Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic is the focus of musculoskeletal and nervous system disorders with their effects on general health.  Chiropractic was founded in 1895 by Daniel David Palmer when he gave an adjustment to a partially deaf janitor by the name of Harvey Lillard.  Harvey’s hearing was restored and chiropractic was born. It is recognized in all 50 states as an independent health care profession. Over 40 military bases make chiropractic services available to our soldiers and to over 30 veteran’s administration medical facilities. There are chiropractors who provide care in hospitals and multidisciplinary care facilities.

As a chiropractor, I practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care. During my rigorous chiropractic education at New York Chiropractic College in Seneca Falls (formerly Eisenhower College), I underwent 4200 hours of classroom, laboratory and clinical experience over three and half years. A chiropractic student must pass all 4 parts of the National Board Exam, the last part being a clinical portion (and I must say the most intense of the 4 parts because there are 45 timed stations to complete.) I am happy to report I passed all four parts the first time!

Chiropractic manipulation therapy is given to the individual bones of the spine containing restrictions or subluxations by using Diversified Chiropractic manipulation therapy.  Adjusting will restore proper movement (or remove a restriction) to adjacent spinal bones, which form a joint.  A restriction or subluxation is a joint that is not moving properly and can compromise the nervous system by applying pressure to nerves exiting the spinal cord at the affected joint.  The capsules of restricted joints contain nitrogen gas, which upon adjustment of the joint releases this gas, quite often producing a popping sound.

At Knox Chiropractic Care, PC we treat a variety of conditions, including:

  • Arthritis
  • Headaches
  • Whiplash
  • Head or Neck Pain & stiffness
  • TMJ (Temporal Mandibular Joint disorder)
  • Shoulder and Arm Weakness or Pain
  • Elbow, Wrist, and Hand Pain or Numbness
  • Low back pain and stiffness
  • Pains or numbness into the buttocks and/or leg
  • Hip pain and stiffness
  • Sports Injuries
  • Feet and knee pain
  • Bedwetting
  • Asthma
  • Chronic Ear Infections
  • Piriformis Syndrome
  • Sciatica

What to Expect at Your Initial Visit with Dr. Knox

At your initial visit you will be greeted by my staff.  They will ensure you have completed all paperwork properly and perform a health express test, plus a few other things to assist Dr. Knox with your case.  Dr. Knox will spend 30 minutes with you taking a patient history and perform a physical examination.  At the end of this appointment you will be given some information to read on chiropractic care.  Dr. Knox will spend an hour with you going over your Report of Findings. This is when you learn what she found with your case and what she recommends for a chiropractic treatment plan. It is at this appointment that you will have your first adjustment.  The goal of Dr. Knox is to provide chiropractic health care in a non-rushed atmosphere to people of all ages with the use of manual adjusting and soft tissue work as well if she deems necessary. X-rays will be ordered if a patient is not progressing appropriately after a certain amount of chiropractic adjustments.  Most patients respond nicely without the need of x-rays.

 

When Will I Feel Better

Many patients feel immediate relief following chiropractic treatment. For others, it may take a few weeks to feel substantial progress. Exercises or stretches will be given after a few adjustments if Dr. Knox feels the patient needs additional self-help with their case. This is determined on a case by case basis. There are some patients who Dr. Knox will recommend Trigger Point therapy to help their case along, so knots that have developed in muscles can relax to stopping pulling joints out of alignment. She also encourages her patients to drink lots of water to nourish your muscles and joints.

 

Water Tips

Daily Minimum Water Intake (oz) = Body Weight/2 + (oz of Diuretics x 1.5)

Example              200lbs/2 +  (16oz of coffee x 1.5)  = 100 + 24 = 124oz water

Avoid Diuretic Beverages:  Coffee, Caffeinated Teas as well as some herbal teas such as Peppermint, Soda,    Alcoholic Beverages, Packages Fruit Juices.

Recommendations:  Drink only filtered or spring water in glass, ceramic or stainless-steel containers.  Never use plastic.

 

Can Children Be Adjusted?

There is no age limit as to who can be adjusted from newborns to senior citizens.  The type of adjustment will be different for these extremes of the age spectrum.  Chiropractors understand how traumatic the birthing process can be on the spine, even “natural” birthing methods can stress a still-developing spine. Many parents report their children are healthier than other kids their age.

Problems chiropractic adjusting can help with are:

  • Colic
  • Unexplained Crying
  • Poor Appetite
  • Breathing Problems
  • Allergic Reactions
  • Nursing Problems
  • Chronic Ear Infections
  • Sleeping Problems

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have A Pinched Nerve?

Many patients consult a chiropractic doctor because they have a pinched nerve.  Because of the way your spine is designed, abnormal spinal function caused from physical trauma, emotional tensions, or chemical toxins can affect the delicate tissues of the spinal cord and nerve roots.

While commonly associated with the spine, the pinched nerve (compressive lesion) is actually rare.  Researchers suggest that only 10% to 15% of spine related problems are caused by direct pressure of bone on nerve tissue!  This can result in numbness, burning, or a “pins and needles” feeling.

More frequently, nerves are irritated (facilitative lesion).  This is caused when nerve tissue is rubbed, scraped, stretched by a loss of spinal curve, or irritated by malfunctioning spinal joints.

 

Do I have a Slipped Disc?

Technically, a disc can’t slip.

The intervertebral disc is a pad of cartilage-type material situated between spinal bones.  Each disc serves as a connector, spacer, and shock absorber for the spine.  A soft, jellylike center is contained by outer layers of fibrous tissue.  Healthy discs help allow normal turning and bending.

Because of the way each disc is attached to the vertebrae above and below, a disc cannot “slip.” However, trauma or injury to the spine can cause discs to tear, bulge, herniate, or worse, rupture.  This can be quite painful, as the soft center of the disc leaks putting pressure on the adjacent nerve roots and spinal cord.

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 problem.

 

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism.  These important functions are controlled by the brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves of the body.

The skull protects the delicate tissues of the brain, and the moving bones of the spine protect the vulnerable communication pathways of the spinal cord and nerve roots.  If the nervous system is impaired, it can cause malfunction of the tissues and organs throughout the body.  Doctors call this the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.  Vertebral, meaning the bones of the spine.  Subluxation, meaning less than a total dislocation.  And Complex, meaning consisting of more than one part.

Chiropractic is the science of locating offending spinal structures, the art of reducing their impact to the nervous system, and philosophy of all things natural.

 

How Does Chiropractic Work?

Chiropractic works by restoring your inborn ability to be healthy.  When under the proper control or your nervous system, all the cells, tissues, and organs of your body are designed to resist disease and ill health.  The chiropractic approach to better health is to locate and help remove interferences to you natural state of being healthy.

With improved spinal function there is often improved nervous system function.  Your chiropractic doctor can help remove interference that may be impairing normal health.

Since the primary focus of your care is improved nervous system function, chiropractic can have a positive effect on many health conditions not normally thought of as “back” problems.

 

What Type of Education Do Chiropractic Doctors Get?

Today’s Doctor of Chiropractic is well educated.

The science of chiropractic requires a special emphasis on anatomy, pathology, neurology, biomechanis, X-rays, 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.

To graduate with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, each candidate passes the demanding National Board Examination.  Then, doctors apply to a governmental licensing board before being granted the privilege to practice.

A chiropractic education never ends.  Most doctors complete post graduate instruction for license renewal and to stay current on the latest scientific research.

 

What Is An Adjustment?

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.  This 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 many ways to adjust the spine.

After years of training and clinical experience, each chiropractic doctor becomes highly skilled in the delivery of a variety of adjusting approaches.

 

Are All Patients Adjusted the Same Way?

The doctor evaluates each patient’s unique spinal problem and develops an individual course of care.  The resulting recommendations are based upon years of training and experience.

Some patients who complain of headaches may actually have a lower back problem that is causing a compensation reaction at the base of the skull.  Other patients may be experiencing numbness and tingling in their fingers, when the actual problem is in the neck.  Every patient presents a uniquely different spinal pattern.

Restoring better spinal function can help improve mobility, vitality, endurance, and appetite.  Many patients report improvement with arthritic symptoms and other chronic aliments often associated with the aging process.

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

 

How Long Will I Need Chiropractic Care?

Spinal problems, neglected 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 checkups 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 see chiropractic care only when their ache or pain becomes unbearable.  While this style of “crisis management” is usually more costly and time-consuming, our office stands ready to help all patients, regardless of their health goals.

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