What is Chiropractic care?
Chiropractic care is the art and the science of locating and correcting spinal
nerve interference. It's a natural method of health care that focuses on
treating the causes of physical problems, rather than just treating the
symptoms. Chiropractic is based on a simple but powerful premise. With
a normally functioning spine and healthy nerve system, your body is better
able to heal itself and to function at Optimal levels. That's because your
spine is the lifeline of your nervous system. A properly functioning spine
and nervous system enables you to experience 100% of your God given health
potential!
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Can I tell if I have a Subluxation?
Not always. Chiropractors often refer to Subluxations as “Silent Killers” since
they can exist for some time without expressing any obvious outward signs.
The entire time that the Subluxations are present your nervous system is affected
and in turn your body functions improperly. That's why periodic spinal checkups
are so important. We often ask people “wouldn’t you prefer to be
SURE that you are truly healthy, rather than to just assume?” Periodic
spinal evaluations ensure your spine and nervous system are healthy and working
properly. For over 2 decades thousands of patients have been able to seek care
from Dr. Bajakian and find out before the first adjustment if they are a Chiropractic
case and if he can help them.
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How does chiropractic work?
Chiropractic works by restoring your body's inborn ability to be healthy. When
under the proper control of your nervous system, all the cells, tissues,
and organs of your body are designed to resist disease and ill health. The
chiropractic approach to better health is to locate and remove interferences
(Subluxations, misaligned vertebrae) to your nervous system. With improved
spinal function, there is improved nervous system function. The goal of the
chiropractor is to remove interference that may be impairing normal health
through specific chiropractic adjustments, allowing your body to heal itself.
A healthy spine and a healthy lifestyle are your keys to optimal health!
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What type of education do chiropractic
doctors receive?
Doctors of Chiropractic are well educated. Chiropractic education and medical
education are similar in many respects and different in others because Chiropractors
do not prescribe drugs or perform surgery, and medical doctors do not correct
vertebral Subluxations. After graduating with a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.)
Degree, each candidate passes the demanding four part National Board Examinations.
Then, doctors apply to a governmental or state professional licensing board
and are many times required to pass still another difficult test before being
granted the privilege to practice. A chiropractor's education, however, never
ends. Most doctors complete regular postgraduate instruction for license renewal
and to stay current on the latest research and adjustment techniques.
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What is a Chiropractic adjustment?
A Chiropractic adjustment is the art of using a specific force in a precise
direction, applied to a joint that is Subluxated, "locked up," or
not moving properly. The purpose of this safe and natural procedure is to
eliminate interference to the nervous system, improving spinal function and
overall health. Studies have shown that gentle, specific spinal adjustments
boost your body's immunity also! What an added bonus this is!
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Do children need Chiropractic care?
A medical study performed in Germany found that due to how the fetus was carried
in the womb and the birthing process itself, 80% of ALL children born have
Subluxations in their neck. A follow-up study found that 95% of the health
conditions that were reported in the children evaluated were eliminated once
the children were adjusted. Many parents opt to have their newborns checked
for vertebral Subluxation right after birth and many others come to learn
of the benefits from their friends and/or family members.
Naturally, chiropractic adjusting procedures are adapted for the
child's spine. Many childhood health complaints that are brushed
off can be traced to the spine. Health problems that emerge in
adulthood could often be prevented by having your children's spine
checked by a chiropractor early. Most parents report that their
children enjoy their chiropractic adjustments and are healthier
than their peers.
Dr. Bajakian is certified in Chiropractic Pediatrics and also
Webster’s Intrauterine Constraint Technique. His skills both
as a Chiropractor, and also his ability to work with children have
enabled him to help MANY children live healthier, more productive
lives through safe and natural Chiropractic care!
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Are all patients adjusted the same
way?
Definitely not. Dr. Bajakian evaluates each patient's unique spinal problem
and develops an individual course of care. Each chiropractic adjustment builds
on the one before. The resulting recommendations are based upon years of training
and experience. Each patient's care is uniquely different from every other
patient.
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Is chiropractic safe?
Yes. Chiropractic has an excellent safety record. It is the result of a conservative
and natural approach to health that avoids invasive procedures or addictive
drugs. As proof, one merely has to compare malpractice rates between Chiropractors
and other health care professionals. Chiropractors' malpractice premiums
are a small fraction of those for medical doctors.
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What causes the sound during an adjustment?
Actually, adjustments do not always produce a sound. Often, however, adjustments
do create the sound of a spinal "release," or "popping" sound.
The sound is caused by gas rushing in to fill the partial vacuum created
when the joints are slightly separated. This sound is painless and totally
harmless.
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Can I adjust myself?
No. Since a Chiropractic adjustment is a specific force, applied in a specific
direction to a specific joint, it is virtually impossible to adjust oneself
correctly and accurately. It is possible to turn or bend or twist in certain
ways to create a "popping" sound that sometimes accompanies a Chiropractic
adjustment. Unfortunately, this type of joint manipulation is usually counterproductive,
often making an already unstable spine even more unstable, and can sometimes
be dangerous. Even a trained Chiropractor cannot adjust themselves.
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Is chiropractic care addictive?
No. If only it were, there would be more healthy people around and Chiropractors
would not get patients who last saw a Chiropractor "a few years ago
when their back went out." It is possible to get used to feeling more
balanced, less stressed, and more energetic as a result or regular chiropractic
care. Chiropractic is not addictive, however, good health is.
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Can a person who had back surgery
see a chiropractor?
Yes. It's an unfortunate fact that up to half of those who had spinal surgery
discover a return of their original symptoms months or years later. They then
face the prospect of additional surgery. This too common occurrence is known
as "Failed Spinal Surgery Syndrome." Chiropractic may help prevent
repeated back surgeries. In fact, if Chiropractic care is utilized initially,
back surgery can often be avoided in the first place.
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Does chiropractic work for all types
of health problems?
No, however Chiropractic care is successful with a very wide variety of health
problems not necessarily considered "back" problems because of improved
nerve system function. With a normal nerve supply the body's natural healing
capacity can improve a variety of health problems.
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Is it OK to see a chiropractor if
I'm pregnant?
Anytime is a good time for a better functioning nerve system. Pregnant mothers
find that Chiropractic adjustments improve their pregnancy and make delivery
easier for themselves and their baby. Adjusting methods are always adapted
to a patient’s size, weight, age, and condition of health. Studies have
demonstrated that pregnant women who are under Chiropractic care require less
pain medications and also decrease their labor time by up to 50%!
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What is the difference between a
chiropractor and an osteopath?
Chiropractors base their care on the detection correction, and prevention of
vertebral Subluxations (spinal misalignments). We use specific spinal adjustments
to correct the spine, to improve nerve system functions and reduce nerve interference.
Osteopaths use drugs, surgery, and other traditional medical therapies and
only occasionally use manipulative procedures. Chiropractors also have extensive
training in spinal adjusting while the traditional Osteopathic Doctor has very
minimal training in manipulative procedures.
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Why do chiropractors take x-rays?
Chiropractors take x-rays to reveal the internal structure and alignment of
the spine. Chiropractic x-rays are taken while the patient is upright and
bearing weight, which is the position the body is in when it’s not
sleeping. This allows for a much better functional analysis of the spine
and nerve system. We are also concerned about underlying disease processes
and disorders of the spine such as spinal deterioration, arthritis of the
spine, abnormal development, bone spurs, disc disorders, tumors and spinal
curvature. X-rays also provide a blueprint for correcting the spine back
to optimal health and alignment.
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Is a good work-out the same as getting
adjusted?
No. Exercise is an extremely important part of good health, yet without normal
spinal function a physical workout merely puts additional wear and tear on
improperly functioning spinal joints. In addition, improper nerve supply to
your muscles and organs as a result of Subluxations can greatly increase your
chances of injury while exercising.
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How often would I need to get adjusted?
That varies greatly with the nature and severity of your spinal condition and
external factors that could affect your progress one way or the other such
as the physical demands of your job or your personal lifestyle.
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Does everyone get Subluxations?
Yes. Spinal malfunction is a common health problem that most often begins at
birth and due to trauma, stress, long periods of sitting, poor posture, improper
sleep habits and many other activities, the conditions continue to slowly
worsen over time. Most often the only way to eliminate the Vertebral Subluxation
Complex is by specific spinal adjustments to restore biomechanical function
and remove nervous system interference.
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Will insurance cover my Chiropractic
care?
Practically all insurance carriers recognize Chiropractic care for at least
the early part of care. Most insurance policies are designed to help with catastrophic
health problems or only when obvious symptoms are present. Insurance coverage
will likely end before full spinal rehabilitation has occurred. Yet the presence
of Subluxations are much too serious threat to your health to be dependent
upon insurance as to whether or not you receive proper care. Dr. Bajakian offers
Family Plans that make care in his office affordable for the entire family.
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How long does it take to start feeling
better?
The general nature of spinal conditions is pretty much, the longer you have
had the problem, the longer the amount of corrective care required. With this
in mind, it is no surprise that children respond very quickly. Adults take
longer because most spinal problems are the result of years of neglect. As
with any healing process, every person’s progress is slightly different.
Your personal lifestyle, diet, exercise and regularly keeping your appointments
all affect your progress.
I have head that patients who usually
begin care with a back-related problem and later discover other
health problems improve too, why is this so?
Because Chiropractors realign the spine which frees up the nervous system to
function properly. Of all of the systems in your body, it is the Nervous System
which controls the function of virtually every cell, tissue, organ and systems
of the body. Improving the nerve function improves the function of other body
parts too-thereby enhancing health of the entire body.
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Why do I need to keep coming
back so often?
Retraining the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and spinal discs that support your
spine and maintain the proper position and motion of individual vertebrae can
be a time-consuming process. Since Chiropractors cannot rely on braces to move
spinal bones like orthodontists use to reposition teeth, and since most people
are often subjected to the same forces (ie: job, sleeping, & recreational
habits) repeated adjustments over time are necessary.
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Is physiotherapy or Chiropractic
better for spinal problems?
They are both important for different reasons. Physiotherapy focuses on strengthening
and stabilizing muscles surrounding the injured area.
Chiropractic ensures proper spinal alignment so that essential
nerves are not irritated or pinched. If these nerves are pinched,
the associated muscles will tighten and cause discomfort.
It makes sense to first ensure proper alignment of the spine with
Chiropractic care. Without proper alignment, muscle stabilization
will only be temporary and the injured area could heal improperly.
In addition, the remaining misalignments will continue to aggravate
surrounding muscles, further delaying a restoration to health.
However, once misalignments have been corrected, muscle stabilization
and strengthening are beneficial in maintaining proper alignment.
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