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What is Chiropractic 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 (especially the spine, and the nerves extending from the spine to all parts of the body). "Chiropractic" comes from the Greek word Chiropraktikos, meaning "effective treatment by hand." Chiropractic stresses the idea that the cause of many disease processes begins with the body's inability to adapt to its environment. It looks to address these diseases not by the use of drugs and chemicals, but by locating and adjusting a musculoskeletal area of the body which is functioning improperly. The conditions which doctors of chiropractic address are as varied and as vast as the nervous system itself. All chiropractors use a standard procedure of examination to diagnose a patient's condition and arrive at a course of treatment. Doctors of chiropractic use the same time-honored methods of consultation, case history, physical examination, laboratory analysis and x-ray examination as any other doctor. In addition, they provide a careful chiropractic structural examination, paying particular attention to the spine. The examination of the spine to evaluate structure and function is what makes chiropractic different from other health care procedures. Your spinal column is a series of movable bones which begin at the base of your skull and end in the center of your hips. Thirty-one pairs of spinal nerves extend down the spine from the brain and exit through a series of openings. The nerves leave the spine and form a complicated network which influences every living tissue in your body. Accidents, falls, stress, tension, overexertion, and countless other factors can result in a displacements or derangements (subluxations) of the spinal column, causing irritation to spinal nerve roots. These irritations are often what cause malfunctions in the human body. Chiropractic teaches that reducing or eliminating this irritation to spinal nerves can cause your body to operate more efficiently and more comfortably. Chiropractic also places an emphasis on nutritional and exercise programs, wellness and lifestyle modifications for promoting physical and mental health. While chiropractors make no use of drugs or surgery, Doctors of chiropractic do refer patients for medical care when those interventions are indicated. In fact, chiropractors, medical doctors, physical therapists and other health care professionals now work as partners in occupational health, sports medicine, and a wide variety of other rehabilitation practices. When should I see a Chiropractor Back and neck conditions generally come on gradually with the first signs being minor discomfort, stiffness, or limited motion. These first symptoms may start months or years before you get your first painful episode. When you first start noticing subtle changes in your back, neck, or other areas of your body, you should see your Chiropractor. With early detection, treatment and home care recommendations the impending pain and disability may be avoided. If you are already experiencing pain the sooner you start treatment, the better your chance the pain will resolve with Chiropractic therapy. The ABCs of Subluxations Vertebral subluxations are not merely a bone out of place, but a combination of functional and structural abnormalities involving the spinal joints and surrounding tissues. Subluxation complexes are made up of 5 general components, these include, abnormal motion or position of the vertebra, abnormal nervous system function, abnormal muscle function, abnormal soft tissue function, and abnormal function of the spine and body. Over time the subluxation can cause diminished spinal motion, spinal deterioration, and pain. Subluxations may be caused by poor sleeping habits, poor posture, strenuous exercise, injuries, auto accidents, sports, slips or falls, as well as tension and stress. Chiropractic adjustments along with other adjunctive procedures such as, physiotherapy, exercise,improved posture and proper ergonomics, are very helpful in correcting subluxation complexes, as well as restoring and maintaining optimal health. What Is A Spinal Adjustment and what does it do. The spinal adjustment or spinal manipulation refers to the process in which the doctor of chiropractic skillfully applies a controlled force into one or more "subluxated" (abnormally functioning) vertebrae of the spine. The adjustment is also frequently used in the pelvic region to normalize the sacroiliac joints. I perform the adjustment utilizing my hands or with the use of a specialized chiropractic table. Adjusting helps correct vertebral subluxations. Correcting subluxations reduces pain and inflammation, reduces muscle spasm and tension, normalizes spinal biomechanics and can remove nerve irritation and interference which can improve overall health and wellness of the individual. Chiropractors are trained to detect subluxations and most qualified at delivering the proper spinal adjustment to correct subluxations. When to use heat or cold? When you first injure yourself, you should always use ice for at least the first day or two, after that you can generally use moist heat. To apply ice wrap the ice bag in a thin towel, and apply it to the painful area for about 15 min. at a time, you can repeat this every hour. To apply moist heat, you can use a moist heating pad, hot water bottle, or microwaveable heat pack.Wet the sponge pad of the moist heating pad, with the water bottle or heat pack, wrap them in a thin damp towel then apply the heat to the painful area for 20 to 30 min. Do not! use heat more than 1/2 hour at a time, you can repeat the heat every hour as needed. Make sure if you use a heating pad to read the manufactures precautions, and never sleep on a heating pad. Widespread Use of Chiropractic Care The increasing interest in alternative forms of care has caught the attention of several health associations and government agencies. A 1993 study in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that "The estimated number of visits made in 1990 to providers of unconventional therapy was greater than the number of visits to all primary care medical nationwide," and chiropractic was among the most frequently used non-medical therapies. A follow up report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1998 found that the use of non-medical treatments had increased significantly since the 1990 survey, with "overall prevalence of use increased by 25%, total visits by an estimated 47%, and expenditures on services provided by practitioners of alternative therapies by an estimated 45%." Of the survey respondents, one in nine (11%) had used chiropractic care within the previous year. Healthy Tips for a Healthy Spine The following tips can help you take better care of your spine: 1) Make sure you have a firm mattress that keeps the spine aligned and supports the spine's natural curve. The best sleeping positions are on your back or side. 2) When standing for extended periods, rest one foot on a small stool to maintain spinal curvature and relieve pressure. The knees should be bent when bending forward. Low-heeled shoes may help by maintaining spinal curvatures and cushioning your weight. 3) Use chairs that promote good posture and support your back. Placing a lumbar support in the lower portion of your back may help support your spine's natural curve. Readjust the seat of your car so that your knees are level with your hips. 4) When bending forward, bend at the knees and hips, but keep your back straight. This will help to keep your spine's curvature in proper alignment. When lifting, keep your spine straight while using your legs to do most of the work. Hold the objects being lifted close to your body to keep the weight on your spine to a minimum.