Chiropractic FAQs

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a drug-free and non-surgical science. Chiropractors focus on the central and peripheral nervous system which manages the body’s vast chemical interactions to help ensure proper function and consequently better health.

The brain is a sensory and motor system that sends messages through the spinal cord across a huge network of spinal nerves to deliver information to every cell, organ and system of the body. Chiropractors promote greater health and function by removing interference in this system by restoring normal function by adjustments and treatment of the structures of the body, especially the spinal column.

What can I expect on the first visit?

Dr. Burdorf as a chiropractic neurologist conducts a thorough and comprehensive examinations on all patients. Each patient is recognized as being unique and is examined with care and precision. Your first examination is likely to be one of the most thorough examinations that you have undergone. The exam is conducted in a comfortable and private environment. It is during this examination that Dr. Burdorf will determine if you are a candidate for neurologically-based chiropractic care.

What is Dr. Burdorf’s treatment approach?

Dr. Burdorf has a unique adjusting procedure that is both comfortable and gentle. Patients also undergo other procedures such as low level laser therapy, gentle traction, stretching, and core strengthening and balance rehabilitation. Our efficient office staff ensures minimal wait-times.

How does chiropractic work?

Chiropractic is not a drug or surgery. It is a hands-on method of treatment to cause a change in function of mechanoreceptors in the involved joints to effect the nervous system. Numerous studies in neuro anatomy confirm that mechanoreceptors have a direct effect on brain function.

How does trauma create a change in joint function?

Gravity is the only constant environmental stimulus that affects the nerve receptors in your muscles and joints. Under normal conditions the nerve receptors in your muscles and joints can adapt to the change created by gravity. Trauma creates changes in the ability of your body’s joints to move properly. Obvious acute trauma is associated with high impact such as auto and sports injuries. A low grade trauma is often related to repetitive stress movements. Change created by acute or repetitive trauma will reduce your body’s ability to respond to the effects of gravity.

What can I do?

Act responsibly when it comes to your health! Follow through with recommended treatment schedules and any lifestyle changes. Commit to all appointments. Each treatment is a building block in the process of improving function of your nervous system. Missing appointments will reduce the effectiveness of previous adjustments and hinders further progress. It is important to do all exercises prescribed to complement the effects of chiropractic care.

What can I expect?

It is common to experience a change in location of symptoms such as pain during the course of treatment. This is often due to a change in weight bearing and balance that occurs due to the effects of chiropractic treatments. Pain is not always a bad thing because it is considered a warning signal for your body. Be aware of these signals and bring them to Dr Burdorf’s attention during your next visit.

Is chiropractic safe?

All therapy in health care has associated risks of injury and death. Chiropractic, compared to drug and surgical intervention, is very safe. Research and malpractice statistics support this and will be made available upon request. Your body is in a constant state of change. These changes can be good or bad. A variety of conditions can occur if nerve receptor function and joint movement is poor. Short term effects can include many different types of pain, muscular and balance conditions. Long term effects include advanced degeneration of joint and bone structure as well as impaired neurological, digestive, cardiovascular, hormonal and immune functions.

CAPS FAQ

Why is it important to check your balance?

There are about 1,000 hip fractures every day in the United States, over 90% of which are caused by falls. “Fall among Older Adults: An Overview.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2009.

Why should I get a computerized assessment of postural systems, (CAPS) evaluation?

Force platform balance tests provide valid information of postural control that can be used to predict falls risk even among older people without apparent balance problems or fall history. Most falls can be prevented with early identification, assessment and treatment.

How long does the test take?

The test takes less than two minutes. The system I utilize in my office called CAPS is from Vestibular Technologies. This simple noninvasive test measures your sway patterns from your center of pressure. Falls can be prevented in all age groups with intervention therapy and exercises, but they need to be identified. Low Level

Laser Therapy FAQ

What is Low Level Laser Therapy?

Low Level Laser Therapy which is also called cold laser has been FDA approved in the United States since February 2002. Side effects and contraindications are minimal compared to traditional pharmacology.

How does it work?

All light has an effect on the cells of the human body. What that effect is shall be determined by the wavelengths of light applied. The cold laser produces a beam of light that has a specific wavelength and frequency. When a cell is in a compromised state it lacks sufficient energy to perform normal functions. One of the first functions lost is the ability to rid itself of waste or toxins. Accumulation of toxins creates swelling of a cell. Millions of similar cells swelling together create inflammation.

What is It?

Itis is a term in physiology relating to inflammation. Tendonitis, bursitis and neuritis are common examples of inflammatory conditions. When the light of the Laser is applied, changes in mitochondrial activity occur.

What are Mitochondria?

Mitochondria are the energy producing structures in the cell and produces adenosine triphosphate, (ATP). Research has shown laser increases ATP production anywhere from 25-36%. ATP is the fuel source of a cell and is required for a cell to be healthy and regain function to its optimal level.

What health problems have shown benefits from laser therapy?

Tendonitis, Bursitis, Neuritis, Neuropathy, Neck and back pain, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Myofascial trigger points, Tennis elbow, Ligament sprains, Muscle strains, Repetitive injuries, Chondromalacia patella, Plantar fasciitis, Degenerative joint conditions, Rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Post traumatic injury, Trigeminal neuralgia, Fibromyalgia, Diabetic neuropathy and ulcer formations, Fracture healing, and Post-surgery healing.

Is there research on the efficacy of low level laser?

Injuries treated with laser therapy heal faster. Laser therapy has a strengthening effect on tissue repair Laser therapy improves blood flow and lymphatic drainage. It’s effective means of relief for many pain syndromes. It can improve immune response. Much research has been done in the areas of pain management, wound healing, and nerve regeneration. Jan Tuner and Lars Hode categorized 1,500 studies and published Laser Therapy: Clinical Practice and Scientific Background.

Technogym FAQ

Why should I stretch?

Lack of sufficient flexibility affects those people who suffer from frequent back pain or arthritis. Back pain affects over 80% of the population, is the 3rd most expensive disorder to affect society and causes 30-40% of workplace absences. The balanced tension of muscle groups throughout the body obtained by means of regular stretching is essential to prevent and rehabilitate many causes of back pain.

How do I safely stretch without pain?

The FLEXability Line from Technogym is a totally new and innovative range of equipment, based on scientific research and designed to make stretching an enjoyable form of exercise for all users. It provides the means to carry out initial and ongoing evaluations for proof of improvement.

What is Proprioceptive neuromuscular Facilitation, (PNF)?

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) technique involves an initial stretching of a specific muscle followed with a contraction of the antagonist muscle group and then an additional stretch of the specific muscle. The technique was pioneered 40 years ago in Eastern Europe and required a partner to perform. The FLEXability Line from Technogym allows the users own body weight to effectively perform PNF technique.

Does stress kill?

Stress and back pain account for more than 50% of health complaints in the work place. Research shows conclusively that most common day for heart attacks is Mondays. Statistics spike on Monday mornings, in particular, since heart attacks occur between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. more than any other six-hour period.

In 2009, a study that observed five years of suicide data in the USA showed that the Wednesday Effect on suicide was much stronger than for any other day. Wednesday incidences accounted for 24.6% of reported suicides.

Dr. Burdorf offers a unique approach for the treatment of balance and pain related conditions.