How To Explain Chiropractic to Others

We cannot thank our family, friends, patients, and allied health care providers enough for referring patients to our practice.  

        There is no other form of advertising that attracts the quality of patients as those our patients refer to us.

        So, here's some information that may help you tell others about us:
Chiropractic has been around since 1895 and is the third largest healthcare profession in the world:

• The primary focus of treatment includes the neuromusculoskeletal system (nerves, muscles, joints) such as disk herniations (e.g., sciatica, pinched nerves), sprains and strains, sports injuries, neck pain (e.g., whiplash), headaches, and many others.
• The treatment includes a "hands-on" approach where massage, manual traction, joint manipulation and mobilization are commonly utilized.  In general, the treatment typically feels good and patients look forward to the process.
• In many cases (such as low back pain, neck pain, headaches), chiropractic care may function as the primary or only treatment that is needed.  However, when other medical conditions co-exist, the combination of chiropractic and medical treatment is often better than either one by itself (depending on the condition).
• Doctors of chiropractic commonly refer back and forth with medical and osteopathic doctors, creating a "win-win" for the patient and providers.
• Over the last 20-30 years, a significant volume of research has been published finding chiropractic approaches to be either equal or superior to other forms of healthcare provision for low back and neck pain, headaches, and other conditions.
• Many hospitals, medical clinics and VA facilities have integrated chiropractic into their healthcare systems.  Medicare and Medicaid have included chiropractic coverage since the 1970's and most private insurers include chiropractic coverage due to the significant volume of research reporting the benefits, cost savings, and patient satisfaction.

        Your individual story may actually be the most important thing you can share.

        The following are a few of the many websites that include great information about chiropractic that may also be appreciated by the potential "internet savvy" future chiropractic patient:

• https://www.acatoday.org/level2_css.cfm?T1ID=13&T2ID=61
• http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article800.html
• http://www.chiroweb.com/find/whatischiro.html
• http://www.spine-health.com/treatment/chiropractic

Arthritis

Can Chiropractic Prevent
Some Types of Arthritis? 

        This question is asked frequently by patients visiting chiropractors.

        To answer this question, let's first talk about, "what is arthritis?" 

        The word "arthritis" is derived from "arth-" meaning "joint" and "-itis" meaning "inflammation."  

        Hence, arthritis is basically swelling in the joint.  

        Many types of arthritis have been identified - in fact, over 100!

        Some types of arthritis are primary (not caused by anything that can be identified), while others are secondary to a disease or other condition.

        The 9 most common primary forms of arthritis are: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, septic arthritis, gout, pseudogout, juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Still's disease, and ankylosing spondylitis. 

        The most common type that virtually affects everyone sooner or later is osteoarthritis. This is basically the wearing out of the joint, which usually seen in the older person but can be found at any age after trauma or injury occurred or, after an infection in the joint.  

        The next most common is rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease where the person's antibodies attack the joint (and possibly other tissues as well).  This can occur at a young, middle or older age, whenever the body is triggered to produce the joint attacking antibodies.  Crystals deposited in joints can injury the cartilage surface of which the most common is gout- often attacking the base joint of the big toe, and pseudogout.

SO NOW THE QUESTION - CAN CHIROPRACTIC
PREVENT SOME FORMS OF ARTHRITIS? 
 

        The answer is yes.... sometimes.  For example, when a spinal joint is fixated, stuck, or subluxated, the normal biomechanics of the spine are altered because of the faulty movement between the vertebrae.  

        Restoring movement can restore proper function so excess forces are not exerted on the adjacent levels.  

        A good example of this is when 2 or 3 vertebrae are fused together (surgical or congenital), the levels above and below the fusion have to work harder for the spine to move and function and tend to become osteoarthritic sooner than the other non-fused levels. 

        From a more broad approach, lifestyle changes including exercise, weight management, the use of a brace or splint, certain medications and dietary supplements can be helpful as well.  

        Exercise, in particular, can have significant benefits to the joint surface in both pain relief and slowing down or even stopping the degenerative process (osteoarthritis).  

        Diet emphasizing an anti-inflammatory approach includes the paleodiet or caveman diet where grains/glutens are avoided and lean meats, fruits, and vegetables are emphasized (see http://www.paleodiet.com/ and http://www.deflame.com/).

Here is a list of websites that offer additional information: 

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthritis
2. http://arthritis.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=arthritis&cdn=health&tm=101&gps=343_379_1196_561&f=00&tt=14&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.chiroweb.com/archives/17/23/04.html
3. http://www.chiropractic.com.sg/arthritis.html
4. http://www.chiropractorguide.com/basics/chiropractors-and-arthritis-pain-relief