Frequently Asked Questions

Questions:

What is chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts based upon the understanding that good health depends, in part, upon a normally functioning nervous system (especially the spine, and the nerves extending from the spine to all parts of the body). "Chiropractic" comes from the Greek word chiropraktikos, meaning "effective treatment by hand." Chiropractic stresses the idea that the cause of many disease processes begins with the body's inability to adapt to its environment. It looks to address these diseases not by the use of drugs and chemicals, but by locating and adjusting a musculoskeletal area of the body which is functioning improperly.

What conditions benefit from chiropractic care?

Although chiropractic is used most frequently to relieve low back pain, studies have found it to be effective for a variety of conditions, such as migraine headaches, neck and shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and infantile colic.

Is Chiropractic safe?

Chiropractic adjustments or manipulations are extremely safe. The risk factor is estimated to be in excess of one million to one. Furthermore, given the nature of our gentle touch method at Common Ground, you should have no fear about treatment.

What kind of education and training do doctors of chiropractic have?

Chiropractors receive an education that emphasizes neuromuscular diagnosis and treatment. Preparation for the practice of chiropractic is concentrated on three areas of learning; basic training in the biological and health sciences (anatomy, physiology, histology, biochemistry, clinical and radiological diagnosis); specialized training in the chiropractic discipline (theoretical studies, practice, diagnosis and applications); and extensive clinical training.

Have any studies been published showing what chiropractic is effective for?

Several studies have documented the effectiveness of chiropractic in relieving back pain. More recent studies have shown chiropractic to be effective in treating infantile colic and migraine headaches.

For specific research about Network Care, go to www.innateintelligence.com

What can I expect on my first visit?

The first thing Dr. Mantell will do is ask you about the health complaints about which you are chiefly concerned. He will also ask about your family history, dietary habits, other care you may have had (chiropractic, osteopathic, medical, etc.), your job, and other questions designed to help determine the nature of your illness and the best way to go about treating the problem.

A physical examination will be performed in accordance with Dr. Mantell's clinical judgement, which may include x-rays, laboratory analysis and other diagnostic procedures. In addition, a careful spinal examination and analysis will be performed to detect any structural abnormalities which may be affecting or causing your condition. All of these elements are important components of your total health profile, and vital to the doctor of chiropractic in evaluating your problem.

What other services do you offer besides chiropractic/Network Care?

Our office offers a variety of alternative health treatments, including physical therapy and massage.

What is Network Care?

Network care is a rapidly growing and evolving system assessing and contributing to spinal and neural integrity, health, and wellness. Its developer, Donald Epstein, D.C., currently describes Network care as “a clinical assessment of the spine…utilizing certain chiropractic methods and employing concepts derived from a variety of health professions and theoretical sciences.” The objective of Network care is to assess and correct two classes of vertebral subluxation—facilitated and structural—using safe, hands-on, low-force adjustments of the spine.

What is a Vertebral Subluxation?

It is a condition in which spinal segments (vertebrae) have lost their natural, peaceful relationship with their neighboring vertebrae and/or the spine as a whole. This causes an alteration of the tension and tone of the nerves of the spine and soft tissue connected to the spine. Because there is at least one nerve fiber to every one of our cells, this change in tension has a profound effect on our whole body. There is generally a deviation from the ideal effortless posture. Along with this mechanical change there is interference in the communication between the brain and the rest of the body. We can no longer express our full potential.

What is Network Spinal Analysis?

The benefits reported by those receiving Network Spinal Analysis (NSA) include an increased ability to recognize areas of tension and dysfunction within the spinal system, and to work cooperatively with the doctor to bring about resolution of the distortion or tension. This process contributes to healing and well-being. NSA is administered in a series of four Levels of Care, each geared at your ability to detect and resolve spinal tension and interference, and to your increased self-awareness and ability to respond to yourself. Network Care is geared at assisting you in further developing you nerve and spinal system’s self-observation capacity, and to dissipate tension you no longer need. We aim to help you to develop an increasing number of coordinated spinal movements of regions of the spine that gently rock in sync with one another, advancing your progression through care. We will help you increase your ability to develop mechanisms for spontaneous detection and self-correction of spinal tension, interference, and subluxations. My care will help you to be in better touch with your body in knowing its own story and needs. Together we will begin to integrate your awareness, movement, and breathing. This will help you to know that you truly can heal yourself.

What is the spinal adjustment and entrainment?

During Network Care, your body will most often disburse the energy once confined to a specific area, as it reintegrates this separated part of you back into the whole. This process is initiated by the adjustment contact and is called entrainment; organized individual movements of the spine coordinated to release nerve system tension. Each adjustment will vary in force and amplitude depending on the needs of your spine in that moment. As your spine gets healthier, along with your greater awareness of its needs, your body can begin to initiate its own entrainment strategy to release tension in your nerve system, contributing to more self-generated adjustments, better health, and personal growth.