What Is Chiropractic?
What Is Chiropractic?
Perhaps this is your first introduction to chiropractic as a health care profession. If this is the case, you probably have some questions pertaining to what chiropractic is, and how the natural conservative approach of chiropractic may aid in relieving many health ailments. Most people know chiropractic care is outstanding in the treatment of back pain, neck pain and headaches. Many do not know about chiropractic, and how it can help many other health ailments. Hopefully, we will provide a much clearer understanding about the chiropractic profession.
If, on the other hand, you are familiar with chiropractic, this will serve as a gentle refresher about the profession. What is chiropractic? What does a chiropractor do? Is there a way I can improve my health without drugs? How long will I take to note improvement? Can chiropractic help children? Are exercise and lifestyle important to my health? Can senior citizens benefit from chiropractic care? Do I need to be x-rayed?
These and many more questions will be answered. We will attempt to explain the conservative, “drugless” approach your doctor of chiropractic utilizes in aiding you to become a happier, healthier person who enjoys a sense of well-being.
Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts, and as a health-care discipline is based on the premise that good health depends, in part, upon a normally functioning nervous system. When body structures such as cells and organs are functioning normally, a state of health or normal physiology exists. However, when the body’s physiology is abnormal the potential for a disease state exists. Thus, we begin to understand that abnormal physiology and function predispose the body to disease processes.
The spinal cord has 31 pairs of spinal nerves which exit from the spinal column (backbone). The most delicate and important organs of the nervous system (brain and spinal cord) are encased in hard bony coverings composed of the skull and spinal vertebrae. The spine provides protection, mobility, and weight bearing support for our upright position. The spine offers protection to the delicate spinal nerves which exit from the spinal column. Irritation to the spinal nerves can occur when spinal bio-mechanics are compromised and not functioning properly.
Chiropractors have maintained the body possesses well-designed “survival mechanisms” intended to maintain the body in a state of good health. The body’s ability to cope goes far beyond the widely known “fight or flight” responses to stressful situations. These additional mechanisms might have a great deal to do with the psychological “stressors” and how an individual responds to stress and its influence on the individual’s predisposition to disease. These concepts were described in early chiropractic writings which discussed the body’s “innate intelligence” over 100 years ago. Now more and more authorities are discussing these issues in contemporary publications on wellness. The link between mind and body is one of the basic tenets of the newly developing science of “psychoneuro-immunology” and which has been part of the foundation of chiropractic theory.
Do you have to tell your body to digest the food you eat? Do you have to tell your heart how many times to beat? Do you tell your lungs when to breathe? Do you have to direct your body to heal and repair a cut finger? Do you have to order your immune system to overcome an outbreak of flu or an infection? You see, the body has the ability to function and keep you well, provided it is not compromised. Doctors of chiropractic do not utilize drugs or surgery in their practices. They believe that the body responds to stressful conditions in a more organized and specific manner than generalized “fight or flight” responses. There is also close communication between the central nervous system, the immune system, and hormones as well. Chiropractic strategies of health management recognize and seek to optimize these interactions and traditionally have approached the spine and nervous system as key elements in maintaining overall health. If other methods of treatment are indicated, however, your doctor of chiropractic will recommend that you consult with a medical or other health care practitioner for specific treatment you may require.
Vanessa Shaw
888-881-3002
