosis, tennis elbow, knee pain Frozen Schoulder Syndrome, stress, pregnancy and back pain, balance problems, sciatica, numbness in children or pain in the arm, leg, hand, foot, shoulder and hip
CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT IS REIMBURSED?
Almost all health insurers have included chiropractic in their (additional) package. However, the amount of the fees varies widely. Ask your health insurer about the conditions or look at our reimbursement overview.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHIROPRACTIC, MANUAL THERAPY AND PHYSIOTHERAPY?
A frequently asked question with a brief explanation. A physiotherapist works on the muscles, a manual therapist on the vertebrae, and a chiropractor on the joints and vertebrae, muscles and nervous system. A chiropractor is not a squatter, but a specialist in the field of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. A chiropractor can and can diagnose himself. He is trained to take and assess X-rays himself. Chiropractors have a 6 year university degree. A manual therapist has completed a four-year higher vocational training as a physiotherapist and then a part-time study as a manual therapist. The chiropractor uses quick, short corrections and various other techniques in the treatment. A chiropractor will look at the entire body with each complaint and not just treat the area of pain. The manual therapist uses pressure corrections and also physiotherapeutic treatment methods
A REFERRAL FROM THE GENERAL PRACTITIONER IS REQUIRED?
A referral from the general practitioner is not necessary. More and more GPs are referring to the chiropractor.
CAN I ALSO BE TREATED IF I AM PREGNANT?
Yes, from the first to the last day of pregnancy.
Chiropractors can relieve you of unnecessary pain through specific treatment techniques. Treating pregnant women and babies is a specialization within the Chiropracti
IT MAKES SENSE TO HAVE THE SPINE CHECKED TO PREVENT COMPLAINTS?
Yes. In most cases, problems build up slowly. When the body can no longer absorb the problems, complaints arise. It seems as if they are suddenly there, but the body only indicates the limit. Preventive problems can in many cases be detected and repaired in good time, which prevents complaints at a later stage. Prevention is better than cure.
IS THE TREATMENT PAINFUL?
No. Spinal corrections are normally not painful.
The treatment can be annoying if the symptoms are very acute. The treatment of the muscles in question can also be tedious. If it is painful, the patient must always report this. The chiropractor may then decide to adjust the treatment
HOW MANY TREATMENTS DO YOU NEED?
The number of treatments required varies per patient and depends on various factors, including age, physical condition, nature of the complaint and duration of the complaint. In general, there must be a clear change within the first five treatments. Then it is re-evaluated how long and how often treatment is needed. As soon as things go better, the treatment frequency will be reduced.
CAN I JUST DO EVERYTHING AND EXERCISE AFTER A TREATMENT?
We recommend taking it easy for about 24 hours after treatment and drinking plenty of water. After all, the body is processing the treatment, which takes a while. Avoid: exercising, bending, twisting and stretching movements (e.g. vacuuming, cleaning windows, sweeping) and carrying heavy groceries. If you have any questions about certain movements, sports, hobbies, etc., you can always go through them with the chiropractor
WHAT DOES CHIROPRACTIC MEAN?
The word is derived from the Greek words cheir and prâssein, which mean hand and practice, respectively. In other words, chiropractic means performing by hand.
WHAT CAUSES THE “CREAKING” SOUND DURING CORRECTION?
The “cracking” sound is caused by a pressure difference in the synovial fluid when a joint is set in motion. There is an underpressure in the joint. Sometimes this also happens spontaneously, for example in the knee joint or in the feet. The same effect occurs when a cork is pulled from a champagne bottle.
WHAT DOES THE ABBREVIATION D.C. STAND FOR?
It stands for Doctor of Chiropractic. You will only receive this title after completing the six-year academic course in chiropractic.
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