Frequently Asked Chiropractic Questions in Columbia MO

Chiropractic care is a holistic approach to healthcare that emphasizes the body’s natural ability to heal itself. It involves the use of manual spinal adjustments, manipulation, and other therapies to properly align the musculoskeletal system, primarily the spine. By restoring proper alignment, chiropractors aim to alleviate pain, improve mobility, and promote overall wellness. Chiropractic care is a form of alternative medicine that focuses on diagnosing and treating mechanical issues in the musculoskeletal system, particularly the spine. The underlying principle of chiropractic care is that the body has the ability to heal itself and that proper alignment of the spine is essential for overall health and well-being.

Choosing our chiropractic practice offers you the assurance of care from a dedicated husband and wife team who's shared mission is to support your long term health and comfort. We are a family, so we treat you like family too. Our office is warm, welcoming, and designed to make you feel truly cared for- not rushed, not processed, not treated like a number. We know you by name. Our chiropractic office is based on a personalized approach, qualified practitioners, and positive environment. At our office we create a tailored treatment plan for your specific needs, have licensed and experienced chiropractors, and offer a clean, welcoming atmosphere with friendly staff

A chiropractor primarily treats conditions affecting the neuromusculoskeletal system—the bones, nerves, muscles, tendons, and ligaments.   

The most common reasons people seek chiropractic care are for conditions involving pain and dysfunction, including:

• Low Back Pain: One of the most common ailments treated with spinal manipulation.   
• Neck Pain: Often treated with adjustments and exercises, especially chronic pain not due to an injury.   
• Headaches and Migraines: Adjustments may help reduce the frequency and intensity of tension headaches and migraines.   
• Sciatica: Relieving lower back and leg pain caused by nerve compression.   
• Joint Pain and Dysfunction: Including pain in the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles.   
• Whiplash and Other Injuries: Restoring function after auto accidents or sports injuries.   
• Stiff Muscles or Muscle Aches: Soft tissue therapy and adjustments are used to promote relaxation and mobility.   

Chiropractic care generally focuses on non-invasive treatments, such as spinal adjustments (or manipulation), to restore alignment, improve joint mobility, and support the body's natural ability to heal.

Yes, you can get chiropractic care during pregnancy.  Chiropractic care is often considered a safe, non-invasive treatment throughout all stages of pregnancy.

Common reasons pregnant women seek chiropractic care include:

• Relieving Back and Joint Pain: To manage the lower back pain, hip pain, and joint discomfort that often increases as the pregnancy progresses.
• Maintaining Pelvic Balance: Adjustments can help maintain proper alignment of the pelvis, which may help optimize the baby's position for birth.   
• Reducing Symptoms of Nausea: In some cases, chiropractic adjustments may help with pregnancy-related nausea.   

A chiropractor primarily helps lower back pain by using spinal manipulation, also known as a chiropractic adjustment, along with other therapies.

Here are the key ways we address lower back pain:

• Spinal Adjustment/Manipulation: This is the core of chiropractic care. The chiropractor applies a gentle controlled force to a joint that has become restricted or misaligned. The goal is to restore mobility to the vertebrae, which can help alleviate nerve irritation and reduce pain.
• Restoring Function: By improving the alignment of the spine and pelvis, adjustments help reduce mechanical stress on the muscles, discs, and nerves in the lower back.
• Soft Tissue Therapy: The use of techniques like massage, trigger point therapy, or instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization to relax tight muscles and reduce inflammation that is often contributing to the back pain.
• Rehabilitation Exercises: Chiropractors often prescribe specific stretching and strengthening exercises to help stabilize the spine, correct poor posture, and prevent future recurrence of pain.
• Lifestyle and Posture Advice: We provide guidance on ergonomics, posture, and changes to daily activities to prevent strain on the lower back.

The goal is to provide non-invasive, drug-free pain relief and restore normal function to the back.

Here are the key ways we address neck pain:

• Cervical Spinal Adjustment/Manipulation: This is the primary treatment. We use gentle controlled force to the joints of the neck that have restricted movement. The goal is to restore proper joint motion and help reduce pain and stiffness.
• Soft Tissue Therapy: This involves working with the muscles and connective tissues surrounding the neck and upper back (like the trapezius and levator scapulae) to reduce muscle tension and spasms that often accompany neck pain.
• Mobilization: These are gentler, less forceful movements and stretches used to improve range of motion in the neck.
• Postural Correction and Ergonomics: We provide advice on how to improve daily posture (especially related to sitting at a desk or using a phone) and adjust workspaces to relieve chronic strain on the neck.
• Rehabilitation Exercises: We prescribe specific stretches and strengthening exercises to help stabilize the neck and shoulder muscles, which is crucial for long-term pain prevention.

The overall aim is to address the mechanical source of the pain, leading to non-invasive, drug-free relief and improved mobility.

Generally, a chiropractic adjustment does not hurt. During the adjustment you may hear a popping or cracking sound, which is the release of gas bubbles from the joint fluid (similar to cracking your knuckles). This is usually painless.   In our office we use gentle specific techniques to minimize soreness.

Yes, chiropractic treatment is generally considered appropriate for children. Here are common reasons parents seek chiropractic care for their children:

• Developmental Issues: To address minor issues resulting from the birthing process or to monitor and support spinal development as they grow.
• Musculoskeletal Pain: For treatment of growing pains, back pain, or neck pain related to heavy backpacks, sports, or poor posture.
• Accidents and Injuries: To help with recovery from falls or minor sports injuries.
• Torticollis and Colic: Some parents seek care for infants with torticollis (a condition where the neck is twisted) or for general fussiness, including colic.

The popping sound during a chiropractic adjustment is due to the release of gas bubbles from the joint fluid. Similar to "cracking your knuckles".

Chiropractors are required to complete a multi-step academic journey to earn their license, which typically takes seven to eight years of post-secondary education.

1. Undergraduate Education (3-4 Years)

Before entering a chiropractic program, applicants must complete pre-professional college work.

• Prerequisite Credits: Most Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) programs require a minimum of three years (90 semester credits) of undergraduate study, though a bachelor's degree is often preferred or required by some states.
• Coursework Focus: The undergraduate study must include a significant number of credits in sciences like biology, chemistry, physics, and anatomy, which provides the foundation for chiropractic school.

2. Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) Program (4 Years)

This professional doctorate degree is the core of their training and is comparable in contact hours to a medical doctor (M.D.) or osteopathic doctor (D.O.) program.

• Curriculum: The D.C. program typically takes about four years and involves a minimum of 4,200 instructional hours in a blend of classroom, lab, and clinical experience. Coursework includes:
  • Basic Sciences: Advanced anatomy (including human cadaver dissection), physiology, pathology, and microbiology.
  • Clinical Sciences: Diagnosis, neurology, radiology (X-ray), and orthopedics.
  • Chiropractic Techniques: Hands-on training in spinal assessment and adjustment techniques.
• Clinical Internship: The final years of the program involve extensive supervised clinical training to gain practical experience in patient care, diagnosis, and treatment.

3. Licensing and Board Exams

Upon graduating with a D.C. degree, they must pass rigorous standardized exams before they can practice.

• National Board Exams: Candidates must pass a four-part exam administered by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE). These exams test knowledge in basic sciences, clinical sciences, case management, and practical skills.
• State Licensure: Every state requires chiropractors to be licensed, which involves passing the NBCE exams and often a state-specific exam on jurisprudence (laws) to practice in that jurisdiction.