Learn More, on Your Own Time
Answers, tips, and tools to help you get familiar with chiropractic care before you ever set foot in the office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chiropractic effective?
Chiropractic works by restoring your body's own inborn ability to heal. Adjustments remove nerve interference caused by spinal misalignment, allowing your nervous system (and the rest of your body) to function the way it's meant to.
Why should I see a chiropractor?
It isn't only for back and neck pain. Chiropractic care is also used to support overall wellness through nutrition, adjustment, and general health. It's also been known to help with a wide range of conditions beyond musculoskeletal pain.
What is a subluxation?
When a vertebra moves out of its normal position (from anything as small as a minor slip to something as significant as a car accident), it puts pressure on the nerves and blood vessels around it. That's what's known as a subluxation.
Is a chiropractic adjustment safe?
An adjustment is a small, controlled movement, often done by hand, to realign a vertebra that has moved out of place. It's typically quick and without discomfort. The popping sound you may hear is simply gas releasing from the joint, the same as cracking your knuckles.
Do you accept insurance?
We're happy to submit all insurance forms for you and help you recover the most from your benefits. We'll do everything we can to help make treatment affordable, and for anything insurance doesn't cover, we accept check, cash, and all major credit cards.
What's your cancellation policy?
We ask for at least 24 hours notice if you're unable to keep an appointment, so we can offer that time to another patient. A fee may be charged for missed appointments without sufficient notice.
A Bit of History
Chiropractic dates back to the time of Hippocrates, who believed a misaligned spine could affect the health of the whole body. The modern profession began in 1895, when Dr. Daniel Palmer adjusted a man who had lost his hearing 17 years earlier. After the man recalled feeling something "pop" in his back just before his hearing loss began, the adjustment restored it. Though criticized at the time, Palmer's approach grew into a profession with over 20 schools and thousands of students across the country today.
Stages of Spinal Degeneration
Left untreated, a subluxation doesn't stay the same; it tends to progress. Here's what that progression typically looks like.
Minor Imbalance
A small loss of normal spinal curvature. Rarely painful, and with proper care, a good chance of returning to normal.
Narrowing & Aches
Discs begin to narrow, posture starts to shift, and aches, fatigue, and stress become more noticeable.
Nerve Involvement
Significant physical involvement, likely including nerve effects and bone or disc changes. Some reversal is still possible.
Permanent Change
Damage at this stage (scar tissue, nerve damage, deformation) is largely irreversible. Care shifts to managing pain.
Wellness Tips for Everyday Life
These simple daily movements and routines can end up hurting you if you're not careful. A few small adjustments make all the difference.
Standing
Posture, posture, posture: keep your chin up and don't slouch. If you'll be on your feet a while, wear comfortable shoes.
Working at a Desk
Get up every 20 minutes to stretch. Your chair should support your back with feet flat and knees at 90°, screen at eye level.
Sitting
Choose a supportive chair, sit with your back against it and feet flat on the floor, and avoid crossing your legs for long stretches.
Lifting
Even light objects can injure you if you twist while lifting. Always bend at the knees, and skip anything you know is too heavy.
Overall Physical Activity
Warm up before any activity, gardening included. It's easy to pull something when you're not stretched out first.
Talking on the Phone
Use a speaker or headset for long calls. Avoid cradling the phone between your neck and shoulder.
Resting or Sleeping
We often fall asleep in positions that leave the neck unsupported, so make sure you're properly supported before you nap or watch TV in bed.
Educational Videos
A short library covering common conditions and treatment approaches, worth a browse before your first visit.
About Chiropractic — Overall Benefits
Watch on YouTube ↗
Natural Healing — Acupressure
Watch on YouTube ↗
Massage Therapy — An Overview
Watch on YouTube ↗
Exercise Videos
Guided stretches and exercises by body region: follow along at home to support your recovery between visits.
Abdominal Workouts
Watch on YouTube ↗
Arm Workouts
Watch on YouTube ↗
Back Workouts
Watch on YouTube ↗
Chest Workouts
Watch on YouTube ↗
Hip Workouts
Watch on YouTube ↗
Leg Workouts
Watch on YouTube ↗
Neck Workouts
Watch on YouTube ↗
Shoulder Workouts
Watch on YouTube ↗
Exercise Library
Therapeutic exercise is a vital part of recovery: a program of physical activities crafted for your specific condition and goals, not a general fitness routine. Here are some of the exercises you may be given as part of your plan, grouped by the area they target.
Core & Abs
Partial Sit-Up
Back and feet on the floor, knees bent. Raise head, neck, and shoulders off the floor and hold 5 seconds. Strengthens the core without stressing the lower back.
Hip Roll
Flat on your back, arms out to the side, knees bent and feet lifted. Rotate hips side to side, legs parallel to the floor, 5–10 reps. Strengthens the abdominals.
Double Leg Lifts
Face down on a stability ball, hands on the floor. Raise both legs until horizontal, hold 10 seconds. Repeat 5–10 times.
Side Lumbar Bridge
On your side, elbow beneath your shoulder. Engage your abs and lift your hips. Hold 10–15 seconds.
Single-Leg Reverse Curl
On your back, one knee bent. Lift the other leg diagonally over your belly button, pause, lower slowly. Repeat other side.
Crunch (stability ball)
Back on the ball, hands behind your head. Raise shoulder blades off the ball with a backward pelvic tilt, return, repeat.
Back
Knee to Chest
From the same position, draw one knee to your chest with both hands. Hold for 10, release slowly. 4–5 reps per leg, then both together. Stretches glutes and back.
Low Back Extension
Face down, hands at your sides. Lift head and upper body using your lower back muscles, hold 4–5 seconds. Repeat 10–15 times.
Cat-Camel
On all fours, hands under shoulders, knees under hips. Arch your back toward the ceiling like a cat, then drop it so your lower back extends. Repeat 12–15 times.
Back Extension (stability ball)
Stomach on a stability ball, hands behind your head. Tighten your abs, contract your glutes, and lift your shoulders and chest off the ball.
Superman
Face down, arms extended overhead. Tighten your abs and lift arms and legs off the ground. Hold 30 seconds; keep breathing.
Spinal Rotation
Seated, reach one arm across your stomach to the opposite side of the chair. Look over your shoulder while rotating. Hold 15–30 seconds.
Shoulders & Arms
External Shoulder Rotation
Lying on your side, forearm across your stomach. Rotate the shoulder to raise your forearm perpendicular to your body. Switch sides.
Internal Shoulder Rotation
Same starting position, but rotate your forearm from the floor across your stomach. Repeat 10–15 times, add a dumbbell if you like.
Lateral Deltoid Raise
Arms at your sides, knees slightly bent. Raise arms straight out to shoulder height, hold briefly, lower slowly.
Front Deltoid Raise
Same stance, raise arms straight out in front to shoulder height, hold briefly, lower slowly.
Single-Arm Lat Pulldown
Overhead with a resistance band, pull down to your side with one arm until your upper arm is next to your torso. Return slowly.
Stability Ball Push-Ups
Shins balanced on a stability ball, hands on the floor. Perform push-ups as normal.
Neck
Neck Flexion / Extension / Lateral
Push your forehead, then the back of your head, then the side of your head into a stability ball against the wall, holding each briefly.
Further Reading
A few outside resources on chiropractic safety, research, and general spine health.
Ready to put this into practice?
Call Big Island Chiropractic at (808) 327-9845, or request an appointment online.