Have you had Chiropractic Care?
I ask all of the new patients of my San Diego Chiropractic Center this question. I would estimate that about 75% of them answer “yes” to this question although at least half of them really have not had Chiropractic Care.
Let me explain, I am not calling my patients liars but many of them are misinformed regarding their past experiences with chiropractic treatment. Chiropractic treatment is much more complex than “my back is ‘out’, can you pop it back ‘in” scenario that only involves a treatment or two.
Many of my patients have had back or neck problems in the past and went to see a chiropractor for an adjustment and are under the impression that they have had chiropractic treatment and that it only took one visit. In reality, chiropractic care is a process that improves your health through the cumulative effects of a series of treatments combined with specific exercises, stretches and nutritional support.
Let me explain some more – joints don’t just “pop out”. The joints in our spine are surrounded by some of the strongest ligaments and muscles in our bodies. In order for a joint to “pop out” the muscles have to be week, the ligaments stretched and typically you have been exposing yourself to some kind of ongoing postural stress or some stressful activity that your spine is not coping with adequately.
Pain is the final manifestation of this process and by no means is an indicator of spinal health. Unfortunately, pain is relieved quickly with care (sometimes just a visit or two) while the underlying problem continues to fester and worsen for years before it produces pain again leaving the patient with a false sense of security regarding the status of their condition.
When I see a new patient who has had the same problem in the past that they thought was corrected with prior chiropractic care (one or two treatments), the current episode of pain is usually much worse than it was in the past because the patient only received treatment to relieve the pain – not the necessary care to treat the underlying problem.
Hence, a treatment or two with a chiropractor to relieve your pain is very different from being under chiropractic treatment that addresses all aspects of your condition including pain relief, treatment for the underlying reasons for your pain and supportive therapy to insure that your condition doesn’t continue to silently worsen.
Yours In Good Health
Dr. Steve Jones
(619) 280-0554