Chiropractic

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts concerned with human health and disease processes.  Doctors of Chiropractic are physicians who consider man as an integrated being and give special attention to the physiological and biochemical aspects of the human body, including its structural, spinal, musculoskeletal, neurological, vascular, nutritional, emotional, and environmental relationships.

Doctors of Chiropractic receive extensive academic and clinical training in accredited chiropractic colleges.  They receive intensive training in the use of current diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including the adjustment and manipulation of the articulations and adjacent tissues of the human body, particularly of the spinal column. 

Chiropractic is a drug-free, non-surgical science, and, as such, does not include pharmaceuticals or incisive surgery. 

Dr. Brian Hess is a graduate of the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic and has trained and studied in more than a dozen beneficial chiropractic techniques.  Honors include; Delta Sigma Honorary Scholastic Society, LACC, Deans List, LACC and Magna Cum Laude, LACC.  He graduated Cum Laude from Bingamton University with B.A. in Psychology. 

This wide-ranging expertise in a variety of beneficial techniques allows Dr. Hess to address an individual patient’s needs with the appropriate methods and techniques that will best support the patient’s unique health.  After all, everybody is different, and different people may respond more rapidly or more fully to different techniques.  Dr. Hess works closely with his patients to determine which methods will work best.

For instance, some patients respond better to gentle techniques such as massage and gentle adjustments, while others do better with deep massage and traditional chiropractic adjustments.  Some patients may be in pain due to poor nutrition, stress, or sedentary lifestyle. 

With an abundance of proven techniques available, Dr. Hess tailors your chiropractic visit to your exact needs.  

Some of the techniques Dr. Hess uses in his practice today include: Diversified, Thomson-drop, Applied Kinesiology, Instrument Adjusting, NeuroCranial Integration, Cold Laser, Pain Neutralization Technique/ Kaufman Techniques, Network Spinal Analysis, Flexion-Distraction, NET, EFT, NMR, Brimhall, BRT, JMT, GRT.  Your visit may also include acupressure, cranial manipulation, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, traction, nutritional advice, taping/bracing, and exercise/rehabilitation.  

Each year, Dr. Hess takes active part in continuing education workshops and classes to ensure that he brings you the very best in proven and effective chiropractic methods and alternative health therapies.

Education of a Chiropractor…

How does one become a Doctor of Chiropractic and earn a D.C. degree?  As with any school of advanced learning, pre-requisites-that is, subjects required before admission are needed for chiropractic college.

Entrance into a chiropractic college requires at least two years college under-graduate work (Associate Degree) with credits in biology, chemistry, and other “pre-med” subjects.  The exact pre-requisites vary slightly from college to college.  Chiropractic colleges are generally four-year institutions.  Approximately 25% of chiropractic school graduates are women, with that percentage steadily growing.

In addition to classroom work, training includes an internship period where student chiropractors take care of patients under the supervision of chiropractic instructors, and an externship period where students may assist field chiropractors in their offices.  The majority of the schoolwork, however, is done in the classroom and the laboratories.

After graduation, the new chiropractor must pass licensed exams in the states in which he or she wishes to practice.  Each state has its own licensing laws.  Most, including Virginia, now accept national exams in place of state exams.

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