There is no shortage of online videos featuring doctors of chiropractic performing spinal adjustments on patients, often in a sensational and sometimes alarming manner. Anything from methods called the ring dinger, which is not taught in chiropractic colleges anywhere, or other methods that can be harmful if performed poorly. The videos often are a turnoff for some patients, too. Imagine a dentist posting videos of themselves performing a tooth extraction. While procuring business from social media seems tempting, potential patients often have a misconstrued idea of what we do and the rationale behind our approach, which aims to help them feel and function better. New patients ask about these methods and videos more frequently, without realizing that effective chiropractic physicians always begin with a good evaluation and thorough history before adjusting the patient. Safety first, with effectiveness aligned with what you require to feel and function better. While it is attempting to cut corners to get the spinal adjustment, the best practitioners always use their mind and diagnostic skills beginning with your initial evaluation. Our advanced training in chiropractic sports medicine and 40 years of experience make us the ideal primary care physicians for the musculoskeletal system. Chiropractic is not about cracking backs. The crack most people ask about has been described as air leaving a joint space while performing a manipulation. It is most commonly heard in younger people who are more mobile, but older adults are much less likely to experience it due to changes secondary to their age, their spines, and their bodies. The adjustment, which improves joint mobility, is part of what we do, along with myofascial release and other soft tissue methods that alter the fascial system and how you move. The exercises we give you are designed to help you improve how you move and function. Foot orthotics also help people with longstanding asymmetries in how they walk and move, as they help them function better overall. This is why chiropractic care is about movement, which, as it improves, so do you. The crack, as in cracking the back, is something experienced by younger patients, but the improved mobility is experienced by all. Great chiropractic results begin with a thorough evaluation and history. An initial visit to our offices always begins with a thorough history and evaluation. Most patients appreciate how thorough we are before we perform any procedure. A proper diagnosis leads to better care and better results. One size never fits all, as we have different histories, body styles, sexes, etc, and mechanical problems that cause your pain can be easily missed by only looking at the painful area without understanding the mechanism causing your pain. Some patients may require X-rays, and some may also have foot orthotics recommended if their problems begin with how they stand and walk. Patients are thoroughly evaluated from the ground up. This is very different than the walk-in clinic, where patients are given the same cocktail for pain and inflammation as everyone else while they are looking at where you hurt rather than why. After weeks or months of a lack of improvement using the medical model, they may be referred to a medical specialist, undergo injections, undergo tests such as an MRI. Many of the emergencies that call us on a Sunday are looking for relief after everyone has failed to help. Effective solutions do not have to be complicated or very costly, but they do need to require a complete understanding of why you hurt. For painful musculoskeletal problems, think chiropractic first to avoid the costs, chronicity, and suffering. It is commonly suggested that who you visit first can determine your experience resolving a problem. Many patients have been scared into believing their arthritic changes are too advanced to be helped by a chiropractor. The physicians who create these fears in those patients are often the ones who scare them into waiting months or years without offering them better solutions. This is part of the reason so many people experience joint replacements. Much of this damage is avoidable through chiropractic care. We are mechanical beings, and we require mechanical solutions. Chiropractors are body mechanics. Spinal adjustments are one of the many methods we perform to improve movement, reduce pain, and solve chronic problems. When a chronic problem causes pain and inflammation, it may require a number of visits to help you feel and function better. The secret to great chiropractic care is follow through both from the physician and the patient. After your initial visit, you may experience some soreness, which is normal, and most patients are sore already. What often changes is how you move, which improves how you feel naturally. Follow-up visits include exercises, myofascial release, Graston technique, and, of course, spinal and extremity manipulation. Often, a chronic problem will require a series of visits to fully improve the problem, vs. temporary relief from one or two visits. Our treat-test-treat protocols enable us to make sure our care that day was effective, and we share that information with you as we move along in your treatment plan. Treatment is always centered around your needs, and once you have achieved maximum improvement, we will discharge you from active care. Keep it simple; see a chiropractor first. Your body will thank you. Need help today? Book online or call either of our offices for an appointment today. No shortcuts. Just great care.