1. Q: What causes the sound of an adjustment?

A: Actually, not all adjusting techniques produce the sound associated with "popping your knuckles." Some create no sound at all, some a little. Many techniques, however, do create the sound of a spinal "release." What causes it? The mystery may have been solved by a British research team that took x-ray movies of people "popping" their knuckles. The sound is caused by gas rushing in to fill the partial vacuum created when the joints are slightly separated. Getting a sound does not mean that the vertebral segment has been properly repositioned. Only your doctor can determine if spinal correction has, in fact, taken place.

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2. Q: Is it bad to "crack" your own neck or back?

A: The desire to pop the neck or back is caused by tension from jammed or fixated vertebra (hypomobile segments), which cause another part of the spine to compensate by moving too much (hypermobile segments). The movement of the segments that are hypermobile creates the "popping" sound. Jammed vertebral joints should be adjusted by your chiropractic physician so that normal movement is restored to the spinal column. A balanced spine will stop feeling the pressure and stop making sounds.

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3. Q: So I'm not "adjusting" myself when I crack my spine?

A: No. Cracking or popping your neck or back may give temporary relief due to a release of pressure, however getting a pop isn't the same as actually moving a vertebrae that is fixated. If your physician properly adjusts your spine you will likely experience longer lasting relief when the vertebrae is properly repositioned and the spinal tension is alleviated.

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4. Q: Do Chiropractors have medical (M.D.) degrees?

A: Chiropractors have Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degrees granted from chiropractic colleges. Chiropractic education and medical education are similar in many respects and different in others. Chiropractors do not prescribe drugs and medical doctors do not correct the vertebral misalignments, or correct spinal nerve stress. Chiropractors spend more time studying the nervous, skeletal, and muscle systems of the body, while M.D.'s spend more time studying drugs and surgery.

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5. Q: Can I tell if I have spinal nerve stress without consulting a Chiropractor?

A: Not Always. A vertebral misalignment which creates spinal nerve stress is like a dental cavity—you may have it for a long time before symptoms appear. That's why periodic spinal check-ups are so important. Although it may be possible to know you have spinal nerve stress, it is rarely possible to be sure you don't. An occasional spinal check-up is always a good idea.

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6. Q: How long does a Chiropractic adjustment take?

A: It depends on the adjusting technique your chiropractor uses. Some adjustments can be performed quickly, some take time. In any case a through consultation and evaluation of your spine should precede any initial adjustment. Spinal manipulation is a difficult skill mastered over years of training. While it may seem "simple and easy", your spine protects delicate nerve tissue responsible for transmitting information from your brain to all parts of your body. Your Chiropractic physician is uniquely trained to evaluate and treat spinal problems.

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7. Q: At what age should Chiropractic begin?

A: Newborns have received spinal adjustments especially after difficult or traumatic births. There are case histories of infants close to death, who were adjusted in hospitals with seemingly miraculous recoveries. Some case histories show vertebral misalignments with spinal nerve pressure in the first and second bones of the cervical spine in infants who succumb to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Anyone, of any age, can undergo chiropractic care. Taking good care of your spine will extend your energy and vitality into your later years. Neglecting your spine can have serious and debilitating consequences. Good health doesn't cost, it pays!

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8. Q: Is Chiropractic care addictive?

A: If only it were there'd be a lot less sick people around and chiropractors wouldn't get patients who last saw a chiropractor "a few years ago when my back went out." Patients who are regular with their spinal care come to know what feeling more balanced, less stressed, and more energetic is like, and prefer this feeling. You may become more sensitive to your body and know when you've "lost" your adjustment, but chiropractic care is not addictive.

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9. Q:Can I go only once?

A: Of course. Once is better than never. But chiropractic can help in so many ways. Why not ask your chiropractor about your personal spinal care needs?

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10. Q: What will happen if I stop going?

A: Daily activities will cause spinal stress, which will continue to build up as before, but it won't be reduced or eliminated. If the stress is not relieved, your body and overall health will eventually suffer.

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11. Q: Is Chiropractic similar to massage?

A: No. Chiropractic care deals with the spinal column, nervous system, meninges (membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord), and body structure. Massage therapists deal with muscle tension, circulation, and body fluid drainage.

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12. Q: Do Chiropractors work in hospitals?

A: Today chiropractors have privileges in many hospitals. Ideally doctors of chiropractic would go through every ward and check all patients' spines; after all, who needs healthy spines more than people facing life threatening diseases? The presence of D.C.s in hospitals is a welcome beginning—hopefully paving the way toward making drugless, natural methods of chiropractic care available to all hospital patients.

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13. Q: Can Chiropractic prevent back surgery?

A: In many cases the answer is YES! Spinal joint and disc problems can often be alleviated by having your spine properly realigned, removing stress and pressure and allowing the spine and related muscles to function more normally. Often this can help to avoid unnecessary spinal surgery.

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14. Q: Can a person who had back surgery see a Chiropractor?

A: Yes. It's an unfortunate fact that 50% - 75% of those who have had spinal surgery discover a return of their original symptoms months or years later. They then face the prospect of additional surgery, or are told to "just live with the pain". This too-common occurrence is known as "Failed Back Surgery Syndrome." Chiropractic may help prevent repeated operations, or may be able to help people who remain in pain post surgically.

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15. Q: Can a person with a broken back or neck see a Chiropractor?

A: After the break heals, yes. In fact, a broken bone forms a callus or bone scar when it heals that is stronger than the rest of the bone which should dispel any concerns about the safety of an adjustment. People who have had broken bones need chiropractic check-ups because accidents usually cause spinal misalignments with spinal nerve stress.

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16. Q: Is Chiropractic safe?

A: Chiropractic is among the safest of the healing arts. As proof one merely has to compare malpractice rates between chiropractors and other health professionals. Chiropractors' malpractice premiums are a small fraction of those for other medical specialties that deal with the spine.

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17. Q: Can I go to a Chiropractor if I'm under medical care?

A: Yes. Having your spinal nerve stress corrected is important, no matter what other type of health care you are receiving. Today many D.C.s and M.D.s are working together in clinics and on joint research projects. M.D.s are quite likely to have patients who are under chiropractic care, in fact many see a D.C. themselves.

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18. Q: Do Chiropractors believe in medicine and surgery?

A: Certainly. No one branch of the healing arts can lay claim to being able to fix or "cure" every type of illness, disease, or condition. There are times when medicine and surgery are absolutely the correct choice, and times when chiropractic care is the most logical and best choice!

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19. Q: Can spines automatically go back in place?

A: Yes. With normal body movement, stretching, exercise and rest the spine will often realign itself. If this were not the case everyone would constantly be in pain. After trauma, prolonged physical or emotional stress, or even something as simple as prolonged time spent at the computer, the spine often locks up or jams causing a misalignment with spinal nerve stress that needs to be professionally treated.

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20. Q: I'm not sick, should I see a Chiropractor?

A: Yes. Symptoms are not a good way to judge health. They sometimes surface only after years of spinal neglect.

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21. Q: How often should I get a spinal adjustment?

A: The answer is "As soon as you develop spinal nerve stress." But since spinal nerve stress is often painless, it's good to get your spine checked periodically, as you get your teeth checked periodically for "painless" cavities. For most healthy individuals, monthly visits to get your spine aligned seem to work well.

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1. What causes the sound of an adjustment?
2. Is it bad to "crack" your neck or back?
3. So I'm not "adjusting" myself?
4. Do Chiropractors have medical (M.D.) degrees?
5. Can I tell if I have spinal nerve stress without consulting a Chiropractor?
6. How long does a Chiropractic adjustment take?
7. At what age should Chiropractic begin?
8. Is Chiropractic care addictive?
9. Can I go only once?
10. What will happen if I stop going?
11. Is Chiropractic similar to massage?
12. Do Chiropractors work in hospitals?
13. Can Chiropractic prevent back surgery?
14. Can a person who had back surgery see a Chiropractor?
15. Can a person with a broken back or neck see a Chiropractor?
16. Is Chiropractic safe?
17. Can I go to a Chiropractor if I'm under medical care?
18. Do Chiropractors believe in medicine and surgery?
19. Can spines automatically go back in place?
20. I'm not sick, should I see a Chiropractor?
21. How often should I get a spinal adjustment?