what is chiropractic?

The Chiropractic message has always focused on the natural healing from within. Used properly, chiropractic will provide the foundations of wellness for you and your family. Chiropractic is a natural method of health care with the proven ability to relieve pain, increase vitality, and promote wellbeing. For over a century, doctors of chiropractic have successfully helped millions of individuals recover from a variety of health problems. As a result, chiropractic has earned its place as the largest drugless and non-surgical health care profession in the nation.

The human body possesses a natural ability to heal and restore itself. This ability depends on a healthy nervous system. Life's events such as the birth process, accidents and falls as a child, office work, automobile accidents, sports injuries, home stress and other unhealthy lifestyle habits are just some of the factors that can overwhelm the body's ability to adapt. The joints of the spine 'lock up' when these sorts of events occur, limiting range of motion. Spinal joint restriction and/or misalignment results in irritation and/or pressure at the spinal nerve.

Chiropractic care corrects these structural distortions, known as subluxations, restoring the body to its optimal form, function and healing. Local symptoms of subluxations may include pain, tenderness, swelling, tingling, numbness, or spasm around the joints of the spine, back, and neck. Many times these sensations extend further into the shoulders and arms, around the rib cage, or into the hips and down the legs. Subluxations also lead to headaches, stomach and digestive problems, and loss of overall health.

Impaired nerve coordination causes the whole body to suffer. Vital instructions flow between the brain and the body by way of spinal nerves. These instructions inform and direct the body as to when, where, and how it needs to heal itself. By irritating nerves, subluxations interfere with the essential brain/body exchange, thereby compromising the normal function and healing of the body's organs and tissues. Chiropractic care clears the path for the body to maintain its own health.

benefits of chiropractic care

The benefits of chiropractic care have also been shown to extend beyond reduction of back and neck pain. In fact, chiropractic has proven itself as useful in the reduction of headache pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, jaw pain, sciatica, tingling in the arms and legs, greater immune function and resistance. The rewards of chiropractic care are numerous. People receiving chiropractic care report more energy, clearer thought (less foggy thinking), better health and well-being and many families have realized the benefits of chiropractic care for their children.

Nerve interference can affect anyone, which is why people of all ages experience relief and improved health through chiropractic care. A qualified doctor of chiropractic will best determine the appropriateness of care for you and your family.

Doctors of chiropractic are the most highly qualified professionals in evaluating and caring for building spinal and nerve system health, as well as many other health problems.

chiropractic faq

What can I expect on my first visit?
Your initial visit will begin with a consultation. Dr. Cooley or Dr. Desaulniers will take a health history (or perform an interview) and ask about your present concerns and health goals.

Next, Dr. Cooley or Dr. Desaulniers will perform a thorough assessment of your neuro-spinal system and utilize the latest available technology to pinpoint where damaging nerve tension is developing and more importantly, how deeply it is affecting your health. Whether it is back or neck pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic headaches, asthma, ear infections or a host of other symptoms, we carefully listen to and analyze the reactions of the body, Chiropractic focuses on the nervous system, which controls all feelings and functions. The core of the nervous system lies within the spine, so we have developed a sophisticated technology to measure the stresses on your nerves.

Simply put your spine and nervous system acts like a ledger for all the stress that has occurred in life. Old traumas, work and family stresses and poor nutrition can imprint on your nerves. Using computerized technology and advanced x-ray imaging technology, we will scan the spine and nervous system for these patterns of stress.

Once we have listened and measured, it is time to get to work!

Dr. Cooley or Dr. Desaulniers will discuss your care plan with you and their best recommendations, taking into consideration your personal goals, health habits, stress, and activity levels.

If necessary, the doctor may consult with his professional team, other Performance Posture practitioners you may or may not have visited yet, or you may be referred to another health care specialist to assist our team in providing you the most detailed, comprehensive care possible.

How does chiropractic correct my spinal problems?
Following consultation and thorough assessment, a program of care will be designed and customized to your specific needs.  This program is centered around the chiropractic adjustment, a method of care unique to chiropractic, which corrects spinal subluxations and dysfunction, releasing tension to the delicate nervous system.

The primary goal of an adjustment is to release damaging stress and pressure from the spinal nerves and spinal cord, thereby allowing the body to heal and repair the way it was designed. You may feel immediate improvement and change after an adjustment, although most people experience gradual, progressive shifts in their state of health and well-being. Since adjustments release tension and restore motion to previously locked joints, ligaments and tendons begin to stretch back to their normal length. This lengthening may cause slight muscle soreness similar to that brought on by rigorous exercise. 

If you experience these sensations, be assured that within days you’ll likely be enjoying the benefits of improved spinal motion and nerve system function that results from a healthier spine. For the best results, follow the plan that your doctor of chiropractic recommends for you.

How much chiropractic care will I need?
The care we offer is a program consisting of three phases, what we call Release, Rebuild and Revitalize. Initially, we have to address the symptoms and begin to re-train the spine and nerves. Our goal is to release old habits that have been damaging the spine and nervous system. Most people believe that this is where chiropractic begins and ends. Actually, this important phase prepares you for the second phase known as the rebuilding phase. It is here that we build upon the new foundation.

In the rebuilding phase, our goal is to identify stresses that continually tear at you while targeting specific actions to help rebuild your resistance. Included in this phase are advanced exercises, nutrition, relaxation and stress management protocols. This is a less intense chiropractic program where we carefully monitor your progress.

As your spine and health re-vitalize, our ultimate goal, is to work with you as partners in maintaining your momentum. Wellness is our passion and we continue to be a partner with hundreds of families in the community.

The idea of a watchful, progressive caring team is the ideal wellness experience. Our state-of-the-art programs have revolutionized wellness chiropractic. We welcome you and your family to live and learn from our talents.

How long you decide to benefit from Chiropractic is always up to you.

The number of visits you make to Dr. Cooley or Dr. Desaulniers will depends on the nature of your concern and your personal goals. Many people use chiropractic as part of a wellness health care routine, scheduling chiropractic appointments on a regular basis to keep their bodies functioning at their best.  It is important for you to discuss your objectives with Dr. Cooley or Dr. Desaulniers in order to develop a recommended action plan that works best for you.

Keep in mind, healing rates vary from person to person. Children tend to respond more quickly to care, whereas adults and seniors may respond more slowly. A good rule of thumb is that day to day stresses along with old habits or injuries have stored unhealthy tension within the spinal nerves.  The greater the tension and the longer the stresses and unhealthy tension has been present, the longer the rebuilding phase can be. ,

Our goal will be to use a specially designed chiropractic care plan to release this unhealthy tension and begin a rebuilding process that can raise your level of health and vitality and get you on your path to wellness.