Chiropractic Medicine
Chiropractic Medicine
What is Chiropractic Medicine?
Chiropractic medicine is a form of natural health care that focuses on treating a patient without the use of drugs or medicines. It is based on the concept that your body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism controlled by the brain, spinal cord and nerves. It focuses on the vertebrae, which protect the nervous system and when misaligned or compromised, cause malfunction of tissues and organs throughout the body.
Doctors of Chiropractic, more commonly known as chiropractors, are primary health care providers and are recognized by health care programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, Workers' Compensation programs. It is the fastest growing health care profession.
Chiropractors frequently treat individuals with problems such as:
- Headaches
- Joint pain
- Neck pain
- Low back pain
- Sciatica
- Osteoarthritis
- Spinal disk conditions
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tendonitis
- Sprains and strains.
However, Chiropractors are also trained to treat conditions such as allergies, asthma and digestive disorders.
What to expect?
Although each doctor' s process will vary, your first visit to a Chiropractor will include a full medical history and "new patient" paperwork. You will then consult with the doctor, communicate your concerns and expectations, and ask any questions you may have. A physical exam will be performed which may include orthopedic testing, reflex assessments, muscle testing, and a specific Chiropractic evaluation. In some cases x-rays may be necessary to determine an exact diagnosis. X-rays can usually be done at the doctor' s office. Your Chiropractor will go over the results of the exam and x-rays with you. Then, depending on your situation, the doctor may give you an adjustment and/or begin physical therapy, if needed.
During your adjustment, you may feel some discomfort until the pressure in the joint is relieved. Depending on your condition, your Chiropractor may schedule a series of visits for care.
How does it work?
The main causes of joint dysfunction are typically mechanical or chemical.
Mechanical causes are often referred to as micro or macro trauma. Micro trauma or repetitive stress injury may be caused by sitting with poor posture at a desk and typing all day, causing carpal tunnel or neck, upper back, or low back pain. Macro trauma refers to injury caused by a fall, a break or other significant damage. Both micro and macro causes of joint dysfunction can benefit immensely from chiropractic care.
Chemical causes of joint dysfunction can include smoking, heavy drinking or poor diet which create chemical imbalances. For your body to remain healthy, your nervous system must function well. For your nervous system to function well it must be free of interference. Chiropractic medicine helps to remove postural imbalances and structural misalignments that can accumulate in our bodies over time.
The customized care you receive from your chiropractor may help to improve your posture, muscle balance and mobility. It can also restore the integrity of your nervous system and get rid of pain quickly.
What are "adjustments?"
The chiropractic spinal adjustment is the cornerstone of the chiropractic treatment. Spinal adjustments are used successfully to treat a variety of different soft tissue disorders and other health problems.
Spinal adjustments or spinal manipulation is the process of applying a quick but gentle pressure to "subluxated" vertebrae in a corrective manner. The adjustments are not and should not be painful. In fact, most patients look forward to their chiropractic adjustments as they usually provide immediate relief from discomfort and increase one's sense of well being.
Research has shown spinal adjustments to be the most effective treatment for numerous conditions including back pain. This is because spinal adjustments correct many of the structural, biomechanical and neurological abnormalities of the spine which cause or contribute to many back, neck and other non-spinal ailments.
