What is chiropractic and who should I see...

What is chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a branch of healthcare that is focused on diagnosing you using neurological and orthopedic tests, and manually treating the joints of the body using controlled quick shallow impulses. Many people associate chiropractors with back health, though there is more to chiropractic than just back health as we are knowledgeable about much more than the spine. The reason we have a spine is the same reason we have a skull, to protect our nervous system. The motion of your spine directly influences the ability of your nervous system to relay information from the body to the brain and vice versa. The controlled impulses of a chiropractor, often called ‘adjustments’, help the spine to function optimally and thereby help the nervous system to work optimally.

Each chiropractor may have a variation of what they focus on. Some chiropractors focus on wellness, promoting a healthy nervous system by keeping the spine’s motion up. Others are more concerned with injury recovery and increased performance. I enjoy working with people to overcome injuries and enjoy working with arm, leg and foot issues.

Okay, I want be adjusted, how do I know which chiropractor to go to?

This is a great question. I have always believed that the choice of doctor to go to is nearly as important as going to see them in the first place. When choosing any healthcare provider (be they personal trainer, physical therapist, chiropractor, medical doctor, or dentist) I would advise you to pick one that makes you feel listened to, informed and that you trust. Read about them online, call with questions or schedule a consultation to meet with the doctor before you choose who to see.

I was lucky as a child to see a pediatrician, Charles Fuchs, M.D., who always informed me of what he found, what he recommended, and nearly as importantly, why he recommended what he did. This empowerment of my own health, is what has always lead my healthcare choices, and eventually to my career. I never left his office feeling confused or forced into a treatment I didn’t agree with even as a young child.

When choosing whose hands to put your body in, make sure you do a little research first. Any reputable doctor should be able to answer any of your question, you should feel free to decline any proposed treatment, and they should have other options should you decline the proposed treatment. I encourage my patients to ask questions and to take control of their healthcare. Because of this openness I was able to address the mild plantar fasciitis of a patient who originally came in for neck pain.

Chiropractic shouldn’t be painful, unless you want that pain. Yes it is manual care, and there may be moments of discomfort, but it shouldn’t be painful. If you experience pain, let your doctor know, and they should have options for you to decrease or eliminate the pain.

If you have any questions about who to see, you can email me or call me at The Off-Season 978-688-6181

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Dr. Adam Bramble, D.C.