Let’s talk about some typical questions and assumptions people have about chiropractic.
Once I start going to a chiropractor, do I always have to keep going?
Here at the Chiropractic Health & Wellness Centre, we utilize a system of care developed by Dr. Folkard consisting of 4 phases. (See phases of care). In the beginning, yes, you need to come more often. Our ultimate goal is to help you achieve full health and wellness. We do this by finding and addressing the root cause. This may take a while, depending on the physical, mental, and chemical stressors that need to be addressed. Adjustments will not hold very long in the beginning, as your body and brain adapt to the corrections being made. Slowly, the connection between the brain and the spine will be restored and the muscles will strengthen and loosen where they need to, allowing new health patterns to be built in the body. As you go through the phases of care and your body holds the adjustment, you will need to come less and less. After that, it is up to you and your partnership with the chiropractor. Together, you will figure out what is right for you, in order to keep you functioning at your best.
How long will it take me to heal?
Everyone is different. Generally, it takes about 6 months to a year to get you back to full health and wellness. However, it depends what the cause of your symptoms are and if you have there are any other issues that need to be addressed, such as inflammation, adrenal stress, emotional trauma, or poor lifestyle habits. These all impede the healing process. Throughout your care, we will gently guide you on healing all those areas of your life that may manifest as physical symptoms in the body.
I’m nervous about the neck adjustment. I went once before and it hurt.
The neck (or cervical spine) is very important and needs to be checked and adjusted regularly. Subluxations of cervical vertebrae impede nerve flow to the head, neck, and arms causing a multitude of problems. C1, the topmost cervical vertebra is the closest to the brain and proper placement is crucial for optimal brain function and CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) flow. Chiropractors have been trained on how to adjust this important area in a safe and effective way. Sometimes when the muscles in the neck stay tense during the adjustment, it can be painful. Relaxing during treatment is the best way to alleviate this. However, we have many tools in our toolbox, and there are other ways to adjust the neck if you prefer a different approach. It is important to talk to us and voice your concerns before the adjustment so we can talk about the option that works best for you.