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You probably know that chiropractors are experts in dealing with issues related to neck and back pain, but did you know that that is just a fraction of the conditions that chiropractic can help?  Chiropractors have great success caring for all kinds of conditions throughout the body.  Did you know that chiropractic has been shown to help ear infections in children, reduce or eliminate asthma, make headaches and migraines a thing of the past, and so much more?  Chiropractors offer a safe, non-surgical, drug free approach to health!  No matter what your health concern is, speak with your chiropractor about it.  If they can’t help you, they will help you find someone that can.  If you don’t have a chiropractor, feel free to ask us here in our new “Ask the Chiropractor” feature.

Ask the Chiropractor
Please send your chiropractic related questions using the online form and stay tuned to the Ask the Chiropractor page on ParentGuide.com for answers to all your questions!

Topic: Health 12/17/08
Q. How long does it take for soft tissue damage to repair after an auto accident?

A. That's a great question and the answer obviously depends on the severity of
the injury.  Typically soft tissue injuries will heal with proper treatment in 4-6 months however it is not uncommon for them to take up to a year.  If these injuries are not properly handled in a timely manner, the residual effects can be ongoing.  Your chiropractor is an expert in these types of injuries and should be consulted immediately following an automobile accident!

Topic: Health 12/17/08
Q. Would a chiropractor be able to determine if a patient has Osteoporosis?

A. Yes, it is possible for a chiropractor or any trained doctor to determine if someone has osteoporosis from a simple x-ray.  However, osteoporosis is usually in its advanced stages before it can be detected using x-ray. Typically 30-50% bone loss must occur before osteoporosis can be determined using this method.  The easiest way to detect this is by having a bone density scan done.  If you are concerned about osteoporosis, speak with your chiropractor and he/she can refer you to the appropriate facility for the test.

Topic: Health 12/09/08
Q. At what age can you detect/test for scoliosis?

A. Scoliosis can be detected in any child that is fully into the walking stage
by using an x-ray regardless of how old they are.  Scoliosis checks are
often done in school aged children by the school nurse however the method
used is really just a screening tool and not a definite indicator.  All
chiropractors affiliated with our group through The Parent Guide offer
complimentary scoliosis checks.  Chiropractors are experts in assessing the
spine and can determine if the child is likely to have any curvature of the
spine.  If need be, all chiropractors in our group offer x-ray on site.  If
you would like to be referred to an office in your area, please forward me
your contact information and I will direct you to the office nearest you!

Topic: Health 11/25/08
Q. Can a Chiropracter help to reduce allergies related to tomatoes?

A. Thank you for your question.  The type of allergy issues we usually deal
with in the office are sinus related allergies.  Food related allergies are
usually unique to an individual and have no known treatment.  Although
chiropractic is great for overall health and wellbeing, I doubt that you'd
experience the result the result of finally being able to add Roma tomatoes
to your salad.  I hope this helps!

Topic: Health 11/11/08
Q. I know kids here are very deficient in vitamin D. My 2 year old has very poor teeth and I think this may be one of the causes. Can you tell me what dosage of a Vitamin D supplement would be good for her age and is over dosing on vitamin D is a possibility?

A. Thank you for your question.  A general guideline for vitamin D intake for a
toddler varies depending on what source you use.  The American standard is
400iu per day but the Canadian standard recommends 1000iu.  It is relatively
easy to determine the correct dosage through a simple blood test that most
doctors can perform.  For more information see this article on WebMD.
http://children.webmd.com/news/20081013/vitamin-d-new-guidelines-for-children

Topic: Chiropractic Care 11/10/08
Q. Could a pinched nerve be causing insomia & frequent urination?

A. It is very possible that pressure on a nerve in the lower spine can
contribute to urinary problems.  The insomnia could be due to anxiety
associated with worry about your current condition.  I posted an extended
reply to this question last week - please see below.
I hope this helps!

Topic: Chiropractic Care 11/09/08
Q. I've had insomnia & frequent urination for a year now. I did a sleep study & they couldn't find anything. Also I went to a urologist too,& he didn't find anything either. I had 3 herniated disks in my neck before, & I was wondering if that could be the problem. Also I have 3 knots sticking up in the middle of my back also.

A. This is a very complex question and without knowing more about your personal
health history it is hard to say exactly what the problem could be.  Urinary and bowel problems can often be associated with a spinal condition called subluxations which put pressure on the nerves that exit the spine. Subluxations are the condition that chiropractors correct through specific spinal adjustments.  The herniated discs in your neck could indeed be contributing to the problem if the herniations are putting pressure on the spinal cord.  Scheduling a free no obligation consultation with a chiropractor associated with The ParentGuide would be a great first step to
see if chiropractic could indeed help your situation.  We have offices located throughout the bay area.  If you send me your location I would be happy to put you in touch with the office nearest you!  I hope this helps!

Topic: Chiropractic Care 10/02/08
Q. My 4 and a half year old son recently went through a bout of what we believe is either trasnient tic disorder or PANDAS. We have heard that chiropractic neurologists can help kids dealing with tics. Can you elaborate on this type of service please?

A. As a family wellness chiropractor my focus is on a properly functioning nerve system. Our nerve system controlls all functions including our immune system. I have worked with many children that have subluxations, misalignments of the spine that interfear with proper nerve supply and have had great success with many health problems. Far too many to list in this email. My suggestion is a check up to assess the alignment of the spine and nerve system function and based on the results of that check up a chiropractor will let you know: How your child can be helped, how long it will take and what to expect

Topic: Chiropractic Care 10/02/08
Q. I have battled sinus pressure, headaches, infections for about 3 yrs. caused by allergies all year round.  I have heard that chiropractic care can help relieve this pressure - how can it help?

A. Your immune system's function is to recognize and destroy anything that is
not supposed to be in you: bacteria, viruses, pollutants, dust, pollen,
drugs, and tumors. A healthy immune system means high resistance to disease
and infection, better ability to deal with stress, and greater health and
well-being. Many things influence how well your immune system functions:
your nerves and hormones, your diet, your genes, and your emotions.

The most common immune system disorder is the allergy. Allergies occur when
the immune system overreacts to an allergen (dust, pollen, milk, dog or cat
dander, strawberries, etc.), and produces too many neutralizing chemicals
(especially histamines) to counteract it. 

While chiropractic is not a treatment for allergies, allergy sufferers have
praised chiropractic care for over a century. The goal of chiropractic care
is to locate and correct a serious type of spine and nervous system stress
called the vertebral subluxation complex. By releasing stress on the immune
system, chiropractic permits the immune system to function more effectively
and in turn allows your body to better deal with the stress of allergens. 

I have had several patients tell me that they feel the stuffiness and head
pressure that nags them while their allergies are acting up subsides almost
immediately after getting adjusted.

I hope this helps!

Topic: Chiropractic Care 09/22/08
Q. Is chiropractic safe?

A. Chiropractic is among the safest of the healing arts. In fact, Chiropractors have the lowest cost for malpractice insurance of any healthcare provider.

Topic: Chiropractic Care 09/22/08
Q. Is it bad to “crack” your neck or back a lot?

A. The desire to pop the neck or back is caused by tension from a jammed or fixated vertebra. The jammed part should be adjusted by a chiropractor so that the rest of the spinal column will balance and prevent it from being so easily movable.

Cracking or popping your neck gives relief for a while, but soon the urge to crack or pop reappears because the cause of the spinal tension has not been corrected.

Topic: Spinal Decay 09/22/08
Q. Isn’t spinal decay just part of the normal aging process?

A. Because spinal decay is often (but not always) seen in the elderly, some people are misled into believing that it is merely part of the aging process. This is not true. It seems clear that spinal decay is the result of long-standing, uncorrected spinal stress.

Topic: Family Care 09/22/08
Q. Why do newborns get chiropractic adjustments?

A. Even today’s “natural” childbirth methods can affect an infants spine. Preliminary studies suggest that colic, unusual crying, poor appetite, ear infections or erratic sleeping habits can be signs of spinal distress. As a rule, no more pressure than you would use to test the ripeness of a tomato is involved.

Topic: Family Care 09/21/08
Q. Can I receive chiropractic care if I’ve had back surgery?

A. Yes. Your chiropractic doctor will avoid surgically modified areas of your spine. However, surgery often causes instability above or below the involved level. These “reactions” will be the focus of your chiropractic care.

Topic: Spinal Decay 09/21/08
Q. Can chiropractic care help those with advanced cases of spinal decay? Can spinal decay be reversed?

A. Absolutely. While chiropractic care cannot help areas of the spine that are already fused together, areas of the spine not yet affected can often benefit from chiropractic care.

When spinal decay is detected at an early stage, chiropractic intervention can produce remarkable benefits. In phase one cases, many patients see the restoration of spinal curves and improved mobility. Chiropractic care at later stages shows promise, but results vary from patient to patient.

Topic: Sciatica 09/21/08
Q. What causes sciatica? Can chiropractic cure sciatica and how long will I need treatment?

A. It is easy to trace some spinal problems to an event, such as a car accident. Yet, sciatica is often the result of cumulative damage. Years of bad posture, poor muscle tone, excess weight or countless other causes set the stage. Then, something simple like bending over to tie your shoes can trigger an episode. Spinal decay can also be a cause of sciatica. Instead of disc thinning that puts pressure on the sciatic nerve roots, arthritic bone spurs can intrude into the space normally reserved for the nerve.

Actually, chiropractic doesn’t cure anything! Only your body can do that. The chiropractic approach to sciatica (and other health problems) is to help restore the way your spine works, reducing nerve irritation and revitalizing your own healing ability.

Most sciatica patients are delighted with the results that they get after weeks or months of care. Naturally, this varies from patient to patient. Many discover that years of neglect have produced spinal instabilities that never fully heal. These patients elect to continue with periodic chiropractic checkups. It is truly up to you.

Topic: Family Care 09/20/08
Q. Can patients with osteoporosis get chiropractic care?

A. Of course. Regardless of your age, size or condition, chiropractic care can be helpful. The specific needs of each patient are considered. If yours is not a chiropractic case, we will refer you to the appropriate specialist.

Topic: Pregnancy 09/19/08
Q. Pregnancy is natural. Why is chiropractic necessary? Will my medical doctor approve? Will adjustments hurt my baby?

A. Being born is a natural process. It’s what we’ve done to the birth process that has become increasingly suspect. In hospitals, a severe drop in temperature, loud noises, suction extraction and other insensitivities often accompany a newborn’s introduction to the world. The administration of drugs and anesthesia can have unfortunate effects as well.

You do not need anyone’s approval to seek a chiropractic opinion about health issues affecting you or your child. Consulting another health care expert is always helpful in the decision-making process. We work closely with other practitioners who keep up with the latest research and understand the value of this natural, drug-free approach to better health.

Of course not. An infant’s spine rarely has the long-standing muscle tightness seen in adults. So the energy needed to adjust a child’s spine is considerably less than what is needed to adjust you. This is a common concern among parents who mistakenly think that their child will receive the same kind of adjustments that they receive.

Topic: Chiropractic Care 09/18/08
Q. What causes the sound of the chiropractic adjustment?

A. Actually, not all adjusting techniques produce the sound associated with the adjustment. When utilizing a technique that does produce a sound, the sound of the adjustment is produced by nitrogen being released from the joint.