What Is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is considered to be a philosophy, art and science. It is an approach to health that focuses on the nervous system, its protection (the spinal column) and its effect on how the body performs. Many people first experience chiropractic as a means to relieve back pain, headaches or other symptoms. They then learn that chiropractic is much more than simply relieving symptoms.
The first chiropractic adjustment occurred in 1895 when D.D. Palmer, a natural healer, had a theory that a man’s hearing loss was directly related to a misaligned bone in that man’s neck caused by a severe fall. When that misaligned bone was “adjusted” (put back in place by pressing on it), that man’s hearing was restored. Shortly thereafter, the name chiropractic was coined from the Greek words “cheir” and “practikos” meaning “done by hand”.
Nowadays, we know from research that when a spinal vertebra is out of alignment, it compresses a spinal nerve. These nerves travel from the brain through the spinal column to the entire body so that the brain can provide instruction to all the muscles, organs, glands and tissues. In the same way that electrical impulses move from a power plant across power lines into our homes and light our lamps, the brain sends impulses across the nervous system that cause our bodies to move and our organs to function. Any interference along the power lines causes blackouts. Any interference along the nervous system can cause the improper function of the muscle, organ, gland or tissue receiving the impulses. A “subluxation” is a misaligned vertebra. It is the locating and correcting of these misalignments (“vertebral subluxations”) that is chiropractic.
A chiropractor is specially trained to locate, identify and correct subluxations (spinal misalignments). When these corrections (or adjustments) are made, the body will begin to restore itself to health.
What Is a Subluxation?
Before you learn what a subluxation is, you must first know how the body works.
According to “Gray’s Anatomy” (renowned medical text), the purpose of the brain and nervous system is to control and coordinate the function of all organs, glands, and tissues in the body.
See chart above to see the importance of the brain and nerves to your entire body’s health!
The brain directs and controls all organ function, muscles, and joint movement by sending messages along the nerves to the various parts, then back again. Any interference in this communication results in reduced organ function, movement, and health.
A SUBLUXATION is a condition that causes interference with the nerve communication system.
1. A SUBLUXATION is a structural misalignment of bones (vertebrae) of the spine.
2. Subluxations (bone misalignments) can cause the opening from which the nerves exit to become narrowed.
3. A narrow opening may compress (impinge, choke) the nerve.
4. The nerve may become damaged, and affect body function and your health.
If there is interference with the messages being sent from the brain, along the nerves to all parts of the body, your body cannot function properly.
How Do I Know If I Have a Subluxation?
(You Don’t)
If you have the “pinched nerve” type of subluxation, it is evident because this type is typically painful. However, the more common type of subluxation is silent, with NO SYMPTOMS. Just like a cavity before it becomes painful, YOU DON’T know it is there. The SILENT SUBLUXATION can still put pressure on the nerves which may affect the function of any of your organs, glands, muscles and joints. This SILENT SUBLUXATION may eventually adversely affect your health.
What Causes a Subluxation?
There are 3 general causes of SUBLUXATION:
1. PHYSICAL – This is the most obvious; however, most people may think it takes something as severe as a car accident to cause a subluxation. This is not true. What might seem to be insignificant traumas, like childbirth, childhood falls, repetitive motion, childhood posture, sleep positions,occupational posture (hours of sitting doing paper work or computer work), occupation lifting (improper lifting, bending, awkward positioning), may all cause SUBLUXATION.
2. EMOTIONAL – This is best explained by a common situation called STRESS. StRess affects tension in muscles. Spinal muscles are responsible for the proper alignment and movement of spinal bones (vertebrae).
3. CHEMICAL – Outside the body chemicals like poisons, food additives, allergic agents can affect your body. Inside the body, chemicals like adrenalin, histamines, stomach acid, insulin are all good except if they are over or under produced (like the overproduction of histamines when pollen is present). If chemicals, whether inside or outside the body, adversely affect the muscles, joints, or nerves, they can be a factor in causing Subluxations.
What Does This Mean for You and Your Health?
Think about your health problem right now. Whatever it is, the brain and nervous system play an important part in how that part of your body is working (or not working). Do you agree that having no interference on the nerves would be important for you to be healthy? (Go to “What is health” button). Why not have your spine checked for subluxation by a Chiropractor.
Health Is . . .
The definition for health can be obtained from several sources.
Dorland’s Medical Dictionary provides the following definition: Health is “A state of optimal physical, mental and social well being, and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity.” Note that there is no mention of symptoms or of how you FEEL. True health is not based on how you feel! Feelings or symptoms may give a clue, but even if you feel perfectly fine, there may be hidden causes for concern.
Webster’s Dictionary states that health is: “a condition of wholeness in which all of the organs are functioning 100%all of the time.”
AND …
Gray’s Anatomy tells us that “The purpose of the brain and nervous system is to control and coordinate the function of all the tissues, glands and systems in the body and to adapt the organism to its environment.”
Putting these definitions together, we see that health is the proper functioning of all the body’s internal organs and systems under the direction of the brain and nervous system. For health to be present, the nervous system must correctly deliver the brain’s messages to the body (as well as messages from the body back to the brain). Any interference in this communication will result in a lack of health.
A vertebral subluxation is a spinal bone that is out of proper position causing interference in the delivery of messages along the nervous system resulting in a lack of health.
Chiropractic is the SCIENCE of locating vertebral subluxations, the ART of eliminating vertebral subluxations allowing a return of function and better health, and a PHILOSOPHY of life and health concerned with the relationship of the human species with its environment and its position of natural .
Why Should I Go to a Chiropractor?
Do you have a spine?
When was the last time you had it checked?
Chiropractic is the largest natural healing art in the world. It makes sense to have a healthy spinal column. Spinal health is as important as nutrition, exercise, or any thing that contributes to your overall health. Chiropractic care maintains the nervous system free from vertebral subluxations (spinal bones out of place thus causing nerve interference) allowing the body to function properly so that you can be in a true state of health.
No matter what disease or condition you may have, you can benefit from a healthy spine. The nervous system is adversely affected when spinal bones are out of place. Since the nervous system controls all the functions of your body (muscles, bones, organs, glands, tissues, etc.), it is vitally important to make sure your nervous system is operating at 100%.
Only a chiropractor is uniquely qualified to identify and correct any subluxations (spinal misalignments). Subluxations are like cavities: you may never know that you have a subluxation or a cavity until they get bad enough to cause you pain. Chiropractic checkups are just as important as dental checkups for a sound spine and nerve supply. A professional chiropractic examination is the only way to be sure your body is getting a full nerve supply so that you maintain a state of true health.
Kids and Chiropractic
Parents may ask, “Why chiropractic care for my child? His/her back doesn’t hurt.”
Subluxations (spinal misalignments) in early stages do not trigger pain. Much like a cavity before it hits the nerve, the slow process of decay takes a long time to show up as pain. Why not check the spine before it becomes a problem?
“How could a child have a subluxation (spinal misalignment) at such an early age?”
Since the birth process itself can have a significant effect on the infant spine, many parents have their newborns checked for subluxations (spinal misalignments). Later, as children begin to sit up, crawl, walk and run, the spine is introduced to new stresses. Ordinary childhood falls and mishaps often cause subluxations (spinal misalignments). Left unchecked, these misalignments will remain and cause problems in adulthood, if not before.
A spinal checkup could be one of the most important checkups of a child’s life. Because the spine is the housing for the spinal cord, the nervous system is affected by even one spinal bone being out of proper alignment. The nervous system controls the functions of all the organs, glands, muscles and tissues in the body. With a healthy spinal column, a body can better defend itself from ear infections, fevers, sore throats, childhood diseases of all kinds. .
WARNING SIGNS of an Unhealthy Spine
Symptoms such as headache, neck or back pain, numbness, tingling or other health problems can often be caused by spinal misalignments (called “subluxations”). These misalignments can be caused by ordinary movements or by intense trauma to the spine (such as a car accident or other injury). Because these misaligned vertebrae can affect the function of the spinal cord and nervous system, it is vital that the spine be checked for misalignments.
Symptoms of spinal misalignment include:
___ Your heels wear out unevenly.
___ You have headaches, back aches, neck pain, stiffness or soreness in muscles or joints.
___ Your foot flares out when walking.
___ You are often fatigued, have poor concentration, low resistance to disease or infection.
___ You can’t turn your head or hips equally to either side.
___ You feel stiff getting out of bed each morning.
Many spinal misalignments give NO warning signs, like a cavity before it become painful. Even though you can’t feel them, they can adversly affect your health. Below are some checks that may reveal spinal misalignments BEFORE they become painful.
Here are some simple tests you can do at home to see if your spine has any misalignments:
POSTURE CHECK
Stand on a hard surface with eyes closed and “march in place” 2 or 3 steps, then stop. With eyes still closed, slowly “nod” head 2 or 3 times, as if looking at the floor and then the ceiling. (Stop if uncomfortable.) With eyes still closed, stand upright with your weight evenly distributed on both feet. Have someone check that the following points are directly lined up vertically: between your eyes, your nose, your chin, between your collarbones, your bellybutton.
Now turn sideways, and check that the following points are directly lined up vertically: ear, shoulder, hip bone, ankle.
Other indications that there is spinal malfunction include: low shoulder on one side, uneven skirt hemline, unequal pant leg length, uneven wearing down of shoe heels.
LEG CHECK
Have the person being tested wear hard-soled shoes and lie face down on a bed with the feet hanging over the edge. Arms should be resting at each side, and face should be centered. Grasp both feet equally, and check to see if one leg appears shorter. Test further by bending both legs at the knees and compare again. A short leg is an indication of many types of spinal problems.
OTHER
Even if you do not have the signs listed above, your spine may still have “hidden” misalignments (subluxations). A chiropractic exam (including range of motion and other orthopedic, neurological and chiropractic tests) will reveal if you have any spinal misalignments.