Can Chiropractic and Acupuncture Really Help Me?

By Nabil Andrawis, MD

Maybe so, but you may not even know what all they can do for you. Chiropractic is the practice of using light, gentle pressure on spinal bones to take pressure off nerves, muscles, and disks not only to decrease pain and discomfort but at the same time to try to increase the body's natural healing process. The primary focus is the spine and its relationship to the whole body, and a keen understanding of how to treat the bodys bony structure, muscles and nerves.

If this relationship is interrupted, a subluxation can occur, causing a decrease in body function resulting in pain. To make sure this relationship is maintained, a chiropractor performs manual adjustments to move bones back into proper alignment with each other. Chiropractic and acupuncture can work well together to compliment each other.

Acupuncture is an alternative way to treat an ailment by initiating the natural healing process of the body and/or decreasing symptoms and pain. Stimulating specific sensitive points on the body may create this response. Traditionally, the results are believed to come from clearing the meridians or energy pathways throughout the body.

Medically, they do not know why it works but when taking an MRI of the brain while these certain points are stimulated, parts of the brain have been shown to respond. When other non-acupuncture points are stimulated, there is no demonstrated response.

Frequently Asked Chiropractic Questions

What is an adjustment?

An adjustment is gentle force, made by the chiropractor, to a specific area of the spine, to restore the normal relationship between the spinal bones and the nervous system, which they house.

How long are treatments?

Treatment sessions average between 10-20 minutes. The first visit will usually be longer to perform physical and neurological tests, take x-rays, and provide a thorough consultation.

Frequently Asked Acupuncture Questions

What conditions can Acupuncture treat?

Since acupuncture can stimulate the body's natural healing process, it may reduce pain and symptoms. Acupuncture may be an effective treatment for any condition, including, but not limited to, pain, addiction, stress, headaches, arthritis, bed wetting, weakness, digestive disorders and much more.

I'm afraid of needles!

Acupuncture can be performed in many ways. Some acupuncturists employ needle and non-needle acupuncture. The non-needle methods include using an instrument called “Teishien” and EMI, electro meridian imaging.