- What is Chiropractic ?
- What is a "Subluxation" ?
- What's wrong with having Subluxations ?
- Will I have to go for the rest of my life ?
- My Doctor
told me not see a Chiropractor . . .
- Are my prescribed exercises really necessary
?
Briefly:
Chiropractic is a primary healthcare profession that addresses musculoskeletal
complaints (meaning problems with joints, muscles, and nerves) in the body that
could be causing patients to experience pain and discomfort.
Detailed:
Chiropractic is a manual therapy that approaches health and
disease from a structural perspective. Chiropractors assess the
freedom of movement in the joints of the spine and extremities. Joint motion is
important in that:
i.
Decreased movement of
the spine can aggravate the nervous system causing pain and muscle spasms.
ii.
Decreased joint motion
is accompanied by weakening of the stabilizing muscles of the spine. The end
result is a floppy spine.
“Subluxation” is the term
that Chiropractors have traditionally applied to areas of the spine that are
being adjusted. Originally, Chiropractors believed these to be “bones out of
place that put pressure on the nerves”.
Chiropractic research has
since determined that subluxations are actually spinal joints that have
decreased range of motion. Chiropractic adjustments help restore the joints to
their normal range of motion.
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Remember that subluxations are spinal joints with decreased
mobility. Since there are more than 100 joints in the spine, we can often feel
healthy even though we have subluxations.
Analogy:
The joints of the spine are
like a team of people at work. If one employee isn’t doing his/her job, the rest
of the team has to do more work – or all the work isn’t done each week.
When one joint isn’t moving
properly, the surrounding joints compensate. Overtime this causes increased wear
and tear on the compensating joints.
Subluxations can cause the following:
·
Decreased flexibility.
·
Weakened
muscles.
·
Early onset of Arthritis.
·
Pain and muscle
spasm.
No. Chiropractic isn’t
something you ever have to do.
Many people turn to
Chiropractors to help with acute and chronic injuries. This is called
"Pain-based" Care. When the pain is gone... so is the patient.
Just
as many patients recognize Chiropractic as a form of preventative
medicine. These people choose "Corrective" Care to fix the problem. They've just
gotten rid of their pain - and have no desire for it to creep back into their
lives!
Once patients have corrected their
problems it only makes sense
to continue "Maintenance" Care. Maintenance care is the highest form of
Chiropractic care available - it corrects subluxations as they occur. While
these patients still experience aches and pains, they are relatively minor and a
single adjustment does the trick!
The most qualified Doctor
to determine if you are a Chiropractic candidate is a Doctor of
Chiropractic.
In a recent study, Dr. Ian
Coulter PhD determined that:
“Medical students receive little or no education on alternative
healthcare, and no formal education on Chiropractic care.”
However, it’s most likely that your Doctor is just unsure
if Chiropractic can be of benefit to your condition and is airing on the side of
caution. Speak openly with him/her about exploring the natural healing benefits
available through Chiropractic care - it's most likely he'll be receptive if you
express an interest.
In some cases Chiropractic care could be a safer, and more
effective, alternative than the prescription medications you're currently
taking.
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Your chiropractor prescribes exercise because your
continued wellness depends on it. Our de-evolution into couch-dwelling computer
junkies places us in static postures for extended periods of time. Overtime,
this causes muscles to tighten and weaken. Your exercises are intended to
reverse the specific imbalances the Chiropractor has found in your
body.
Chiropractic adjustments are great, but when combined with
rehab exercise you'll see optimal improvements.
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