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Giaquinto Chiropractic and Digestion Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about our chiropractic and digestive health services.
What is Chiropractic?
Doctors of chiropractic make gentle adjustments to the vertebrae of the spine to remove interferences (subluxations) that can hinder the body’s natural ability to heal. Chiropractic can be summed up in one phrase, “the power that made the body heals the body.” The brain controls every organ, gland, tissue and cell in the body. The spine has an intimate connection with the brain. Spinal misalignments (subluxations) disrupt brain body communication, which weakens the whole body. Chiropractic is a health care field that focuses on spinal adjustments, posture rehab, nutrition, healthy lifestyle and stress management to help people enjoy their full potential for health and performance.
What is a subluxation?
A misalignment of one or more of your 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 its optimum potential becomes impaired. A subluxation is a perfect example of how structure (musculoskeletal system) affects function (organs, hormones, immunity).
What is a chiropractic adjustment?
A gentle, specific “thrust” delivered by hand or instrument to remove spinal subluxations. The purpose of the adjustment is to return motion in your vertebrae and spine, thus removing the nerve interference to your brain and nervous system. This restores brain body communication and allows the body to function optimally and heal.
Is chiropractic care safe for seniors?
Yes. Chiropractors create customized Care Plan for each patient. Not all patients get adjusted the same. There are more gentler and subtle techniques that are utilized for the geriatric population.
Are chiropractic adjustments safe?
Chiropractic care is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of most back and neck problems. Spinal adjustments are extremely safe when performed by a licensed chiropractor. Regular chiropractic care goes beyond pain relief and should be part of one’s wellness lifestyle for whole body balance and anti-aging. See 13 below.
How often should I receive chiropractic care?
Are chiropractic adjustments safe during pregnancy?
Many pregnant women find that chiropractic adjustments improve the pregnancy experience and make delivery easier. Adjustments are adapted to accommodate the stage of pregnancy and the unique needs of each patient. Chiropractic care during pregnancy can help reduces in-utero constraints, shorter labor times, reduces lower back pain and other pregnancy symptoms and improves postpartum recovery.
Do newborns, infants and children need chiropractic care?
The birth process is often the cause of your child’s first subluxation. The very soft and undeveloped spine of an infant can suffer trauma during delivery. It is estimated that as much as 80 pounds of pulling pressure can be exerted to remove a baby from the birth canal. Then, as children grow up and become more adventurous, the number of injuries to their spines becomes countless. The repeated falls as children learn to walk, as well as the running, jumping, twisting, bumping and falling while they play in the yard or on an athletic field, often cause your children to become subluxated. However, children frequently do not show any signs or symptoms of being subluxated until later on in life. Chiropractic care offers your child a more responsive body, a more balanced flow of energy and overall increased performance as she/he passes through their milestones of development. A subluxation-free child also minimizes the risk of future health challenges. Most parents report that their children enjoy their chiropractic adjustments and are healthier than their peers.
What is the popping sound when I get adjusted?
The “popping” sound is called a joint cavitation. A joint is where to bones come together. A ligament or joint capsule surrounds the joint to give it stability. Within the joint is synovial fluid that lubricates the joint. In the synovial fluid are little bubbles of gas. During a chiropractic adjustment, chiropractors gap the joint in such a way that it creates a low pressure within the synovial fluid. This low pressure forces the gas bubbles to collapse creating the “popping” sound. The joint cavitation is not what is important during an adjustment. It is not harmful or beneficial in any way. Some people cavitate during and adjustment and others don’t. Don’t get caught up in the sound. The sound isn’t what is important. The motion in your spine and the neurological input to your brain is what is important.
Can I tell if I have a subluxation?
Not always. A subluxation is like a dental cavity–you may have it for a long time before symptoms appear. That’s why periodic spinal checkups are so important. Neck or back pain will only show up in the most acute or extreme situation. A lot of times you may have other symptoms before you have pain. Symptoms like neck/back tightness/stiffness, headaches, sinus/allergy problems, insomnia, fatigue, digestion difficulties to name a few. Although it may be possible to know you have a subluxation, it is rarely possible to be sure you don’t. Regular spinal checkups are always a good idea, and they promote good health from the inside out.
Once you see a chiropractor, do you have to go for the rest of your life? #13
People use chiropractic care in different ways. Some people only go to a chiropractor when they are symptomatic. Once the symptoms improve, they stop coming in for care. Others understand the value of regular chiropractic care for them and their family and incorporate care into their lifestyle. They get adjusted regularly. Chiropractic care can be utilized as wellness care, anti-aging and help prevent health challenges by keeping your brain and nervous system balanced, keep your organs functioning optimally and your immunity strong. As long as you are alive and upright against gravity, your spine will need care just like your teeth need care. Do you have to brush your teeth for the rest of your life? No, you just need to brush the ones you want to keep.
What conditions can Dr. Keith Giaquinto treat?
Dr. Keith has a specialty in Internal Health and takes a more holistic and functional approach to helping his patients heal themselves. Therefore he can help a wide range of different health problems. Dr. Keith treats musculoskeletal complaints from neck/mid back/low back pain, extremities complaints like shoulder, elbow, wrist issues to hip, knee, ankle or foot problems, to metabolic challenges like digestion difficulties such as heartburn, reflux, bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, crohn’s, colitis, IBS, diverticulitis, to hormonal imbalances, sinus and allergies, to immune hypersensitivities, autoimmunity to skin issues like hives, rashes, eczema or psoriasis, insomnia, anxiety, depression, ADHD, emotional issues, to pregnant mothers to be, infants, kids, teens, athletes and the elderly.
Are all patients adjusted the same way?
No. The doctor evaluates each patient’s unique spinal and/or health problem and develops a customized Care Plan. Each chiropractic adjustment builds on the one before. The resulting recommendations are based upon years of training and experience. Each patient’s care is uniquely different from every other patient.
Do Adjustments hurt?
Chiropractic manipulation is a highly controlled procedure that rarely causes discomfort because minimal force and gentle pressure are used. In fact, most patients feel relief immediately following treatment. Any reported soreness after an initial adjustment has been described as similar to that associated with starting a new exercise program. Drinking plenty of water, using an ice pack, and engaging in light stretching after your first visit can help ease any discomfort and promote healing.
Can a person who had back surgery see a chiropractor?
Yes. It’s an unfortunate fact that up to half of those who had spinal surgery discover a return of their original symptoms months or years later. They then face the prospect of additional surgery. This too common occurrence is known as “Failed Back Surgery Syndrome.” Chiropractic may help prevent repeated back surgeries. In fact, if chiropractic care is initially utilized back surgery can often be avoided in the first place.
How Long will I need Chiropractic Care?
The primary goal of chiropractic care is rapid symptom relief. The secondary goal of care is patient education/empowerment to teach you how to take better care of yourself AND to strengthen your body to prevent the symptoms from coming back. Every patient is unique (severity of symptoms, length of time you have had them, amount of damage done and any complicating factors) and requires different length of care. A Chiropractic Care Plan can be 3, 6 or 12 months long. The more open you are to learning, your level of engagement and compliance of home care, the quicker you will heal.
Why do I need to be adjusted?
Your brain monitors, regulates, coordinates and directs every organ, gland, tissue and cell in the entire body. Your spine has an intimate connect to the brain. Subluxations disrupts brain body communication and weaken the body. Health and illnesses are an expression of the body. When the body is expressing symptoms or a health challenge, the spine will be subluxated. Chiropractic care helps restore brain body communication, balancing the nervous system, organs, hormones and immunity so the body can do what it was designed to do, express health. See 13 above.
Will I need an X-ray?
X-rays are only taken when clinically necessary. Chiropractors are fully qualified to take and read X-rays but Dr. Keith refers his patients out for X-Rays or MRI scans.