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What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic care focuses on the relationship between the spine and nervous system and their interaction with the rest of the body. Chiropractic emphasizes the body’s innate ability to heal itself and optimizes that ability through manual therapy to ensuring the spine and nervous system are functioning properly.  Chiropractic focuses on the prevention of disease and the restoration of health without the use of drugs or surgery. Doctors of Chiropractic, or chiropractors, view themselves as the first line of defense in health care and work in cooperation with other health care professionals to provide the best total care of the patient.

A chiropractor is trained as a primary care physician skilled in the areas of physical diagnosis, clinical laboratory diagnosis, radiological and imaging diagnosis and chiropractic evaluation.

What are a Chiropractor's Credentials?

Many Doctors of Chiropractic complete a four year Undergraduate Degree including: one year organic chemistry, one year basic chemistry, one year physics and one year biology. Once accepted into an accredited chiropractic college, the requirements become even more demanding — four to five academic years of professional study are the standard. A chiropractor is trained as a primary care physician skilled in the areas of physical diagnosis, orthopedics, clinical laboratory diagnosis, radiological and imaging diagnosis and chiropractic evaluation. Because of the hands-on nature of chiropractic, and the intricate adjusting techniques, a significant portion of time is spent in clinical training.

In an article published in the Annuals of Internal Medicine, Feb 5, 2002, Vol. 136, Iss. 3, a study was referenced that compared chiropractic curricula to medical school curricula.  “U.S. chiropractic curricula has an average of 4,820 classroom and clinical hours, with about 30% spent in the basic sciences and 70% in clinical sciences and internship. Medical school curricula average about 4,670 hours with a similar breakdown. Compared with medical students, chiropractic students spend more hours in anatomy and physiology but fewer in public health. Both programs have similar hours in biochemistry, microbiology, and pathology. Chiropractic curricula provide relatively little instruction in pharmacology, critical care, and surgery but emphasize biomechanics, musculoskeletal function, and manual treatment methods. Medical education has more than twice as many hours in actual clinical experience but 1,000 fewer hours in didactic and workshop-like clinical courses. All chiropractic colleges maintain busy training clinics that deliver chiropractic care in settings similar to typical chiropractic practice.”

What do Chiropractors do?

Chiropractors diagnose health problems and then form a treatment plan to correct impaired function, improve posture and optimize health. The chiropractor adapts the procedure to meet the specific needs of each patient. Patients often note positive changes in their symptoms immediately following treatment. The main treatment of a chiropractor is spinal adjustments or spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) to correct subluxations or joint abnormalities. As stated by Scott Haldeman, DC, PhD, MD, the adjustment is an application of force to specific body tissues with therapeutic intent. This force is typically delivered by hand and can vary in its velocity, amplitude, duration, and frequency, as well as anatomic location, choice of levers, and direction of force. 
A subluxation is a functional and/or structural dysfunction of a joint that affects nerve and muscle activity and may influence organ function and general health.

The main technology for most chiropractors is a highly sophisticated and specialized chiropractic table designed to facilitate treatment. Diagnostic equipment similar to that used by a medical doctor is utilized as well as radiography (x-rays). Chiropractors also use ancillary equipment, such as spine massage tables, percussion devices, exercise equipment, traction tables, electro-stimulation, light and cold laser therapy, and heat equipment, to enhance their treatment.

Aren't all chiropractors the same?

Absolutely NOT!! Many people are surprised to learn that most chiropractors practice differently. You could see 10 different chiropractors and they probably would all do something different. Just because you've been to one chiropractor and it didn't work, doesn't mean that chiropractic didn't work.

Based on my studies, experience and clinical research I understand that the combination of joint and muscle manipulation, rehabilitation and therapeutic exercises offers patients one-of-a-kind care.

My knowledge of anatomy and the body's mechanics in conjunction with my Motion Palpation Institute techniques provides me with the insight to know when a joint should be adjusted, when muscular or rehabilitative therapy is appropriate and when a combined-treatment program is necessary. For my patients, my comprehensive, evidence-based approach produces results in an efficient timeframe.

Why should I see Dr. Davenport and not my family doctor for back or muscle pain?

Dr. Davenport has undergone extensive studies and specialized training in the fields of musculoskeletal anatomy, biomechanics, sports injuries, and rehabilitative exercise. As a result, when it comes to musculoskeletal injuries, acute or chronic, Peak Health Clinic, LLC is best suited to meet your needs.

According to Jens Chapman, M.D., a professor of orthopedics and neurological surgery at the University of Washington, "Chiropractors are a satisfying choice to manage acute back pain." Further, a 2002 study funded by the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality reported a third more patients are satisfied with the back treatment and advice they get from chiropractors compared with medical doctors.

Does Chiropractic Work?

Chiropractic care produces very satisfied patients.  According a study published in West J Med. 1989 Mar;150(3):351-5, Patients of chiropractors were three times as likely as patients of family physicians to report that they were very satisfied with the care they received for low back pain (66% versus 22%, respectively).  Another study published in the New England Journal of Medicine also showed a higher level of patient satisfaction with similar outcomes, by those seen by a chiropractor as compared to other health care providers. 

The Meade et al. trail, published in the British Medical journal demonstrated that chiropractic treatment is more effective than conventional hospital outpatient treatment for patients with chronic or severe back pain.

The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT) published a pilot study in 1999 comparing acupuncture, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and spinal manipulation that showed manipulation (chiropractic adjusting) was the only treatment that showed statistically significant improvement in chronic pain of the lower back, upper back, and neck.

Another recent meta-analysis of 69 national and international Randomized Controlled Trials published in 2004 by Gert Bronfort, et al., in The Spine Journal found evidence that spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) has a similar effect as a prescription anti-inflammatory, without the potential side-effects, for care of low back pain. They also found evidence the SMT is effective in the short term when compared to placebo and general practitioner care, and in the long term compared to physical therapy for chronic low back pain. There is also evidence that SMT is better than physical therapy and home back exercise in both the short and long term for chronic back pain. They also found evidence that SMT provided more short term pain relief than mobilization for acute low back pain and faster recover than physical therapy.

Researchers have also found that spinal mobilization was more effective and less costly for treating neck pain than physiotherapy or care provided by a general practitioner. JMPT also published a study by Boline, Kassak, Nelson, et al., in 1995 that compared manipulation versus amitriptyline for the treatment of muscle tension-type headaches showed statistically signification improvements for those treated with manipulation four weeks after treatment. Other recent studies have shown the benefit of chiropractic for chronic cervicogenic headaches and migraines.

Is Chiropractic Treatment Ongoing?

Chiropractic treatment focus on the retraining of muscles, tendons, and ligaments to maintain the proper alignment of a joint thus allowing it to function properly. This retraining is essentially what requires patients to visit the chiropractor a number of times. For example: if a dentist put braces on your teeth to correct their alignment, but took them off too soon the treatment would fail. Similarly if the correction is not obtained or the muscles not strengthened then the treatment will not last. To be treated by a chiropractor, a patient needs to be in his or her office. In contrast, treatment from medical doctors often involves a pre-established plan that is conducted at home (i.e. taking a course of antibiotics once a day for a couple of weeks). A chiropractor may provide acute, chronic, and/or preventive care thus making several visits occasionally necessary. 

Dr. Davenport will explain in detail your condition and discuss different treatment options that will meet your individual needs and goals.  Treatment is always based on a mutual agreement between the doctor and patient and you are in control of how long your care will last.

Are Chiropractic Adjustments Safe?

Overwhelmingly yes. There can be risks involved with virtually all health care procedures. On analysis, spinal manipulation/adjustments are one of the most conservative, least invasive and safest of procedures in the provision of health care services. This is easily demonstrated by referring to malpractice insurance rates. Malpractice insurance for chiropractors is approximately 50 to 100 times lower than that of medical doctors. The below estimates of risks in relation to cervical manipulation pale when compared to known medical risks. 

The Institute of Medicine reported in 1999 that between 44,000 and 98,000 Americans die each year from medical mistakes. In comparison, according to "Current Concepts in Vetebrobasilar Complications following Spinal Manipulation", between 1934 and 1999 there were 255 cases of cervicocerebral artery syndromes that occurred post Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT)/adjustments, collected from English, French, German, Scandinavian, Japanese and Chinese languages. Of those cases, 146 are attributed to chiropractors.  59.8% of the incidents involved rotation or twisting or the head (a procedure not used at Peak Health Clinic). During that 65 year period there were only 37 known deaths that occurred in the world and only 19 cases being related to chiropractors. Chiropractors by their training and skill, are the best positioned to deliver cervical adjustments to the public.

Is it safe to adjust myself?

Concern has been raised over the safety of people who try to adjust themselves. Research proves that only chiropractors can ensure an adjustment is performed safely. Why? Often times, the "self adjustment" is producing movement in joints near the restricted area – causing harmful friction to surrounding joint structures and further aggravating the restricted area. The best advice: Don't try to do it yourself. Seek the expertise of your chiropractor.

What effect does a chiropractic adjustment have on joints?

Research proves that chiropractic manipulation can actually prevent arthritis by restoring proper motion to the joint. Medical textbooks will tell you that it is the loss of motion that causes joint damage and arthritis. Further, the restoration of joint function provides the cartilage and disc (in the case of the spine) with improved blood supply. Better blood supply means better bodily nourishment and overall physical health.

Why Is There a Popping Sound When a Joint is Adjusted?

While some people get nervous about the noise an adjustment may produce, the sound is not derived from the bones themselves. The audible stems from a lubricant, called synovial fluid, which is made up of dissolved gases located in every joint. An adjustment releases the build up pressure and these gases, which were created by the joint's restriction. The emission of these nitrogen gases produce the "popping" sound often heard when an adjustment is administered – not from the movements of joints.

What to Expect on Your First Visit to Peak Health Clinic

On your first visit to Peak Health Clinic you can expect a detailed consultation with Dr. Davenport to obtain your medical history and determine your health goals. This will be followed by a comprehensive exam that will evaluate joint motion/function, muscle function, and determine your overall level of health. X-rays may be taken to better assess what is happening inside your body. It is recommended to bring gym shorts and a t-shirt for the first visit for comfort and modesty during the examination.

The first visit takes about an hour and patients are asked to arrive on time to fill out paperwork.

On your following visit, Dr. Davenport will discuss with you your condition and recommend a customized treatment plan with different options that will meet your individual needs and goals. Treatment is always based on a mutual agreement between the doctor and patient and you are in control of how long your care will last.

Each subsequent visit usually is about 20 minutes consisting of soft tissue work, chiropractic adjustments, a review of prescribed nutrition and exercises, and physiotherapy.