Newborns have received spinal adjustments especially after difficult or traumatic births. There are case histories of infants close to death who were adjusted in hospitals with seemingly miraculous recoveries.

The desire to “crack” or “pop” the neck or back is caused by tension from a jammed or fixated vertebra, which causes another part of the spine to compensate by moving too much and “popping” or clicking a lot. The jammed part should be adjusted by a chiropractor so that the rest of the spinal column will balance and stop being so movable and noisy.

“Cracking” or “popping” your neck gives relief for a while, but soon the urge to “pop” or “crack” reappears because the cause of the spinal tension hasn’t been corrected.

Yes. There are verified instances of blind recovering eyesight after a fall, of individuals able to walk again after their wheelchair was thrown and of amnesiacs who remember their past after receiving a trauma—these are examples of “accidental adjustments.” A visit to the chiropractor is a lot safer. Massage, acupuncture, meditation, various types of body work, as well as a cathartic emotional release can also reduce stress, sometimes permitting the spine to automatically realign. Occasionally, even a good night’s sleep can correct a subluxation.

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 be possible to know you have a subluxation, it is rarely possible to be sure you don’t. An occasional spinal checkup is always a good idea.

No. Chiropractic deals with the spinal column, nervous system, meninges and body structure. Massage therapists deal with muscle tension, circulation and body fluid drainage.

Today chiropractors have privileges in many hospitals. Ideally, doctors of chiropractic would go through every ward and check all patients’ spines; after all, who needs healthy spines more than people facing life-threatening diseases? The presence of D.C.s in hospitals is a welcome beginning—hopefully paving the way toward making drugless, natural methods of chiropractic care available to all hospital patients.

A lot of people ask how chiropractic education compares to medical education. The chart attached here was compiled from a review of the curriculum catalogues of 22 medical schools and 11 chiropractic colleges as well as updates from the National Health Federation Bulletin.

Chiropractors have Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) degrees granted from chiropractic colleges.
Chiropractic education and medical education are similar in some respects and different in
other because chiropractors do not prescribe drugs and medical doctors do not correct vertebral subluxation complex.

After the break heals, yes. In fact, a broken bone forms a callus or bone scar when it heals that is stronger than the rest of the bone. This should dispel any concerns about the safety of an adjustment. People who have had broken bones need chiropractic checkups because accidents usually cause subluxations.

Certainly, as Norman Cousins says: “There are times when intervention in the form of medicine or surgery is absolutely necessary but there is never a time when the nourishment one puts into one’s body or one’s mind is not essential to health.” [1] Chiropractors would add spinal care to Mr. Cousins’ observation.

[1] Cousins, N. The healing heart. New York: Avon Books, 1984.

Yes. Having your subluxations corrected is important, no matter what other type of healthcare you are receiving. Today many D.C.s and M.D.s are working together in clinics and on joint research projects. M.D.s are quite likely to have patients who are under chiropractic care; in fact many medical doctors see a doctor of chiropractic themselves.

The answer is “as soon as you develop subluxations.” But since subluxations are often painless, it’s good to get your spine checked periodically, as you get your teeth checked periodically for “painless” cavities.