What is chiropractic and how can you benefit from it?

A misaligned vertebra is the shifting of a bone in the spine from forceful trauma or repetitive movement. A misalignment changes the normal mechanics of the spine causing pain and altering function. Depending on the cause or severity, the pain can occur immediately or in the future. These misalignments also create a negative effect on the nerves exiting the spine. This happens when the misalignment causes a small local muscle spasm in that area, as well as inflammation and irritation to the disc. The combined effects, along with the misalignment itself, closes the hole in which the nerve travels causing a “pinched nerve.” Pinched nerves can cause a variety of symptoms, including those away from the area of irritation. For example, a pinched nerve in the neck can cause arm and/or hand pain and weakness. A misalignment will cause a decreased range of motion in the joint and will restrict movement. The specific region will be tense and stiff. A common example of this would be someone who has difficulty turning his head to look over his shoulder while driving.

An adjustment is a specific, controlled force into the body using the hands to correct a misaligned vertebra. This force is applied in the direction of the misalignment with the intention of restoring its normal position. Restoring the normal position and movement of the vertebra will decrease the pressure on the exiting nerve root, reduce muscle spasm and decrease irritation to the disc. All of this combined will decrease the amount of local inflammation in the involved region.

Chiropractic is a type of physical medicine. It is my belief that if a physical force has caused a problem in the body, then only a physical correction can cure it. It is not rational to think that chemicals should correct a physical problem. This being said, the conditions that chiropractors are best equipped to treat are structural problems. A few examples of these include: Headaches that arise from the neck, neck pain, arm and hand pain, shoulder pain, middle back pain, lower back pain, sciatica, etc. Chiropractors are specifically trained in treating these musculoskeletal problems.

If a problem is internal and related to the organs of the body your medical doctor should be consulted first before using chiropractic. Examples of conditions that can benefit from chiropractic though should be evaluated first by your medical doctor: asthma, sinus problems, digestive problems, high blood pressure and fertility problems, for example.

Patients will typically benefit from chiropractic more if a combination of methods are used. I have seen best results with patients when chiropractic has been incorporated with some type of manual muscle work and specific corrective exercises.

Manual muscle work will help reduce local muscle spasm, lengthen tight tissues and remove or reduce scar tissue build up in injured or over-used muscles. Manual muscle work will also “loosen up” the region of the spine being treated before an adjustment is administered. This will often allow the doctor to use less force during an adjustment, which in turn will feel more comfortable to the patient. Also, since the muscles in the region being treated are more relaxed there is less of a chance for the muscles to pull the vertebra out of position again.

Specific corrective exercises should be given routinely to the patient during the course of treatment to aid in the corrective process and to maintain and stabilize the correction being made. It is of no use to get treatment for a condition that is only going to return after treatment is over. Corrective exercise is the best way to assure that the correction made in the office will stay and your chance for relapse is minimized.