What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches.
Chiropractors practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling.
The most common therapeutic procedure performed by chiropractors is known as “spinal manipulation,” also called “chiropractic adjustment.” The purpose of manipulation is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become hypomobile – or restricted in their movement – as a result of a tissue injury. Tissue injury can be caused by a single traumatic event, such as improper lifting of a heavy object, or through repetitive stresses, such as sitting in an awkward position with poor spinal posture for an extended period of time. In either case, injured tissues undergo physical and chemical changes that can cause inflammation, pain, and diminished function for the sufferer. Manipulation, or adjustment of the affected joint and tissues, restores mobility, thereby alleviating pain and muscle tightness, and allowing tissues to heal.
Chiropractic adjustment rarely causes discomfort. However, patients may sometimes experience mild soreness or aching following treatment (as with some forms of exercise) that usually resolves within 12 to 48 hours.
In many cases, such as lower back pain, chiropractic care may be the primary method of treatment. When other medical conditions exist, chiropractic care may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the musculoskeletal aspects associated with the condition.
Chiropractors may assess patients through clinical examination, laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging and other diagnostic interventions to determine when chiropractic treatment is appropriate or when it is not appropriate. Chiropractors will readily refer patients to the appropriate health care provider when chiropractic care is not suitable for the patient’s condition, or the condition warrants co-management in conjunction with other members of the health care team.
The Principles:
- The body is a self-healing and self-regulating organism.
- The nervous system controls and coordinates all functions and healing of the body.
- Any interference with the nervous system alters the body’s ability to function and heal itself.
- Misalignments of the bones of the spine are called subluxations. Subluxations cause interference with the nervous system. Subluxations can be caused by slips, falls, auto accidents, poor posture, sports impacts, birth, and countless other everyday stressors.
- Maintaining a healthy and properly aligned spine throughout one’s entire life allows the body to function optimally and prevent health conditions.
Official definition:
Chiropractic is the first contact health profession that deals with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the spine in particular and the neuro-musculoskeletal system in general. The chiropractor corrects joint dysfunctions, called vertebral subluxations, which can impede the homeostasis of the body and cause diseases and ailments. It focuses on the relationship between the nervous system, other body systems and health. Works naturally, without the use of drugs or surgery.
The philosophy of chiropractic is based on the existence of an innate intelligence that governs the body and controls the inherent regulatory capacity of the body to heal itself and stay in good health.
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