Villa Park chiropractor, chiropractor in Villa Park, IL

Chiropractic FAQ

How does chiropractic care work?

Chiropractic helps to remove postural imbalances and structural misalignments that can accumulate in our spines over time or from injury. Our spines change, accumulate wear and tear and develop problems just like our teeth, eyes, heart and other body parts. Left unchecked, these changes may lead to pain, stiffness, nerve problems or other more serious problems.

Your nervous system is the key part of your body. It is the communication system between your brain and all of your body's muscles, organs and tissues. Millions of instructions in the form of nerve impulses race from your brain, down your spinal cord and, via your nerves, out to every organ and tissue in your body. Nerve signals from everywhere in your body shoot back to your brain so that it can monitor and adjust the function of your body.

Each of us is born with the ability to heal and recover from illness and injury. Our bruises heal, cuts mend and common colds are overcome. Your nervous system regulates this inborn healing ability.

For your body to remain healthy, your nervous system must function well. For your nervous system to function well, it must be free of interference. The spine is the most common site of nervous interference because nerves travel from the spinal cord through openings on either side of the spine to get to all of your cells and organs.

Think of your brain as a central command post sending and receiving information through telephone wires (your nerves), which branch out to connect all areas of a city (your body). A short circuit in a wire cuts off communication just like misalignments in your spine can put pressure on the nerves. This pressure interferes with your nervous system, affects your ability to self-heal and may prolong injury or illness. It makes you more susceptible to sickness when your body is not at its best.

The customized care you receive at Russell Chiropractic Care can help to improve your posture, muscle balance and mobility. It can also restore the integrity of your nervous system and get rid of pain quickly, so you can get back to feeling good today!

Is chiropractic effective?
Absolutely! Chiropractic care is safe and effective. Scientific evidence proving that chiropractic care works is overwhelming. Over the past 20 years, many controlled and independent research studies have shown again and again that chiropractic care is safe and effective for treating low back pain, neck pain, headaches and other health conditions. Based on these scientific studies, the consensus is that chiropractic care is the treatment of choice for most spinal problems. All drugs have undesirable side effects and chiropractic care avoids the perils of dangerous over-the-counter and prescription drugs by helping your body heal naturally. The extent to which a person can benefit from care varies depending on their problem and how long it has existed.

Do many people see chiropractors?

When It Comes To Chiropractic Care...
You Are Not Alone

The non-surgical, drug-free healing nature of chiropractic provides benefit to the health of millions of people each year. Most chiropractic patients experience real relief and improved general well being, and continue to make regular visits a part of their healthy lifestyle choice.

Many people find significant improvement in their neuromusculoskeletal function through the utilization of chiropractic services including many "famous" people who seek chiropractic care in order to:

1) get rid of pain;
2) improve function;
3) enhance their acting, musical skills, or sporting edge.

The following is an inspiring list of various celebrities and a comment about what chiropractic provides for them personally:

Mel Gibson uses chiropractic on a regular basis. On the cover of the June 22, 2000 edition of TV Guide Insider, is a picture of Mel Gibson dressed for his then upcoming movie "The Patriot". In the story, they talk about how Mr. Gibson uses chiropractic on a regular basis. In the article he states, "I got a chiropractor to come along to the [Patriot] shoot, because they can actually stick you back together within 15 minutes. He used to come every other week, from Los Angeles to South Carolina - spend a week and work on the entire crew. All the stunt guys were like, Oh, fix my disc. He is putting their discs back in. The guy is amazing."

Arnold Schwarzenegger is another fan and devote recipient of chiropractic care. Each year in Columbus, OH Arnold addresses a chiropractic fitness symposium held in conjunction with his "Arnold Classic".

At the event in February 2000, he made the following remarks,
"Chiropractic is about health and fitness. Chiropractic is about natural, preventive health care. What you are doing, and I have experienced this for the last 30 years myself on my own body, means that whenever I have a problem-or even if I don't have a problem-and I go to a chiropractor, my problems are gone for a long time."

Kevin Jonas, Sr.- Manager of Jonas Brothers states... "Chiropractic care promotes a healthy body, mind and lifestyle. I have found, with regular chiropractic care, our family stays healthier and sleeps better. We are more relaxed and stress is easily overcome."

Barbara Bunkowsky - LPGA Tour Professional states... "I Have found that chiropractic keeps me flexible and pain-free so that I can perform at my highest level. The benefits of chiropractic have improved my golf swing, putting less stress and strain on my body and allowing me to be a more productive golfer. I believe it also helps prevent other associated injuries that are very common on the LPGA tour."

Dan O'Brien - 1996 Olympic Decathlon gold medalist said... "You obviously can't compete at your fullest if you're not in alignment. And your body can't heal if your back is not in alignment. It was the holistic idea that I liked about chiropractic and tat is what track and field is about. Every track and field athlete that that I have ever met has seen a chiropractor at one time or another. In track and field, it is absolutely essential. Chiropractic care is one of the things I think that no one has denied or refuted."

Madonna at 50 years old, even brought her personal Chiropractor along with her on her most recent tour to help her de-stress and prevent injuries. Prior to the tour she is quoted as saying, "It's going to be very draining, and she needs him (her Chiropractor) around to aid in her recovery time after each show," ...an insider tells Life & Style says online gossip column In Case You Didn't Know.

Sara Harding- Miss Fitness USA 2006 states, "Basically, I've always believed in chiropractic care. My parents introduced my brothers and myself to chiropractic care when we were very young and it's been an instrumental part of my life. I believe that it allowed me to do gymnastics when I was very little and allowed me to stay in sports and lead a very active lifestyle. I think it's natural to have aches and pains when you bend your body in directions it wasn't necessarily meant to [be bent in], so it makes sense to go to a chiropractor to get my body back in alignment. Ever since I can remember, I've gone to a chiropractor. "

Lance Armstrong - Seven Time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong has received chiropractic care since January of 1999, helping him to keep his body together for the harsh demands of the Tour de France. After one Tour de France, Lance said that he could not have won without his chiropractor's help.

Jerry Rice-3 Time Super Bowl Champion: "Chiropractic care has been instrumental in my life, both on and off the field, and I am excited to share this with the American public," says Rice. "I have been blessed with a long and healthy career as a professional athlete, and as I move forward into the next stage of my life, chiropractic care will continue to be an important part of my game plan."

Tiger Woods - "I've been going to chiropractors for as long as I can remember. It's as important to my training as practicing my swing."

Marla Maples Trump ...has made her Chiropractic care a family priority. Her daughter gets adjusted and she has referred her husband, mother, chauffeur, nanny and personal assistant for care.

There has been a growing trend among athletes using chiropractic care.

Approximately 31% of NFL teams have a chiropractor on staff and 39% of all Division I athletes said they use chiropractic either to get into top shape or to stay there. Many say chiropractic helps them to get into top physical shape without the use of drugs. Sean Atkins, PhD, Exercise Physiologist stated "I would estimate that in excess of 90% of all world-class athletes use chiropractic care to prevent injuries and to increase their performance potential."

In a study conducted by the New Zealand School of Chiropractic, University of Auckland, New Zealand, reaction times were improved and shortened in volunteer subjects who received chiropractic care over those that did not. The group who received chiropractic adjustments showed a decrease in reaction time of 97 milliseconds representing a 14.8 percent quicker reaction time.

A recent internet article gave some interesting information on one of the world's most famous faces. For years we've seen and heard in the news about the health challenges faced by Elizabeth Taylor. We've all seen photos of her in a wheel chair and heard about her battle with prescription drugs she had been taking for back pain. It was wonderful to read she had sought out the care of a chiropractor, with great results. She credits her chiropractor for her successful rehabilitation and recovery from back problems. Ms. Taylor is hardly the only celebrity to utilize chiropractic care to regain and maintain her health. Other chiropractic regulars include Warren Beatty, James Earl Jones, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jack Nicholson, Julie Andrews, Jane Seymour, and Mel Gibson.

Many Olympic athletes utilize chiropractic to maximize health and performance. Track and field stars Carl Lewis, Michael Johnson, and Edwin Moses, as well as, diver Greg Louganis, decathalon athlete Dan O'Brien, and swimmer Sheila Taormina are a few medalists who seek chiropractic care, sometimes immediately before their competitions to enhance performance--without drugs. Boxer Evander Holyfield, was introduced to chiropractic during the 1983 Pan Am Games. He was quoted in 1988 as saying, "I have to have my adjustment before going into the ring".

Olympic athletes are not the only athletes under chiropractic care. Professional basketball great, Wilt Chamberlain, baseball Hall of Famer Wade Boggs, and football heroes Joe Montana, Drew Pearson, and Fran Tarkenton use chiropractic. Fran Tarkenton joined Wade Boggs in claiming chiropractic has been useful in keeping him productive and prolonging his career. Boggs stated in 1998 that, "By getting an adjustment once a week...I feel I can sustain my career a lot longer."

No one would claim that celebrities have all the answers. However, it would seem that with all the options celebrity affords them, the fact that they seek chiropractic care to meet their healthcare needs says something about the value of chiropractic for optimum health!

Why should I see a Chiropractor?
From professional athletes to homemakers, engineers to electricians, young people to seniors, chiropractic care has been the answer to optimum health. Many people see a chiropractor for back, neck or other joint problems. They know that while drugs are sometimes necessary, the serious side effects of drugs makes them a bad choice as the initial treatment for pain and injuries. The majority of people also realize that most drugs only mask the symptoms and don' actually fix the problem or its underlying cause. Still others find that regular visits to their chiropractor keep them in peak condition.

Regularly a dentist checks our teeth, an optometrist checks our eyes and a doctor checks our blood pressure and heart. Yet, we take the spine - a crucial component of our body - for granted. Call us today because regular checkups of your spine can help you maintain better health.

What is Subluxation?
A subluxation - short for Vertebral Subluxation Complex (VSC) - is an abnormal condition commonly involving several vertebrae. It occurs when vertebrae in your spine lose their normal position and/or motion.

Subluxations most often occur in response to the daily stresses placed on our bodies. There are three basic causes of subluxations:

1) Physical (falls, injuries, accidents, repetetive motion, whiplash, improper lifting, sports injuries, poor posture, housework, yardwork, etc.)

2) Emotional (stress, anger, grief, fear)

3) Chemical (drugs, alcohol, poor diet, pollution)

Many health problems, including subluxations, are subtle in the early stages of development. In the same way that a cavity or heart problem can exist before causing pain or other warning signs, a spinal problem may develop and exist for years before causing difficulties.

In order to accurately diagnose your health problem, Dr. Russell will conduct a thorough examination, including a detailed history, orthopaedic, neurological and postural evaluations, and possibly an X-ray (radiographs) if he deems these to be necessary to fully assess your condition.

What is a chiropractic adjustment? Is it safe?
An adjustment is the main method of treatment used by most all chiropractors. It is a specialized, controlled and safe pressure applied to your spine to restore the proper motion and position of your vertebrae. Chiropractic adjustments involve a quick thrust or push to your spinal joints (or other joint in your body) that helps reposition or adds motion to joints that are out of place or aren't moving correctly. It is a high skill technique that Dr. Russell has learned and perfected over years of training during five years at Chiropractic College and in 21 years of clinical practice.

A New Zealand government study found that chiropractic adjustments are "remarkably safe." Additionally, thorough history and examination will determine if you are a good candidate for chiropractic care or you should be referred to another type of doctor.

Every health procedure, from taking aspirin to giving blood, involves a level of risk. When the scientific statistics are compared, chiropractic adjustments are about 100 times as safe as taking over-the-counter medications. Chiropractic adjustments are among the safest of all health care interventions because they are non-surgical, drug-free and present an extremely low risk. And... they work!

What makes the "cracking" noise?

Your joints have small amounts of fluid in them. And this fluid has gas, mostly nitrogen, in it. When your bones make the small shifts during the adjustment, the gas in your joints moves and escapes. Think of the noise a champagne bottle makes when you open it. The noise is what people tend to key in on but it isn't a measure of how good or effective your adjustment was.

Are all patients adjusted the same way?

Of course not! Each patient's spine and condition is unique. A seven month old baby is not adjusted the same way as the 90 year old patient. And neither of them is adjusted the same as a 22 year old athlete. Each patient's care and adjustments are custom-tailored to his or her age, condition, size and tolerance.

What can I expect from my visit to a chiropractor?
As a primary care physician, it is Dr. Russell's duty to do the following:

-- A thorough review of your specific problem is conducted, including relevant past history and overall health.
--A thorough examination, including orthopedic, neurological, postural and chiropractic testing is performed to help identify the root cause of your problem.
--In certain situations, an X-ray may be used to confirm the history and examination findings and to investigate for the presence of any underlying bone conditions or pathological developments.
--A diagnosis is made, with treatment options for its resolution outlined. Your options and best plan of treatment is reviewed and explained by Dr. Russell. If it is not a chiropractic problem, an appropriate referral to another health care provider is arranged.
--A prognosis is made, taking into account your general health habits, occupation, stress and activity levels.
--Your response to treatment is monitored by Dr. Russell, who looks for an improvement to your specific condition, as well as for changes in your overall health. Two of the basic components of chiropractic care are wellness and prevention. Utilization of stretches, exercises, along with nutrition and lifestyle modifications may also be suggested to improve your overall well-being and promote active, patient-centered care.

What results can I expect from treatment?
That depends on your condition. The length of time you have had the problem, your age and the degree of your disability all affect the length of your treatment. Dr. Russell will be able to give you an estimate of the extent of relief you should receive from the recommended treatment and how long you can expect it to last. One of the main reasons people choose chiropractic is that they often get quick results. Individual cases vary and chronic conditions obviously need more treatment. However, Workers' Compensation Board studies show that people with low back pain return to work much faster with chiropractic care than with standard medical care.

How long do Doctors of Chiropractic go to school?
Today's graduating Doctors of Chiropractic have studied and trained in a post-secondary college or university for at least seven years. Just like medical or dental students, they must first complete undergraduate study before applying for admission to a chiropractic college.

Becoming a chiropractor is a demanding and highly rewarding path that includes a minimum of 4,500 hours of intense academic study including classroom learning, clinical science and internship training. During the course of their training, he/she will have studied the following three areas:

-- Basic sciences, including anatomy, physiology, pathology (the study of diseases), biochemistry, clinical sciences, X-ray interpretation and differential diagnosis.
-- Training in the philosophy and practice of chiropractic.
-- Clinical internship with emphasis on hands-on practice.

Dr. Russell is a primary care provider just like your family physician. You do not need a referral from your medical doctor to see a chiropractor.