Frequently Asked Questions

Questions:

What is chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts based upon the understanding that good health depends, in part, upon a normally functioning nervous system (especially the spine, and the nerves extending from the spine to all parts of the body). "Chiropractic" comes from the Greek word chiropraktikos, meaning "effective treatment by hand." Chiropractic stresses the idea that the cause of many disease processes begins with the body's inability to adapt to its environment. It looks to address these diseases not by the use of drugs and chemicals, but by locating and adjusting a musculoskeletal area of the body which is functioning improperly.

What conditions benefit from chiropractic care?

Although chiropractic is used most frequently to relieve low back pain, studies have found it to be effective for a variety of conditions, such as migraine headaches, neck and shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and infantile colic.

Clinical experience and anecdotal information relate many more conditions that respond well to chiropractic care. The research information is still being gathered for some of these, and others have yet to be studied.

Do Chiropractic adjustments hurt?

Under normal circumstances, adjustments don't hurt. The patient may experience a minor amount of discomfort during the adjustment which lasts only seconds. Dr. Williams uses low-force procedures further reducing the discomfort level.

Is Chiropractic safe?

Chiropractic adjustments or manipulations are extremely safe. The risk factor is estimated to be in excess of one million to one.

What kind of education and training do doctors of chiropractic have?

Chiropractors receive an education that emphasizes neuromuscular diagnosis and treatment. Preparation for the practice of chiropractic is concentrated on three areas of learning; basic training in the biological and health sciences (anatomy, physiology, histology, biochemistry, clinical and radiological diagnosis); specialized training in the chiropractic discipline (theoretical studies, practice, diagnosis and applications); and extensive clinical training.

The Doctor of Chiropractic Degree is given after successfully completing at least 4 years of study in a Chiropractic College. Entrance into a chiropractic college requires at least 2 years of basic science courses in college. (If you are interested in more specific information please go to the link page and visit the Palmer College of Chiropractic site.) Dr. Williams graduated summa cum laude from Palmer College of Chiropractic.

Have any studies been published showing what chiropractic is effective for?

Several studies have documented the effectiveness of chiropractic in relieving back pain. More recent studies have shown chiropractic to be effective in treating infantile colic and migraine headaches.

What can I expect on my first visit?

The first thing a chiropractor will do is ask you about the health complaints about which you are chiefly concerned. The DC will also ask about your family history, dietary habits, other care you may have had (chiropractic, osteopathic, medical, etc.), your job, and other questions designed to help determine the nature of your illness and the best way to go about treating the problem.

A physical examination will be performed in accordance with your DC's clinical judgement. In addition, a careful spinal examination and analysis will be performed to detect any structural abnormalities which may be affecting or causing your condition. When the history or nature of the problem indicate, Dr. Williams may recommend sending you out for x-rays, laboratory work or other diagnostic tests to give him the full information he needs to best understand your case. All of these elements are important components of your total health profile, and vital to the doctor of chiropractic in evaluating your problem.

What other services do you offer besides chiropractic adjustmnets?

When needed physical therapy modalities like Interferential Therapy (Electrical Stims), Ultrasound, Traction, Myofascial Release, Cold Packs, Stretching and Rehabilitative Exercises can be used. Dr. Williams also will assess the need for Foot Leveler TM. Orthotics, do posture evaluations and use other supports in cases where they are indicated. He also does dietary evaluations and recommends nutritional therapy for some situations.

Do I need to keep going to a Chiropractor?

There are two answers to this question and the answer depends on what you are going to a chiropractof for. If you are receiving care for an injury or other ailment, you should reach a point where that condition is resolved and no further care is needed for that condition so you can stop seeing the chiropractor. If you have another injury or incident then you would do well to get back to the chiropractor as soon as possible to take care of that problem.

If you view your spinal health in the same context as dental health, it is probably a good idea to plan on having a periodic check to correct the little aches, pains and stiffnesses that you tend to ignore because they are not big enough to stop you from doing what you want to do. These are the warning signs that things are strained and compromised. If they are ignored at some point when you bend over to pick up a pencil from off the floor, the whole back might go into spasm and you have a crisis bigger problem to be taken care of. So, in this sense, you should plan on always seeing a chiropractor, but the interval between times might be quite long and may vary significantly according to the person's age, health, work and other activity levels.