Is Chiropractic Safe for Me and My Children?NEW!
Chiropractic treatments are extremely safe for people of all ages. Unfortunately, some critics of chiropractic care have attempted to manipulate the public into thinking chiropractic treatments are dangerous. Nothing could be further from the truth. Chiropractic treatments are among some of the safest treatments used in the health care field.
The following studies/reports were published confirming the safety of chiropractic: The Manga Report, The Agency on Health Care Policy and Research Study and The New Zealand Commission Report. In addition, a pediatric specific survey study concluded that there exists little evidence of harm to children from chiropractic. (Lee AC, Li DH, Kemper KJ. Chiropractic care for children. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med 2000;154:401-407.)
It is also interesting to note that average malpractice insurance premium rates for medical doctors are approximately 20 times that of chiropractors. If chiropractic were unsafe, it would likely be reflected in malpractice insurance rates.
Insurance & Payment Information:
Mayes Chiropractic is a participating provider with Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance programs and all Medicare programs. Other insurances may reimburse patients directly for their payments to us as a non-participating provider. Reasonable cash plans are available for those without insurance.
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a philosophy, a science and an art which holds the goal of locating, analyzing and assisting in the correction of vertebral subluxations (misalignments of spinal bones that interfere with the functioning of the joint and nervous system) because they are detrimental to the expression of innate intelligence (the life force present in every cell and tissue in the body.)
Chiropractic recognizes that correcting spinal misalignments allows the body to live up to its potential in terms of health and healing. Chiropractors evaluate the spine to determine where subluxations are present and use a variety of techniques to assist the body in correcting these misalignments, which may or may not be causing pain for the person in whom they are present.
What Is A Vertebral Subluxation?
Also known as Vertebral Subluxation Complex (VSC), a vertebral subluxation is a misalignment of the spinal bones that results in a lack of proper motion in the spinal joint and affects the function of the nervous system. This may result in pain, stiffness, numbness, tingling, burning, muscle spasm, swelling, and/or lack of proper function of an end organ served by the nerves involved (examples: sinuses, stomach, reproductive organs.) It is important to note that not all subluxations are painful!
What Causes Vertebral Subluxation Complex?
Most people are familiar with trauma, such as an auto accident or a fall or an impact, as a cause of VSC. There are, however, many more common causes that affect the average person’s spine. One of those is an improper posture repeated over time. An example would be a sleeping or driving posture, or a posture related to one’s occupation, such as sitting at a computer or holding the phone between one’s ear and shoulder. Another cause of VSC is toxins, taken into the body in the form of chemicals we ingest (pesticides on food, alcohol, and prescription and over-the-counter drugs,) or breathe (first and second hand cigarette smoke, air pollution.) And finally, mental and emotional stress can readily result in VSC.
How Old Do You Have To Be To Get A Chiropractic Adjustment?
Being born qualifies a person for having their spine checked for subluxations. Babies are often checked as soon after birth as possible. The trauma of the birth process, whether vaginal or caesarian section, and the potential restrictions encountered during the 9 months in-utero can result in spinal subluxations being present in a newborn.
Can I be adjusted if I've had back surgery or a ruptured disk?
Yes. The chiropractor may use low or no force techniques and will likely avoid adjustments to the area of concern. Surgery or a disc problem creates stresses on other areas of the spine and it is beneficial to the entire spine as well as the area of concern to be adjusted. It is important to talk to your chiropractor about your concerns if you have fears about being adjusted. Many adaptations can be made to work with any concerns you might have.
