What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a way of looking at the human body as a whole. It's based on the idea that the body is self-sustaining and self-healing.
You know that your body is controlled by your brain, but the spinal cord and vast network of nerves that carry its messages are just as important. When this system is not functioning at its peak, your body’s overall performance suffers.
In the chiropractic world, we don’t use drugs to treat our patients. While supplementation and nutrition are almost always a part of the bigger picture, drugs and prescriptions can be viewed as bandaids to treat symptoms rather than treating the source of the problem. Chiropractic treats the problem naturally and in turn, prompts the body to heal itself.
While it's often perceived that the chiropractor solely treats back and neck pain, this is a small piece of what the profession is capable of handling. Chiropractors not only treat soft and hard tissue problems such as sciatica and joint pain but are largely called on to deal with many different health issues. Some of these issues include fibromyalgia, allergies, insomnia, and headaches among many more.
About Chiropractic Care
This article covers essential aspects of chiropractic care, such as spinal manipulative therapy, its benefits, treatment options, potential risks, and integration into the context of modern healthcare guided by entities such as the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners. The article also delves into research from bodies like the National Center and medical perspectives on spinal manipulative therapy in chiropractic care.
What is Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractic care involves the diagnosis and treatment of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, particularly the spine. Chiropractic care emphasizes the body's inherent recuperative abilities to allow it to heal itself without the need for medication or surgery. A chiropractor performs spinal manipulation, commonly known as a chiropractic adjustment, to alleviate pain and improve the body's physical function.
Studies have found that spinal manipulation, a hands-on technique in which a chiropractor applies controlled force to a specific joint of the spine, provides benefits. This chiropractic therapy technique provided by the chiropractic profession aims to restore proper movement and alignment of the vertebrae, thereby reducing pain and enhancing the body's ability to function. A chiropractor may also treat acute low back pain.
The benefits of chiropractic therapy for back pain relief, as noted by the American Chiropractic Association, are well-documented. Studies have shown that the effects of spinal manipulation or chiropractic adjustments can effectively reduce pain and improve the overall function of the spine, offering a conservative yet effective approach to managing back pain.
Chiropractic offers a different perspective on health. The focus is not just on getting rid of disease, but on achieving and preserving overall wellness. If you would like to know more about chiropractic care, we invite you to explore the pages in this section. You can read about the history and benefits of chiropractic care, find answers to common questions, and learn about some fundamentals of the field.
Understanding Chiropractic Treatment
Individuals experiencing back pain should consider seeing a chiropractor when conventional treatments have not provided adequate relief or when they prefer a non-invasive approach to addressing their pain. Chiropractors offer various treatment options, including spinal adjustments, physical therapy, and exercise programs tailored to the patient's needs.
Although chiropractic care is generally considered safe, there are potential risks associated with spinal manipulation. These risks may include temporary discomfort, headaches, or in rare cases, aggravation of the underlying condition. It is important for individuals to discuss any concerns with their chiropractor, maybe even consult with the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, and to seek care from a qualified and experienced chiropractic professional.
What Should I See a Chiropractor for?
- Why See a Chiropractor?
In addition to treating back and neck pain, chiropractors treat many other conditions. More importantly, we can help you attain and then maintain good health throughout life.
- Stages of Chiropractic Care
There are three stages of chiropractic care, each accomplishing different goals. The stage of care you are in depends on your condition and how you are responding to treatment.
- The Spine and How It Works
The spine is an amazing structure that supports our body and serves as the passageway for nerves that allow us to function. Understanding the spine and how to take care of it goes a long way toward keeping us healthy and moving.
- What Is a Subluxation?
Chiropractors are trained to identify and correct subluxations, or imbalances primarily in the spine but also in the extremities that can interfere with nerve signals that travel between the brain and the body.
- X-Rays in Chiropractic Care
X-rays can be a useful tool for identifying several spine and joint conditions and for guiding treatment. They allow us to see abnormal curvature of the spine and evaluate arthritic or growth changes that could not be detected without imaging
- Research and Safety
Research shows that chiropractic offers safe and effective treatment for a wide range of conditions. Because chiropractic care is natural and drug-free, the risk is extremely small—less than that of most medications.
- Introduction to Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic takes a natural approach to restoring and maintaining health. Whether you are looking for preventive care or treatment for a painful condition, chiropractic treatment can help.
- Frequently Asked Questions About Chiropractic Care
Are chiropractic treatments safe? Do adjustments hurt? Is it bad to “crack” your own back? These are just a few of the questions answered here.
- Adjustments
Chiropractic adjustments can improve joint motion, reduce nerve irritation, and decrease muscle tension. Short-term goals include reducing pain and muscle spasms and restoring joint function and muscle balance. Long-term goals include getting you back to the normal activities of daily living.
- Chiropractic Myths and Facts
There are several misconceptions circulating about chiropractic care. Here we address seven common myths that cause confusion for many people.
- History of Chiropractic Care
The term “chiropractic” was coined in 1895 by D.D. Palmer, the founder of modern chiropractic care. But over 2000 years ago, Hippocrates recognized the spine as the key to health. This philosophy forms the basis of chiropractic care—from its ancient beginnings through today.
- Benefits Of Chiropractic Care
Studies show that chiropractic patients are in better overall health. Chiropractic is a safe, natural way to feel better, move better, and stay healthier for life.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care plays a significant role in addressing low back pain by providing relief and promoting the natural healing process. Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of chiropractic adjustments in reducing pain and improving function in individuals with acute or chronic low back pain.
In addition to low back pain, according to the American Chiropractic Association, treatment may also be beneficial for treating neck pain through chiropractic therapy. Through gentle spinal manipulation and other therapeutic modalities, chiropractors can help alleviate discomfort and restore proper function to the neck and surrounding musculature.
Furthermore, a chiropractor may also apply chiropractic treatment to enhance range of motion and musculoskeletal health by addressing joint restrictions, muscle tension, and postural imbalances. This integrative medicine approach, central to the chiropractic profession, contributes to improved mobility, flexibility, and overall physical well-being.
Chiropractic Care and Your Health
Under the guidelines by the Council on Chiropractic Education, chiropractors offer primary care measures focused on diagnosing and managing musculoskeletal conditions. Doctors of chiropractic, following guidelines by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, provide personalized treatment plans tailored to individual needs, utilizing an integrative medicine strategy to promote the body's natural healing capabilities.
While treatment through a doctor of chiropractic is generally safe, there are potential serious complications that individuals should be aware of. These complications, acknowledged by bodies like the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners, although rare, may include severe exacerbation of pain, worsening of an underlying condition, or injury to the spinal cord. It's why it's important to seek chiropractic from a qualified health care provider. It is essential for patients to communicate openly with their chiropractors and to seek care from a qualified healthcare provider when necessary.
For example, a doctor of chiropractic is integrated into modern medicine through collaboration with other healthcare professionals such as medical doctors, physical therapists, and specialists. This integrative approach, as laid out in the curriculum of many a chiropractic college, allows for comprehensive care and better patient outcomes through the combined expertise of different health care providers.
Research and Chiropractic Care
The American Chiropractic Association, and the National Library of Medicine have recognized the benefits of chiropractic care for various musculoskeletal conditions, including neck pain, chronic low back pain, and sciatica. Research has shown that spinal manipulation may help alleviate these conditions and improve overall quality of life for patients.
In addition to spinal manipulation, chiropractors may offer various treatments such as soft tissue therapy, therapeutic exercises, and lifestyle counseling to address a wide range of health concerns. These comprehensive treatment options, approved by the American Chiropractic Association and supported by bodies such as the Council on Chiropractic Education, highlight the versatility and effectiveness of the use of chiropractic therapy in promoting overall wellness.
