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Los Angeles Chiropractic Care: Frequently Asked Questions

What is chiropractic?
How Does Chiropractic Work?
What Do Chiropractic Doctors Do?
What Is An adjustment?
Are All Patients Adjusted The Same Way?
Can I Adjust Myself?
Am I Too Old For Chiropractic Care?
How Long Will I Need Chiropractic Care?

What is chiropractic?
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Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your body is a self-regulating, self-healing
organism. These important functions are controlled by the brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves
of the body.  The skull protects the delicate tissues of the brain, and the moving bones of the spine protect the vulnerable communication pathways of the spinal cord and nerve roots. If the nervous system is impaired, it can cause malfunction of the tissues and organs throughout the body.  Doctors call this the Vertebral Subluxation Complex. Vertebral, meaning the bones of the spine.  Subluxation, meaning less than a total dislocation. And Complex, meaning consisting of more than one part.  Chiropractic is the science of locating offending spinal structures, the art of reducing their impact to the nervous system, and the philosophy of all things natural.

How Does Chiropractic Work?
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Chiropractic works by restoring your inborn ability to be healthy. When under the proper control of your nervous system, all the cells, tissues, and organs of your body are designed to resist disease and ill health. The chiropractic approach to better health is to locate and help remove interferences to your natural state of being healthy.  A common interference to the nervous system is the 24 moving bones of the spinal column. A loss of normal motion or position of these bones can irritate or impair the function of the nervous system. This can disrupt the transmission of controlling nerve impulses.  With improved spinal function there is often improved nervous system function. Your chiropractic doctor can help remove interference that may be impairing normal health.  Since the primary focus of your care is improved nervous system function, chiropractic can have a positive effect on many health conditions not normally thought of as “back” problems.

What Do Chiropractic Doctors Do?
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Helping to restore proper spinal biomechanics and improved nervous system function begins with a case history.  This gives the doctor a background about your health, such as surgeries, accidents, the onset of your condition, and other details affecting your current health.  After reviewing your history and discussing your specific problem, a thorough orthopedic, neurological, and chiropractic examination is performed. X-rays may be taken to uncover structural and functional problems associated with the spinal column. These examinations help identify areas of spinal malfunction and resulting nervous system deficit.  The findings of these examinations are explained and a plan of chiropractic adjustments may be recommended.  Progress is monitored with periodic examinations and follow-up reports. Since the word “doctor” comes from the Latin word meaning teacher, regardless of your doctor’s unique clinical approach, he or she has a strong commitment to patient education.

What Is An adjustment?
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A chiropractic adjustment is the art of using a specific force in a precise direction, applied to a joint that is fixated, “locked up”, or not moving properly. This adds motion to the joint, helping the bones gradually return to a more normal position and motion. The purpose of this safe and natural procedure is improved spinal function, improved nervous system function, and improved health.
There are many ways to adjust the spine.  Usually the doctor’s hands or a specially designed instrument delivers a brief and highly-accurate thrust. Some adjusting methods are quick, whereas others require a slow and constant pressure.  After years of training and clinical experience, each chiropractic doctor becomes highly skilled in the delivery of a variety of adjusting approaches.

Are All Patients Adjusted The Same Way?
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The doctor evaluates each patient’s unique spinal problem and develops an individual course of care. The resulting recommendations are based upon years of training and experience.  Some patients who complain of headaches may actually have a lower back problem that is causing a compensation reaction at the base of the skull. Other patients may be experiencing numbness and tingling in their fingers, when the actual problem is in the neck. Every patient presents a uniquely different spinal pattern.  Patients notice that their chiropractic care is delivered with confidence and precision.  Each visit builds on the one before. And while visits may seem similar, each patient’s care is uniquely different from every other patient.

Can I Adjust Myself?
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Since a chiropractic adjustment is a specific force, applied in a specific direction, to a specific spinal joint, it is virtually impossible to adjust oneself.  It is possible to turn or bend or twist in
certain ways to create a “popping” sound, like the sound that sometimes accompanies a chiropractic adjustment. Unfortunately, this type of joint manipulation is usually counterproductive, often making an already unstable area of the spine even more unsteady. Adjusting the spine is not for amateurs!  The best way to enjoy the healthful benefits of chiropractic is to receive adjustments from a Doctor of Chiropractic. Even your doctor must seek out the services of another colleague to help restore and maintain proper spinal function.

Am I Too Old For Chiropractic Care?
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More and more people are consulting chiropractic doctors, especially in their later years.  With growing concerns about over-medication and the side effects of combining various prescription drugs, safe, natural chiropractic care is growing in popularity. Restoring better spinal function can help improve mobility, vitality, endurance, and appetite.  Many patients report improvement with arthritic symptoms and other chronic ailments often associated with the aging process.  The adjusting technique used by your doctor will be modified for maximum comfort and results.  As we get older and wiser, the simplicity and effectiveness of chiropractic care becomes more and more obvious.

How Long Will I Need Chiropractic Care?
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Spinal problems, neglected since early childhood, may require ongoing supportive care for optimum spinal function. These long-standing problems are often associated with muscle weakness, soft tissue damage, and degenerative changes to the spine.  Most patients find that periodic chiropractic checkups help keep them in tip-top shape. Those who are active, have stressful jobs, or want to be their very best, find that a schedule of preventive visits are helpful in the maintenance of good health.  Some patients seek chiropractic care only when their ache or pain becomes unbearable.  While this style of “crisis management” is usually more costly and time-consuming, our office stands ready to help all patients, regardless of their health goals.  How long you decide to benefit from chiropractic care is always up to you.

If you are seeking a chiropractor in the Los Angeles or Beverly Hills area, please call Cosmetique at (310) 837-5555 and ask for an appointment with Dr. Poursalimi.