Can chiropractic help me?
If a subluxation is diagnosed, chiropractic adjustments will be beneficial. The degree of response may vary due to the length of time the condition has existed, the lifestyle of the patient and one's compliance to the care plan.

Does the adjustment hurt?
Typically, no. If one is in so much pain that simply touching the spine hurts, the doctor will apply ice for 15 or 20 minutes and that will reduce the discomfort for the procedure. An adjustment is felt and heard like cracking one's knuckles. There could be some stretching sensation felt when the lower back or pelvis is adjusted in the side posture position and that is normal.

What should I expect after an adjustment?
Often times after the first adjustment you will feel tired. The release of the adjustment to a fixated inflamed segment is like pulling out a longstanding sliver or lancing a boil. The body says "ahhh" and wants to rest. This is normal. Some patients feel a little general soreness like they "used muscles they didn't know they had". This is because some muscles have been tight or spastic for so long in response to the subluxation that they go unnoticed until they start to relax. Only then do we realize how tense they were. About 3-5% of people may experience a sensation like their arms or legs are tingling. If this occurs it typically lasts a couple of hours or less and does not again.

How many adjustments will I need?
The exact amount is case specific. The doctor will have a better idea after 2 or 3 visits when your body's response is better understood. Some acute conditions such as a catch sensation in a hip or midback may resolve in one adjustment. Other more chronic subluxations may take 1 to 2 years of treatment to reduce to an optimal level. Some cases will require supportive maintenance the rest of one's life.  Just as some people need insulin for their diabetes or medication for their heart after bypass surgery.

Who should be checked for subluxations?
EVERYONE. If you have a spine and a nervous system, you should be checked. Dr Rich Fetcho's youngest patient was 3 hours old and his oldest 94.

Still have questions?
Don't see the information that you were looking for? Don't hesitate to contact us, we'd be happy to help!