Learn More, on Your Own Time
Answers, tips, and tools to help you get familiar with chiropractic care before you ever set foot in the office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is chiropractic effective?
Evidence varies by condition. Spinal manipulation may provide small improvements in pain or function for some people with low-back pain, and there is some evidence for certain types of neck pain and headache. Research has not shown a clear benefit for nonmusculoskeletal conditions. Your care should be based on an individual history and examination. Review the NCCIH evidence summary.
Why should I see a chiropractor?
People commonly seek chiropractic care for back pain, neck pain, some headaches, mobility concerns, or guidance about movement and posture. Whether it is appropriate depends on your symptoms, health history, and goals. Dr. Tod can discuss the expected benefits, alternatives, and risks before treatment.
What is a subluxation?
In chiropractic usage, “subluxation” may describe a joint or spinal area believed to be moving or functioning abnormally. That usage differs from the medical definition of a partial joint dislocation. The term by itself does not establish nerve pressure, organ dysfunction, or the cause of a symptom.
Is a chiropractic adjustment safe?
Most reported side effects are temporary, such as soreness, stiffness, or headache. Serious complications are rare, but they have been reported, including a possible association between neck manipulation and cervical artery injury. Tell the clinician about your health conditions and medications, and ask about risks and alternatives before treatment.
Do you accept insurance?
We're happy to submit all insurance forms for you and help you recover the most from your benefits. We'll do everything we can to help make treatment affordable, and for anything insurance doesn't cover, we accept check, cash, and all major credit cards.
What's your cancellation policy?
We ask for at least 24 hours notice if you're unable to keep an appointment, so we can offer that time to another patient. A fee may be charged for missed appointments without sufficient notice.
A Bit of History
Hands-on approaches to musculoskeletal care have a long history. The modern chiropractic profession is generally traced to Daniel David Palmer in 1895. Historical accounts connected an early adjustment with an improvement in hearing, but that story is part of the profession's origin narrative—not evidence that spinal manipulation treats hearing loss. Today, chiropractic is a licensed health profession with education in anatomy, physiology, assessment, diagnosis, and supervised clinical care.
Understanding Degenerative Spine Changes
Spinal joints and discs can change gradually with age, prior injury, genetics, and other factors. These changes do not follow one guaranteed four-stage path, and some people have visible changes without symptoms. A history, examination, and—when appropriate—imaging are used to understand an individual's condition.
Normal Variation
Spines vary in shape and alignment. A visible difference does not automatically mean injury, degeneration, or pain.
Disc & Joint Changes
With age, discs may lose hydration or bulge, while cartilage and facet joints may change gradually.
Possible Narrowing
In some people, bone spurs, disc changes, or thickened ligaments reduce space around spinal nerves.
Symptoms Vary
Some people have no symptoms. Others develop pain, stiffness, numbness, or weakness that requires individual evaluation.
Wellness Tips for Everyday Life
These simple daily movements and routines can end up hurting you if you're not careful. A few small adjustments make all the difference.
Standing
Posture, posture, posture: keep your chin up and don't slouch. If you'll be on your feet a while, wear comfortable shoes.
Working at a Desk
Get up every 20 minutes to stretch. Your chair should support your back with feet flat and knees at 90°, screen at eye level.
Sitting
Choose a supportive chair, sit with your back against it and feet flat on the floor, and avoid crossing your legs for long stretches.
Lifting
Even light objects can injure you if you twist while lifting. Always bend at the knees, and skip anything you know is too heavy.
Overall Physical Activity
Warm up before any activity, gardening included. It's easy to pull something when you're not stretched out first.
Talking on the Phone
Use a speaker or headset for long calls. Avoid cradling the phone between your neck and shoulder.
Resting or Sleeping
We often fall asleep in positions that leave the neck unsupported, so make sure you're properly supported before you nap or watch TV in bed.
Educational Videos
A short library covering common conditions and treatment approaches, worth a browse before your first visit.
About Chiropractic — Overall Benefits
Watch on YouTube ↗
Natural Healing — Acupressure
Watch on YouTube ↗
Massage Therapy — An Overview
Watch on YouTube ↗
Exercise Videos
Guided stretches and exercises by body region: follow along at home to support your recovery between visits.
Abdominal Workouts
Watch on YouTube ↗
Arm Workouts
Watch on YouTube ↗
Back Workouts
Watch on YouTube ↗
Chest Workouts
Watch on YouTube ↗
Hip Workouts
Watch on YouTube ↗
Leg Workouts
Watch on YouTube ↗
Neck Workouts
Watch on YouTube ↗
Shoulder Workouts
Watch on YouTube ↗
Exercise Library
Therapeutic exercise is a vital part of recovery: a program of physical activities crafted for your specific condition and goals, not a general fitness routine. Here are some of the exercises you may be given as part of your plan, grouped by the area they target.
Core & Abs
Partial Sit-Up
Back and feet on the floor, knees bent. Raise head, neck, and shoulders off the floor and hold 5 seconds. Strengthens the core without stressing the lower back.
Hip Roll
Flat on your back, arms out to the side, knees bent and feet lifted. Rotate hips side to side, legs parallel to the floor, 5–10 reps. Strengthens the abdominals.
Double Leg Lifts
Face down on a stability ball, hands on the floor. Raise both legs until horizontal, hold 10 seconds. Repeat 5–10 times.
Side Lumbar Bridge
On your side, elbow beneath your shoulder. Engage your abs and lift your hips. Hold 10–15 seconds.
Single-Leg Reverse Curl
On your back, one knee bent. Lift the other leg diagonally over your belly button, pause, lower slowly. Repeat other side.
Crunch (stability ball)
Back on the ball, hands behind your head. Raise shoulder blades off the ball with a backward pelvic tilt, return, repeat.
Back
Knee to Chest
From the same position, draw one knee to your chest with both hands. Hold for 10, release slowly. 4–5 reps per leg, then both together. Stretches glutes and back.
Low Back Extension
Face down, hands at your sides. Lift head and upper body using your lower back muscles, hold 4–5 seconds. Repeat 10–15 times.
Cat-Camel
On all fours, hands under shoulders, knees under hips. Arch your back toward the ceiling like a cat, then drop it so your lower back extends. Repeat 12–15 times.
Back Extension (stability ball)
Stomach on a stability ball, hands behind your head. Tighten your abs, contract your glutes, and lift your shoulders and chest off the ball.
Superman
Face down, arms extended overhead. Tighten your abs and lift arms and legs off the ground. Hold 30 seconds; keep breathing.
Spinal Rotation
Seated, reach one arm across your stomach to the opposite side of the chair. Look over your shoulder while rotating. Hold 15–30 seconds.
Shoulders & Arms
External Shoulder Rotation
Lying on your side, forearm across your stomach. Rotate the shoulder to raise your forearm perpendicular to your body. Switch sides.
Internal Shoulder Rotation
Same starting position, but rotate your forearm from the floor across your stomach. Repeat 10–15 times, add a dumbbell if you like.
Lateral Deltoid Raise
Arms at your sides, knees slightly bent. Raise arms straight out to shoulder height, hold briefly, lower slowly.
Front Deltoid Raise
Same stance, raise arms straight out in front to shoulder height, hold briefly, lower slowly.
Single-Arm Lat Pulldown
Overhead with a resistance band, pull down to your side with one arm until your upper arm is next to your torso. Return slowly.
Stability Ball Push-Ups
Shins balanced on a stability ball, hands on the floor. Perform push-ups as normal.
Neck
Neck Flexion / Extension / Lateral
Push your forehead, then the back of your head, then the side of your head into a stability ball against the wall, holding each briefly.
Further Reading
A few outside resources on chiropractic safety, research, and general spine health.
Ready to put this into practice?
Call Big Island Chiropractic at (808) 327-9845, or request an appointment online.