What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts, and as a science based on the premise that good health depends in part, upon a normally functioning musculoskeletal system and it’s effect on the nervous system. Especially the spine, and the nerves extending from the spine to all parts of the body.

In the simplest definition, chiropractors detect and remove nerve interference (called subluxation) and restore proper motion to the bones of the spine. This is of great importance since your nervous system controls and coordinates all the functions of your body.

Doctors of Chiropractic practice a drug free hands on approach to health care that includes patient examinations, physical and clinical diagnosis and treatment.

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. The most common therapeutic procedure performed by doctors of chiropractic 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.

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History –

Chiropractic has been around since 1895, when D.D. Palmer provided the first chiropractic adjustment to his building janitor. He developed the theory that spinal misalignment caused unwanted nerve pressure and irritation, which in turn caused various ailments. The key focus being on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and optimal function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how this dynamic relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health without the use of drugs or surgery.

Chiropractors have been using this simple philosophy having healed people and prevented unwanted injury and illness for over a century!