Did you know that chiropractic dates from 1895! Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts which is based upon the understanding that good health depends, in part, upon a normally functioning nervous system
“Chiropractic” comes from the Greek word Chiropraktikos, meaning “effective treatment by hand.” Chiropractors believe the disease processes begins with the body’s inability to adapt to its environment.
Why Would I Need a Chiropractor?
Think about it. The communication system that goes from the brain to all areas of the body are nerves. These nerves are so important, your body protects them with 24 bones called vertebrae. As you bend or twist, these vertebrae, which make up your spinal column, bend or twist with you. Disks are the thick cushions and they pad each vertebra. Your muscles and ligaments help hold them in position. In a perfect world, these systems all work perfectly together.
However, occasionally something happens that causes a vertebra to move slightly out of position to such a degree that even your muscles can’t pull it back. This is what Chiropractors call a misalignment or subluxation. Any number of things can cause these subluxations, ranging from improper lifting, impact sports, car accidents or falls.
Whatever the cause, when vertebrae do become subluxated, they interfere with your nerves’ vital communication back to the brain. In fact, they tell your brain “Hey! I’m in pain!” Your body, which had functioned so smoothly for so long, starts to betray you. Your resistance is weakened. And because your brain is not getting the message, your body loses its incredible ability to heal itself.
How Can A Chiropractor Help Me Stay Healthy?
Chiropractors work on primarily one thing – the subluxation. As we mentioned, a subluxation is a vertebrae that is out of alignment with the vertebrae above and below resulting in nerve pressure and interference of the nerve’s signal from the brain to varies parts of the body. This causes a break down of the normal tissue cells and causes abnormal tissue cells have been formed to cause dis-ease.
The Chiropractor’s job is to remove the subluxation, through an adjustment, allowing the nerve impulse to get to the tissue cells and replace the abnormal cells with normal cells. This is healing.
What is an adjustment?
A Chiropractic adjustment is the use of a specific force in a precise direction that helps normalize spinal function by “aligning” the vertebrae back to there proper location. The force is applied to a joint that is fixated, “locked up”, or not moving properly. .
What do adjustments feel like?
Adjustments are painless. We have patients of all ages, from babies to seniors getting adjusted. After an adjustment, many patients report a sense of well-being or a feeling of calmness. Almost everyone feels improved mobility immediately. Inflammation or muscle spasms may delay these positive effects, that’s why we also use physical therapy services to make the adjustments go easier and last longer!
Is it safe?
YES! Chiropractic adjustments are so safe, even newborns and children receive adjustments to repair the damage caused from the birth process, learning to walk, or other childhood falls. Each adjustment is tailored to each patient’s age, size, and unique spinal problem.