Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts based upon the understanding that good health depends in large part upon a normally functioning nervous system (especially those of the spine and the nerves extending from the spine to all parts of the body). The word "Chiropractic" comes from the Greek word chiropraktikos, meaning "effective treatment by hand." Chiropractic emphasizes the concept that the underlying cause of many disease processes begins when the stresses on the body become too great (including injuries, a diet of wrong foods or non-foods, toxic accumulation, lack of exercise, etc.) and the body fails to adapt. It seeks to address health conditions not by the use of drugs or surgery, but by locating and correcting the impaired communication to an area of the body which is has begun to function improperly. This process can be likened to an electrician tracing the cause of an over-loaded circuit to its source and fixing that, rather than by replacing all the appliances in the house one by one in hopes of eventually finding the culprit.
Although Chiropractic is sought most frequently to relieve headaches, neck pain and low back pain, studies have found it to be effective for a variety of conditions, such as shoulder, arm and hand pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica and leg pain, automobile, work and sports injuries, fibromyalgia, migraines, asthma and infantile colic. Since the nervous system is involved in the control and coordination of all functions of the body, almost any condition resulting from the malfunctioning of the body systems can be benefited. Ongoing international scientific research continues to validate the effectiveness of Chiropractic care in helping various named conditions.
Chiropractic adjustments are extremely safe. The risk factor for an adverse outcome is estimated to be less than one in three million. This cannot be said for others in the healing arts who are not Chiropractors. Just as you would not want an untrained person removing even a simple cyst from the surface of your body, you would not want a non-chiropractor attempting spinal manipulations.
Under normal non-severe circumstances, manipulations (also called adjustments or alignments) don't hurt. The patient may experience a minor amount of discomfort during the adjustment which lasts only second or two. Most patients feel immediate relief. As an alternative to traditional manual adjustments, Dr Aungst is also trained in low-force and completely non-force style adjustments, such as the Activator Methods and Neuromechanical Impluse procedures, and these are preferred for infants, the elderly and those in severe pain.
Chiropractors receive virtually the same thorough education in the basic biological and health sciences as all other doctors (anatomy, physiology, histology, biochemistry, clinical and radiological diagnosis, etc.). They receive additional studies in the physical sciences that emphasize neuromuscular diagnosis and treatment, specialized training in the philosophy, science, applications and practice of the Chiropractic discipline. They receive extensive clinical training and practice prior to graduation. Continuing education studies are required throughout their practice years to stay abreast of current advances.
We adhere to the first principle of Hippocrates which is to "First, Do No Harm". Virtually all pharmaceutical drugs cause some harm. That is why they are under prescription. The practice of Western Medicine is called Allopathy, meaning "other suffering". That very accurately explains what "side-effects" are... other suffering. Taking one drug for the heart may cause damage to the kidney. The heart may be helped but the kidney suffers. Now one has to do something about the kidney. And it goes on...
The first thing we will do is ask you about your chief health complaints, how and when they started, etc. You will also be asked about your personal and family history, dietary habits, other care you may have had (chiropractic, osteopathic, medical, naturopathic, acupuncture, physical therapy, massage, self-care, etc.), your past and current occupation(s) and activities, past injuries and surgeries, past and current involvement in sports, and other questions designed to help determine the nature and extent of your condition and the best way to go about treating the problem(s).
An examination will be performed which will include an evaluation and analysis of your general physical, nerve and muscle function to detect any structural dysfunctions or abnormalities which may be affecting or causing your condition. Recommendations for x-rays, laboratory analysis, other diagnostic procedures or referral to another specialist may be made.
Treatment may be initiated on the same day to begin the process of relieving your pain/symptoms and correcting any accumulated damage done to your systems.
We offer a variety of alternative health treatments, including physiotherapy (ultrasound, muscle stim, stretching/stabilizing exercises), cold laser therapy (aka low level laser, soft laser, phototherapy), nutritional consulting (including dietary recommendations; vitamin, mineral, herbal and homeopathic remedies; programs for detoxing heavy metals, accumulated toxins and addictive drugs) and allergy clearing. Please refer to our services page for a more complete list.