Chiropractic

Benefits of Chiropractic

Chiropractic for babies and children?

Babies, children and teens all benefit greatly from chiropractic. In fact, our youngest patient at Agape was 2 days old! Our treatment process for infants and young children is extremely different from that of adults. Young bodies need unique therapy at each stage of childhood. Babies can endure a great deal of trauma during delivery. Since the labor process is often rushed or bypassed in hospitals (inductions, c-sections etc.), the vertebrae don't stack up properly before birth.

This can cause issues such as colic or reflux. As children grow, they experience several small injuries that add up over time; falls, sports + injuries, and stress from school. Treating children as they grow is like tending to a crooked baby tree. If you let it be, it will twist and bend in the wrong direction. But, if you gently guide it, it will grow firmly upright. Regular adjustments help children develop strong bodies and healthy immune systems. Chiropractic can help treat:

Chiropractic and anti-aging?

Chiropractic can have powerful anti-aging benefits, especially when combined with a healthy diet and exercise. Over the course of a lifetime, an individual will most likely experience one or more macro traumas (falls, sports accidents, car accidents etc.). But daily living can also cause micro traumas, (bad posture, repetitive activity, or poor sleep quality) that can lead to just as much damage if left unchecked.

As we age, the spine goes through a process of degeneration. When the spinal bones are out of alignment from any kind of trauma, physical nerve stress occurs. This affects the brain's ability to signal the body and disrupts the body's ability to heal itself. Chiropractic adjustments release the pressure on the nervous system so the body can repair the damage, minimizing the effects of aging.

Chiropractic for the elderly?

Chiropractic is an excellent way for senior citizens to receive relief from arthritic pain, neck and back soreness, headaches, digestive issues and other problems associated with aging. Agape uses various alternatives to manual adjustments for gentle joint release such as blocking, respiratory assisted adjustment, joint mobilization and cranialsacral therapy. By keeping the spine and nervous system functioning properly, elderly patients also have a better chance of avoiding falls and injury. Along with a positive attitude, healthy diet and active lifestyle, chiropractic can help people of all ages enjoy vibrant wellness.

How often do I need to get adjusted?

Chiropractic treatment ranges from urgent, to rehabilitative, to maintenance. Patients with urgent needs, such as acute injury, should be adjusted three times a week. Once the pain is manageable, the rehabilitative phase begins. Treatment at this stage is usually once a week. Maintenance adjustments are typically only needed once or twice a month. It's important to continue maintenance treatment, even after the pain is gone, to help prevent recurrent injury.

Patients without injuries should consider their personal needs. How stressful is your life? How active are you? Do you sit at a desk repeating the same motions all day? Are you an athlete? If you are extremely active or mostly sedentary, you'll need to get adjusted more frequently to help prevent injury. If you are somewhere in the middle, you may not need to be adjusted more than once a month. It's best to discuss your needs with your chiropractor and devise a plan that's best for you.

Will I become addicted to chiropractic?

Chiropractic is not an addiction, but rather a lifestyle. Our bodies are inundated with stress on a daily basis. The frenetic pace of modern culture, toxicity in the environment, processed food, and overuse of prescription drugs threaten our health every day. The human body isn't meant to withstand this relentless assault without breaking down. Chiropractic gives the body a chance to heal and rejuvenate. Regular adjustments help keep the body aligned, support good posture, and promote an overall sense of well-being. Whether you want to remain pain-free after an injury or maintain good health and mobility, chiropractic is a proactive choice for wellness.

Will the chiropractor crack my bones?

A common myth surrounding chiropractic treatment involves the "cracking" of bones. In actuality, the popping sound sometimes heard during therapy is due to the opening of the joint space and a release of gas. Subluxation creates an air pocket between the bones that prevents fluid from flowing freely and nourishing the joints. After a joint has been opened, the spinal fluid re-lubricates the joints and normal motion returns.

I'm afraid to get adjusted. Will it hurt?

Even after myths have been dispelled, chiropractic therapy can be daunting to newcomers. The most common form of spinal adjustment is a quick and gentle thrust of the hand on the site of a subluxation. Usually, adjustments are painless and provide immediate relief with increased mobility. Depending on the severity of pain, there can be some momentary discomfort that subsides directly after the adjustment.

In cases of excess inflammation, there can also be some residual soreness while the body is healing and realigning itself. Consistent therapy will accelerate the healing process as the soreness disappears. For patients with acute pain and injury, or for those with anxiety over manual adjustment, Agape offers several alternatives:

• Blocking is a treatment that utilizes a small, spring-loaded activator device to deliver light impulses to the spine. It provides just enough force to move the vertebrae without a "popping" sound.
• Respiratory Assisted Adjustment is a treatment in which the chiropractor mobilizes joints while the patient slowly breathes in and out.
• Joint Mobilization is a technique where slow movement is used to mobilize the joint.
• Craniosacral Therapy (CST) involves light touches to a patient's skull, face, spine and pelvis in order to release tension and improve mobility. This gentle pressure helps increase the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, optimizing the body's ability to heal itself.