Frequently Asked Questions About Our Chiropractic Services in Belfast
What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is the science, art, and philosophy that concerns itself with the restoration of good health by restoring and maintaining a properly functioning nervous system, without the use of drugs or surgery. It 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. 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 of Chiropractic call this the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
The Chiropractic adjustment has been proven to increase motion, increase circulation, reduce swelling and pain, and remove nervous irritation. Once this nervous irritation is removed, your body is able to do what it is designed to do – heal itself.
What Do Chiropractors Do?
Chiropractors restore proper motion to joints that are not moving properly. Helping to restore proper spinal biomechanics and improve nervous system function begins with a case history. Your case history is vital as it reveals the background about your health, such as surgeries, accidents, the onset of your condition, and other details which brought you into the office.
After reviewing your history and discussing your specific problem, a thorough orthopaedic, neurological, and chiropractic examination is performed. An X-ray may be taken which will help uncover structural and functional problems.
Dr Nicholas Mancuso, our in-house chiropractor, tailors his services to each individual’s needs. He can deliver a range of techniques, such as the activator technique, Theragun practice, and kinesiology taping in Belfast. With a deep understanding of the human body, he also offers nutritional advice and guidance on overall wellness.
What Type of Education Do Chiropractors Have?
Today’s Doctor of Chiropractic is well educated. The science of chiropractic requires a special emphasis on anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, biomechanics, X-ray, spinal adjusting techniques and related subjects. This demanding curriculum prepares chiropractic doctors to locate the Vertebral Subluxation Complex and help correct the resulting nervous system dysfunction.
Before beginning Chiropractic school, chiropractic students need to complete 3 years of undergraduate education to obtain the necessary prerequisites. A chiropractic student then completes 4 years of graduate school to receive a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. Each candidate must then pass both Federal and Provincial board examinations in order to receive a license to practice chiropractic. It takes about 7 years of post-secondary schooling to learn how to be a chiropractor!
A chiropractic education never ends. Most doctors continue to educate themselves by taking postgraduate courses and staying current by reading the latest scientific research.
Rosetta Chiropractic is proudly home to the leading chiropractor in Belfast, Dr Nicholas Mancuso. He has an impressive Doctorate in Chiropractic and over a decade of experience, but his chiropractic education continues today by staying up to date with the latest scientific research.
What is an Adjustment?
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. An adjustment 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, nervous system function, and overall health.
There are hundreds of 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 constant pressure.
Are All Patients Adjusted the Same Way?
No, each patient is adjusted according to their unique requirements. Your chiropractor will determine the best way to adjust your spine after completing a detailed examination.
Our professional chiropractor will adjust your entire spine, even though you don’t have pain in that area. Physical pain can often be a poor indicator of what the actual problem is, as a lot of ailments cause pain in secondary areas. For example, 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.
While visits may seem similar, each visit builds on the one before. Chiropractic care is customised to each patient’s age, condition, and spinal problem.
Can I Adjust Myself?
Since a chiropractic adjustment is a specific force, applied in a specific direction, to a specific joint, it is impossible to adjust oneself; and also dangerous. Spinal adjusting may look easy when done by an experienced chiropractor, but it has taken several years to master – just a gymnast makes walking on a balance beam easy.
Turning and twisting your back and neck may create a ‘popping’ sound, however, this usually causes an unstable area of the spine even more unsteady. Remember the goal of the adjustment is to get joints moving that are not moving normally, twisting your back will cause unstable joints to become more unstable. Spinal adjusting is not for amateurs!
The best way to enjoy the healthful benefits of chiropractic is to receive adjustments from a professional Doctor of Chiropractic. Even Dr Mancuso, our in-house expert, must seek the services of another colleague to help restore and maintain proper spinal function.
Find Long-Lasting Pain Relief Today
Whether you are looking for joint relief or you need a back pain specialist in Belfast, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Rosetta Chiropractic. You can take the first step by giving us a call to ask any questions or by booking your initial consultation online, the perfect opportunity for us to sit down and discuss your personal chiropractic needs.