What can chiropractic do for me?

Depending on your own experiences , people have varying concepts of what a chiropractor does and what chiropractic can do for you.

Here is a list of common questions and answers regarding chiropractic:

What are your specialties?

Chiropractors are all over the map in what their specialties, which is good, because people are all over the map with their health issues.

I have studied fitness and health for several years, and so naturally, I specialize in working with people trying to lose weight or that are fitness minded. But, I have also studied Webster technique, which is a low force technique used on pregnant women. I also use activator (a low force adjusting tool) for children and people that are hesitant of "cracking noises".

I don't just work on spines; I also adjust extremities (knees, shoulders, wrists, feet) and work on soft tissue rehab, as well.

Woah--pregnant women? Kids?

A common misconception about chiropractic is that its some how going to be too forceful and cause harm. Not true! The recommendations on pregnancy are changing. Where as, the idea used to be that women were delicate little flowers and couldn't do anything while pregnant, the current recommendations are that the more fit you are, the better you can handle labor. Labor is like the biggest marathon you will ever run--getting your body prepped by having your pelvis and spine aligned helps the mechanics of the body.

Kids are the best patients! They move "like buttah". Wear and tear on our bodies accumulates over time; addressing it while its still new helps to prevent damage down the road.

Can you help me lose weight?

Yes, I'd be happy to. I write a fitness column, I have worked for Bally's, and I was a program director for a very large national weight loss chain. I know the in's and outs of weight loss, and I love to help people lose weight because it not only makes a change in your physical health, but in your mental and emotional health as well.

Weight loss isn't chiropractic!

It sure is! Anything that helps take wear and tear off your body (like, losing excess weight) helps with your chiropractic care.

Are you going to make me put my feet in that foot bath thingy?

No. I don't do pedicures. The only detoxification I recommend is the old fashioned way--healthy eating, filtered water, and a functioning liver.


Are you guys really Dr's?

Some people have this bizarre idea that chiropractors get licensed by sending in some card from the back of Men's Fitness. Not true!! The standards in chiropractic education have become increasingly stringent over the years. In addition to completing coursework before attending chiropractic school, we take years of coursework in anatomy, physiology, clinical skills, nutrition, adjusting, and preparing for "worst case patients" (like you wouldn't believe). Then, we take 4 different national board exams in those subjects and apply for a license. They require a lot of preparation, studying, and plenty of people don't pass. No pass, no license, no refund.


I am not having any pain. Why should I go see a chiropractor?

When my dad calls me, he still asks me weekly if I am getting my oil changed. According to dad, taking care of my car now means that I won't end up on the side of a road with empty oil and a ruined engine, with Ted Bundy coming around to offer me a lift. (He's such a dad)

Well, dad is usually right.

Preventing a problem is a lot easier than trying to fix an existing one. Pain is often the last sign that something is not working right in your body. Chiropractic works in various ways: firstly, it helps to maintain alignment in the body to minimize wear and tear on the joints; secondly, it is theorized that by stimulating the nervous sytem via the spinal adjustment, it affects the nerves that exit the spine and go to different tissues away from the spine; third, it keeps motion in the joints to help them move freely, which can help with mobility and athletic performance. By seeing a chiropractor before you have pain, you usually have to come in less often, and avoid problems before they start.

I heard once you go you have to keep going. I just dont have the time for that!

My goal is to see you less. I don't care if you are super charming or bring me pumpkin muffins (they are welcome, though).

Like a lot of healthy habits, chiropractic usually involves some kind of maintenance plan. Your body is always working, and so there is usually no quick fix for anything. Healthy habits, such as exercise and healthy eating require that you continue as part of a habit to see the best results, and chiropractic is no different.

Most people keep seeing a chiropractor after their initial visit because they see the benefit in continuing care. The goal of chiropractic is to get you to a point that your body becomes healthier and better functioning, so that your number of visits decrease over time. It is better to come in once a month for a maintenance visit than to go several months without care and come in for a visit in pain.

I went to a chiropractor before and they told me I had to come 3 times a week and that I was a total mess. What gives?

No one wants to be cornered with something scary like an X ray and told they are all messed up. It's like when you bring your car in for brake pads and find out that you are leaking things, your brakes are destroyed, your engine is going to explode, and things you have never even heard of need to be replaced.

Sometimes, in trying to explain what chiropractic can do for you, people get overzealous and miss the mark. Although everyone is different and the amount of visits recommended will vary by person, I am always willing to work with your budget and schedule to help get you the care you need.

Seeing things on your x-rays or hearing your exam findings can be scary, especially if you felt fine coming in. Rest assured, my goal is to never scare you or make you panic. Relax! I will give you an honest opinion of your current health, and what recommendations I can make.

My doctor gave me exercises to do, and told me to lose weight, and stop drinking and smoking...that hasn't really happened. Are you going to lecture me?

Any kind of doctor/patient relationship involves a partnership for a common goal. That means that we both have to work together to get you the best results. Exercise, diet, and modifications to your lifestyle can help you get to your goal faster and improve the results you get from chiropractic care.

Unless we are married, I am not going to nag you. But, I do want you to get better so I will work with you on small changes over time that will help you get to feeling better.

Have questions for me? Email me at drcatchiro@gmail.com