Chiropractic Care

What is Chiropractic Care?

Among people seeking back pain relief alternatives, most choose chiropractic treatment. About 22 million Americans visit chiropractors annually. Of these, 7.7 million, or 35%, are seeking relief from back pain from various causes, including accidents, sports injuries, and muscle strains. Other complaints include pain in the neck, arms, and legs, and headaches.

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a philosophy, science and art discovered in 1895.  Chiropractors use hands-on spinal adjustments to properly align the body's musculoskeletal structure, particularly the spine, to enable the body to heal itself without surgery or medication. Spinal adjustments are used to restore mobility to joints restricted by tissue injury caused by a traumatic event, such as falling, or repetitive stress, such as sitting without proper back support.

Chiropractic is primarily used as a pain relief alternative for muscles, joints, bones, and connective tissue, such as cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. It is sometimes used in conjunction with conventional medical treatment.  

What Does Chiropractic for Back Pain Involve?

A chiropractor first takes a medical history, performs a physical examination, and may use diagnostic imaging to determine if treatment is appropriate for your back pain.
The treatment plan may involve one or more manual adjustments, the purpose of which is to add energy to our spine at just the right time, place and direction.  Your body uses this energy to help "right" itself.  As the integrity of your spine improves, tension to your nervous system reduces and your body can heal.   Many chiropractors also incorporate nutritional counseling and exercise/rehabilitation into the treatment plan. The goals of chiropractic care include the restoration of function and prevention of injury in addition to back pain relief.

The spinal cord is literally the lifeline from the brain to all parts of the body and should be respected as such. You should rest after each adjustment to receive the maximum benefit. You should always avoid snapping the head suddenly from side to side. You should always try to stand as erect as possible with the shoulders back and the head directly above the spine. You should never sit with the legs crossed.  This causes stress on your pelvis and spine and also interferes with the circulation; (more strain on the heart and could cause varicose veins).  If you must cross your legs, cross at the ankles. Never lie on a couch with your head propped up on the armrest or with the head over one pillow high. Everyone needs a good firm mattress to sleep on;  No lumps or sags, as 1/3 of your entire life is spent in bed.  If your bed is 7 to 10 years old, it is time for a new one. Never sleep on your stomach at any time, under any circumstances.  This twists your neck and also flattens the arch of the low spine. When doing any type of lifting, always bend from the knees and not from the back.  Keep the spine straight. Parents of small children should be very careful about not bending the back to pick them up, but should bend from the hips, or squat down to lift the child from the bed or floor. You should drink at least six to eight glasses of water each day. You should walk at least one mile a day. This does not include relaxing walking in the office or home. Avoid salt as salt is a poison. Avoid white sugar (substitute honey) and avoid white bread. If you have any questions, ask us; as we are the experts in Chiropractic, not your neighbor, relative, etc.