The Goal of Chiropractic
"Chiropractic is a health care discipline which emphasizes the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs and surgery. The practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health." - The Association of Chiropractic Colleges
Many individuals incorrectly assume that chiropractors are only able to treat back and neck ailments because chiropractic treatments are primarily applied to the spinal region. Chiropractic does quickly and effectively eliminate back and neck pain, but that is not the only goal. The primary objective is to restore and optimize human health.
The Benefits of Chiropractic
Short-term and regular chiropractic care has a number of benefits which may include:
- Back and neck pain relief
- Extremity pain relief
- Headache relief
- Increased mobility and range of motion
- Decreased stiffness and muscular spasms
- Decreased sensations of numbness
- Arthritic joint pain relief
- Sinus pressure relief
- Increased joint health
- Increased performance and energy
- Increased sense of well-being and relaxation
- Increased balance and coordination
- Reduced degeneration and risk of injury
- Enhanced tissue healing
- Decreased tissue inflammation
What Chiropractors Do
Chiropractors are primarily concerned with locating and treating vertebral subluxations. A vertebral subluxation is a complex of functional and/or structural and/or pathological articular (joint) changes that compromise the integrity of the nervous system and may influence organ system function and general health.
Using a number of unique and highly refined skills, the chiropractor checks the patient's spine for any misalignments, fixations or other abnormalities (vertebral subluxations). If subluxations or other abnormalities are detected, the chiropractor will generally apply a gentle force in a corrective manner to the affected spinal area, either hands on or assisted by a mechanical instrument. Chiropractic adjustments may cause an audible “pop” or “click” and a sense of movement may or may not be felt, both of which are normal.
Chiropractors use many specialized techniques to identify and treat these spinal abnormalities and optimize overall health. In addition to spinal adjusting techniques, soft tissue techniques such as massage, dietary and nutritional counseling, physical therapies, and lifestyle modification programs are commonly employed.
How Chiropractic Works
How can the same chiropractic treatment which effectively treats my back pain also optimize overall health?
There is a direct relationship between the spine and the nervous system. The nervous system is the master controller of all living cells, tissues and organs; orchestrating and coordinating all cellular functions. The spinal column encases the nervous system (spinal cord and nerve roots) and is responsible for its protection.
Because of this intimate relationship, biomechanical and structural problems in the spinal column can irritate parts of the enclosed nervous system. This irritation can result from a noxious inflammatory biochemical release that takes place during tissue injury or may result from direct mechanical pressure. In either case, the functioning of the nervous system is negatively influenced as is the functioning of the cells, tissues and organs which are supplied by the affected nerve(s).
The resulting ailment(s) depends on the cells, tissues and organs affected as well as the extent of nervous system compromise, but can present in a number of ways including pain, numbness or general dysfunction.
In short, because the body's innate recuperative powers are affected by and integrated through the nervous system, correcting spinal abnormalities which irritate the nervous system can lead to a number of favorable results in patients suffering from various, seemingly non-spinal health conditions.
How Chiropractic Differs
There is a significant and very important difference between the way chiropractors and medical doctors approach health ailments.
When evaluating and treating patients, chiropractors take a more homeopathic approach which includes identifying and correcting the cause(s) of the patient's health ailment. In contrast, the medical or allopathic approach tends to focus more on treating the symptoms of a condition rather than focusing primarily on the actual cause(s).
Chiropractors believe in the body’s innate or natural ability to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery. Reducing nerve interference, increasing motion, and aligning the spine allows the body to heal itself and increases overall health. Many illnesses and diseases are due to nervous system interference not allowing full expression of mental impulses to cells and tissues. When the body cannot make healthy cells it becomes sick and diseased. Chiropractic focuses on correcting the cause of the problem in order to provide significant long-term benefits rather than treating only the symptoms.