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Literally, Chiropractic means, "done
by the hand." It is a method of healing without drugs or surgery.
The Doctor of Chiropractic works with the nerves by performing
specific Spinal Adjustments. An Adjustment removes Subluxation,
(the term to indicate vertebrae are not properly aligned), which
block the proper function of the nerves and cells.
The spinal column houses and protects
the spinal cord , through which the nerves flow. The nerves branch
off of the spinal cord, and exit between the vertebrae connecting,
directly or indirectly, with every cell in your body.
A vertebra that is not lined up
properly, or Subluxated will place pressure on the nerves of the
area. This pressure will not allow proper communication to take
place in the nerve cell. This causes two things;
First, when the vertebrae shift out of
place, the nerves become irritated. This pinching or interference
can send pain and other symptoms to the brain. Some symptoms are
worse than others. Some people suffer from severe headaches and
nausea; others feel a mild pain or pulling sensation in the neck
or shoulders; still others have numbness, restricted movements or
even paralysis.
Second, nerve impulses cause a cell to
vibrate, telling it to increase or decrease its physiological
function. Any interference to the nerve, even as slight as the
weight of a single human hair, can send the wrong message to a
cell, causing it to function too much or too little, producing a
sick cell. Ultimately, this malfunctioning message system can
damage the internal organs - the heart, liver, kidneys, lungs, et
cetera.
When the vertebrae line up properly,
the nerves are able to transmit and receive messages efficiently
and correctly. This is similar to aligning the tires on a car.
When in alignment, tires wear evenly, functioning as the
manufacturer intended. When your spine is in alignment and you are
free of Subluxation, your body functions in the way it was
designed.
What Causes the Vertebra to Be Out of
Alignment?
STRESS causes Subluxation! This Stress
may be Physical, Emotional, or Chemical. It is easy to see how
auto accident could cause Subluxation. However, emotional stress
may cause Subluxation just as easily. You can even be born with
Subluxation, the birth process is often quite stressful. Poor
posture, tension, and even seemingly innocent everyday habits,
such as a pattern of tilting your head to cradle a telephone, can
cause Subluxation.
Florida Chiropractic
Association
www.fcachiro.org
Chiropractic is an approach to
health care that relies on the body's inherent and natural
recuperative powers -- a healing science that places emphasis on
maintaining the structural integrity of the body -- a method of
healing treatment that is conservative and that does not use drugs
or surgery.
Chiropractic is the second largest of the three primary health
care provider segments in the United States. In order of size,
based on the number of practitioners and public use, they are
the medical, chiropractic and osteopathic branches of the
healing arts. The chiropractic approach to human health is
based on the premise that the relationship between structure
and function in the human body is a significant health factor
and that relationships between the spinal column and the
nervous system contribute to the disease process.
A doctor of
chiropractic (D.C.) is a physician who considers man an
integrated being but gives special attention to spinal
mechanics, musculoskeletal, neurological, vascular and
nutritional relationships.
A
chiropractic physician is considered a primary health care
provider, and as such a portal of entry to our health care
delivery system. The practice of chiropractic is the utilization
of the relationship between the musculoskeletal structures of
the body, the spinal column and the nervous system, in the
restoration and maintenance of health, in connection with which
patient care is conducted with due regard to first aid,
hygienic, nutritional and rehabilitative procedure and the
specific vertebral adjustment and the manipulation of
articulations and adjacent tissues of the body. The chiropractic
physician offers a natural, drugless, and non-surgical approach
to health care and readily refers to the allopathic (M.D.)
physician when drugs or surgery are indicated.
Through their
education, D.C.'s are qualified to treat a large variety of
health problems. They do this non-invasively, i.e. without the
use of drugs or surgery. As chiropractic has developed, many
practitioners have chosen to specialize in treating certain
types of disorders of the human body. Many chiropractors limit
their practices to treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.
Others treat neurogenic disorders and the neurophysiological
components of many varied conditions via body mechanics. Some
chiropractors concentrate on finding and correcting vertebral
subluxations only. Many practitioners provide immediate crisis
care only, while others specialize in treating and
rehabilitating chronic or degenerative disorders. Chiropractic
treatment of sports injuries is on the rise, and, in fact, many
doctors are team physicians for various sports at the amateur,
professional and Olympic levels.
Chiropractic
physicians, by virtue of their education, are qualified to
evaluate permanent impairment and disability, as well as render
a professional opinion regarding permanency of that impairment
or disability
The Doctor of
Chiropractic
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Interviews
and consults with the patient, employing every measure of
observation that will more substantially profile the
patient.
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Conducts a
systematic physical, neurologic and orthopedic examination,
using methods, techniques and instruments standard with all
health professionals. He/She also includes a postural and spinal
analysis unique to chiropractic diagnosis. |
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Performs or
prescribes patient tests, measurements and evaluations of
health status, impairment and disabilities in establishing
or revising treatment and preventive programs. |
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Arrives at
a differential diagnosis using diagnostic roentgenology and
standard and special laboratory procedures and tests. |
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Corrects,
reduces, mobilizes or immobilizes particular abnormalities,
particularly of the spine and pelvis, to normalize structural
and functional relationships and relieve attendant neurologic,
muscular and vascular disturbances. These methods do not include
the use of prescription drugs or surgery, thus avoiding the
dangers therein. |
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When deemed
necessary, prescribes dietary regimens and nutritional
supplements to prevent the onset or assuage the existence of
some types of dysfunction of the nervous system and other
tissues. |
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Frequently
uses physiotherapeutic methods and procedures as
adjunctive therapy to enhance reception to and the effects
of the chiropractic adjustments. |
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Evaluates the
effects of therapy at various intensities and duration during
case management and revises therapy to achieve maximum results. |
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Often uses
first aid, taping and strapping in treating injuries of
the extremities, and supportive collars, braces or corsets
may also be used during recuperation to assist healing and
strengthening. |
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Provides
counseling in such areas as dietary habits, physical and
mental attitudes affecting health, personal sanitation,
occupational safety, posture, rest, work, rehabilitative
exercises, health habits and many other activities of
daily living that would enhance the effects of
chiropractic health care. |
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Orients,
instructs, directs and evaluates work activities of
administrative assistants and paraprofessional clinical
assistants. |
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May plan and
conduct lectures and training programs on health care
related subjects for chiropractic staff, students,
patients, community groups and industrial plants. |
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May plan,
develop or participate in research programs and/or in the
development of technical articles for publication. |
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May limit
practice to a specialized area of interest, such as orthopedics
or diagnostic roentgenology and attain diplomate status through
certified postgraduate and evaluation. |
If you would
like to know more about Chiropractic please visit the
Florida
Chiropractic Association:
www.fcachiro.org
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