I had an interesting conversation with a relatively new Patient recently.
They confessed that they’d ‘gritted their teeth’ and tolerated their pain for as long as they had - helped in part by getting through enough paracetamol to keep their local pharmacy in business - because they were scared of Chiropractic.
I get it; fear of something you don’t know can be scary.
That’s often the way these things are. When you’re so “in” something, it’s easy to forget not everybody sees or experiences it the same way you do.
It’s a little like cycling. You start as a total novice who has to use all of your focus to avoid falling.
And before you know it, you end up on autopilot, and you occasionally get off your bicycle at your destination, barely able to remember the cycle itself!
And following this conversation, it dawned on me that Chiropractic care is no different.
So, I figured I’d do something a little different and answer some frequently asked questions I regularly get.
Q1. Do Chiropractic adjustments hurt?
If you’ve watched any “back cracking” videos online, you’d be forgiven for thinking that being adjusted must be painful.
But rest assured, there’s no pain involved in being adjusted; sometimes, when you are subluxated for a long time, it might have some discomfort. Most people loved getting adjusted.
Our Patients typically say they feel lighter and freer like a weight has been lifted off their shoulders.
Q2. Can Chiropractic adjustments make my pain worse?
We practice for years to give the perfect adjustment, at the right place, in the right direction, at the right moment, with the correct force, with the best possible timing and right intention.
Even then, some people sometimes feel worse, temporarily, most commonly because the nerve flow has been blocked off for longer than their body wanted. It is like when you go to the gym for the first time in a while, your body feels slightly worse afterwards, but you are on the right track. You might not always feel well immediately, but you are immediately healing well!
Q3. Is it true that once you start Chiropractic care, you can’t ever stop?
No matter how long you’ve been receiving Chiropractic care, you can stop anytime. It depends on your health goals and our findings. When your body is “holding” the adjustments - your body is subluxation “free”.
When people understand the long-term wellness benefits of Chiropractic care, they want to get their whole family checked regularly by a chiropractor for lifetime wellness care.
When do you stop going to the gym? When do you stop going to the dentist? You are constantly exposed to stress and want to be better; Chiropractic care will allow you to be the best possible and live life to the fullest.
Q4. Why do adjustments make that ‘popping’ sound?
Don’t worry; the “popping” sound is normal and harmless.
In short, there’s ‘joint fluid’ in your spine, which lubricates spinal joints and allows for movement in your joints. An adjustment can cause bubbles in this joint fluid to release or ‘pop’, creating that distinctive sound.
Q5. Isn’t Chiropractic only for back and neck pain?
Your spinal cord is like the “super highway” for all your nerves that take signals from your brain to all the different parts of your body and back. We believe It is your lifeline, running and regulating all bodily functions.
So keeping your spine aligned and healthy enables your entire nervous system (the master control system) to perform at its best.
That’s why Chiropractic care is commonly used to help grandparents with balance issues to babies with digestive issues. Chiropractic is for everyone, particularly for those who want to stay well.
Hopefully, you found these answers helpful!
My inbox is always open if you have any other questions I’ve not covered above. And remember, there’s no such thing as a stupid question! So don’t hesitate to reach out.