Alaska Chiropractic Society

Is Chiropractic Safe?
YES. Its non-surgical, drug-free approach to health places chiropractic among the safest of all health care practices. Remember, chiropractic takes nothing out of the body and puts nothing in. As a result, chiropractors enjoy one of the lowest malpractice rates of all health care professionals.

What is an Adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment is a way of applying a specific force in a precise direction to a joint that is fixated or not moving properly, this is delivered by hand or instrument. The purpose of the adjustment is to correct any spinal subluxations therefore improving spinal function, nervous system function, and overall general health. Some adjusting methods are quick, whereas others require a slow and constant pressure, but all are designed to correct spinal subluxations thus removing the nerve interference in the body.

What is a Subluxation?
A misalignment of one or more of your spinal bones (vertebrae), which causes interference to your nervous system. If your nervous system is interfered with, your body's natural ability to heal itself & function at it's optimum potential becomes impaired. A subluxation is a perfect example of how structure effects function.

I'm Not Sick, Should I See a Chiropractor?
Yes. Symptoms are not a good way to judge health. They sometimes surface after years of body malfunction.

How Long Does it Take for Chiropractic to Work?

It depends upon your overall health and amount of time you have suffered from a condition. Many patients usually feel improvements within a short period of time. Once the condition has been resolved, patients benefit from regular checkups helping to detect and resolve new problems, or recurrences of old ones, before they become serious.

What Can I Expect on my First Visit?
Your initial visit will begin with a consultation. Your doctor will take a case history and ask about your present condition. Next, the doctor will perform an examination to evaluate the nature of your problem. This examination generally includes a series of basic physical tests, as well as a specialized chiropractic evaluation of spinal movement and posture.

If necessary, your doctor may recommend X-rays or diagnostic tests to obtain further information about the mechanics of your spine and the details of your condition. After completing the analysis, your doctor will explain your problem and map out an appropriate plan of action with you. If necessary, you may be referred to another health care specialist for further evaluation or treatment. Doctors of chiropractic work with a variety of health care professionals in the best interest of their patients.

Your doctor will discuss your care plan with you, taking into consideration your health habits, stress, and activity levels.  Over the course of your care, your doctor will monitor your individual response and may also recommend changes to your lifestyle, work environment, dietary, and exercise patterns.