Chiropractic Medicine
Chiropractic is a non-invasive, hands-on health care discipline that focuses on the neuromusculoskeletal system.
Chiropractors practice a manual approach, providing diagnosis, treatment and preventative care for disorders related to the spine, pelvis, nervous system and joints.
Chiropractors use a combination of treatments, all of which are predicated on the specific needs of the individual patient. After taking a complete history and diagnosing a patient, a chiropractor can develop and carry out a comprehensive treatment/management plan, recommend therapeutic exercise and other non-invasive therapies, and provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counselling.
For many conditions, such as lower back pain, chiropractic care is frequently the primary method of treatment. Where other conditions exist, chiropractic care may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the neuromusculoskeletal aspects associated with the condition.
Chiropractic care may also be used to provide symptomatic relief for patients with chronic conditions. According to patient surveys, by treating the neuromusculoskeletal elements of such disorders, chiropractic treatment has been shown to improve the general well-being of the patient.
There are many reasons to seek chiropractic care:
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Headache
- Whiplash
- Strains and sprains
- Repetitive strain injury (RSI)
- Work and sports injuries
- Arthritis
- Limited range of motion in the back, shoulder, neck or limbs
- General health and well-being
History
Chiropractic is the largest and highly regulated form of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in the United States. Spinal manipulation or "adjustments" were discovered by David D. Palmer in 1895 and have been safely used for over a century to treat a variety of musculoskeletal conditions.
The Purpose
The purpose of an adjustment is to restore muscular balance to a joint that is not moving correctly or causing pain. This imbalance in the muscles surrounding a joint is sometimes called "dysfunction" or "fixation". If the imbalance in the joint is significant enough, it can even cause nerve injury in the area.
Thorough Examination
First, we analyze your spine. This usually involves a case history, examination and possibly x-ray pictures of your spine. We may have you turn and bend to feel how your joints move. We may also check your posture, alignment, balance and leg lengths.
The Adjustment
With the dysfunction of one or more joints identified, a specific manual thrust is administered. The direction, speed, depth and angle that we use is the result of experience, practice and a thorough understanding of body mechanics. Sometimes, the energy delivered during the thrust produces a slight "popping" sound from shifting gas and fluids in the joint. This sound is not an indicator of the value or effectiveness of the adjustment. While improving spinal biomechanics can reduce pain, virtually all joints of the body can be adjusted to help restore proper range of motion.
After Your First Adjustment
It is normal to feel anywhere from slightly sore to entirely pain-free after your first adjustment. Your body has been through a dramatic alignment change and may take some time to relax. For minor discomfort, we suggest taking a hot shower or using an ice pack on the area. However, if your pain becomes severe or unusual, please call our office or receive emergency medical attention.