Patient Questions

Bradley Shepherd is an Expert Contributor on FindaTopDoc. Here are some of their recent answers to patient questions.

Chiropractor | Nutrition
Bradley M. Shepherd, DC

A good rule of thumb is if it hurts, don't do it. But please, avoid lifting and twisting at the same time. Avoid lifting with poor posture. Avoid inflammatory foods as well.

Some people like to crack their knuckles to. It feels good because it frees up joints. Motion is lotion. It may also release endorphins, which are the "feel good" molecules. He would really enjoy a visit to the chiropractor! (yes, it's safe and even good for kids)

As with any medical procedure, there are some risks to chiropractic care, but it does have a better safety record than aspirin. A study done in the UK showed that a high percentage of individuals with MRI-confirmed disc herniations did very well with chiropractic treatment. And they saved a lot of money compared to those who underwent surgery for those same problems. Keep in mind that one trip to the chiropractor is typically not enough--it will typically require a series of visits to be effective.

Sports chiropractors specialize in treating athletes. Many athletes visit a chiropractor to improve their game and reduce the chance of injury. If an athlete is injured, the sports chiropractor will treat the injuries.

Your question is a little confusing to me, because a chiropractor is a doctor, and in many states they are considered primary care physicians. I believe you are talking about a medical doctor, versus a doctor of chiropractic. It depends on what type of treatment you want and what the problem is. If you want to treat the pain with medications, visit your medical doctor. If you want to discover the underlying cause of your pain and treat the cause without drugs or surgery, visit the chiropractor. Whichever you choose, make sure you find a health care provider that will take a detailed history and perform a thorough examination that may include x-rays or MRIs to find out what is causing your pain. You could do both. See your medical doctor for pain medications to keep the pain under control, then visit the chiropractor to help you treat, manage, and hopefully prevent future pain.

Pain is an indication that something is wrong. Take your child to a chiropractor or other health care professional who will take a history and do an examination to find the cause of the pain, make a proper diagnosis, and make appropriate treatment recommendations.

Chiropractor have many techniques that they use to adjust. Some use their hands, some use special tables, some use adjusting instruments, and some use special blocks. Make sure your chiropractor takes a good history and does an examination before doing any adjustment.

Everyone is different. Everyone has different lifestyles. Everyone is involved in different activities. Each individual has a unique body. So, the answer really depends in the individual, their health, their body, and a whole host of other factors.

That depends on the cause of the uneven hips. Do you have an anatomically short leg? Do you have a scoliosis? Do you have an imbalance of pelvic muscles? These are all questions that need to be answered. Your chiropractor should take a good history and do a thorough examination in order to make a proper diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment. Having said that, perhaps a chiropractor can help you if you have uneven hips.

On your back with a pillow under your knees, and a pillow that properly supports your neck. You also may consider what type of mattress you are sleeping on. The most important part about sleeping, however, is that you get a good night's sleep, no matter what position you are in.

That really depends on you. If you have sciatica, you should get professional help from a chiropractor or other provider that specializes in this. They should do a thorough exam after taking a detailed history, make a proper diagnosis, and make appropriate recommendations that may include exercise, manual therapy, perhaps dietary or lifestyle changes. The sooner you get help, the easier it will be to treat.

Most chiropractor will take a thorough history and do a comprehensive examination to find the cause of your shoulder and neck pain. Once the cause is uncovered, they can make appropriate treatment recommendations. It is important to rule out potential problems involving the heart, liver or gallbladder that can sometimes refer pain to the shoulders.

If you are having pain, that is your body telling you that something is wrong. You need to get it checked by a health care professional who will take a detailed history and do a comprehensive examination, offer a proper diagnosis, and make appropriate treatment recommendations.

In most cases, yes. Make sure your chiropractor take a detailed history and does a thorough examination before treating.

Yes, chiropractors can adjust any joint in the body. Make sure your chiropractor take a detailed history and does a thorough examination.

A good chiropractor will take a detailed history, perform a thorough examination, and determine the cause of your arm numbness. Then s/he can make appropriate recommendations for treatment.

A chiropractor will work on any joint of the body after taking a history and doing an examination.

Maybe, but your son should probably limit the time he plays video games.

Chiropractors work with people of all ages and from all walks of life. Most are very good at identifying problems, and offering natural solutions. If your child is having any sort of pain, please take her to a chiropractor or other health care professional that will take a detailed history and perform a thorough examination before treating.

This really depends on the type of scoliosis you have, and the underlying cause of the scoliosis. In most cases, a scoliosis is treatable, or at the very least manageable with chiropractic treatment. If it is correctable, it may take many months to see any improvement. Make sure you see a chiropractor who will take a detailed history and perform a thorough examination before treating.