Milford MA Office
296 Main Street
Suite 102
508-473-1750

Franklin MA Office
38 Pond Street
Suite 206
508-528-7616

Patient Info

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• FAQs

Commonly Asked Questions

1. "What does Chiropractic deal with?" from Connie J., Milford, MA.

Perhaps the best place to start is here. Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts, and as a science is based on the premise that good health depends, in part, upon a normally functioning nervous system. When body structures (cells, organs) are functioning normally, a state of health or normal physiology is said to exist. However, when the body's physiology is abnormal, a disease state begins. And simply put, what controls the function of every cell and organ in the body, including the immune system...? The answer is the nervous system. Chiropractic deals directly with restoring the full potential of the nervous system and hence the functioning of the entire body.

2. "What is an adjustment?" from Melissa C., Bellingham, MA.

An adjustment, means the specific manipulation of vertebrae which have abnormal movement patterns or fail to function normally. Chiropractors spend countless hours learning motion palpation (the art of examining by movement and touch) and special spinal examining procedures in order to administer a specific spinal adjustment. Considerable skill and dexterity are required to become proficient in the art of Chiropractic. Particular attention will be paid to that area of your spine where spinal derangement (called subluxations) have been detected. The adjustment is usually given by hand, and is usually a quick, yet small pressure applied to an area of the spine in just the right direction, and with just the right amout of force, to correct the misalignment. The are many other techniques in the Chiropractic field, and not all require a force given by the doctor's hand. Other techniques use specialized adjusting tables, the force of gravity, or specialized instruments to meet the needs of the patient. All techniques, or adjustments, serve one purpose, to remove spinal subluxations and restore the natural healing power of the body.

3. "Is it safe?" from Julie T., Milford, MA.

From the words of The New Zealand Commission Report, it found Chiropractic to be "remarkably safe." The Manga Report overwhelmingly supported the efficacy, safety, scientific validity, and cost-effectiveness of Chiropractic for low back pain. The RAND Report also states that Chiropractic may be of some benefit to low back pain, and this was stated by medical doctors. The list of research goes on and on...all stating the safety and application of Chiropractic. Spinal manipulation should only be performed by a liscensed Doctor of Chiropractic (DC). Chiropractors spend over 450 hours in a clinical setting and over 2500 hours in a classroom setting learning the specific art of adjusting, anatomy and physiology, pathology, neurology, X-ray procedures and orthopedics. Chiropractic has been around for over 100 years, healing people naturally, without drugs or surgery, there is no safer way to get better.

4. "If something goes wrong, could I become paralyzed?" from Laura G., Franklin, MA.

The safety of Chiropractic is misunderstood. People see that Chiropractors press hard on the back or neck, hear a "crack" and expect pain. The is nothing so further from the truth. Liscensed Doctors of Chiropractic, after years of training like any other doctor, know when to adjust, when not to, where to adjust, and how to adjust, taking in to consideration all factors: lifestyle, drug use, age, and pathology present within the patient. A variety of screening paperwork to detect pathology, as well as a variety of orthopedic, neurological, and Xray tests are used to determine the stability of the patients spine and what kinds of adjustments can be used and which should not be used. Check the credentials of your Chiropractor, and make sure he/she is liscensed. To answer this question completely, there is an almost 0% chance on becoming paralyzed from a Chiropractic adjustment.

5. "Are Chiropractic adjustments dangerous for people with osteoporosis?" from Tom
G., Franklin, MA.

The answer, simply, is yes. Again, though, the Chiropractor, well aware of this either due to the patient telling the doctor, or from finding the condition clinically (Xrays, tests), will then not perform certain adjusting techniques. Recall, though, that a variety of other techniques are available in Chiropractic, and can take into account a condition such as osteoporosis. Chiropractic involves more than just manipulation of the spine though...and if applicable, a variety of exercises may be prescribed by your Doctor of Chiropractic to strengthen a patient's spine with such a condition.

6. "I have heard that Chiropractors are not real doctors, is this true?" - Mike M., Milford, MA.

This question can be a book long. But, due to limited space..Doctors of Chiropractic ARE real doctors. They go to undergraduate school first, where many earn a Bachelor Degree. They then apply to a Chiropractic School where they attend about 4 years of graduate level education. There, they learn such topics mentioned earlier such as Anatomy, Embryology, Physiology, Pathology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Xray Procedures and Analysis, Histology, Osteology, Nutrition, Gynecology, Genitourinology, Geriatrics, Pediatrics, CPR, and a variety of specifically Chiropractic subjects, such as adjusting techniques and orthopedics and neurology. Chiropractors then perform a 450 (or so) hour internship while in school, just like medical doctors. They then are required to pass about 4 National Board Exams, and then a state Board Exam to get their liscense. The only reason Chiropractors aren't considered "real" doctors is because they don't prescribe drugs, or their procedures are "different" or they don't perform surgery. Remember, the philosophies are different between Chiropractors and Medical doctors, and both are considered doctors in their OWN right.

7. "Will it hurt?" from Tara K., Bellingham, MA.

The "it" refers to the adjustment. This is probably the biggest fear about chiropractic. Let it end here. The answer is no, and yes. Once its understood why, then there should be no fear. In most cases, an adjustment WILL NOT HURT, no matter where its performed, whether in the neck, midback, lowback or pelvis. As a matter of fact, the majority of adjustments will actually FEEL GOOD afterwards. But, there are some that will feel tense afterwards, or even during the adjustment. Understand it like this...think of all the soft tissue damage (ligaments, muscles, etc) that may be occurring in your spine due to changed spinal movement. Say a "subluxation" has been sitting in your spine for years...what occurs? The bones in your spine become fixated, limits movement, the muscles degenerate or become tight because the motion has changed, ligaments become laxed or stretched, it may pinch off blood flow to these areas because of all this leading to local hypoxia and necrosis (lack of oxygen; tissue degeneration) and decreased lymph flow (removal of wastes)..the body responds by altering the state of your spine (adding calcium to areas of the spine where there is lack of motion, making it all worse). So...do you think an adjustment into an area like this WON'T hurt a little? Sure it will, and may even persist for a few days during treatment. Motion must be restored to these areas for the condition to improve. So, every once and awhile, tension may be felt in areas of the spine during treatment, and depending on your condition, age, and how long the problem has been there will determine how long it lasts. Subluxations rarely occur overnight, as a matter of fact, they usually take years to manifest into the symptoms of pain and whatever else. Therefore, to correct all the soft tissue damage and to restore normal motion and function, it may take months to correct and retrain the muscles...and it may hurt, a bit.

8. "Does/can a Chiropractor prescribe medication? If so, are they mostly painkillers?"
from Donna L., Milford, MA.

For the most part, Doctors of Chiropractic cannot prescribe medication, but is determined mostly by state laws. Many Chiropractors chose NOT to prescribe drugs based on the philosophy of Chiropractic and many other naturopathic healing arts, which simply state that the perfect drugstore resides within all of us, in our bodies. The inner, or Innate, Intelligence thats in all of us knows exactly when to release all types of biochemicals...hormones, blood, bacterial killers, poison control chemicals, virus killing toxins, etc...all in the right amount, and it knows exactly where to send it. (Do you think a pill can do that?) Why interfere with this perfect system?? And ask yourself this...what do you think CONTROLS this system...? The answer is the nervous system...the system directly affected through Chiropractic.

9. "What types of pain or injuries do Chiropractors deal with? Is it mainly the back or do they treat other areas as well?" from Chris B., Milford, MA.

Great question. One that deserves more time and space. Fact one: the nervous system controls and coordinates the function of EVERY cell, organ, and organ system in the body (immune system, cardiopulmonary system, etc). Fact two: Chiropractic deals directly with the nervous system, by removing spinal subluxations which interfere greatly with the normal functioning of this system. Fact three: at each level of the spine, or at each bone in the spine, specific nerves run from the brain, to the various cells and organs of the body. Fact four: if a misalignment occurs at one of these bones, it literally "pinches" the nerve, causing change in motion, decreased blood flow to the area, change in muscle function, and a change in function to wherever that nerve is going...for example, the stomach. All these factors are what Chiropractors term a "subluxation." Take these 4 facts and what do you have? It means that Chiropractors, by adjusting the SPINE, can affect ANY area of the body, and help correct a variety of ailments. just because the Chiropractor adjusts a person's back, doesn't mean they only fix back pain! This is another of the biggest misconceptions about Chiropractic. Chiropractors adjust the back because it's where the nervous system is located! The brain and spinal cord run right down the spine, and by adjusting, or correcting, spinal misalignments, we are directly affecting the nervous system, trying to restore it to full potential. Many chiropractors are also trained in adjusting other areas of the body as well...including the shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee and ankle.

10. "Will I always have to see a Chiropractor, even when I'm healed?" from Harry M., Upton, MA.

Why wouldn't you want to? Do you need to take your car in every 3000 miles for a checkup/oilchange? Do you go to a dentist every 6 months for a checkup? Do you need to do these things for life? Why? Will you still perform the same daily routines and activities when you're healed? Then don't you think it's necessary to check your spine, the main conduit in your body that controls all things, every now and again? Do you WANT to go back to the state (pain, symptomology) you were at? There are 3 main causes of spinal subluxation: chemical, emotional and physical stress. Chemical stress is eating poorly. Physical stress is daily activities...your job, lifting, bending, sleeping, playing. Emotional stress is understood..but can change your body's chemistry causing muscles to tighten and subluxations to occur. So, unless you think you'll never experience any of these things again once you're "healed"... Switching from "sickness care" to "wellness care" requires a spinal checkup once or twice a month, depending on your lifestyle and determined by your Doctor of Chiropractic. The benefits will greatly outweigh anything else. With continued care, you'll discover greater spinal motion and lack of back pain, increased resistance to illness, sleep better, decreased headaches, and a variety of other topics. Ask your Chiropractor about continued care and its benefits for you.

11. "Do most Chiropractors rely on Xrays or are there other methods of determining the location of an injury?" from Robert M., Marietta, GA

Doctors of Chiropractic rely on a variety of clinical tools to determine the location of an injury. It all starts with the patient entering the office. Then the patient fills out a series of paperwork which elicits certain information about their major complaint. The examination involves a series of Neurological and Orthopedic tests which zero in on the site of injury and detect any pathological processes going on in the patient. Lastly, Xrays are used..mostly to look for pathology, but also to get a general feeling for the state or condition of the spine. Xrays primary function has always been to determine if the CAUSE of the primary complaint is pathology, like cancer...Xrays aren't always needed in patient care, but are most often required. It would be detrimental to not take Xrays in a patient with severe pathology going on, and not know about it, and not be able to refer them out for proper treatment.

12. "I've heard that once you go, your back is never the same, is this true?" from Julie T., Milford, MA.

Well, yes, of course! It's better! Chiropractic improves spinal (back) motion, helps increase nervous system function, helps correct altered musculature, helps correct poor posture, helps correct aberrant gait (changed walking cycle), helps correct increased or decreased spinal curvatures....need I continue?

13. "How many sessions will it take?" from Gary S., Milford, MA.

When a patient first presents to a chiropractic office, that person may have acute (recent) or chronic (old) pain or symptomology. Depending on his/her age, complaint, lifestyle and a variety of other factors and clinical results, his or her careplan may differ. Generally, to achieve maximum benefit, a patient should be expected to come in frequently in the beginning stages of care, and then decrease over time. This should be compared to learning how to play the piano. In the beginning, it's very difficult, because the muscles in your hand aren't trained to do such tasks. And it may even hurt after the first few sessions. But, with practice, or frequency, the muscles become accustomed to the new tasks, or information your body is getting, or learning how to do. This relates to Chiropractic care...it requires alot of frquency (coming in to be adjusted) in the beginning, so we can retrain the muscles and tissue of your spine to correctly balance your body. It may be sore in the beginning too. But over time, it won't require as many visits because your muscles, ligaments and bones have become accustomed to the new information, or alignment.