Answer:

Chiropractors restore proper motion to joints that are not moving properly.  Helping to restore proper spinal biomechanics and improved nervous system function begins with a case history.  Your case history is vital as it reveals the background about your health, such as surgeries, accidents, the onset of your condition, and other details which brought you into the office.

After reviewing your history and discussing your specific problem, a thorough orthopedic, neurological, and chiropractic examination is performed. X-ray may be taken which will help uncover structural and functional problems.

Once the examination is complete, Dr. Menzies will explain the findings and outline a treatment plan.  Progress is then monitored with periodic examination and follow-up reports.

Question:  What Type of Education do Doctors of Chiropractic receive to become?

Answer:

Doctors of Chiropractic are well educated. The science of chiropractic requires a special emphasis on anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, biomechanics, X-ray, spinal adjusting techniques and related subjects. This demanding curriculum prepares chiropractic doctors to locate the Vertebral Subluxation Complex and help correct the resulting nervous system dysfunction.

Before beginning Chiropractic school, chiropractic students complete three years of undergraduate education to obtain the necessary prerequisites.  A chiropractic student then completes four years of graduate school to receive a Doctor of Chiropractic degree.  Each candidate must then pass both Federal and Provincial board examinations in order to receive a license to practice chiropractic.  It takes about seven years of post-secondary schooling to become a Chiropractor!

After undergraduate studies, today's Chiropractic doctor completes
an additional four-year curriculum of over 4,500 classroom hours of health sciences.  A chiropractic education never ends.  Most doctors continue to educate themselves by taking postgraduate courses and staying current by reading the latest scientific research.

After completing his undergraduate studies with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah, Dr. Menzies went on to earn a second Bachelor of Science in Human Life Sciences and a Doctorate of  Chiropractic at Logan College of Chiropractic in St. Louis, Missouri. 

Question:  Is Chiropractic Care Safe?

Answer:

There are literally thousands of published scientific studies proving chiropractic's safety and effectiveness.  In the words of the New Zealand government's inquiry, chiropractic care is 'remarkably safe.'

Chiropractic has an excellent safety record. It is the result of a conservative approach to health that avoids invasive procedures or addictive drugs. In fact, chiropractic adjustments are safer than back surgery, muscle relaxers and even aspirin!

Chiropractic care is a natural approach to better health that is proven safe and effective.

Question:  What is an Adjustment?

Answer:

After years of training and clinical experience, each chiropractic doctor becomes
highly skilled in the delivery of a variety of adjusting approaches.  A chiropractic adjustment is the art of using a specific force in a precise direction, applied to a joint that is fixated, 'locked up,' or not moving properly.  An adjustment adds motion to the joint, helping the bones gradually return to a more normal position and motion. The purpose of this safe and natural procedure is improved spinal function, improved nervous system function, and improved health.

There are hundreds of ways to adjust the spine.  Usually the doctor's hands or a specially designed instrument delivers a brief and highly accurate thrust.  Some adjusting methods are quick, whereas others require a slow constant pressure.

Question:  Do Children Need To Be Adjusted?

Answer:

Since significant spinal trauma can occur at birth, many parents have their newborns checked for the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.  Later, learning to walk, ride a bicycle, and other childhood activities can cause spinal problems. While a bandage and some comforting words can help a skinned knee, the unseen damage to the child's spine is the unique domain of a chiropractic doctor.

Many childhood health complaints that are brushed off as 'growing pains' can often be traced to the spine. Regular chiropractic check-ups can identify these problems and help avoid many of the health complaints seen later in adults.

Naturally, chiropractic adjusting procedures are modified to a child's spine. Most parents report that their children enjoy their chiropractic adjustments and seem healthier than other children.

Question:  Can I Be Too Old For A Chiropractic Adjustment?

Answer:

Regardless of your age, chiropractic care can help improve mobility and maintain vitality.  More and more people are consulting chiropractic doctors, especially in their later years. With growing concerns about over-medication and the side effects of combining various prescription drugs, safe, natural chiropractic care is growing in popularity.  Restoring better spinal function can help improve mobility, vitality, endurance and appetite. Many patients report improvement with arthritic symptoms and other chronic ailments often associated with the aging process.

The adjusting technique used by your doctor will be modified for maximum comfort and results.  As we get older and wiser, the simplicity and effectiveness of chiropractic care becomes more and more obvious.

Question:  Can I Adjust Myself instead of seeing a Doctor or Chiropractic?

Answer:

Since a chiropractic adjustment is a specific force, applied in a specific direction, to a specific joint, it is impossible to adjust oneself; and also dangerous.  Spinal adjusting may look easy when done by an experienced chiropractor, but it has taken several years to master - just a gymnast makes walking on a balance beam easy.

Turning and twisting your back and neck may create a 'popping' sound, however this usually causes an unstable area of the spine even more unsteady.   Remember the goal of the adjustment is to get joints moving that are not moving normally, twisting your back will cause unstable joints to become more unstable.   Spinal adjusting is not for amateurs!

The best way to enjoy the healthful benefits of chiropractic is to receive adjustments from a Doctor of Chiropractic. Even your doctor must seek out the services of another colleague to help restore and maintain proper spinal function.

Question:  Do I Have a Slipped Disc?

Answer:

Discs do not 'slip,' however, if damaged they can leak or rupture.  The disc is a pad-like tissue located between two vertebrae which acts as shock absorber for the spine.   The centre of the disc is made of a fluid, soft, 'jelly-like' substance.  When discs become damaged, tears can occur through which the soft centre can leak out and push on the nerves.  This is know as a ruptured or herniated disc and is extremely painful.

While results cannot be guaranteed, many patients have avoided needless surgery or a dependency on pain pills, by choosing chiropractic care for their disc-related health problems.

Question:  Do I Have a Pinched Nerve?

Answer:

Many patients consult a doctor of chiropractic because they think they have a pinched nerve.  While commonly associated with the spine, a pinched nerve is actually rare.  Research suggests that only 10%-15% of spine related problems are caused by direct pressure of bone on a nerve.  Typically a 'pinched nerve' will result in numbness, burning, or a 'pins and needles' feeling.  When a bone pushes on a nerve, this is a serious condition that requires immediate attention.

Several other possibilities exist that and also cause numbness and/or a burning sensation.  Nerves are more commonly stretched or irritated, which will produce a numbness feeling.

If you have numbness, see your chiropractor for a detailed and thorough examination.

Question:  How Long Will I Need Chiropractic Care?

Answer:

Periodic chiropractic check-ups, like brushing and flossing your teeth,
getting regular exercise, and eating wholesome foods is part of a healthy lifestyle.

Spinal problems neglect since early childhood, may require ongoing supportive care for optimum spinal function. These long-standing problems are often associated with muscle weakness, soft tissue damage, and degenerative changes to the spine.

Most patients find that periodic chiropractic check-ups help keep them in tip-top shape. Those who are active, have stressful jobs, or want to be their very best, find that a schedule of preventive visits are helpful in the maintenance of good health.

Some patients seek chiropractic care only when their ache or pain becomes unbearable. Unfortunately this style of 'crisis management' is usually more costly and time-consuming in the long run.

How long you decide to benefit from chiropractic care is always up to you.