Many spinal problems seen in adults begin in childhood and children naturally enjoy chiropractic adjustments. Adjusting techniques are modified to fit the child's size, weight and unique spinal problems.

The birth process may be one of the most traumatic events of our lives. Even "natural" birthing methods can stress a still developing spine. The resulting irritation to the nervous system can be the cause of many newborn health complaints. Colic, poor appetite, breathing problems, and allergic reactions can be traced to nervous system dysfunction caused by a malfunctioning spine. Head support, followed by crawling, and baby's first steps should be followed by chiropractic checkups. The bumps and falls during this period of rapid growth may lead to serious spinal problems and a weakened immune system response. For older children, contact sports or repeated one-sided activities can interfere with proper growth during rapid stages of spinal development.

Yes and regularly scheduled chiropractic checkups, combined with proper diet, exercise and personal hygene can enhance your well-being. Many women find their labor shorter and experience less discomfort when they receive chiropractic care. As the center of gravity changes, including the shifting of weight-bearing structures, and the laxity of connective ligaments, many pregnant women experience stress to the spine causing low back pain. Dr. Waggener takes special precautions with adjustments using modifications to the table or adjusting techniques during each stage of the pregnancy.

The basic education and training of the Doctor of Chiropractic is very similar to that of the Medical Doctor (over 4200 hours). Like Medical students, chiropractic students also serve an internship during which students are required to develop their own intern patient base which encourages a real-world experience in the doctor-patient relationship.

After graduating, each D.C. must then pass a series of demanding National and State Board Examinations. They must also apply to the governing state agency where they wish to practice and an additional examination is then given that must be passed before the D.C. is granted license to practice. Further, Doctors of Chiropractic must complete postgraduate instruction for annual license renewal - so the D.C.'s education never ends!

Not only is the Doctor of Chiropractic highly educated but they are strictly regulated which is probably one of the reasons that it has the most safe record of treatment health care industry wide.

Chiropractors are highly skilled in the art of adjusting all the articulations of the body, thereby reducing or minimizing the effects of chronic or acute trauma and biomechanical instability. The adjustment is a gentle and specific maneuver which can be applied effectively and safely to people no matter their age. The purpose of chiropractic professional education is to provide the doctoral candidate with a core of knowledge in the basic sciences, clinical sciences, and related health subjects sufficient for the doctor of chiropractic to perform the professional obligations of a primary care clinician. As a gatekeeper for direct access to the health delivery system, responsibilities as a primary care clinician include wellness promotion, health assessment, diagnosis, and chiropractic management of the patient's health care needs. When indicated, the doctor of chiropractic consults with, co-manages, or refers to other health care providers.

A variety of responses ranging a sense of relief and well-being to some temporary tissue soreness may occur depending on the individual but rarely is the Chiropractic adjustment painful.

Chiropractors can provide acute, chronic, and/or preventive care. Some of Dr. Waggener's patients see her for pain relief care while others choose to see her weekly, biweekly or monthly for preventative care. Every patient is different; the choice is always yours. Her goal is to get you feeling better as quickly as possible for as long as possible.

In 1895, chiropractic began as a "hands-on" approach to care of the human frame. It focuses on improving the function of the nervous system (i.e. brain, spinal cord, and emanating spinal nerves) by locating any interference of the moving joints surrounding the nerves. These joints can either be spinal or extremity (arms and legs). When these movable joints get stuck or slightly mal-positioned (from trauma, poor posture, or stress) it irritates the nearby nerves causing inflammation, pain, muscle tightness or weakness, and lack of motion. Stuck or poorly moving joints that irritate nerves are called "subluxations". The job of the Doctor of Chiropractic is to locate and correct subluxations.

Your body has an innate ability to heal itself.  Our aim is to create better communication and function between the brain and body via the chiropractic adjustment and rehabilitation. The body, in turn, functions at a more optimum level and better quality of health and well-being is achieved.

A subluxation is misaligned vertebrae or any moveable joint in the body causing interference to nerve messages that flow from your brain to your body. The affected nerves may involve your muscles, discs, ligaments, tendons, other body parts or internal organs resulting in:

• Restricted ability to turn and bend
• Pain in the body
• Adverse muscle changes
• Swelling and inflammation
• Degeneration
• Internal organ dysfunction

Unlike Impulse® Instrument Adjusting, manual adjustments involve the Doctor to use her hands to correct improper joint movement (subluxations).

The fascial system connects everything in the body from head to toe and is a seamless webbed network of connective tissue that supports and surrounds our bones, nerves, muscles, and organs. Also, more sensory nerve endings are found in the fascia than anywhere else in the body. Proper nerve transmission relies on adequate fluid movement within the fascia. Unfortunately, local dehydration within the fascial network can occur due to factors such as: injury, prolonged sitting, repetitive strain, etc. Lack of fluid within the fascial network causes a reduced ability to support our joints, bones, muscles and nerves creating joint movement dysfunctions and the the sensory nerve endings irritate causing PAIN.

Dr. Waggener addresses this fascial dehydration with manual release techniques to improve fluid movement and circulation and thereby easing the pain signals. This technique also re-establishes proper muscle coordination and along with Chiropractic adjustments re-establishes proper joint motion. Better motion, less pain, happier living.

We can provide superbills for chiropractic care received and paid in full which can then be used to file your own insurance claims. Please discuss billing for motor vehicle accidents with Dr. Waggener personally.

On your first visit, Dr. Waggener will ask you about the health concerns with which you are mainly concerned. She will then take a detailed case history (including family history, occupation, dietary habits and other care you are/have received) followed by a careful examination of the spine or extremity. In accordance with Dr. Waggener's clinical judgement, a physical examination will then be performed which may include a referral for x-rays, laboratory analysis and other diagnostic tests. Dr. Waggener will then discuss the results of your tests, answer any questions you may have, and if the Dr. believes Chiropractic care can help you, she will discuss your treatment options.

Try looking at your posture in the mirror. Is your head tilted to one side, one shoulder higher than the other or more forward, is your head forward of your shoulders? The Doctor can improve these postural distortions using the Impulse® Adjusting Instrument. She may recommend an IntelliSkin product if appropriate.

Dr. Waggener will recommend easy pain relieving and ongoing supportive care exercises based on individual needs (e.g. pelvic/abdominal core, cardiovascular, endurance exercises, etc). The goal is to decrease the incidence of re-injury, continued strength, and overall improvement in physical health and well being.

Current research reveals that the "popping" one might hear during a manual chiropractic adjustment does not mean that improper joint movement has been corrected. It is believed that the "popping" sound is carbon dioxide gas that was trapped within the joint capsule and is now released as the joint pressure decreases.  If Dr. Waggener chooses a manual chiropractic adjustment for the patient, the goal is not to achieve the "pop" but to re-establish proper joint motion within the spine and body. 

Some people have conditions beyond the ability of chiropractic. Dr. Waggener will know within a few sessions whether Chiropractic can help you. Referrals to the medical community are made when needed.

Common conditions helped by chiropractic include: