chiropractic

Chiropractor Chapel Hill, NC

People have many important questions related to chiropractic care. Some of those questions about chiropractic include: why do medical doctors disagree with chiropractors? Is there such a thing as going to the chiropractor too much? How healthy is chiropractic? Is chiropractic spiritual? Are chiropractors doctors?

Why do medical doctors disagree with chiropractors?

I will tackle the first question about chiropractic in this blog; stay tuned for upcoming blog posts for answers to some of the other questions. Why do medical doctors disagree with chiropractors? The question assumes that medical doctors DO disagree with chiropractors, an assumption that is not necessarily accurate these days. A primary adage of all healing practitioners- medical and alternative, is DO NO HARM. Most medical doctors recognize that chiropractors have an incredible safety record. Compared to the medical profession, chiropractic services are incredibly safe and have superior clinical effectiveness for many conditions. It is not uncommon for medical doctors to refer to chiropractors and other alternative healing practitioners for conditions such as back pain, headaches, stress-related symptoms, neck pain, and others when they recognize that what they have to offer- medications and surgery, aren’t helping and can have problematic side-effects.

Nonetheless, some medical doctors disagree with chiropractors because medical doctors do not know what chiropractors do nor understand the science behind chiropractic care. Chiropractors emphasize hands-on palpation and a holistic understanding of patients’ problems. While chiropractors use medical imaging – x-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, for example, and can order lab tests and interpret them, chiropractors depend on hands-on diagnostic methods, patient inspection, and patient input to get to the root of the problem. Patients like this healthcare method, but medical doctors are less familiar, so they sometimes express suspicions regarding it.

Regarding the science behind chiropractic care, ample evidence shows the connection between various muscles, bones, and internal organs with the spine and nervous system. Most everyone understands the concept of a ‘pinched nerve’ as it relates to pain. Medical doctors use different methods- drugs to fight pain and relax muscles, for instance, when a patient presents with back or neck pain, headaches, shoulder aches, or wrist pain. But when the problem is a pinched nerve stemming from spinal misalignment, which is common, the chiropractic adjustment works better and faster with fewer adverse side effects.

It is fair to say that medical doctors disagree with chiropractors who say they can cure every disease using spinal adjustment techniques. Just like every ache and pain will not resolve using pain medications or surgery, other conditions- heart blockages or flu, for instance, are better managed with drugs and surgery. Patients can choose care providers to help them get and feel better. Nowadays, insurance companies cover medical and alternative medical procedures and treatments for many conditions. Patients do better when their providers are willing to help them find the best care.

There is a place for both medical care and chiropractic alternative medical care. Both medical physicians and doctors of chiropractic want patients to get well quickly and stay well safely. At Acupractic Natural Healing Center, the chiropractic and acupuncture offices of Dr. Lisa Oskardmay, we invite our medical colleagues to learn more about alternative and complementary healthcare, and we appreciate referrals. Call today at 919-929-1400, visit us online at acudocnc.com anytime, or email schedule@acudocnc.com to schedule an appointment.

Chiropractor Chapel Hill, NC

Regular chiropractic care benefits patients in many ways. Your spine carries the vital spinal cord from your brain, emanating nerves to every part of the body. Disruptions in the flow of nerve information impact your balance and strength, as well as your pain level and ability to function in the environment. Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) are the best-qualified healthcare professionals to evaluate the spine and related areas; Americans receive more than one million chiropractic adjustments every day, and more than thirty-five million of us are treated by a chiropractor annually. Read more to learn about the question “How often should I visit a chiropractor?”.

The question of how often to visit a Doctor of Chiropractic is vital to ask yourself, and the answer depends on various factors.

Most everyone could benefit from an initial visit to a chiropractor. Regular spinal checkups help to ensure a sound functioning nervous system from the spine out, as well as help to improve posture and muscle balance from head to toe. Chiropractors often palpate or feel vertebral segments (spinal bones along the neck and back) to determine where irritation may reside before the patient knows the problem. In this manner, like when you visit your dentist or medical doctor, problems can be averted before they become more significant.

For instance, the nerves in the neck travel to the shoulders, arms, elbows, wrists, and hands, supplying nerve input to these regions. A subluxation (misalignment) in the cervical spine will affect nerve flow to the upper extremity, affecting one’s ability to write, type on a computer and carry items with the hands and shoulders. Left untreated, spinal vertebrae misalignment can turn into thoracic outlet syndrome, brachial plexus impingement, worsened carpel tunnel syndrome, and other disabling manifestations. Your chiropractor will help to avert this and many conditions with periodic regular checkups and care.

When starting a new treatment plan, having several weekly adjustments is typical. As healing occurs, that number will decrease to once a month. Many people prefer to come in for chiropractic care once or twice a month to maintain a pain-free and active lifestyle. Alternately, others come in ‘as needed’ but schedule a ‘checkup’ less frequently, once or twice a year.

Chiropractors assess your backbone, which protects the spine, provides attachment to crucial muscles and ligaments, and helps you stand upright and move quickly. Contact the chiropractic and acupuncture offices of Dr. Lisa Oskardmay in Chapel Hill to see how natural medicine can help you function and feel better. Serving the Triangle area since 1995 with quality alternative medicine practices, we are here for you and look forward to assisting you with your healthcare needs. We participate with most major insurance plans and strive to take the stress out of everyday life with beneficial healing practices you can understand. Call (919) 929-1400 today to learn more or visit us online 24 hours a day at acudocnc.com.

Chiropractor Chapel Hill, NC

Vertigo is a sensation of loss of balance, rotational whirling associated with looking down from a high point or caused by a disease affecting the inner ear or vestibular nerve. Also known as giddiness, vertigo affects thousands of people every day. Chiropractic care can help people with vertigo get back to feeling less dizzy and less out of control. By using hands-on methods known as spinal adjustments and massage, Dr. Lisa Oskardmay assists those experiencing this often-times debilitating condition without using drugs or surgery. Read more to learn about chiropractic help for vertigo.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help Vertigo

The neck, or cervical spine, surrounds the cervical nerves, many of which play vital roles in balance and coordination. Additionally, muscles in the neck connecting to the head, shoulders, and upper back also support equilibrium. Through spinal palpation to identify areas of subluxation, or spinal segment dislocation, your doctor of chiropractic can determine regions of postural irritation in the neck and surrounding areas. Gentle and effective chiropractic care benefits the spinal bone alignment, nervous system, and surrounding muscles and ligaments. Many people start to see results in a few visits. However, your treatment plan may include care over weeks to months depending on the cause of vertigo, chronicity, and how well each patient can make lifestyle changes.

If you have a history of neck injury, such as sports trauma or motor vehicle accident, this may predispose you to spinal neck vertebrae inflammation and distortion; be sure to tell Dr. Oskardmay about any accidents as sometimes she will need to order an x-ray to determine the extent of joint irritation before beginning care. Additionally, be prepared to discuss medications you take and other life aspects such as sleep, stress, nutrition, and exercise, as these may significantly impact your symptoms.

Alternatively, if you see a medical doctor for dizziness and vertigo, they may prescribe drugs such as antihistamines and anticholinergics for relief. Many of these drugs cause drowsiness. They may also prescribe anti-anxiety medications such as Diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax), which cause drowsiness and are addictive. Other medical treatments may include injections of antibiotic gentamicin to disable balance in the affected ear or even removal of the inner ear sense organ called a labyrinthectomy.

Please help us help you by thoughtfully completing all intake forms in advance and keeping scheduled appointments once we accept you as a patient. Chiropractic and acupuncture treatments can help lessen symptoms of vertigo, potentially helping patients avoid more invasive procedures. If you or a loved one experiences vertigo, dizziness, or other symptoms contact us today for chiropractic help for vertigo.

At Acupractic Natural Healing Center, your body is very good at healing itself, given the right conditions, and our goal is to help you get back to good health naturally. Serving the Triangle since 1995 with chiropractic and acupuncture care, Dr. Lisa Oskardmay is a licensed acupuncturist and chiropractic physician who has helped many people recover. Call (919) 929-1400, email schedule@acudocnc.com or visit our website acudocnc.com to schedule your healthcare appointment and start your healing journey.

Chiropractor Chapel Hill, NC

Chiropractic is a form of alternative medicine that focuses on diagnosing and treating neuromuscular disorders, with an emphasis on the spinal column. It is based on the belief that the body can heal itself and that the nervous system plays a crucial role in this process. Chiropractors use various techniques, including manual adjustments, to manipulate the spine and other joints to improve the function of the nervous system and promote healing. At the chiropractic and acupuncture clinics of Dr. Lisa Oskardmay in Chapel Hill, NC, we hear from many patients that alternative medicine care helps to improve their mental well-being. Read more to learn about chiropractic’s effect on emotional health.

How Chiropractic Has a Positive Effect on Emotional Health

One area where chiropractic is particularly effective is in treating emotional health. Studies have shown that individuals who receive chiropractic care report improvements in their emotional well-being, including reduced anxiety, depression, and stress. This is likely due to the positive effects that chiropractic care has on the nervous system, which plays a crucial role in regulating mood and emotional responses. Many patients feel happier and more energetic after a chiropractic adjustment.

One of the main ways that chiropractic care can improve emotional health is by reducing stress on the nervous system. This is a natural effect of natural care at our office, not involving drugs or surgery. The spinal column is home to the spinal cord, the main pathway for communication between the brain and the rest of the body. When the spine is misaligned, it can pressure the spinal cord, causing stress on the nervous system. This can lead to various emotional symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, and irritability. Chiropractic adjustments can help to realign the spine, reducing pressure on the spinal cord and decreasing stress on the nervous system.

Another way that chiropractic care can improve emotional health is by promoting the release of endorphins. Endorphins are chemicals produced by the body to relieve pain and promote happiness and well-being. Chiropractic adjustments can stimulate the release of endorphins, leading to an overall improvement in mood and emotional well-being. Dr. Oskardmay uses chiropractic adjustments to the spine, massage, and other modalities, including acupuncture, if warranted.

In addition, chiropractic care can also improve emotional health by improving sleep. The nervous system plays a crucial role in regulating sleep, and when it is under stress, it can lead to insomnia or other sleep disorders. Chiropractic adjustments can help reduce stress on the nervous system, promoting better sleep and overall emotional health. Good sleep is crucial to well-being.

Overall, chiropractic care is an effective treatment for improving emotional health. It can help reduce stress on the nervous system, promote the release of endorphins, and improve sleep, all of which can improve mood and emotional well-being. While it is not a replacement for traditional therapy or psychiatric care, it can be valuable to an overall treatment plan for vibrant health.

In conclusion, chiropractic is an effective way to help improve emotional health. It can help reduce stress on the nervous system, promote the release of endorphins, and improve sleep, all of which can improve mood and emotional well-being. While more research is needed to understand chiropractic care’s effects on emotional health, it is valuable to an overall treatment plan. Call (919) 929-1400, email schedule@acudocnc.com or visit our website acudocnc.com today to schedule an appointment or to learn more about chiropractic’s effect on emotional health. Located in Chapel Hill across from Wegmans in Eastowne Hills, our office is convenient and accessible. Serving the Triangle since 1995, Dr. Oskardmay looks forward to helping you with your healthcare needs.

Chiropractor Chapel Hill, NC

Many patients seeking alternative medicine healthcare recognize chiropractors as leaders in the field but still have questions about the qualifications of the doctor of chiropractic. Chiropractors are recognized as licensed physicians in the state of NC. Over the years, there has been some misinformation and misunderstanding about this profession. Still, as time passes and more patients receive care covered by their health insurance and provided by fully licensed chiropractors, they understand they are in safe hands. But what are the education requirements for chiropractors, and how do they compare to medical doctors?

Persons seeking to become chiropractic physicians in North Carolina must meet specific education requirements for chiropractors before they are allowed to assume the title of Doctor of Chiropractic. The North Carolina Board of Chiropractic Examiners, established in 1917 by the NC General Assembly, receives and reviews applications for potential chiropractors and promotes continuing education opportunities for the profession following licensure to benefit and protect the people of the state.

Education Requirements for Chiropractors 

Practitioners attend a four-year undergraduate program emphasizing science and pre-med courses before attending chiropractic school. This education provides a strong background for the future chiropractic physician who will enter one of the 20 accredited chiropractic schools in the United States today. The US Department of Education, through its Council on Chiropractic Education and Commission on Accreditation, authorizes the quality standards of training offered by chiropractic colleges.

Entrants to chiropractic colleges spend the next ten trimesters over three and a half to four years learning many of the same things medical doctors know: anatomy, physiology, histology, cell physiology, biochemistry, cardiology, digestion, metabolism, nutrition, microbiology, neuromusculoskeletal diagnosis, skeletal radiology, x-ray procedures and soft tissue radiology, pediatrics, gerontology, differential diagnosis, and patient care and management. Chiropractors spend additional time learning chiropractic philosophy and hands-on methods related to palpation and training in the adjustment technique. During their latter trimesters, students participate in student clinics under the auspices of a faculty clinician.

Chiropractors must pass the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners exam parts 1,2,3,4 covering science, clinical science, diagnostics, examination, patient care management, x-ray interpretation, diagnosis, chiropractic techniques, and case management. Successful applicants can start practice either on their own or do an internship or apprenticeship with another doctor.

Each year, chiropractors must undertake additional continuing education to maintain their licenses. Topics such as spinal pain management, plantar fasciitis treatment with exercise and orthotics, nutrition therapy, and clinical diagnosis in the digital age benefit practitioners. Other topics covered in continuing education might be Foot Levelers orthotics, headaches, or shoulder pain treatment presented by qualified trainers to supplement the doctor’s knowledge and keep her up to date. Chiropractic physicians receive documentation demonstrating their active licensure, and the NCBOCE maintains a dynamic list of licensed chiropractic doctors that anyone can check.

If you or a loved one is interested in choosing a chiropractor to provide healthcare, have confidence in your choice. Call us with more questions at (919) 929-1400 or or visit our website acudocnc.com to schedule an appointment. The chiropractic and acupuncture office of Dr. Lisa Oskardmay is here for you.