WHY SHOULD I RETURN?
(ESPECIALLY IF I'M FEELING FINE)

"Delays have dangerous ends."  William Shakespeare

You entered your chiropractor's office feeling terrible and now your problems are a thing of the past. You'd probably be happy to return if your health deteriorates to the point where you have similar problems. But your chiropractor suggests you return even if you feel fine. Why can't I return only when I'm feeling bad?" you may ask.

"I FEEL FINE"
HEALTH CARE

How you feel is not always a good indication of how healthy you are; in fact you may feel fine while life-threatening vertebral subluxations (spinal distortions) are damaging your body. We've all seen people looking like death warmed over who "feel fine." They are walking targets, waiting for disease to strike before they decide to do anything about their health. They "feel fine" but have no energy; they "feel fine" but sleep poorly; they "feel fine" but are tired, have aches and pains, headaches or backaches. Too many people who "feel fine" have a sudden heart attack, stroke, debilitating pain or are diagnosed with a serious disease such as cancer.

They've lost touch with how they really feel. They'll return for chiropractic care when they 'feel like it and not a minute sooner." They've stopped listening to their body's subtle signs of sickness, and they won't listen to their chiropractor either.

BUT WHY DO I NEED SO MANY ADJUSTMENTS

Most people first visit their chiropractor after they've had years of long-standing spinal subluxations. By the time "'gunk" (scar tissue or fibrosis) builds up around the spinal discs, nerves and joints and causes spinal degeneration. This "gunk" is much more sensitive than normal tissue and that's why some people who have been in accidents can tell when a storm's coming. That's one reason why eighty-six percent of those in automobile accidents still have symptoms ten years later.

WHICH PHASE ARE YOU IN?
(THE THREE PHASES OF CHIROPRACTIC CARE)

1. The Acute Phase
In this phase the patient is in a state of discomfort or pain; people often visit a chiropractor when they're in this phase. 

2. Reconstructive or Spinal Healing Phase
In this phase people continue to go to their chiropractor because they need continued corrective care in order to strengthen and heal. Individuals in this phase may find that nearly every time they come in for a spinal checkup their spine is out of alignment.

3. Health Maintenance Phase
Now the spine is holding its adjustments; you come in every so often for a spinal checkup and possible adjustment. Think of this in the same way that you think of a car tune-up every few thousand miles.

Why wait for something to go wrong before you attend to your health? It may be too late if you wait for symptoms.