FAQs
What is a Chiropractic Neurologist?
A chiropractic neurologist is a licensed chiropractor who has completed an additional 3-year course of study in neurology, and a minimum of 300 hours of coursework and clinical training in this chiropractic specialty. The chiropractic neurologist must pass a rigorous and comprehensive certification examination administered by the American Chiropractic Neurology Board.
Upon passing, the chiropractor is awarded the distinction of being a Diplomate of the American Chiropractic Neurology Board and serves as a specialist within the field of chiropractic. Currently, there are only 400 board-certified chiropractic neurologists in the world, and Dr. Wellens is the only one in Walnut Creek.
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism.
The brain, which controls the ENTIRE body, receives and transmits information through the spinal cord and the spinal nerves. Nervous system function is impaired when any part of this communication is disrupted.
Chiropractic neurology is the science of locating offenders to this natural and much needed communication. Chiropractic neurology care is the art of correcting what is causing the negative impact to one’s nervous system.
Whether it is a flu, a pain, or a cancer, the one common finding is nervous system dysfunction.
How Does Chiropractic Work?
Chiropractic works by restoring your inborn ability to be healthy. When proper communication is established between the brain, the spinal cord, and the spinal nerves, the cells of the body are best suited to resist disease and ill health.
The chiropractic neurology approach to better health is to locate and help remove any interference to your natural state of being healthy.
There are many reasons why nervous system communication can become faulty. One reason is due to the loss of normal motion or position of the spine, which can irritate or impair the function of the nervous system due the resultant inflammation around poorly moving joints. Research has shown that this inflammation can disrupt the transmission of nerve impulses.
With improved spinal joint movement there is often improved nervous system function.
What is the First Visit Like?
Helping to restore proper spinal joint movement, and improved nervous system function begins with a thorough case history. This gives the doctor a background about your health, such as surgeries, accidents, the onset of your condition, and other details affecting your current health.
After reviewing your history and discussing your specific problem, a thorough orthopedic, neurological, and chiropractic examination is performed. X-rays may be taken to uncover structural and functional problems associated with the spinal joints. These examinations help to identify areas of spinal malfunction, and the resulting nervous system deficit.
The findings of these examinations are explained and a plan of chiropractic adjustments and rehabilitation therapies may be recommended.
Progress is monitored with periodic examinations and follow-up reports.
What is a Chiropractic Adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment is the art of using a specific force in a precise direction, applied to a joint that is not moving properly (“fixated”). This restores proper motion to a joint, which helps the bones gradually return to a more normal position and motion. The purpose of this safe and natural procedure is to improve spinal function, nervous system function, and improve one’s health.
Is Chiropractic Care Safe?
In the words of the New Zealand government’s inquiry, chiropractic care is “remarkably safe.” Chiropractic has an excellent safety record. It is the result of a conservative approach to health that avoids invasive procedures or addictive drugs.
Can I Speed Up the Healing Process?
While there are no shortcuts to speed your body’s natural healing process, there is a lot you can do to give yourself the best chance of a quick recovery.
You should learn proper sitting and lifting methods. Specific exercises may be suggested to help strengthen the muscles that support your spine. Many exercise programs like yoga and Pilates focus on these same muscles.
Proper rest is an important aspect of the healing process, which is why restful sleep at night is so important to your health.
During the healing process, proper nutrition is very important. Many natural supplements can be taken to reduce inflammation and increase one’s rate of healing.
Why Do Children Need Chiropractic Care?
Since significant spinal trauma can occur at birth, many parents have their newborns checked for spinal joint dysfunction. In fact, many childhood problems may be a result of poor nervous system communication.
In addition to the initial birth trauma, many children subject themselves to traumas that might negatively affect the spine, such as: sports, falling, bumping into things, etc. Many childhood health complaints that are brushed off as “growing pains” can often be traced back to the spine.
Regular chiropractic checkups can identify these problems and help avoid many of the health complaints seen later in adults. Naturally, chiropractic adjusting procedures are modified for a child’s spine.
Most parents report that their children enjoy their chiropractic adjustments and seem healthier than other children.
Am I Too Old for Chiropractic Care?
More and more people are consulting chiropractic doctors, especially in their later years. With growing concerns about over-medication and the side effects of combining various prescription drugs, chiropractic care is growing in popularity. One reason is because chiropractic treatment does not involve the utilization of drugs or surgery.
Restoring spinal movement can help improve mobility, vitality, and endurance. Many patients report improvement with arthritic symptoms, and other chronic ailments that are often associated with the aging process. The adjusting technique used by your doctor will be modified for maximum comfort and results.
How Long Will I Need Chiropractic Care?
The way each individual person adapts and compensates for their injury determines the length of time needed to restore one’s nervous system to optimum function. Long-standing problems do take time to correct, but it will not take forever.
There are three phases of care: acute treatment, rehabilitation, and maintenance. During the acute phase, the goal is to treat the cause of one’s problem as quickly as possible. The rehabilitation phase includes treatments designed to promote strength in areas that were once weak, and to set the stage so that a reoccurrence of a similar injury does not happen again. The maintenance phase takes place when the first two phases are fully completed, and the patient finds that periodic checkups serve as preventative visits to keep their bodies functioning properly. It is no different than getting a periodic checkup on your teeth from your dentist.
Most patients find that preventative visits are part of a healthy lifestyle.
How long you decide to benefit from chiropractic care is ALWAYS up to you.