Frequently Asked Questions

Chiropractic care follows a model that believes the body can heal itself. The word “chiropractic” means to be done by hand, which is exactly how chiropractors work. Chiropractic care is a holistic health-care profession that focuses on the spine and joints and their connection with the nervous system.

Chiropractors use adjustments to restore joint function and to calm the nervous system. They help their patients maintain optimal health without drugs or surgery. 50 million Americans see a chiropractor each year! When one’s nervous system is working well, the body stays in balance and resists disease and maintains quality health. Sometimes one’s nervous system may be misaligned. When one of the 24 bones of the spine is out of alignment, the nerve signals are disrupted. Chiropractic care works to find and remove any interference of the nervous system from spinal subluxations.

At Bemis Family Chiropractic, Dr. Ryan helps restore nerve function and proper body biomechanics. He begins by reviewing your health history and health information. He will ask you a lot of questions so he can create your personalized health plan. After reviewing your history and your specific needs, he will perform a thorough orthopedic, neurological, and chiropractic exam. He will take x-rays as well to discover any structural or functional issues in your spinal column. Dr. Ryan will carefully review his exams to identify any areas of your spine that might be malfunctioning/experiencing nerve disruption. He will then share his findings with you and together, you will create a comprehensive plan of chiropractic treatment. Soon, you will be on your way to feeling better!

A lot. You might be surprised to know that chiropractors undergo one of the most rigorous training in the medical field. To become a Doctor of Chiropractic, students have to study anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, x-rays, spinal adjusting techniques and more. The demanding curriculum prepares future chiropractors to be able to locate the vertebral subluxation complex and help correct the resulting nervous system dysfunction.

To complete the Doctor of Chiropractic degree, each candidate must pass demanding board exams. They have to apply to state professional licensing boards before being bestowed the privilege to practice. Dr. Ryan regularly completes postgraduate instruction for license renewal and stays aware of industry changes and innovations.

During a chiropractic adjustment, a chiropractor creates a specific force in a precise direction that is applied to a joint that is not moving properly. This adds motion to the joint and helps the bones gradually return to the ideal position. This technique aims to improve spinal function, ease the nervous system, and improve a patient’s general health. There are many ways that chiropractors adjust their patients. Usually they use their hands or a specifically designed instrument (like the Impulse). Some methods utilize a more constant pressure, while others might offer quick pressure.

Absolutely not. Each patient is evaluated for their specific needs. Dr. Ryan formulates a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan for each patient.

No. Spinal adjustments are a specific force, applied in a specific direction to a specific spinal joint. Therefore, it is impossible to properly do this to oneself.

Absolutely! Chiropractic has an excellent safety record. It is a natural approach to health and doesn’t involve invasive procedures or potentially addictive medication.

A pinched nerve, or a compressive lesion, is actually rare. Because of the way one’s spine is designed, abnormal spinal function is generally caused from physical trauma, emotional stress, or even chemicals toxins that negatively affect the delicate tissues of the spinal nerve roots. Usually a nerve gets irritated when it is rubbed, scraped, stretched by a loss of spinal curve or irritated by malfunctioning spinal joints.

Good question! Technically a disc can’t actually “slip.” The intervertebral disc is a pad of cartilage type material situated between spinal bones. Each disc serves as a connector, spacer and shock absorber, for the spine. It is a soft jelly-like center inside a layer of fibrous material. It cannot slip. However, trauma to discs can cause bulging, hernia, or even rupture. The soft center of the disc can also leak, putting pressure on the adjacent nerve roots and spinal cord.