Chiropractic
Founded in 1895 by D.D. Palmer, chiropractic is a health care field that looks at the body as a whole. Chiropractors focus on the neuromusculoskeletal system (i.e. nerves, muscles, and joints/bones) to restore health and relieve pain. The spine and the nervous system are viewed by chiropractors as the cornerstone of health. Although the spine is the main part of the skeletal system that chiropractors assess, almost every joint within the body can be examined and adjusted. Muscles are another vital part of the body that chiropractors assess and treat to help relieve pain and correct any neuromusculoskeletal disorders. Nutrition and lifestyle factors are also important aspects of health that chiropractors assess when caring for patients. Because chiropractors assist the body in healing itself, this form of health care is a progressive one that takes time but significantly speeds up the body's natural healing process.
Joint Restrictions
If the joints of the spine or somewhere in the body are not moving properly, this is called a joint restriction, or subluxation. Joint restrictions can occur due to improper biomechanics (i.e. the way the joints and muscles move the body) or even if the patient is suffering from an internal condition (e.g. a problem with an organ affects the spine). Just as improper biomechanics can cause joint restrictions, joint restrictions can cause improper biomechanics. Muscles spasm and inflammation builds up within the joint and the muscles due to these joint restrictions, and the body tries to signal that there is a problem in the form of pain. This inflammation can irritate the nerves exiting the spine, or the muscles, joints, or discs can cause nerve irritation by compressing, or pinching, the nerves. Along with pain and/or nerve irritation, spasming muscles lead to muscle imbalances which perpetuate the improper biomechanics. If the joint restrictions, muscle imbalances, and improper biomechanics are not addressed, these small problems can lead to bigger problems over time in the form of arthritis.
Adjustments
Chiropractic manipulation, or adjustments, help to relieve the pain by restoring joint motion, which decreases the muscle spasms and inflammation as well as releasing natural pain relievers, endorphins. Over time adjustments help to restore normal biomechanics of a joint which prevents future problems by keeping the body moving properly. Adjustments also stimulate the nervous system and mechanoreceptors within the joints and muscles to keep the body standing and moving appropriately afterwards. Chiropractic adjustments are usually accompanied by a "popping" sound. This may not always happen but that does not mean that the adjustment was not effective. As long as the joint is moved through its normal range of motion, the adjustment helped and over time the "popping" will begin to occur. Some people think this sound is bone breaking but there is nothing to worry about when you hear it. The sound is just air escaping from the fluid within the joint.
Patient & Chiropractor Team
As chiropractors we always give patients rehabilitation exercises and stretches to do at home to help speed up their recovery time and prevent future injuries. As mentioned above, nutritional and lifestyle advice is also given to decrease the amount of time it takes to heal. Once the main problem is alleviated, another important aspect of care to prevent future injuries is maintenance, which is done by getting periodic adjustments (once a month, once every two weeks, etc.) to keep the body working optimally. By getting adjusted regularly and following the advice, the patient and the chiropractor form a team to maximize the patient's health and keep them living a long, pain free life.
Founded in 1895 by D.D. Palmer, chiropractic is a health care field that looks at the body as a whole. Chiropractors focus on the neuromusculoskeletal system (i.e. nerves, muscles, and joints/bones) to restore health and relieve pain. The spine and the nervous system are viewed by chiropractors as the cornerstone of health. Although the spine is the main part of the skeletal system that chiropractors assess, almost every joint within the body can be examined and adjusted. Muscles are another vital part of the body that chiropractors assess and treat to help relieve pain and correct any neuromusculoskeletal disorders. Nutrition and lifestyle factors are also important aspects of health that chiropractors assess when caring for patients. Because chiropractors assist the body in healing itself, this form of health care is a progressive one that takes time but significantly speeds up the body's natural healing process.
Joint Restrictions
If the joints of the spine or somewhere in the body are not moving properly, this is called a joint restriction, or subluxation. Joint restrictions can occur due to improper biomechanics (i.e. the way the joints and muscles move the body) or even if the patient is suffering from an internal condition (e.g. a problem with an organ affects the spine). Just as improper biomechanics can cause joint restrictions, joint restrictions can cause improper biomechanics. Muscles spasm and inflammation builds up within the joint and the muscles due to these joint restrictions, and the body tries to signal that there is a problem in the form of pain. This inflammation can irritate the nerves exiting the spine, or the muscles, joints, or discs can cause nerve irritation by compressing, or pinching, the nerves. Along with pain and/or nerve irritation, spasming muscles lead to muscle imbalances which perpetuate the improper biomechanics. If the joint restrictions, muscle imbalances, and improper biomechanics are not addressed, these small problems can lead to bigger problems over time in the form of arthritis.
Adjustments
Chiropractic manipulation, or adjustments, help to relieve the pain by restoring joint motion, which decreases the muscle spasms and inflammation as well as releasing natural pain relievers, endorphins. Over time adjustments help to restore normal biomechanics of a joint which prevents future problems by keeping the body moving properly. Adjustments also stimulate the nervous system and mechanoreceptors within the joints and muscles to keep the body standing and moving appropriately afterwards. Chiropractic adjustments are usually accompanied by a "popping" sound. This may not always happen but that does not mean that the adjustment was not effective. As long as the joint is moved through its normal range of motion, the adjustment helped and over time the "popping" will begin to occur. Some people think this sound is bone breaking but there is nothing to worry about when you hear it. The sound is just air escaping from the fluid within the joint.
Patient & Chiropractor Team
As chiropractors we always give patients rehabilitation exercises and stretches to do at home to help speed up their recovery time and prevent future injuries. As mentioned above, nutritional and lifestyle advice is also given to decrease the amount of time it takes to heal. Once the main problem is alleviated, another important aspect of care to prevent future injuries is maintenance, which is done by getting periodic adjustments (once a month, once every two weeks, etc.) to keep the body working optimally. By getting adjusted regularly and following the advice, the patient and the chiropractor form a team to maximize the patient's health and keep them living a long, pain free life.