Question: What do Doctors of Chiropractic Do?
Answer: Dr. Gibson restores normal motion and improved function to the vertebral joints of the neck and back, as well as, to the joints of the shoulders, arms, and legs. Also, a patient specific muscle rehab program is utilized at the office and then the home to improve neuromuscular development and coordination. This reinforces the effects to maximize joint function and strength. The first step of this process involves a consultation to discover the history of your case. What are your symptoms? Your history reveals information about surgeries or accidents. Past activities related to work, leisure, or sports are investigated that may have past minor or major injuries relevant to your present symptoms. When did the symptoms begin? What makes them better or worse? Your family medical history is important as well. A complete orthopedic, neurological, postural, and range of motion evaluation follows the review your history and discussion of your specific problem. A painless, advanced computer analysis of your spine with the ProAdjuster reveals the specific locations of spine joint abnormal function. There is no guess work. These areas of abnormal function often lead to nerve irritation that cause muscle spasm, pain, tingling, or weakness that many experience. X-rays may be taken to uncover structural and functional problems associated with the spinal column. The findings of the evaluation are carefully explained to you for full understanding of your condition. A recommended treatment plan and why the plan works is thoroughly discussed. Patient progress is  monitored with each visit.

Question:  How are Chiropractic Doctors and Medical Doctors the same and different?
Answer:  Doctors of Chiropractic and Medicine complete a Bachelor of Science Degree in a chosen field of study before applying to Chiropractic or Med School. Once in School, Chiropractic and Med students complete course work in the human sciences that include neurology, histology, cell biology, physiology, gross anatomy, biochemistry, and pathology. Both Chiropractic and Med schools require classroom and clinical experience in physical examination, laboratory, radiology and diagnosis. Both educations include extensive hours in a patient-clinic setting to gain important experience.

The biggest difference is in the philosophy and approach to patient care. Chiropractic focuses in the area of physical medicine . . . of improving the biomechanical function of the body by reintroducing joint motion with adjusting . . . . . . . . . eliminating nerve interference . . . improving neuromuscular coordination and strength through exercise rehab . . .and improving internal chemistry and vitality through proper food selection and intake.          Medicine focuses in the areas of medication and surgery to treat most problems.

Patient care is the only priority in this office. That means a successful outcome for you is our only goal. Sometimes, our most effective treatment plan for a patient has involved  Chiropractic Services along with Medical care. In some cases the strengths of both Chiropractic and Medicine are needed to reach the desired outcome for you.

Question: I’ve been to many doctors for my condition. I have had many diagnoses and different treatments. No matter what they do, I don’t get better. How would going to a Chiropractor get me better?
Answer: The first visit to the doctor is always a fact finding mission from the physician point of few. A doctor uses information about the symptoms and past medical history to focus in a few probable culprits. The doctor then investigates to separate the suspects of your problem and create a working diagnosis. Your medical doctor bases his treatment plan on the working diagnosis. Your medical doctor then prescribes his plan to you and has you follow up in a couple of weeks or so. If you responded well or are better at the follow up visit then the working diagnosis was on target. If you aren't improved, your physician has to go back and rethink the working diagnosis; maybe more testing or a different treatment approach is needed. Obviously, the more simple the problem, the easier it is to diagnose and treat; strep throat for instance. But what if your problem presents with unclear, confusing symptoms. Then it gets more complicated. This is where the answer to this questions resides. Many, many medical doctors focus their investigation and treatment into the pharmaceutical and surgical responses. Many of them are like a "duck out of water" when a patient problem is better suited for the Chiropractic Realm of care. In some instances an MD can recognize this and refer you out. Other MD's can not recognize this because it is outside the scope of how they have been taught to look at a problem. They can end up retesting and treating, over and over, to no avail.

The simple fact is that you may have a problem that is relatively basic to diagnose and treat in a Chiropractic Office; such as a fixated or dysfunctional spinal segment that alters normal nerve function. All the blood tests in the world will not diagnose that and all the medication in the world will not treat it. It simply may have been repeatedly misdiagnosed and improperly treated.  

Question: What will happen during my first visit?
Answer: In order to determine the cause of your symptoms, the doctor will consult with you to obtain a detailed history of your symptoms, medical history, and record of past injuries and activities. A thorough exam will include a spinal, physical, orthopedic and neurological examinations. A computerized system of analysis and treatment, the ProAdjuster, will be used to scan your spine a scientifically locate the sites of spinal dysfunction. X-rays may also be taken as they reveal fractures, spinal misalignments, joint and bone disease, arthritis, birth defects and other aspects of your health.

Question: How long will I need chiropractic care?
Answer: Each patient is different from the next. Different factors make each case unique. What is your age and fitness level? How physically demanding is your job or leisure activities? How long have you neglected the problem? Is there degeneration? Will you follow recommendations? These are important questions. They play a role in your care. But, you should respond quickly to the treatment plan. Countless visits are not required to get you to a substantial point of improvement. Do not let a Chiropractor tell you otherwise.

 Part of your early care will involve teaching you specific neuromuscular rehab exercises for your unique needs. This is accomplished in an office area dedicated to rehab. These rehab movements will be selected to address your particular imbalances and weaknesses. At first you will perform them in the office under supervision and then you will incorporate them into a home lifeplan. It is this active aspect of care that will take you to new level faster than traditional chiropractic offices. Continuing to perform your specific neuromuscular rehab program on your own at home will work to maintain and even improve on the gains that you have made. Long neglected problems will benefit by ongoing, periodic supportive care for maximizing spinal function.  Those who are active, have stressful jobs, or want to be their very best, find that a schedule of preventive visits to restore joint function and evaluate their rehab exercise performance are helpful in the maintenance of good health.

Some patients seek chiropractic care only when their ache or pain becomes unbearable. Unfortunately, this form of “crisis management” is 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.

Question: What is Chiropractic?
Answer: Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism. Think about it. Your heart rate, breathing, digestion, and body temperature, for instance, all happen without your conscious thought. All you have to do is supply it with food and water. The nervous system is essential to all bodily processes, even stimulating your immune system. It is composed of the brain, spinal cord, and a network of nerves. The body considers the brain and spinal cord so important that it is the only body system completely encased in bone ( skull and spinal column ). This spinal column is made of 24 separate, moveable bones called vertebra. Each pair of vertebra are separated by a disc. Nerve roots exit along the spinal column and form and nerve network that allows the brain to communicate with every point in the body; muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, cells and organs.

Dysfunction can occur to between two vertebra as a result of injury, food allergies, postural habits, muscle imbalances or degeneration. This can result in local irritation, muscle spasm, and swelling. The resulting slight pressure to the nerve root diminishes the flow of electrical impulses and information from areas of the body to the brain; just as less water would flow through a hose that is partially kinked. If a nerve is impaired, it can cause malfunction of the tissues and organs corresponding to that nerve. This impairment is called vertebral subluxation complex.