What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic care is based upon the relationship between the spine and nervous system and how being out of alignment can have a negative affect on your health. The main form of treatment associated with chiropractic care is a spinal adjustment/manipulation. However, many chiropractors use additional modalities in conjunction with an adjustment to improve function and decrease pain.
A chiropractor has already completed 4 years of pre-medical education before entering chiropractic college. The length of chiropractic college is an additional 3-4 years. The courses that chiropractors take are very similar to medical doctors. In fact, around 2,800 hours (anatomy, physiology, neurology, X-ray, pathology, etc.) are very similar. The difference is while medical doctors complete hours in pharmacology and surgery, chiropractors complete theirs in adjusting and kinesiology.
Dr. Bibb decided to further his education and pursue his diplomate in neurology. This was an additional 2 years and he is only 1 of 3 in the state of Tennessee and 1 of 600 in the country to hold this level of education.
There are numerous conditions in which chiropractic can help. Most people seek a chiropractor for relief of back pain, neck pain, sciatica, and hip pain. These are the most common, however, chiropractic can help with so much more. Providing a patient with relief from migraines and helping an infant overcome acid reflux are some of the most rewarding! It’s amazing how the body can function when the interference is removed.
A common question asked is: How often should you see a chiropractor?
This question can have several answers depending on what you want your outcome to be. If you are looking for pain relief, seeing a chiropractor 2-3 times a week for 12-18 visits should provide relief. If you are wanting to see actual structural changes, it will take longer. It is important to remember that your problem did not appear overnight. Once you have achieved pain relief or structural correction it is crucial to maintain your spine. We have some patients who see us on a weekly or monthly basis to decrease their chances of backsliding. These patients also have an increased immune system and get sick less often.