Chiropractic

HealthCare

It feels very weird to get my neck cracked. Should I be scared or nervous about getting it cracked?

Understanding Neck Cracking: Clearing Up Misconceptions and Finding Comfort

It feels very weird to get my neck cracked. Should I be scared or nervous about getting it cracked? So firstly, the adjustment is not cracking your bones. The sound that can be associated with the adjustment is just gas escaping the joint as if you were to crack your fingers. Listen, you have to communicate with your chiropractor and your chiropractor should be communicating to you why they are using the technique that you're using. And then also my personal philosophy is that if you're already gonna be stressed out or nervous about the adjustment, maybe taking a step back and using a different technique, easing your way up to a more manual adjustment, but it ultimately comes down to the communication that you have between your chiropractor and yourself. So if this is something that you are truly nervous about and you're not seeing any benefit from, I would just have an open discussion to your chiropractor explaining like, hey, this is how I feel. Is there any way that we can change techniques? So there are tons of techniques within the chiropractic profession that can give the same result, if not a very close result to a manual adjustment. So I would 100%, you know, again, have that conversation with your chiropractor. I would not be scared and nervous about getting your neck cracked, but then again, I am a chiropractor. So again, going back to that communication piece to make sure that you are feeling comfortable and confident and getting results that you deserve.

Listen, you have to communicate with your chiropractor and make sure that you are feeling comfortable and confident about the adjustment. If you're feeling nervous or scared about it, just have an open discussion with your chiropractor and explain how you feel. They may be able to use a different technique to get similar results without causing as much stress or anxiety.

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It feels unusual to have my neck cracked. Should I feel scared or nervous about it? Firstly, it's important to understand that the adjustment itself is not actually cracking your bones. The sound associated with the adjustment is simply gas escaping from the joint, similar to cracking your fingers. Communication is key between you and your chiropractor. They should explain why they are using a particular technique and address any concerns you may have. My personal philosophy is that if you feel stressed or nervous about the adjustment, it may be beneficial to start with a gentler technique and gradually work towards a more manual adjustment. Ultimately, it depends on the communication between you and your chiropractor. If you are genuinely nervous and not experiencing any benefits, I recommend having an open discussion with your chiropractor to explore alternative techniques. There are numerous techniques within the chiropractic profession that can achieve similar results to a manual adjustment. So, have that conversation and ensure you feel comfortable, confident, and receive the results you deserve.

How has technology changed the way you practice chiropractic care?

Technology revolutionizes chiropractic care, improving precision and results

How has technology changed the way you practice chiropractic care? So honestly, I haven't practiced any other way but with technology coming out of school. So in our office, we use thermography. So we're looking at temperature balance in the spine. We're looking at surface electromyography. So we're looking at the tone of our muscles or the tone of our nervous system. So high tone versus low tone. And then my favorite, which is heart rate variability or HRV. And so all these together gives us an objective view into exactly what's going on so that we are able to, one, care plan accordingly, use the best technique for our practice members or clients so that they can ultimately get the results that they want and help them reach their goals faster and more efficient. So if anything, it's made me a better clinician. I think all chiropractors should use technology because it gives us, again, that data, that objective data that you're able to track over time to figure out what technique is best for your practice member or client, and then also to give best care recommendations too. I personally think that using data helps us to be more evidence-based, that we're able to track. That's just my opinion. Again, back to the technique piece. There's so many techniques within chiropractic care. So I think instead of guessing when it comes to your health, it should be tracked objectively and then using, obviously, subjective measures as well. So it has drastically changed and has really drastically changed the entire profession of chiropractors as well.

Technology has allowed me to use thermography, surface electromyography and heart rate variability to track data objectively which helps me to be more evidence-based and provide better care for my clients.

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Technology has significantly changed the way I practice chiropractic care. Since entering the field, I have always incorporated technology into my practice. In our office, we utilize thermography to assess temperature balance in the spine, surface electromyography to evaluate muscle tone and nervous system function, and heart rate variability (HRV) analysis. These technologies provide an objective view of what is happening in our patients' bodies, allowing us to create tailored care plans and choose the most effective techniques for each individual. By leveraging technology, we can help our patients achieve their desired results more efficiently. It has made me a better clinician and I believe all chiropractors should embrace technology as it provides objective data that can be tracked over time to determine the most suitable techniques and care recommendations. In my opinion, using data helps us adopt an evidence-based approach and eliminates guesswork when it comes to our patients' health. With the wide range of chiropractic techniques available, tracking progress objectively is vital for optimal outcomes. Technology has not only transformed my own practice but has also had a profound impact on the entire chiropractic profession as a whole.

If I start going to a chiropractor, do I have to keep on going to get the benefits?

Breaking the Myth: Chiropractic Care Doesn't Require Ongoing Commitment

If I start going to a chiropractor, do I have to keep on going to get the benefits? Great question because this is a huge misconception within my profession. That once I go to the chiropractor, I always have to go to the chiropractor and that's simply not true. So we call the first phase of care the restorative phase of care. So this is when you and your chiropractor are actively working towards big goals that you have set out for care. That being like decrease in pain, improve digestion, improve sleep, improve with anxiety, so on and so forth. After that restorative phase of care is over and you have reached your goals, you usually have two options. One is to stop. Two is to keep going on a wellness or maintenance or routine basis. At the end of the day, you get to decide what works best for you and your health. You have to figure out, okay, does this feel like something that could be part of my wellness journey? Or maybe I just want to stop and do something else. It's just like eating well and exercising, there will always be benefits to going to the chiropractor. But that doesn't necessarily mean that you will go back into a chronic path where we have to revisit your goals time and time again. So you don't necessarily have to keep going after you've reached your goals. There will always be benefits. But at the end of the day, that is something that you have to discern for yourself. Most people choose to go down a wellness path because that's what they value. And that's what they feel is going to help them stay well and keep healing. But again, you don't have to in order to continue to get benefits.

You don't have to keep going to a chiropractor after you've reached your goals. There are always benefits to going, but it's ultimately up to you if you want to continue or not.

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If you start seeing a chiropractor, it is a common misconception that you have to keep going indefinitely to maintain the benefits. However, this is not true. The initial phase of care, known as the restorative phase, involves actively working with your chiropractor to achieve specific goals like pain reduction, improved digestion, better sleep, or reduced anxiety. Once you have reached these goals, you typically have two options: you can choose to stop chiropractic care altogether or continue on a wellness or maintenance basis. The decision ultimately rests with you and what works best for your health. Just like eating well and exercising, there will always be benefits to visiting a chiropractor, but it doesn't mean you will fall into a cycle of chronic care and goal revision. You don't have to keep going after reaching your goals, as there will still be benefits. It's a personal choice based on what you value and believe will help you stay well and continue healing. Many people opt for ongoing wellness care because they find value in it. However, it is not mandatory in order to continue reaping the benefits of chiropractic care.

How is chiropractic work good for cognitive function?

Chiropractic Work Boosts Cognitive Function: Research Reveals

How is chiropractic work good for cognitive function? Great, great question. So I want to share two studies with you that you can definitely check out on PubMed. The first study is that after a chiropractic adjustment was received, the brain was able to utilize glucose more efficiently and what they did is they tested this through functional MRI that after an adjustment the brain was able to eat more, basically eat more glucose to function properly. So what that is basically saying is that the brain is more efficient after a chiropractic adjustment. And then the second study, and this came out of Australia as well, that the prefrontal cortex, which is the lobe of the brain behind the forehead, so it's responsible for executive function, behavior, decision making, has a little bit of a role in immune system, a little bit of a role in the parasympathetic nervous system versus the sympathetic nervous system, that the prefrontal cortex lights up the most by 20% or is activated by 20% after a chiropractic adjustment. So we're looking at more executive function, we are looking at better decision-making, we are looking at better behaviors, and again this is our window into also helping people who are suffering with different mental health challenges but also kiddos with special gifts like autism, Asperger's, behavior challenges overall. So really, really profound impact on the brain. Those are two studies that you guys can look up even more, but we know that chiropractic definitely has a profound effect on brain function and cognitive function.

Studies have shown that after a chiropractic adjustment, the brain is able to utilize glucose more efficiently and the prefrontal cortex is activated by 20%, suggesting an improvement in executive functions, decision making, and behavior.

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Chiropractic work can have positive effects on cognitive function. Two studies provide evidence for this. The first study utilized functional MRI to show that after a chiropractic adjustment, the brain was able to utilize glucose more efficiently. This increased efficiency indicates improved brain function. The second study, conducted in Australia, focused on the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for executive function, decision making, and behavior. It was found that the prefrontal cortex became more activated by 20% after a chiropractic adjustment. This suggests enhanced executive function, decision-making abilities, and behavioral improvements. These findings have implications not only for individuals with mental health challenges but also for children with conditions like autism or Asperger's. Chiropractic work has a profound impact on brain function and cognitive abilities. These studies can be found on PubMed for further information.

How do you know you need a new chiropractor?

Signs You Need a New Chiropractor: Are You Reaching Your Goals?

The question is, how do you know you need a new chiropractor? So great question and my answer really applies to any provider that you're working with, not just your chiropractor. So first and foremost, do you feel like the place that you are going to, the office that you're going to, the providers that you're working with, do you feel like you're actually healing or could heal in that office? Two, are you on your way to reaching your goals if you haven't already? This kind of bounds with the length of time that you've been there and the chronicity of whatever is going on. We're also looking at, is your chiropractor or provider opening up to you as far as like, are they talking to you about what they're doing? Are they talking to you and asking you questions that are pertaining to why you're there for your health, your wellness, things like that? Is your chiropractor doing extra training outside of the office? Not just for techniques, but also, you know, staying up to date on the current research, every technology, things are ever changing, right? And so is your chiropractor or provider staying up with the times as far as research and technology are concerned as well? Do you like going to your chiropractor? I think is a big question too, right? If you don't like going, then that's probably a sign that you probably need someone new. And that, again, goes for any type of provider that you're working with, not just a chiropractor. The biggest thing though is, okay, are you hitting your goals or are you on your way to reaching your goals? Is there a delicate balance between length of time and chronicity of the issue? Is your chiropractor open and talking with you? And are you getting your questions answered? And these are all things that you need to trust innately in your gut.

When deciding whether you need a new chiropractor, consider if you are feeling healed or on the way to reaching your goals; if your chiropractor is open and talking with you, as well as staying up to date with research and technology; and if you actually like going to the office.

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Knowing when you need a new chiropractor, or any provider for that matter, can be determined by a few factors. Firstly, ask yourself if you feel like you are healing or have the potential to heal at the current office. Consider whether you are making progress towards your goals, taking into account the length of time you have been seeking treatment and the chronicity of your condition. Another aspect to consider is whether your chiropractor or provider communicates with you about their approach and asks relevant questions about your health and wellness. It is also important to assess if they engage in ongoing training outside of the office to stay updated on research and technology. Additionally, ask yourself if you genuinely enjoy going to your chiropractor's office. If not, it may be a sign that it's time to seek someone new. Ultimately, the key is to trust your gut and evaluate whether you are achieving your goals and feel comfortable with your provider.

How do you decide which treatment plan is best for each patient's individual needs?

Using Data and Technology to Personalize Treatment Plans

How do you decide which treatment plan is best for each patient's individual needs? So this is such a great question. So first and foremost, we use data from technology to help figure this out. So we use thermography, which is looking at temperature and balance within the spine. We're looking at surface EMG or electromyography, which is looking at the tone of our muscles, high tone versus low tone, and then heart rate variability or HRV, which is looking at vehicle tone and overall adaptability. So whether or not we're stuck in a stress fight-flight mode or whether we're in a rest-digest healing mode, which we need to be oscillating between both of these nervous systems throughout our entire day. We also look, especially with kids, we look at stress during pregnancy, what that looked like, stress during labor and birth. So birth trauma is also going to dictate how we decide which treatment plan is best or care plan rather is best for each individual. And then we look at different types of stressors, so physical, chemical, and emotional stressors. So first physical, how much physical stress are they going through? For example, are they working out? Are they sitting for a majority of their day? Emotional stressors, like what does that look like? Any strange relationships, any anxiety? Chemical stressors, we're looking at toxic load, what's their diet look like? Are they using non-toxic products? So on and so forth. This will also help us figure out, hey, when will they see results? And then frequency and duration of care, which is huge, so it's this beautiful balance between objective and subjective matters that helps us to figure out each patient's needs.

We use data from technology such as thermography, surface EMG, heart rate variability, birth trauma, physical stressors, emotional stressors, chemical stressors, frequency and duration of care to determine the best treatment plan for each patient's individual needs.

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Deciding on the best treatment plan for each patient's individual needs is a comprehensive process that involves utilizing various data and factors. Firstly, we incorporate technology such as thermography, which assesses temperature and balance within the spine. We also analyze surface electromyography (EMG) to evaluate muscle tone and heart rate variability (HRV) to gauge overall adaptability and the balance between stress and healing modes in the nervous system. For children, we consider stress during pregnancy and birth trauma as influential factors. Additionally, we examine different stressors experienced by patients, including physical, chemical, and emotional stressors. This includes assessing physical activity levels, sedentary behavior, emotional well-being, relationships, diet quality, toxic load exposure, and product usage. By considering these factors, we determine the level of physical stress, emotional stress, and toxic load a patient may be facing. This information helps us understand when patients may start seeing results and establish the appropriate frequency and duration of care. Ultimately, our decision-making process combines objective data with subjective patient experiences to create individualized treatment plans.

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Dr. Gabrielle Manto, DC answers your Chiropractic questions. See all the advice Dr. Gabrielle Manto, DC has and get answers to your own Chiropractic questions.

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Gabrielle graduated from Temple University with her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology, General Business and Spanish. After graduating, she moved to Dallas to attend Parker College of Chiropractic. She held leadership roles in the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association and developed a passion for serving mothers, babies and children. She participated in doula training and mission trips to El Salvador and Guatemala. Gabrielle is currently working towards her post-graduate certification through the ICPA and is trained and certified in Webster Technique, Perinatal Care, BirthFit, MC2 Tonal Technique, and FOCUS. Her mission is to empower women and ensure babies have a healthy start to life.