Here are some of the most frequent questions we get here in our office. There are many myths and misconceptions about what chiropractic is, and we hope this information will be helpful to you in learning what to expect at a chiropractor’s office and determining how chiropractic care can benefit you.
What is a chiropractic adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment is the art of using a specific force in a precise direction, applied to a joint that is subluxated, “locked up,” or not moving properly. The purpose of this safe and natural procedure is to eliminate interference to the nervous system, improving spinal function and overall health.
Is it true that if I go once, I have to go for the rest of my life?
Choosing chiropractic care is like choosing to eat healthy organic produce and choosing to go to the gym. If you eat one apple and go to one Zumba class, that’s better than nothing. If you make healthy eating and exercise a regular part of your life, that’s even better! Chiropractic checkups are designed to keep your body in alignment so you can stay active and feel balanced. Once a patient is out of the acute stage, we will offer suggestions for frequency of ongoing care based on your condition, but chiropractic is no more addictive than fresh fruit, so you choose the appointment frequency that would best serve your healthy lifestyle.
What can be done about my injury?
Every injury is unique. Did you know that two people could have the same symptoms (let’s say heel pain that’s worse in the morning), but different root causes of the problem? The first person might have dysfunction within the foot due to over-pronation when running, the second person might have a weakness in the hip that is throwing off their biomechanics all the way down the chain to the foot. We are experts in discovering the cause of your problem, as opposed to technicians just treating your symptoms. You can’t treat a dysfunction until you can accurately diagnose it, and that’s just what we are here to help you with!
But I’m not injured, why should I go?
Even though we specialize in helping people recover from sports injuries and repetitive strain injuries, we also help active people stay active by checking for problems before symptoms occur. Many of our clients have discovered the benefits of ongoing chiropractic care (fewer “aches and pains”, better alignment, and a stronger body-mind connection) and come in on a regular basis, regardless of whether they are in pain.
I have a pain that feels more muscular than joint related, can a chiropractor help me?
Absolutely. The muscles, ligaments, fascia, nerves, and bones are all intricately connected. As chiropractors, we are specially trained to locate the exact source of your problem, whether it be muscular or skeletal. A massage therapist could help relax your muscles, but often there is more to the story than just tight muscles. It’s the old “which came first, the chicken or the egg?” paradox. Whether you view the situation with the lens of the tight muscle causing the joint problem, or the joint fixation causing tight muscles, chiropractors can unravel the musculoskeletal tension to address both conditions. Active Release Techniques, one of the core modalities offered at Riverstone Chiropractic in Oakland, is used to treat a wide variety of muscle, joint, and nerve problems.
What makes you different from other chiropractors?
We specialize in helping active people prevent and recover from sports injuries and repetitive strain injuries so that they can get back to the activities they love. Most Oakland chiropractors only adjust the spine, and spend little to no time working with the extremities and the soft tissue system. It’s been our experience that most dysfunction in the body requires an integrated approach, addressing the muscular concerns right alongside the skeletal issues. We have the skills, techniques, and tools to get you back to your activities quickly!
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation with your Oakland chiropractor, please give us a call at (510)-465-234
