Chiropractic

THE BENEFITS OF CHIROPRACTIC:  WHY IT MATTERS TO YOU

Regular chiropractic care has a plethora of many health and wellness benefits.  Here are just some of the reasons why you should consider seeing a qualified chiropractor:

  • Relief from neck pain
  • Relief from back pain (upper, middle, and lower)
  • Relief from headaches
  • Relief from extremity pain
  • Reduced degeneration of disks
  • Reduced injuries
  • Reduced stiffness and muscle spasms
  • Reduced tissue inflammation
  • Relief from the joint pain associated with arthritis
  • Increased energy levels throughout the day
  • Increased athletic performance
  • Increased feeling of relaxation
  • Increased focus during the day
  • Improved quality of sleep
  • Improved balance
  • Improved flexibility
  • Improved coordination
  • Improved range of motion and mobility

These are just some of the many benefits that one can gain from while being under chiropractic care.  You will look, feel and ultimately be living on a much more optimum level of health and well being that is free of pain, full of energy and vibrancy that allows one to be much more active and efficient on a day to day consistent basis.

WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC?

According to the American Chiropractic Association, “Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous system, as well as 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, extremity pain, and headaches.”

(Source http://www.acatoday.org)

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF CHIROPRACTIC?

The goal of chiropractic is to allow one to live the highest level of health, especially when dealing with issues of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems.  Yes, chiropractic addresses much more than just the common neck and low back pain and discomfort issues.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Because so many symptoms diagnosed as diseases have their origins in the nervous system when treating the spine, and respecting its complex relationship with your nervous system, will help you improve your health in several areas.

Chiropractic care aims to help realign your body so that your natural recuperation processes can work properly and most efficiently and that your body can begin to heal itself.  In most instances you will be able to get direct immediate relief, such as when a part of the spinal column is out of its normal position or alignment that impinges on a nerve producing a reduction in blood flow and nerve function to a particular area of the body.

In other instances, you may need chiropractic care to alleviate inflammation which resulted from an injury.  Once the inflammation is reduced, your body can then begin the healing process much more efficiently.

WHAT EXACTLY DOES A CHIROPRACTOR DO?

Chiropractors aim to locate and treat something known as a “vertebral subluxation.”  What this means is that the chiropractor analyzes your spine for misalignments or other abnormalities.  These misalignments and abnormalities can affect muscles, nerves, and even organs in the body.    Such situations may cause pain and/or inadequate function of that portion of your body.

Once diagnosed, the chiropractor aims to use gentle force to correct the misalignment or abnormality.  There are a number of techniques used to do this including the use of a chiropractic tables, various instruments (such as an “activator”), and other tools.

Furthermore, a good chiropractor also will make recommendations such as massage therapy, physical therapy, necessary nutrition/dietary changes, and other lifestyle changes to help you keep the benefit you gain from visiting the chiropractor.

HOW DOES THIS DIFFER FROM MY GOING TO MY “REGULAR” DOCTOR TO TREAT MY PAIN?

A chiropractor’s focus is on the root cause of the problem and pains/discomforts you experience.  That focus encourages the chiropractor to examine situations such as nerve impingements, spinal misalignments, and other “structural” concerns which may be producing the pains you feel.

With that philosophy, the treatment your chiropractor suggests may differ from your M.D. in any of the following ways:

*  The chiropractor puts much less emphasis on drugs and painkillers because the chiropractor aims to solve the root cause, thus allowing your body to begin to heal itself
*  The chiropractor usually will have you come in for multiple visits, whereas your M.D. may only see you one time
*  Your chiropractor may get more in-depth about your nutrition and exercise habits
*  Your chiropractor may suggest other therapies at the same time such as massage, physical therapy, and exercise suggestions

IS CHIROPRACTIC AN ART OR A SCIENCE?

It is both!  According to the American Chiropractic Association, a chiropractor is “educated as a primary health care practitioner, with an emphasis on musculoskeletal diagnosis and treatment.”

The “art” aspect of chiropractic is in mastering the ability to both detect the vertebral subluxations as well as mastering the ability to adjust the joints of the spinal column and extremities.  A licensed chiropractor must complete 4 years of pre-medical undergraduate education and then 4 to 5 years of professional chiropractic study.  On average, a chiropractor has 4200 hours of classroom, laboratory, and clinical experience in a typical curriculum.

That is why only licensed chiropractors should ever be consulted on diagnosing and adjusting your spinal and extremity misalignments and abnormalities.

As for the “science” aspect of chiropractic, the chiropractor must understand the scientific relationship between your nervous system and your overall health.  From there, the chiropractor must understand the science of how interference to your nervous system can comprise its ability to properly function, thereby leading to pain and illness.

In order to help your body begin its natural healing process, a chiropractor will do whatever he or she can to alleviate any interference you currently have to a fully-functioning nervous system.  From there, chiropractor’s work to assess improvements you can make in all areas of your health habits to achieve your most optimal level of health and wellness and so that you are functioning at your most vibrant level.

If you would like to learn more about chiropractic treatment and how it can help you in your specific situation then you are welcome to e-mail me or call me to schedule a time to meet.  Together, we can help you gain much greater control of your health and have you feeling, looking, and being much better very soon.

Be well, live well.

Dr. Shawn

For appointments call: (214) 494-0585
E-mail: askdrshawn@yahoo.com