Q and A with Dr. Hughes

Commonly Asked Questions:

What Is Chriopractic?
Do Chiropractors Prescribe Medication?
Can Children Undergo Chiropractic Care?
Is Chiropractic Safe for Women Who Are Pregnant?
When Do You Need a Chiropractor?
What Are the Phases of Chiropractic Care?

What Is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is the largest form of alternative health care in the nation, focusing on the spine, related structures and the nervous system. It is the third largest health care discipline after medicine and dentistry. Approximately thirty million people seek chiropractic care each year.

All the nerves that control the body pass through the spine. Daily stressors such as poor posture, activities, work, sports, heredity and lifestyles play a substantial role in determining the outcome of your health. These factors can create joint misalignment with restriction, and muscle imbalances and weaknesses, which can ultimately impair the overall function of the body and the nervous system that controls it.

The main purpose of the chiropractor is to find the cause of the symptoms, and correct the problem by restoring the function of the spine and other parts of the body which may be causing the problem. This is primarily accomplished through chiropractic adjustments and other ancillary strategies. Ultimately, the doctor of chiropractic attempts to facilitate the natural healing process of the body without using medicine or surgery.

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Do Chiropractors Prescribe Medication?

No. In addition to chiropractic care, chiropractors may also employ other health care strategies to complement and accelerate the healing processes of the body. This may include things such as massage therapy, rehab techniques, therapeutic modalities like ultrasound, nutritional approaches etc. The goal of the chiropractor is to facilitate the body's inherent healing capability.

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Can Children Undergo Chiropractic Care?

Yes. We often forget that children have the same spine and body parts that adults do. Many children of all ages are chiropractic patients. Some chiropractic practices focus primarily on care for the pediatric population. Many of the physical problems we face as adults begin during childhood. Childhood is often an important time to address concerns, because the body is undergoing rapid change at this time. Children are also very active and susceptible to events that can be traumatic. Addressing concerns at an earlier stage can often help prevent the progression of future problems.

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Is Chiropractic Safe for Women Who Are Pregnant?

Yes. Pregnant women are not able to take many of the drugs and medications for pain relief during the course of their pregnancy. Due to the significant changes that take place in a woman's body during pregnancy, many of the associated stresses lead to pain and discomfort. Many woman look to chiropractic care for a safe alternative. The doctor of chiropractic can determine a treatment strategy that is both safe and comfortable for the pregnant mother-to-be.

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When Do You Need a Chiropractor?

Anyone who has a spine and two arms and legs is a candidate for chiropractic care.  It is often thought that a person only should see a chiropractor if they are in pain or have been injured.  In reality, the spine, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and therefore your entire nervous system, are subjected to a multitude of stresses on a daily basis.  These things need to be monitored and maintenanced just as the teeth, eyes, and other systems of the body do.  If these things are not taken care of, they are more likely to break down at faster rates.  This will increase the likelihood of future injury, pain, or disability.  The absence of symptoms (ie. pain, numbness, tingling, burning) does not equal good health.

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What Are the Phases of Chiropractic Care?

As the body attempts to heal itself and adapt to changes resulting from stress, injury or lifestyle, it does so in stages.  Therefore, a chiropractic plan of care traditionally has three stages to account for those stages of healing.  The three phases of care include:  Relief, Correction, and Wellness.  The primary goal of the relief phase is to reduce pain or other symptoms.  During the correction phase, the goal is achieving normal or maximal functioning.  Changes have taken place in the soft tissues (muscles, ligaments, discs etc.) that require care beyond the relief phase.  Lastly, is the wellness phase.  The goal of this phase is to prevent reoccurrences, and to address any additional underlying conditions before they surface and become symptomatic.

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