FAQs
Welcome to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page of our website. Please feel free to scroll down to find answers to the most commonly asked questions we receive. If you have a concern that we did not address on this page please feel free to send us a email: drleisen@verizon.net or call us @ 631.385.7321, and Dr. Eisen will personally respond to any questions or concerns you may have. Our office is committed to patient education. In numerous studies, it has been shown that patients who fully understand their condition and their Doctor's recommendations get well faster.
Q: What is a Subluxation?
A: Sub means less than, luxation means dislocation. So a subluxation is something less than a dislocation or more accurately a misalignment. When a vertebrae (spinal bone) becomes misaligned (subluxated) it chokes off delicate nerve tissue which will result in decreased function of the associated body part.
Q: What is an adjustment?
A: A chiropractic adjustment is the application of a specific gentle force in a precise direction to a subluxated (misaligned) vertebrae. This helps the vertebrae or spinal bone to gradually return to a normal position. This safe and natural procedure improves spinal alignment, improves nervous system function and ultimately allows the body to begin the healing process.
Q: Can I adjust myself?
A: Unfortunately No! Chiropractic adjustments consist of a specific force, applied to a specific vertebrae (spinal bone) in a specific direction to help restore spinal alignment. It is impossible to achieve this when done by yourself. It may be possible to bend or twist in certain directions and elicit a popping sound, this non-specific movement never restores alignment properly, and can actually make an unstable area of the spine even more unstable. Please trust your health and your spine to the care of a licensed chiropractor. Even Dr. Eisen does not attempt to adjust herself. She enjoys the benefits of regular adjustments by another chiropractor. Dr. Eisen also has the privilege of having 4 other chiropractors as patients.
Q: Is chiropractic care safe?
A: Many studies find chiropractic "remarkably safe". Chiropractic has also been shown to be safer than back surgery, muscle relaxers and even aspirin!
Q: Can children benefit from chiropractic care?
A: Yes, and actually children tend to respond faster to chiropractic than adults. Spinal trauma may occur at birth, this can set the stage for serious spinal problems later in life if left uncorrected. The average 1 year old falls 150-200 times per day when learning to walk. This plus many other childhood activities can result in vertebral subluxations. Regular chiropractic check-ups can detect and correct such misalignments before they become major health problems. Dr. Eisen is a member of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association. Dr. Eisen regularly attends conferences/seminars on pediatric chiropractic care to add to her family practice. Many parents report that their children look forward to going to their chiropractor for adjustments, and note that their children seem much healthier than other children.
Q: Do I have a pinched nerve?
A: Nerves rarely become pinched. More accurately nerves become irritated. When vertebrae are misaligned (subluxated) , the delicate nerve tissue becomes choked, rubbed or scraped by adjacent spinal bones. Very often these nerves can also become stretched due to a loss of proper spinal curvature.
Q: How educated are Doctors of Chiropractic?
A: After completing undergraduate college studies, Dr. Eisen entered the world renowned New York Chiropractic College where she completed a curriculum of over 4,500 post graduate classroom hours. These various health science courses consisted of Biochemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Neurology, Orthopedics, Radiology, Biomechanics and of course spinal adjusting techniques. Doctors of chiropractic must pass three sections of the national boards before graduation. Chiropractors then must pass still more difficult examinations for each state. Dr. Eisen is licensed in New York. A chiropractor's education never ends. Most doctors of chiropractic complete various continuing education courses to stay abreast of the latest techniques and scientific research.
Q: Am I too old for chiropractic care?
A: Absolutely not. Our patients range from newborns to 90 years of age. It is never too late to enjoy the benefits of natural chiropractic care and a flexible spine and nervous system. Many patients report improvement with their arthritic conditions and other chronic health problems that were previously not helped with drugs or surgery. Chiropractic's safe, gentle techniques can be modified to suit anyone's age to ensure their chiropractic visit is both comfortable and enjoyable.
Q: How long will I have to see a chiropractor?
A: Many spinal problems are the result of years of neglect, trauma and stress to the body. Spinal misalignments left uncorrected for long periods of time may require some sort of ongoing supportive care to ensure maximum results. Long standing or chronic problems are often accompanied by muscle weakness, ligament or tendon damage as well as degenerative changes seen in the vertebrae and disc. Much like changing the part in ones hair, the spine needs re-training which may take time. Each individual progresses differently depending upon lifestyle, level of activity, exercise, diet and kept appointments. Just like regular dental or eye check-ups are important, regular chiropractic checkups are vital to a healthy lifestyle. Remember "How long you decide to benefit from chiropractic care is entirely up to you".