ABA Family Chiropractic Frequently Asked Questions

The nervous system is composed of the brain, spinal cord and the nerves which branch off and go to and from tissues and organs. The brain is protected by the skull, and the spinal cord is protected by 24 movable bones (the vertebrae) which make up the spinal column. Your nervous system is in direct control of all of your organs, tissues and cells.

Pairs of nerve roots exit the spine from between each two vertebra. When a vertebra becomes misaligned or doesn’t move properly, it can irritate and damage a nerve. This is called a subluxation.

Interruption of the nerve supply affects corresponding organs, tissues and systems in the body. It can cause back pain, neck pain, headaches, radiating pain down your arms or legs, and countless other symptoms from diminished energy to insomnia, menstrual cramps and indigestion.

So, what contributes to the improper movement and positioning of the vertebrae? Many things, including sports injuries, car accidents, and improper lifting. Daily stress, poor diet, sitting too much and everyday activities can also cause subluxations. Even the process of birth many times causes injury to a baby’s fragile spine.

Chiropractic physicians are trained to identify and correct subluxations in your spine. Once nervous system interference is detected Dr Pickens will recommend a chiropractic care program tailored specifically to you. To help restore your health, he will give you specific adjustments to restore proper movement and position of the vertebrae in your spine.

When vertebrae in the spine become misaligned and lose normal movement, it results in nerves being irritated, stretched or compressed. This nervous system interference can affect how you move, how you feel, and how effectively your immune system works. It can cause pain and make you prone to chronic ill health and disease. By eliminating the cause of this interference, Dr Pickens can help your body heal – without drugs or surgery.

Typically, any health problem caused by pressure or irritation on a nerve exiting the spinal column can be treated using chiropractic techniques. This includes neck pain, headaches, tendonitis, bursitis and pain in the back, legs and arms. Many times, other conditions – bladder, liver, kidney, heart, lung, digestive and blood sugar problems – can also be helped using chiropractic methods. This is because the nerves emanating from your spine control the functions of all the organs, tissues and systems in the body. So, by correcting subluxations, Dr Pickens can help you overcome your symptoms and achieve good health. Chiropractic adjustments can also be performed on most of the other joints in the body, such as the knees, shoulders and wrists, to relieve pain and restore normal function.

Most of the nerve roots coming from your spinal column do not carry the sensations of touch or pain, they control the functions of muscles and organs. Which means by the time you feel pain, the condition often has become serious, and you may be experiencing severe nerve irritation. Dr Pickens can detect early signs of abnormal function before permanent damage is done. Because many times there is no pain signal early on to warn you of misalignments, regular visits to the chiropractor for spinal check-ups should be a part of your preventive health care program – just like seeing your dentist, optometrist and primary care physician.

Yes, it’s very safe. In fact, research shows that the risks to patients receiving chiropractic care is considerably lower than it is with medical care, because of the risks associated with prescription drugs and surgery. Another sure sign of its safety: on average, the malpractice insurance premiums for medical doctors are 10 to 14 times higher than those for doctors of chiropractic.

Most patients say spinal adjustments – the mobilization and realignment of your vertebrae – are not painful. In fact, many experience immediate relief, even when they come in with severe pain. Often, patients say they perceive pressure being lifted from their spine. Many feel a sense of total relaxation after an adjustment.

To care for your teeth and vision, you regularly visit the dentist and the eye doctor. Taking care of your spine should be the same type of lifelong process. Even when you don’t feel pain, regular chiropractic check-ups are important, because problems can be detected before they lead to pain and greater dysfunction. If you want to stay active, healthy and energetic, regular chiropractic visits can help keep your spine trouble-free for years to come.

Absolutely. Dr Pickens is a highly trained and licensed professional. After completing his undergraduate requirements, he completed a four-year degree program at a well-respected chiropractic college. In addition, Dr Pickens had to pass rigorous State and National Board Examinations to meet stringent licensing requirements. A minimum of 36 hours of continuing education are required every two years in Ohio to retain licensure, but Dr Pickens has often taken many more than the required number of hours.

Chiropractic care has been shown to be far more cost-effective than traditional medical care for spine and related nerve problems. And when you consider the improvements to your health and productivity, it is a true bargain. Many insurance plans cover chiropractic services, and ABA offers the ChiroHealth USA discount program for people who have little or no insurance coverage to help make their care affordable.