Michael Holloway

Your age indicates that improvement can absolutely occur with time and effort. A good chiropractor will address structural areas that need attention, exercises necessary to perpetuate such improvements, and lifestyle (e.g. ergonomics) changes that can help ward off the otherwise inevitable postural decline we see so often in the 21st century era of technology. When searching for said chiropractor, please make sure they have training and experience with extremities (e.g. shoulders, hips, knees, etc.) as this will be crucial in correcting your postural issues. Some chiropractors only address the spine.

Chiropractors who also specialize in treating extremities (e.g. shoulders, knees, ankles, feet) are frequently quite successful in helping alleviate knee pain. It simply depends upon what is the source of your pain. We routinely find that structural correction, sometimes with custom foot orthosis, rectifies the cause of inflammatory pain at the knee. Other times, an orthopedic referral is necessary to address common soft tissue damage that can cause knee pain. If searching for a chiropractor in your area, you must ascertain that they are proficient in extremity work.

Many chiropractors limit their practice to the human spine. Others have extra training and experience in dealing with extremities (e.g. shoulder, wrist, knee, ankle, foot, etc.). Some of us, in addition to addressing the joint problems so often present in the 26 bones of the foot, also use orthosis (i.e. custom foot support) in order to perpetuate structural corrections. This is, of course, assuming that your complaints are due to joint/arch issues which most definitely fall under the umbrella of chiropractic care and that you are not dealing with a problem a podiatrist should address. Extremity-proficient chiropractors should quickly identify if you require a referral to a good podiatrist.

The short answer is that post-chiropractic treatment back pain is not usually expected, but can be common transiently. If you present to a chiropractor for the first time, haven't been treated in a long time, or are experiencing a very acute episode, then you might get sore for a day or so. The soreness in these cases is usually more akin to post-workout symptoms and unlike the original complaint; however, with very acute or disc-related problems, you can experience discomfort until a good portion of your structural issues are rectified and the inflamed areas begin to heal. Talk with your chiropractor about discomfort after an adjustment. Sometimes the doctor may need to change treatment techniques in order to accommodate your specific needs.

Vertigo may be present for many different reasons. First and foremost, one should rule out stroke or cardiovascular diseases. Quite often it is a result of BPPV, an inner ear problem that is usually rectified fairly easily with some simple at home exercises/maneuvers. Chiropractors frequently address cervicogenic vertigo, meaning that the cause is coming from the neck (C1-3 typically). I good chiropractor can help differentiate where your vertigo may be coming from; however, you must be forthcoming with your medical history so the doctor knows whether you may have something more serious going on in your vasculature.

Leg weakness can indeed be improved or eliminated with chiropractic care; however, it can also be a symptom of a more serious problem that should be evaluated orthopedically or with a neurologist. Such determination is made by the chiropractor after a thorough history, examination, and x-ray. In many cases, a reasonable treatment plan is initiated by the chiropractor in order to ascertain if the patient will respond favorably.

Some chiropractor's adjust extremities as well as the spine. Extremities are those bones outside of the 26 spinal joints typically addressed by most chiropractors. Examples include ribs, shoulders, knees, hands, and, yes, the 26 bones of the foot. If you are searching for a chiropractor in your area for adjustments to your foot, it's best to call their office first to find out if they do that type of work. Most of us who address extremities do additional training for just that.

This depends upon how severe your disc herniation is. You should find a chiropractor that can review your MRI (I assume you have had one in order to accurately diagnose your condition) and cervical x-rays. Together, you can decide whether or not chiropractic care can improve your condition.

In general, vertebral discs do not spontaneously herniate, nor do they give all at once post-trauma. Disc herniations normally occur over time due to bad biomechanics surrounding the joint. Poor posture, imbalances in muscle tone, and articular dysfunction around the joint can all play a part in chronic mechanical problems that can eventually result in disc degeneration and/or herniation. As chiropractors, we are trying to correct such mechanical problems and improve joint function. In so doing, we are attempting to remove pressure from any nerves that are being affected by the condition.

It is possible that chiropractic can resolve your condition; however, it is more likely that you will have to do adjunctive therapy also.

There are many methods/techniques for chiropractors to use when addressing the cervical spine (your neck). The chiropractor should physically examine you, assess at least a basic cervical spine x-ray series (3 views minimum), and then decide what form of treatment will work best for your condition. Many techniques are extremely low force, and others are more forceful and obvious to the patient.

Absolutely not. Many chiropractors see patients of ALL ages. Some even specialize in only working on expecting mothers and/or infants. Referrals are almost always the best way to go when finding a chiropractor; however, in lieu of that, feel free to call locally to ask various chiropractic clinics if the doctor is comfortable working on a 3-year-old. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by how fast and effective it can be, especially with one so young.

There is no one answer to this question. A good adjustment could last you 2 years, 2 months or 2 days. It depends upon many factors:

1. Condition of your spine -are there osteoarthritic changes? Are there normal curvatures in the spine?

2. Age of the condition -how long has there been a problem? You mention that this is chronic. The longer the patient has adapted to improper alignment/articulation, the longer it may take to retrain the spine to go back to its normal position.

3. Activities of daily living -what do you do on a daily basis that makes this situation worse, and what are you willing to do to help in the healing process?

The list goes on...

What's important is that you find a good chiropractor that you like and trust who is hopefully conveniently located to you. In addition to a thorough exam, they should take a look at a basic cervical series (3 views minimum). After these things, your chiropractor should be able to come up with treatment plan to, firstly, get you out of acute pain and then, hopefully, keep you that way.

I generally advise people who are searching for a chiropractor to interview them in person. Most chiropractors will do a free initial consultation (maybe 10-15 minutes) just to meet and discuss your situation and see if they might be able to help you. Get to know a few, and then make a decision. We tend to know our patients more personally over time as we see them more often then their primary care physicians.