Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Once you begin going to a chiropractor, do you have to continue going forever?
Answer: The question implies that it's a negative idea. The answer depends on what the patient wants, not on what the chiropractor wants. It depends upon the long and short term health goals of the patient. If your only goal is to eliminate acute pain, such as neck sprain or a back sprain, then, "no," it may not be your option to continue on with care. You may choose to use a chiropractor for pain relief; it is very effective and comes with no side effects. But this is an inefficient use of chiropractic. It only scratches the surface of its potential benefit. The answer is "yes" if your goal is lifelong health.

Question: I can adjust myself, why do I need a chiropractor?
Answer: Just because you can twist your back or neck and make a popping sound doesn't mean that you are adjusting your spine; it is simply the shifting of joint gases. It may feel good at the time but you may cause your problem to be worse. When you try to pop your own joints you are actually moving the joints that move easily, instead of the fixated joints that your chiropractor is concerned with. If you continue to do this you may be on the path to developing arthritis.

Question: What makes that popping or cracking noise?
Answer: The noise comes from pressurized gases in your joints. When this pressure is released, that is when you hear the noise. It is similar to opening a pop can. It has no therapeutic effect and is nothing to fear.

Question: Do children need chiropractic care?
Answer: Children can benefit greatly from regular chiropractic adjustments. In 1989 a study showed that, not only was the overall health of those children who were receiving chiropractic care superior to those who had only medical treatment, but they also had fewer ear infections, allergies, lower incidence of tonsillitis, and less need to be given any antibiotic treatments. Rettay Chiropractic treats patients ranging from newborns to seniors, and has seen excellent results with all ages.

Question: How do I know whether to use ice or heat for an injury?
Answer: Although altering the temperature of an injury or painful area can be quite beneficial to the healing process, knowing when to apply ice or heat can be confusing. General Rule: If in doubt, use ice first. If the ice doesn't feel beneficial or irritates, discontinue. Then try moist heat. Ice will not increase the swelling; using heat first could increase the swelling and magnify the pain.

The application of ice or cold packs to the body decreases the flow of blood and, therefore, the swelling from acute or recent strain or injury, decreases the transmission of pain nerve impulses, and increases muscle and ligament tension. Application of ice is desirable during periods of acute injury in which strain and sprain have occurred as well as acute onset bursitis. Ice is preferred when usual or strenuous physical activity followed by back, neck, shoulder or other joint pain has occurred. For example professional baseball pitchers apply ice to their arms immediately following games to control swelling.

The application of moist heat increases the circulation of blood and decreases tension in muscles and ligaments. Moist heat applications are advantageous for the relief of chronic muscle or ligament tension. It is generally best to apply moist heat to areas of chronic tension in the absence of recent swelling. Moist heat is also generally more beneficial for muscle spasm than ice. Moist heat penetrates to deeper layers of the skin than dry heat; be sure to wipe moisture from your skin after removing a heat application and cover affected area with a cloth or clothing to hold in the heat.

Question: How can I know if my child needs chiropractic care?
Answer: INFANCY: If your child's birth was difficult or required intervention; experienced significant falls while learning to sit, crawl, and walk; has colic; if you're concerned about SIDS; if he has frequent ear infections.
EARLY CHILDHOOD: If your child is active in sports; has a learning disorder; is sick often; refuses to eat; or has problems with sleeping.
PRE-TEEN: If your child is active in sports, shows symptoms of scoliosis; has asthma; is overly awkward; has had a large growth spurt; or carries a heavy backpack.
ADOLESCENCE: If your teenager plays sports; sits a lot; is involved in a car accident; complains of frequent headaches; has a family history of arthritis or osteoarthritis; or suffers from menstrual pain.

Question: What is an adjustment?
Answer: A chiropractic adjustment is the process of applying a specific force in a precise direction to a joint that is fixated (i.e., locked up or not moving properly). The purpose of this procedure is to help the bones return to more normal position and motion, and thus have improved spinal function, improved nervous system function, and improved health. There are many ways to adjust the spine. Adjusting methods may include a hands-only quick thrust, a specially designed instrument that delivers a brief, highly accurate thrust, or a slow, constant pressure. There is an art to knowing what type of adjustment is right in different situations and, after years of training and practice experience, your doctor is highly skilled in a variety of adjusting approaches.

Question: Is Chiropractic care safe?
Answer: Chiropractic's excellent safety record is a result of a conservative approach to health that avoids invasive procedures. The government of New Zealand published a study, which included information regarding the safety of chiropractic treatment. The commission concluded that spinal adjustments given by registered chiropractic doctors are "remarkably safe," and "their education helps them access and manage spinal problems at a very high level." Based on their findings, chiropractic care was recommended for inclusion in the New Zealand Social Security and Accident Compensation Acts.

Question: Am I too old for Chiropractic care?
Answer: A growing number of our senior population is seeking chiropractic care. There is increasing concern about over-medication, side-effects, and improper combinations of various prescription drugs, and this is especially true in the elderly. A natural approach to restore spinal function, improve mobility, vitality, endurance, and appetite is especially attractive. Many patients with arthritic symptoms and chronic ailments often associated with aging report improvement with chiropractic care. As we get older the simplicity and effectiveness of chiropractic becomes more and more obvious.