CHIROPRACTOR Iowa City

Chiropractors restore “normal” nerve transmission/function to the body through specific adjustments to the spinal bones. “Abnormal” nerve function (too much/too little) comes from misaligned bones or what chiropractors commonly refer to as “subluxations”.

These “subluxations” can create a state of “dis-ease” in the body…sometimes resulting in certain conditions. Specific adjustments bring the body back to it’s “EASE” state, oftentimes restoring one's state of health.

To determine whether chiropractic will be effective or not, one must consider a few important factors:

1. Age of patient
2. To the degree that the condition has progressed
3. The body’s own innate ability to heal
4. The chiropractor's ability to correctly analyze and adjust your spine
5. The time you allow for recovery

No. Adjustments are intended to be specific. The specificity is what makes chiropractic unique! Treating everyone the same way with the same twisting of the neck and lower back from right to left and popping everything in between is not at all specific. Anything less than specific is not chiropractic and may do more harm than good to the patient!

Elevate Family Chiropractic uses the Gonstead method of adjusting and analyzing the spine. We're one of a few offices in Iowa City that exclusively uses the Gonstead method. By thoroughly analyzing the spine through the use of x-ray, instrumentation, visualization, static and motion palpation you can expect a properly delivered adjustment.

Yes, chiropractic adjustments are safe…given that they are performed by a skilled and competent chiropractor! Like I tell patients, anyone can make a “popping” or “cracking” noise but very few people can make a proper adjustment. This is an art or skill that takes years to become efficient at. Chiropractic has been around since 1895 with a proven track record of success!

Besides the more common symptoms of neck and back pain, patients may often find relief/support with other symptoms such as:

• Vertigo/dizziness
• Headaches/Migraines
• Menstrual issues
• Digestive issues/Diarrhea/Constipation
• Heartburn
• Asthma
• Pregnancy
• Carpal Tunnel

Just to name a few!

Absolutely! During pregnancy, a women’s body goes through some pretty dramatic changes that can create stress along the spine. If the spine was already stressed before pregnancy, chances are it will intensify during the pregnancy. Great care is taken to be sure that both the mother and her baby are safe when performing an adjustment. We utilize special adjusting tables with different modifications to give the most gentle and accurate adjustment up to the time of delivery.

Unfortunately, most people associate a “popping” or “cracking” noise as being on the same level as an adjustment. Certainly, If you rotate your spine hard enough you will likely create a loud noise! However, this in no way constitutes an adjustment and may prove to be more harmful than good!

Adjustments are specific! For instance, the Gonstead technique utilizes a listing system that helps the doctor determine how the misalignment is occurring and the best way to make the correction.

It’s important to adjust the bone in the proper direction in accordance to how the bone is misaligned. It’s of even greater importance that the adjustment reduces and eventually eliminates nerve pressure and restores vital nerve function.

Sciatica often presents itself as pain down one leg or both. Oftentimes, the pain may travel all the way to the foot. Typically, when there is misaligned bone (subluxation) in the spine, this will induce an inflammatory response in the disc that can potentially irritate the spinal nerves…in this case, the nerves that travel down the leg.

With a proper analysis, the doctor can specifically determine how a vertebrae has misaligned and where the nerve pressure is being affected. This information is then used to determine the best approach to restoring proper position and motion of the subluxated vertebrae that may be affecting, in this case, the sciatic nerve.