WHAT IS SPINAL MISALIGNMENT?
A progressive and degenerative condition, spinal misalignment is caused by accidents or injuries that tear loose the connective tissues holding the structures of the spine together. A weakness is created allowing the spine to break down and lock in a stressed position. There are so many joints in the body that we may only be slightly limited in movement and sometimes it takes years for the effects to become severe enough to identify the problem.

The misaligned spine can be detected when lying down as a long and short leg phenomenon. Standing postural measurements may reveal a high and low hip or shoulder, a leaning of the body to the right or left or a tilting of the head to one side or the other. From this twisting of the body framework there is muscular imbalance and structural stress. The resulting abnormal movement results in progressive wear and tear and in time degeneration of the spinal and adjacent skeletal structures.

The degeneration of the spine and the many structural conditions that result would be reason enough to correct this spinal condition. A more significant reason to take care of the spine is its devastating effects to the nervous system caused by the subluxated spine, which limits life and causes a multitude of symptoms. See "How Chiropractic Helps You!"

The loss of structural integrity from the misaligned spine results in distress in the nervous system and may be effecting the brain, the brain stem, the spinal cord and/or the peripheral nerves. The nervous system: (1) directs and coordinates every movement we make, (2) it allows us to sense and feel, (3) it controls and regulates all of the other body systems which includes circulation, respiration, digestion, reproduction, etc. and (4) it is the instrument of perception that allows us to relate to the world outside of ourselves.

This condition causes pain and suffering and a multitude of related symptoms that progress and continue to get worse and accumulate over time. It starts as headaches or back tightness and pain and later pain or loss of sensation in the limbs.

If you have a misaligned spine, you need to have it corrected to live a full and pain free life. It does affect our ability to live, to work and to play.

WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC?
At Suber Chiropractic we examine the relationship between body structure and the nervous system and the role of that relationship in physical, mental and emotional well being.

CAN YOU HELP ME?
Often patients have seen many doctors and tried lots of products to relieve their pain. However, their conditions are the direct result of the breakdown of the body structures and the distress to the nervous system from the misaligned spine. It is difficult to determine if your condition can be helped before the misaligned spine is detected and corrected. A consultation with Dr. Suber, a detailed health history and a spinal postural examination can usually determine if you have a misaligned spine and if it relates to the trouble you are having.

WHAT IS THE MISALIGNED SPINE?
During the course of our lives (many times in childhood) accidents and injuries that tear loose the connective tissues (ligaments and tendons) that hold the spine together result in a weakness that allows the spine to break down and lock into a misaligned, stressed position. There are so many joints in the spine that it is, at first, only a slight inconvenience and many times is undetected.

HOW CAN I TELL IF I HAVE A MISALIGNED SPINE?
Body posture is changed when the spine is misaligned. Lying down one of the legs appears shorter than the other leg. Standing up there is a high and low hip and shoulder, the body weight is distributed more on one foot, there is often a leaning of the body or a tilting of the head to one side or the other side.

HOW DOES THE MISALIGNED SPINE AFFECT CHILDREN?
Children are not as susceptible to the structural problems, but may have more of the
nerve-related functional problems. Chronic ear infections, stomach aches and leg
cramps (growing pains) may be the first signs to appear. These may be followed by
chronic respiratory problems like allergies, bronchitis and asthma. Many of the learning disorders and behavioral problems may also be related to the misaligned spine. The distress to the brain and brain stem may affect the ability to focus attention, to comprehend and process information.

HOW DOES THE MISALIGNED SPINE EFFECT MY BODY STRUCTURE?
The misaligned spine is progressive and degenerative. In our youth it causes the spinal bones or vertebrae to change shape or deform to accommodate the structural stress. In adulthood the muscular imbalance and the abnormal movement begin a process of wear and tear and breakdown of the joints of the body including the spine, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles and feet. This process usually goes on for years before the crisis that calls our attention to the problem. Injuries to ligaments and tendons that occur during the time the spine is misaligned never seem to completely recover and continue to flair-up on a regular basis or become chronically painful.

HOW DOES THE MISALIGNED SPINE EFFECT THE REST OF ME?
The distress of the nervous system by the misaligned spine limits life and causes
a multitude of symptoms. A loss of structural integrity results in distress in the
nervous system and may be effecting the brain, the brain stem, the spinal cord and/or the peripheral nerves. The nervous system directs and coordinates every movement we make, it allows us to sense and feel, it is the instrument of perception that relates us to our outside world and it controls and regulates all of the other body systems.

WILL SOMEONE BENEFIT FROM A SPINAL CORRECTION IF THEY HAVE NOTHING WRONG?
Adjustments are made to the spine only when a misalignment is found and needs to be corrected. Few people make it through life without an injury that causes a subluxated spine. Many people have a misaligned spine for years before the crisis occurs that makes them aware of the problem. It is much easier to prevent the damaging effects of the misaligned spine before it breaks down than to recover from its degeneration. It is important for everyone to have a spinal examination annually to make sure that the spine and nervous system are functioning normally.

I KNOW SOME OF MY FRIENDS AND RELATIVES ARE SUFFERING FROM SPINAL PROBLEMS, HOW DO THEY MANAGE?
Many people have learned to effectively treat the symptoms of the misaligned spine with the appropriate medications, exercises, nutritional programs and supplements and/or the appropriate life stress reduction or lifestyle changes. Life becomes much simpler when the spine is in an aligned position and everything is working normally. Much less time is spent managing all of the effects of the misaligned spine and more time is available to enjoy life.

IS CHIROPRACTIC ADDICTIVE?
No. If it were there would be more healthy people around and chiropractors would not get patients who last saw a chiropractor a few years ago when their back went out. It is possible to get used to feeling more balanced, less stressed and more energetic as a result of regular chiropractic care. Chiropractic is not addictive, however, good health is.

WHY DO YOU USE X-RAYS IN YOUR PRACTICE?
We take x-rays to reveal the internal structure and alignment of the spine. We are also concerned about underlying disease processes and disorders of the spine such as degenerative disc and joint disease, arthritis of the spine, congenital anomalies, bone spurs, disc disorders, tumors and spinal curvature. X-rays also provide a blueprint for correcting the spine back to a normally aligned position. The precise x-rays taken in our office are necessary to make the measurements used in the vectored analysis required to correct the spinal misalignments. We use principles of engineering, mathematics and physics to correct spines.

DO ALL CHIROPRACTORS WORK THE SAME WAY? ARE ALL ADJUSTMENTS THE SAME? DO ALL CHIROPRACTORS GET THE SAME RESULTS?
There are as many as two hundred and fifty (250) named procedures to adjust or correct the misaligned spine. There are about forty (40) of these procedures that are commonly used. Some spines have little tolerance for the effect of the resulting structural stress and neurological disturbances and require very specific measurable corrections.

CAN YOU HELP A PERSON WHO HAS HAD BACK SURGERY? CAN BACK SURGERY SOMETIMES BE PREVENTED?
Many of the patients we care for have come to us to prevent spinal surgery. Many others have already had surgery and have had a return of their original symptoms or some of the progressive degenerative complications of the misaligned spine. We are not opposed to spinal surgery when it becomes necessary, but many times it can be avoided by correcting the misaligned spine. Even if you have had spinal surgery to remove discs, fuse two or more vertebrae, or one or more laminectomies, our procedure is completely safe. In fact if the misaligned spine is not corrected most people will have complications of the surgery or will require more surgery within the first five to ten years. We have the most conservative approach to spinal and spine related problems. Drug therapy only masks the pain and tightness allowing the problem to worsen. Spinal care will often relieve the problem and set the stage for recovery. Anything that cannot recover completely may require rehabilitation and surgery may become necessary for anything that cannot recover or be rehabilitated.

IS IT OK TO SEE A CHIROPRACTOR IF I AM PREGNANT?
Anytime is a good time for a better functioning nerve system. Pregnant mothers find that spinal adjustments improve their pregnancy and make delivery easier for themselves and their baby. Adjusting methods are always adapted to a patient's size, weight, age and condition of health.

HOW SOON WILL I FEEL BETTER?
If your symptoms are the direct result of the misaligned spine you will probably experience some relief immediately with your first correction. Recovery from the long-term effects of the misaligned spine however takes about one month for each year the spine has been misaligned. Some of the symptoms are relieved as you recover. Pain is usually relieved in a short amount of time and completely disappears over time.