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Chiropractic 101

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a science, art and philosophy providing a conservative non-invasive approach to health restoration, preventive maintenance and disease resistance. As natural health care, Chiropractic doesn’t utilize drugs or surgery. Although drugs may be helpful in alleviating some symptoms, they do not necessarily address the cause of these symptoms and they don’t permanently get rid of any symptoms. Actually they often block or interfere with the body’s natural defense and immune responses. In addition while surgery may be necessary to remove a diseased organ, it does not address why the organ didn’t function properly in the first place.

Chiropractic looks at health as a balance of physical, social, and emotional well-being. Health is not merely the absence of pain; it is when your body is functioning at 100%. Chiropractic concerns itself with the relationship between structure, primarily of the spine, and function as coordinated by the nervous system, and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health.

As chiropractors we focus on locating and removing misalignments in the spine, known as subluxations. The pressure these subluxations put on your nerves can cause you pain, dysfunction of the tissues and organs of your body, and even lower your body’s ability to fight disease by altering the way your body functions.

Chiropractic recognizes regardless of the type of the doctor you consult, doctors don’t heal you only your body is able to heal itself. You were born with the ability to heal yourself. You don’t have to think about a cut or bruise for it to heal itself. So as a doctor of chiropractic my main purpose is to reduce these subluxations which interfere with your body’s inborn healing ability.

What is a vertebral subluxation?

The word “subluxation” comes from the Latin words sub meaning “less than” and luxate meaning “to dislocate”. Therefore a subluxation is improper motion or position of a joint which causes biomechanical malfunction. When a subluxation occurs in the bones of the spine, known as vertebra, it can irritate the delicate spinal nerves that branch out from the spinal cord and interfere with the function of the tissues they control.

Your body is controlled by your central nervous system which is composed of the brain and spinal cord. Many nerves branch off the spinal cord to allow you to communicate with the rest of your organs and body. This system causes your heart to beat, your lungs to breathe and your body to heal itself without you having to think about it. Since this system is so important to your survival it is the only system completely encased in bone, the skull and spinal column.

The nerves of your body do one of two things they either perceive pain or control function, so if the subluxation is putting pressure on the nerve that perceives pain you will feel pain in the location of the nerve. However if the nerve being irritated is related to the function, the organ or tissue that nerve goes to will not be working at 100%. Depending on the subluxation you could potentially be causing both pain and malfunction.

What causes a subluxation?

A few of the more obvious causes of subluxation are a fall, injury such as car accidents or sports injuries, sudden jar, or trauma, can displace a vertebra. Other causes include improper sleeping conditions, poor posture, occupational hazards, improper lifting, obesity, too much or too little exercise or rest, and stress.

Should I go to a Chiropractor if I feel fine?

It is said that by the time you are 18 the average person will have had 1000 minor injuries in their life. Think of a child learning to walk, or ride a bike there are usually a few falls involved. Did you ever play sports, or ruff house or heaven forbid fight with your siblings? For this reason it is a good idea to get your body and spine checked out every once in a while, just as you would get your eyes, teeth or blood pressure checked!

Even if you feel fine, chiropractic can help your body maintain its required level of health and function at 100%. Your chiropractor can recommend a preventive spinal care program and advise you on correct posture, dietary information and back exercises. Regular spinal checkups can help detect and prevent spinal stress due to subluxations.

What conditions do chiropractors treat?

Chiropractic is a natural health care profession that focuses helping your body function at 100% so it may heal itself. Chiropractors focus on the spine, looking for areas that may be affecting your function. Common symptoms you may be experiencing include:

· Allergies

· Asthma

· Auto Accidents

· Headaches/ Migraines

· Sports Injuries

· Shoulder Pain

· Arm Pain

· Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

· Digestive Disorders

· Whiplash

· Low Back Pain

· Sciatica

· Hip Pain

· Knee Pain

· Feet Problems

· Neck Pain

· Posture

· Muscle Spasms/Pain

· Fatigue

· Weakened Immune System

· Numbness &/or Tingling

· PMS Symptoms

· Menopausal Symptoms

· Fibromyalgia/ Chronic Pain

· Weight Loss Management

· Cleansing (see www.puravidachiro.isagenix.com

These symptoms, and many others, can be indications that certain bones in the spine are slightly out of place.

Is chiropractic treatment safe?

Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment. Although chiropractic has an excellent safety record, no health treatment is completely free of potential adverse effects.

The risks associated with chiropractic, however, are very small. Many patients feel immediate relief following chiropractic treatment, but some may experience mild soreness or aching, just as they do after some forms of exercise. Current literature shows that minor discomfort or soreness that sometimes follows a spinal manipulation typically fades within 24 hours.

Manipulation is a remarkably safe procedure. While some reports have associated neck adjustments with a certain kind of stroke, there is not yet a clear understanding of the connection. The occurrence appears to be very rare—1 in 5.85 million manipulations— based on the clinical reports and scientific studies to date. These same strokes have been reported at barber shops and spas while getting your hair done.