Frequently Asked Questions in Crystal Lake

A chiropractor is a doctor that specializes on the detection and elimination of vertebral subluxation. Their field of expertise is on creating and supporting healthy movement of spinal joints, as the spine is the gateway to the central nervous system. They focus on supporting the body’s normal physiology, normal function, and the parts involved in such. D.D. Palmer, the founder of chiropractic said it well when we wrote: “Chiropractic is a restorative healthcare profession that focuses on the inherent healing capacity of the body and the fact that the nervous system is the primary system involved in that healing and repair.”

Chiropractic care is caring for an individual’s spine and central nervous system. This is done by creating, restoring, or maintaining motion in the spine to support the body’s communication with itself so it can best adapt to it’s environment at any given time. This optimal state of adaptation and being is called health, or “ease”, rather than “dis-ease.”

Yes, chiropractors are doctors. Rather than a focus on pathology and disease like most medical doctors, chiropractors focus is on the internal environment and supporting optimal function and physiology.

There has been a long history of the human frame and bone setters, with regard to the effect it has on health. Chiropractic specifically developed rapidly following a series of events starting in 1895 when a patient’s hearing was restored following an adjustment. Since then it has persisted through much adversity, which is primarily due to a difference in philosophy and perspective. Healthcare today is primarily focused on an “outside-in” approach; meaning if the body is sick or ill, the symptoms must be addressed and treated. Whereas chiropractic sees sickness or symptoms as a lack of proper function. For example, catching a cold would be due to a failure to adapt to exposure of a virus or germ. In other words, the individual who got sick would have had less resistance and had failed to adapt.

A chiropractor detects stress on the spine aka vertebral subluxation and either creates, restores, or maintains motion through spinal joints which effect the central nervous system.

Chiropractors are indeed useful. As B.J. Palmer wrote: “While other professions are concerned with changing the environment to suit the weakened body, chiropractic is concerned with strengthening the body to suit the environment.”

Chiropractic follows the rules of physiology, therefore it doesn’t have an option to work or not work. It follows the laws of the human frame and thus “works.”

Many people are nervous about going to a chiropractor for a number of reasons: it is a different approach and view on health than many are used to. It involves placing your body and trust in the literal hands of someone else. That being said, when done as intended, chiropractic care is safe.

Sometimes people may experience soreness as joints start moving that have been unable to move for a long time, but other than that, the beauty of chiropractic is that the only side effects is feeling good as your body heals and normal physiology is supported.

It all depends on what your goals are. To continue to maintain healthy motion through the spine, maintenance adjustments are necessary. Similar to sustaining a certain level of fitness, working out is required.

Our office is unique in that we tirelessly work to refine and pursue mastery the art of adjusting. As a skill that we use to help others, we want it to be a superior experience. We also always work to accommodate needs of many different individuals; be that highly competitive athletes (as Dr. Josh and Dr. Emily both have experience competing at a NCAA division II level), but also on families, from hours old to the elderly and everything in between. We are part of a group of chiropractors around the world who have similar practice philosophy and values with mastery of the adjustment and superior patient care. We also pride ourselves on results, and those results speak for themselves, as we are the best reviewed office in our area now for the past several years.

As we are part of a group of chiropractors from around the world, odds are we can find someone good near you. We love helping others even if it means finding someone near you that will provide excellent care.

Chiropractors work to create, restore, and maintain motion of the spine especially regarding involved spinal joints that were injured. This supports the innate healing ability the human body has.

Yes! Chiropractic care during pregnancy is becoming more and more common. As the body changes throughout pregnancy, regular care can help the body adapt, aligns the pelvis for a smoother delivery, and also ensures clear nerve function for optimal baby development.

We find the root cause, or in other words, the joints involved that are under stress by using an exam and x-rays when possible. Then once the area of spinal stress is identified, we adjust that area to restore normal motion and the natural healing ability of the body takes care of the rest.

When performed correctly, they should not hurt.

Yes! Chiropractic adjustments are safe and effective.

No. All patients are not adjusted the same way. Each patient has unique areas of stress on their spine based on a great deal of factors and their adjustments account for this.

No, removing your clothing is not necessary aside from a heavy jacket.

Yes! Chiropractic care for children is becoming more and more common to support optimal function. Some of the most common benefits we see are improved: digestion, sleep, focus, and immune function.

A bachelor’s of science degree followed by a doctorate degree, as well as a four part national board certification is required to practice. The following demonstrates the total hours of basic sciences in chiropractic school: Anatomy 570, Biochemistry 150, Microbiology 120, Public health 70, Physiology 305, and Pathology 205.