What is Chiropractic? Chiropractic is a safe and effective way to treat a variety of injuries, aches and pains. Most commonly, we see people with neck and back conditions. However, chiropractors are muscloskeletal doctors that are very effective at treating any part of the body that has a joint; such as shoulders, knees, ankles and wrists.
What can I expect when I come for treatment? At Chiro Cleveland, we do things differently than most other chiropractic clinics. We focus on first bringing relief from pain through massage, stretching and chiropractic adjustment. We then focus on rehabilitative exercises to bring strength and coach you on how to maintain physical health. This teaches you how to self-treat and prevent the condition from reoccurring. Treatment usually lasts 4 weeks but depends on the condition. Scheduling an examination with Dr. Medlong is the first step.
How long does it take to become a Chiropractor? Roughly seven years. Generally, a Chiropractor's education starts with a four year bachelor's degree and finishes with a three year chiropractic degree. Chiropractic school typically consists of nine semesters at an average 32-credit-hour semesters that are completed in three years. During that time, a clinical internship is completed and the graduate is awarded a DC, Doctor of Chiropractic.
What is a Chiropractic adjustment? A quick, gentle push that puts motion in the joints of the spine. This will cause a "popping" or "cracking" noise that often cause a surprise at first, but feels very relieving.
What causes the popping or cracking sound? A release of gas which is a normal byproduct of cell division in joints. It is an old wives tail that popping your knuckles causes arthritis.
Is the chiropractic adjustment safe? Yes. During the first examination Dr. Medlong will rule out any red flags or health conditions which would be a contraindication to spinal manipulation.
Can I adjust myself? Sometimes. Many people can cause their backs to pop or crack which brings some relief. But many times they still have one side that doesn't pop as well and they continue to be stiff and sore. The chiropractor is a professional that has spent many years perfecting the adjustment. During the free consultation, he will determine which areas need to be treated.
I hear that once you start going to a chiropractor you always have to go, is that true? No. Our goal is to put the role of spinal health back into your hands. During the course of treatment, we will provide education on how to self-treat and how to maintain spinal health. Occasionally, because of re-injury or developing bad habits, our patients come back for treatment but in most cases treatment is then very brief.
Does chiropractic work for every type of health problem? No. We specialize in treating musculoskeletal conditions like sprains, strains, work injuries, sports injuries, herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, and general aches and pains. We have a vast network of physicians that we commonly refer to when a patient has a condition that is outside of our scope of practice.
I am pregnant, is it safe to see a chiropractor? Yes. Pregnancy can be very disruptive to pelvic alignment and chiropractic is a safe and effective way to treat low back pain.
Do you take x-rays on everyone? No. We do refer out for x-ray imaging, but only when it is necessary, which is determined during the first examination.