Lexington Square Chiropractic

&

National Hypnosis Center

Q: What is Hypnosis?

A: Hypnosis is a procedure that allows a person to enter a relaxed and focused brain state.  The relaxed and focused state is called the hypnotic state.  This means that hypnosis is not treatment, but rather, a set of procedural steps used to enter a brain state that has therapeutic uses.  The distinct area of the brain active in the hypnotic state is called the Limbic System.  The work performed while someone is in the hypnotic state is the treatment, not the state itself.  To learn how to enter the state is relatively easy, but what is done while someone is in the state, is based on the patient's needs and the skill of the Doctor or Therapist.

Q: What is this altered state good for?

A: The Hypnotic state has many beneficial possibilities that are not easily achieved by any other means.  For many hundreds of years it has been known that stimulation of the Limbic System affects circulation and the speed of healing.  Pain control is another benefit of the hypnotic state.  Anesthesia can be achieved easily with little practice. 

Q: What else is Hypnosis good for?

A: Aside from the above mentioned physical benefits, the hypnotic state is a wonderful therapeutic tool when dealing with Emotional, Social and Habitual problems. The brain has no sense of time while in the Hypnotic state so it doesn't know if it was relaxed and focused for 2 minutes or 2 hours, it merely assimilates information.  A great deal of work can be done in a short period of time when the hypnotic state is used properly.  

Q: What if I don't believe in Hypnosis? 

A: You don't have to!  The hypnotic state is a normal brain state.  Think of a ruler with all of its one-inch increments.  Each increment could be considered a different brain state.  Some simple examples of brain states are sleep, irritability, happiness, focus, and even rage.  Our many brain states actually flow into each other because the brain states are fluid, rather than rigid.  The relaxed and focused hypnotic state is as natural as the sleep state or the happy, contented state.

Q: Only stupid and weak minded people can be hypnotized, right?

A: Nothing could be further from the truth.  The only way that hypnosis 'won't work' for someone is if they are missing a brain!  Entering the hypnotic state, however, can get harder as we get older because of a phenomenon called "Dendritic Pruning".  The nerve endings (dendrites) actually prune back as our brain becomes more streamlined and efficient as an adult, but with a little practice, everyone can enter the state easily.  Remember, however, that just entering the state is not treatment.

Q: Isn't Hypnosis just "Mind over Matter"?

A: Mind over matter is a simplistic term used by people who want to try and explain something that they really don't understand.  Brain neurology isn't magic, it's structure and function.  To truly understand brain function you must have a background in neurology.  A Medical Doctor's education is based on chemistry (drugs) and a Chiropractor's education is based on neurology (brain and body function).  That is why the process of hypnosis is clearly understood by a Doctor of Chiropractic.  Medicine and Chiropractic aren't enemies, they are actually complimentary to body function.  People need to remember, however, that all drugs either stimulate a chemical reaction or sedate a chemical reaction, and nothing else.  We as a society ask more of most drugs than they are intended to do!  You have an incredible pharmacy right inside your head, you just haven't learned how to access and use what you've been given!

Q: What does "Mind and Body" really mean?

A: Therapeutic use of the hypnotic state stimulates specific brain areas that are involved with high level function.  This includes the thalamus, hypothalamus, amygdala and the pituitary (Limbic System).  The neurotransmitter, chemical and hormonal releases that occur with proper brain stimulation can and do alter body function.  The body, in turn, can and will stimulate brain response as it signals what's happening in the outside world.  Brain and body function are really symbiotic.  I hope that this puts a fresh face on the foolish idea of 'mind over matter' because the brain and body must work together and ultimately, respond to each other.

Q: Is all Hypnosis the same?

A: No.  There are many forms of Hypnotic therapy.  Some are more permissive while others are more direct.  The information that is provided in any session will depend on the person who administers it.  All material available in our programs is original and not copied from someone else or from "canned scripts" that are often given away at weekend-type seminars.  It is quite humorous and scary at the same time when someone says they "do Hypnosis".  I always wonder what they "do" and if they are aware of what they are actually "doing" in regards to neurophysiological changes that can occur during this type of therapy.

Q: Will Hypnosis make me different or weird?

A: No.  The Hypnotic state is a result of your own brain function.  You are in control of the induction, depth and the ultimate result of your session.  You are not "under someone's spell" during any program, actually quite the opposite is true!  You are actually in a state of consciousness during all sessions, just in a very relaxed state.  It is a lot like when you are dreaming and it's nearly time to get up.  You can actually hear things going on around you, but you choose to stay in that deep, relaxed state and try to finish the dream.  Being fully aware is a brain state and dreaming is a brain state.  The hypnotic state is between the two.

Q: Can I listen to hypnosis or relaxation programs while driving?

A:  This is not a good idea.  In the altered state you are not in full control of conscious abilities needed to operate a vehicle.  For your safety and those around you please do not do this.

Q: Can I purchase a clinical program for use at home?

A: The National Hypnosis Center does not sell programs to the public.  At one time we tried to make them available, but too much fraud existed and program theft was commonplace.  The time and effort, not to mention the costs, involved in developing effective programs and performing research make our trademarked programs too valuable to be stolen and misused.  We are better able to care for someone in the clinic than from afar! 

Additional program information may be found in the PROGRAMS section of this site. 

Q: What is Chiropractic?

A: Most people think that they know what Chiropractic is all about until they are asked a few questions that do not involve the phrase 'bone out of place'.  Chiropractic is as diverse as the Medical field.  There are Chiropractic specialties that include Internal Medicine, Orthopedics, Neurology, Nutrition, Radiology and more!  Just as Medicine is based on chemistry and expands outward from that ideology, Chiropractic is based on Neurology and expands in directions associated with body structure and function.  Medicine and Chiropractic approach the body from two distinct directions, but they are complimentary to each other and should both be used appropriately.

Q: Why do Chiropractors move bones in your back (vertebrae) around?

A: In the spine, the nervous system that runs your body is located inside of the vertebrae.  The bones act like armor to protect the delicate spinal cord and exiting nerves.  When the muscles, ligaments, or discs that support the vertebrae are damaged, the bones of the spine can't support the body and pain and disability occurs.  Think of it as destroying the 2x4's in the walls that hold up your house.  Active intervention is need to stabilize the injured area so that the joint can regain its proper position and normal motion.  If that doesn't happen, the area will become arthritic over time as the body tries to heal itself.  No medication will fix structural problems!

Q: What is the 'Pop and Crack' that people talk about?

A: The audible sound that someone hears during an adjustment is nothing more than Nitrogen Gas moving in the joint.  It is not the bone going 'into or 'out of' place'!  An adjustment could be delivered improperly and still make a sound.  It is more like squeezing a packing bubble on one side and getting a pop on the other side.  People may feel temporary relief when a joint 'pops' because when a joint is wedged enough to make a sound, the brain thinks that the joint has suffered an injury, and pain-relief chemicals (endorphins) are released.  This type of chiropractic treatment is what people often associate with the whole profession, but nothing could be further from the truth.  There are numerous chiropractic 'adjusting techniques' and some don't involve thrusting on the bones at all!  Remember, Chiropractic is about neurology, not bones!

Q: What Techniques don't 'pop bones'?

A: The adjusting technique that I use in my clinic is a research-based method of care called the Activator Technique^® and it is taught in every Chiropractic University around the world.  This technique uses a hand held instrument to deliver a very precise, high-speed, low force adjustment to reposition and stabilize a restricted or injured area of the body, not just the spine.  The speed of the correction is many times faster than a reflex, so your body can't fight the adjustment and because only one vertebra is stimulated at any one time, there is no 'popping'.  You have to wedge two bones to get a cavitation sound.  With this technique there is also no need for unnecessary pre-treatment procedures to try and get a patient relaxed enough to treat.  This form of care is painless and safe for young and old alike.

Q: Where can I read more about the Activator Technique^®?

A: I have written about the technique in several of my monthly Newsletters on this website, specifically the January 2003 and February 2003 issues.  You can also find information at www.activator.com .  There are now over 300 peer-reviewed journal publications regarding this technique and its effectiveness in treating many different conditions. 

A: In short, there are two parts to each adjustment.  The first component is the physical bony correction and the second component is the neurological stimulation that accompanies the adjustment.  The instrument allows for fast, gentle bone positioning and neurological stabilization of the joint because of the vibrational frequency of the instrument.  Research has shown that the instrument stimulates 75% of all available neuroreceptors that control joint position, stability, motion and even pain.  This neurological firing occurs with each adjustment.  That is something that we were never able to do by using our hands alone.  This technique allows us to not only tell the joint what to do, but we teach it how to do it as well.  This speeds healing of injuries and allows for more complete healing.  This was something that we could not accomplish with the old-style of manual adjusting because our hands do not carry a vibrational frequency to fire that level of neuroreceptors.  This technique is also unique, in that it is a full body technique, treating the body as a whole, integrated unit each and every visit, rather than concentrating only where it hurts.  This would be akin to your mechanic checking your car from top-to-bottom each time you have your vehicle serviced, instead of waiting until something breaks down and then worrying about fixing it.  Think how long your car would last with top-to-bottom service?  You can always buy a new car, but you only get one body!

Q: What else do you do?

A: We have numerous care options at our clinic.  Dr. Frisch has used Acupuncture for over 20 years in treating pain and other clinical disorders.  It is a painless and effective form of therapy the uses a fine gauge 'wire' inserted into the skin at specific locations for neurological response.  Acupuncture isn't magical, but to listen to the media you would think it is almost mystical.  Once the wire is inserted, the brain recognizes it as an invader.  The brain responds to the invader much like it would with a 'bee sting'.  Anesthesia and anti-inflammatory agents are released.  It is that simple.  Unlike hypnosis which stimulates the brain directly for large chemical response, the acupuncture wire forces the brain to respond in smaller amounts.  Acupuncture is a wonderful therapy, but it works better with some conditions than others.  Much like medication, some people expect it perform in instances when another therapy is more appropriate.  Dr. Frisch is very open to patients about who is a good candidate for acupuncture and who isn't.

Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) and Intersegmental Distraction are also two commonly used therapies at the clinic.  After an injury or serious joint aggravation, EMS can speed the flow of fresh blood and oxygen to the injured area.  If this benefit weren't enough, EMS also has the ability to 'retrain' injured muscles and reprogram joint frequency.  Since all joints vibrate and move at specific frequencies, this form of therapy compliments the Activator^® Technique.  EMS is also of great benefit for degenerative and arthritic conditions.  It aids in muscle and joint stability, while at the same time, lessening the amount of pain producing chemical in the area.

Motorized Intersegmental Distraction is not only relaxing, but it improves the 'vacuum effect' of spinal joints.  As we age, we lose some of the ability to absorb water and nutrients into our spinal discs and cartilage.  This is partly why we 'shrink' when we get older.  This form of therapy aids in improving spinal absorption, as well as improving overall spinal mobility and health.

Q: How do I know if Chiropractic can help me?

A: Initially you may not know where you should go for help, but scheduling an appointment for an evaluation is the right thing to do with any acute or long-standing chronic problem.  A Doctor of Chiropractic is a licensed physician.  Our diagnostic approach follows the same criteria as a Medical or Osteopathic physician.  If your condition is determined not to one that responds best to Chiropractic care, you will be referred to the specialty that is best suited for your problem.  Sometimes the best treatment that any doctor can give you is a proper referral. 

I hope that this answers some of the questions that you may have had regarding Hypnosis, Chiropractic, the Activator^® Technique, and our clinic.  If you would like additional information you may call the clinic, schedule an evaluation, or email Dr. Frisch at drfrisch@qwest.net.