The word chiropractic is derived from Greek and means “to perform with hands”.  Chiropractic focuses on healing the body, allowing the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery.  Chiropractic care is the third largest health care profession in the U.S.

Chiropractic was founded by Daniel David Palmer, a grocer, who performed his first chiropractic adjustment on September 18th 1895.  In 1898 Palmer founded the Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa.

Chiropractors are doctors who are educated and licensed specialists in Spinal Adjustments and correction of Spinal Subluxations.  Doctors of Chiropractic are licensed in all states and are required to take rigorous National Board and State Board examinations.  Chiropractors are required to complete continuing education courses or programs offered by chiropractic associations every year.

Educational requirements for Doctors of Chiropractic are similar to Medical Doctors and include 4 years of undergraduate study and 4 – 5 additional years in a school of chiropractic.
The first 2 years of chiropractic and medical school are very similar. The main difference occurs in the 3rd and 4th years of study. Medical schools emphasize drugs and surgery while chiropractic study emphasizes biomechanics, radiology, musculoskeletal diagnosis and adjusting techniques.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is an adjustment of a subluxation by a specialized and licensed doctor using his hands.

How does Chiropractic Work?
Chiropractic works because of a self-healing, self regulating organism controlled by your nervous system.

What’s an adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment is a quick thrust that helps add motion to spinal joints that aren’t moving right. Some methods use the doctor’s hands, an instrument or a special table. There are many ways to adjust the spine.

Does the adjustment hurt?
Most often adjustments don’t hurt. Apart from some mild muscle soreness or tenderness adjustments should not hurt.

Are chiropractic adjustments safe?
Yes, adjustments are remarkably safe. By avoiding drugs and risky surgery, chiropractic care has an excellent track record.

How long before I feel better?
Some patients experience instant relief. However for some patients it might take a few days or a week.

Can you give me any medication for my pain?
No. Chiropractic doctors don’t dispense drugs of any kind.

Are all patients adjusted the same way?
No. Each patient’s spine is unique and the patients care is custom-tailored for their individual condition.

What makes the sound during an adjustment?
Lubricating fluids separate the bones of each spinal joint. Some adjusting methods can produce sound when the gas and fluids shift in the joint.

Who needs chiropractic care?
Everyone (even babies) can benefit from safe, effective and painless chiropractic care. It’s not just those who suffer from headaches or back pain.

What conditions can chiropractic help?

• Headaches
• Low Back Pain
• TMJ
• Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
• Tennis/Golfers Elbow
• Earaches

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