Depending on your specific condition, the duration of your treatment can vary. Factors such as how long you’ve had the issue, your age, the amount of soft tissue or joint damage from injuries or arthritis and the severity of your pain play a role in determining the length of your care. Dr. Julia Wray, an expert in the Activator Method, will provide guidance on the recommended plan and what to expect for your particular musculoskeletal challenges. One of the standout reasons many patients opt for the Activator Method within chiropractic care is the potential for rapid results. While individual experiences differ and chronic issues may require extended care, there is solid research out there showing that people with back pain, for example, get back on their feet (and to work) faster with this kind of chiropractic care.
Beyond addressing immediate concerns, consider the proactive benefits of regular chiropractic adjustments using the Activator Method, even when you feel in peak health. Sometimes disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system might be lurking unnoticed until they manifest as acute pain. Much like routine visits to your dentist or optometrist, regular check-ins with your chiropractor specializing in the Activator Method can identify and address potential issues early on, often averting their escalation into significant problems. After all, akin to your teeth and eyes, your spine is doing a lot of work for you, so giving it a little TLC makes sense, right?
What conditions do chiropractors treat?
Chiropractic care generally takes a whole-person approach to health and wellbeing. Dr. Wray provides personalized care plans to help her patients of all ages improve their overall health, not just treat specific symptoms. She is an expert at using gentle manipulations using the Activator Method to improve spinal alignment and nerve function. This can relieve pain and dysfunction in the back, neck and headaches originating from the spine. However, Dr. Wray also understands that pain and disease are multi-faceted. She looks at the whole patient - including nutritional status, exercise habits, emotional health, and occupational or lifestyle factors. She takes the time to advise you on positive changes to diet, physical activity, stress reduction and other areas to help strengthen the body's self-healing capacities. Her holistic viewpoint recognizes the intimate connections between the nervous system and musculoskeletal system. Dr. Wray’s whole-person, holistic approach aims to improve overall health and well-being.
Am I a Good Candidate for Chiropractic Treatment?
At Cornerstone Chiropractic Family Wellness Center, we prioritize providing safe and effective care tailored to each individual. On your initial visit, Dr. Julia Wray will conduct a comprehensive assessment and will discuss your health history and present symptoms to determine if chiropractic care is right for you and to then formulate an optimal treatment strategy. While medications might offer temporary relief, they often don't address the root cause of the discomfort. With the Activator Method, Dr. Wray targets the underlying source of your pain, potentially minimizing or even eliminating the reliance on painkillers or other drugs. This method is particularly beneficial if you're grappling with:
Pain that radiates throughout your body or extends down your limbs
Joint discomfort
Muscle pain, weakness, or sensations of tingling or numbness
Challenges in walking, balancing, or enduring prolonged sitting or standing without discomfort
Persistent headaches or jaw pain, fatigue, or concentration issues stemming from your symptoms
Our goal is to alleviate your symptoms through natural means. If you're prepared to embark on a journey towards holistic healing, please reach out to schedule your appointment.
Questions about the Activator Method
What is the Activator?
The Activator is a hand-held, electronic instrument that delivers gentle and precise adjustments to restore alignment and range of motion in the spine and joints of the extremities.
Is the Activator FDA approved?
Yes, the Activator is FDA approved for chiropractic use. Extensive clinical trials over 50 years proved it to be safe and effective for spinal and extremity adjustments, even for patients with degenerative joint disease.
How does the Activator method work?
First, the chiropractor will assess your condition and identify areas needing adjustment. The Activator instrument is then placed against the skin over the targeted vertebra or joint. It delivers a gentle impulse that corrects misalignments and restores proper motion and positioning of the bones. This reduces inflammation and pain.
Why choose the Activator Method over manual adjustments?
Manual spinal manipulation involves a forceful, quick thrust to realign joints. While safe, it affects a larger area than the precise Activator. The Activator focuses force only on the misaligned vertebrae without any twisting or pulling. Patients often find the Activator less physically and mentally stressful. There is no twisting or torquing of the body and there is no popping or cracking noises as and the speed behind the thrust doesn't allow muscles time to tense up.
Are there side effects with the Activator Method?
The Activator is very gentle with no side effects. It's more comfortable than manual adjustment for most patients since only the targeted area is mobilized. There is no extra joint motion beyond the precise point of correction. The gentleness and focused nature of the Activator adjustment method makes it a safe, effective and comfortable option.
Common Chiropractic Myths
You Will Need Chiropractic Care For a Long Time
Fact: Dr. Wray will provide information regarding the recommended number of visits and the duration of treatment from your very first visit. Since chiropractic treatment requires more than one session, similar to Physical Therapy and Acupuncture, many people seem to think that they will have to go to the chiropractor indefinitely. What actually happens is that chiropractors perform an initial analysis of their patients and create a personalized treatment plan considering their needs and health history. Dr Wray’s initial treatment plans usually have new patients come in once or twice a week for 3 - 4 weeks. Most patients see improvement within 4 - 6 treatments and then treatments are less frequent until the patient is pain free. After the initial treatment plan, Dr Wray will recommend a wellness treatment schedule for you, or you can decide to return on an as-needed basis.
Chiropractors Only Treat Back Pain
Fact: Contrary to popular belief, chiropractors do not only treat back pain. They provide care for a wide range of health conditions, according to the American Chiropractic Association. Over 35 million American adults and children see a chiropractor annually for issues including acute and chronic pain, fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, autoimmune disorders, diabetes, and headaches. Chiropractic therapy is also commonly used by women to address pregnancy-related discomfort and conditions.
Chiropractic students receive comprehensive training to become primary care physicians and skilled diagnosticians. Chiropractors can order any diagnostic tests necessary to diagnose your problem, including, but not limited to x-rays, MRIs, and blood work. Regardless of the health complaint, students learn to focus on the patient's overall health and function - not just isolated symptoms. They are taught to consider a broad range of factors that can impact wellness:
Graduates are equipped with a diverse set of tools and can utilize various treatment methods and innovations to help patients. Chiropractors have expertise that extends far beyond spinal adjustments to serve as versatile healthcare providers. Chiropractors are also trained to determine when a referral to a medical practitioner is necessary.
Chiropractic Care is only for adults
Fact: Chiropractic care is suitable for patients of all ages. At Cornerstone Chiropractic, infants can be assessed soon after birth, since misalignments of the upper spine may occur during delivery. Checking and adjusting the nervous system early with advanced technology such as the Activator Method, can help infants and children manage issues like colic, tics, asthma, allergies, bedwetting, sleep disturbances, and behavior disorders. Proper nervous system function is vital to health, starting from day one. Our gentle, customized adjustments promote wellness in babies and children by optimizing the communication between the brain and body. Early detection and correction of vertebral subluxations aka vertebral segmental dysfunction reduces nerve irritation, allowing the nervous system to work at its best. So do not hesitate to have your child evaluated, regardless of age. Chiropractic care provides a solid foundation for wellness through every stage of growth and development.
