Frequently Asked Questions In Vienna VA

There's nothing mysterious about chiropractic. It's a natural method of health care that focuses on correcting the causes of physical problems, rather than just treating the symptoms. Chiropractic is based on a simple but powerful premise that with a normal functioning spine and healthy nerve system, your body is better able to heal itself. That's because your spine is the lifeline of your nervous system. It controls feeling, movement, and all functions throughout your body.

Brain-based therapy (BBT) is an amazing, new, powerful, all-natural healing technique used to restore people to their best neurological health. With nearly all neurological and chronic pain conditions, there is a nervous system component attached to it. With our in-depth neurological exams that look at certain parts of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nervous system, Dr. Blabey can locate and focus in, like a laser beam, treatments for those specific areas to alleviate many conditions.

Chiropractic works by restoring your body's inborn ability to be healthy. When under the proper control of your nervous system, all cells, tissues, and organs of the body are designated to resist disease and ill health. The Chiropractic approach to better health is to locate and remove interferences (subluxations, misalignment of vertebrae) to your nervous system. With improved spinal function, there is an improved nervous system. The goal of the Chiropractor is to remove interference that may be impairing normal health through specific chiropractic adjustments, allowing your body to heal itself. A healthy spine and a lifestyle are your keys to great health!

Doctors of Chiropractic are well educated. Chiropractic education and medical education are similar in many respects and different in others because Chiropractors do not prescribe drugs or perform surgery, and medical doctors do not correct vertebral subluxations. After graduating with a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) Degree (minimum of eight years of college), each candidate passes the demanding four-part National Board Examinations. Then, doctors apply to a governmental or professional licensing board and pass a still more difficult test before being granted the privilege to practice in each state. Most Chiropractors complete regular postgraduate instruction for license renewal to stay current on the latest research and adjustment techniques.

Currently, there are less than 700 active doctors worldwide who hold this designation. Dr. Blabey has completed over 500 hours of functional neurology training and is currently Board eligible to sit for his diplomate status. This certification requires a minimum of 300 hours in functional neurology and indicates a higher degree of specialization in neurological conditions, such as Multiple Sclerosis, stroke rehab, severe spinal pain and stenosis, migraines, vertigo, dyslexia, neuropathy, tremors, and many other neurological conditions. A Chiropractic Neurologist is able to examine, treat and produce fantastic results for these sometimes difficult conditions.

A chiropractic adjustment is an art of using a specific force in a precise direction, applied to a joint that is subluxated, "locked up," out of alignment, or not moving properly causing nerve interference. The purpose of this safe and natural procedure is to eliminate interference to the nervous system, improving spinal function and overall health. Gentle spinal adjustments boost your body's immunity.

Not always. A subluxation is like a dental cavity- you may have it for a long time before symptoms appear. That's why periodic spinal checkups are so important. Although it may not be possible to know you have a subluxation, it is rarely possible to be sure you don't. Regular spinal checkups are always a good idea, and they promote good health from the inside out.

Since significant spinal trauma can occur at birth, many parents have their newborns immediately checked for subluxation. Naturally, chiropractic adjusting procedures are adapted for the child's spine. Many childhood health complaints that are brushed off can be traced to the spine. Health problems that emerge in adulthood could often be prevented by having your children's spine checked by a chiropractor early. Most parents report that their children enjoy their chiropractic adjustments and are much healthier than their peers.

No. The doctor evaluates each patient's unique spinal problem and develops an individual course of care. Each chiropractic adjustment builds on the one before. The resulting recommendations are based on years of training and experience. Each patient's care is uniquely different from every other patient.

Yes. Chiropractic has an excellent safety record. It is the result of a conservative and natural approach to health that avoids invasive procedures or addictive drugs. As proof, one merely has to compare malpractice rates between chiropractors and other health care professionals. Chiropractors' malpractice premiums are a small fraction of those for medical doctors.

Actually, adjustments do not always produce a sound. Often, however, adjustments do create the sound of a spinal "release" or "popping" sound. This sound is caused by gas rushing in to fill the partial vacuum created when the joints are slightly separated. This sound is painless and totally harmless.

No. Since a chiropractic adjustment is a specific force, applied in a specific direction to a specific joint, it is virtually impossible to adjust oneself correctly and accurately. It is possible to turn, bend or twist in certain ways or have someone walk on your back to create a "popping" sound that sometimes accompanies a chiropractic adjustment. You may know someone who constantly has to "crack" their neck for relief of their underlying spinal problems. Unfortunately, this type of joint manipulation is usually counterproductive, often making an already unstable spine even more unstable, and arthritic, and can sometimes be dangerous. Chiropractors go to other chiropractors for their adjustments. Adjusting the spine is not for amateurs!

No. If only it were, there would be more healthy people around and chiropractors would not get patients who last saw a chiropractor a few years ago when their back went out. It is possible to get used to feeling more balanced, less stressed, and more energetic as a result of regular chiropractic care. Chiropractic is not addictive, however, good health is!

Yes. It's an unfortunate fact that up to half of those who had spinal surgery discover a return of their original symptoms months or years later. They then face the prospect of additional surgery. This too common occurrence is known as "Failed Back Surgery Syndrome." Chiropractic may help prevent repeated back surgeries. In fact, if chiropractic care is initially utilized, back surgery can often be avoided in the first place.

No, however chiropractic care is successful with a very wide variety of health problems not necessarily considered "back" problems because of improved nerve system function. With a normal nerve supply, the body's natural healing capacity can improve a variety of health problems.

Anytime is a good time for a better functioning nerve system. Pregnant mothers find that chiropractic adjustments improve their pregnancy and make delivery easier for themselves and their babies. Adjusting methods are always adapted to a patients size, weight, age, and condition of health.

Chiropractors take x-rays to reveal the internal structure and alignment of the spine. We are also concerned about underlying disease processes and disorders of the spine such as spinal deterioration, arthritis of the spine, abnormal development, bone spurs, disc disorders, tumors, and spinal curvature. X-rays also provide a blueprint for correcting the spine back to great health and alignment.

No. Exercise is an important part of good health, yet without normal spinal function and alignment, a physical workout merely puts additional wear and tear on improperly functioning spinal joints. While muscle moves your joints and does provide some structural support for your body the majority of posture is controlled by spinal ligaments (ligaments attach one bone to the next) and a chiropractic corrective program targets these ligaments for correcting subluxation.

This incorrect notion is probably responsible for millions of people needlessly taking dangerous drugs or submitting to risky surgery. Its true that many of our patients choose to benefit from periodic chiropractic checkups after their original problem clears up. However, it's a choice. You have a choice of eating healthful foods and the choice of regularly brushing your teeth. You probably choose to trim your nails and cut your hair. You wash your hands and bathe regularly. The fact is, there are many things you have chosen to do that help promote good health. Chiropractic care is one of those choices. Those who appreciate the connection between their spine, nervous system, and great health often enjoy regular chiropractic care. How long you decide to benefit from chiropractic care is always up to you.