Chiropractic is a drugless, non-surgical form of treatment - a natural approach to health and wellness. Chiropractic is a health care discipline which emphasizes the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery.
The principal philosophy behind chiropractic care is that the body can heal itself without drugs or surgery. Chiropractors are also concerned with preventing disease rather than treating it when it comes. For this reason, patients of chiropractic enjoy healthy lifestyles and are likely to save a great deal of money by all but eliminating the need for other healthcare.
The focus of Chiropractic is the nerve system function. Your spinal bones protect your spinal cord and nerves which control every cell, tissue and organ in your body! Your nerve system is the master controller, and works like a switchboard sending messages to the brain and the rest of the body. Once your spine is balanced and free of nerve interference your body works at its best, self healing and self regulating. Interferences to the nerve system are called subluxations.
Chiropractic works by restoring your body's inborn ability to be healthy. When under the proper control of your nervous system, all the cells, tissues, and organs of your body are designed to resist disease and ill health. The chiropractic approach to better health is to locate and remove interferences (subluxations, misaligned vertebrae) to your nervous system. With improved spinal function, there is improved nervous system function. The goal of the chiropractor is to remove interference that may be impairing normal health through specific chiropractic adjustments, allowing your body to heal itself. A healthy spine and a healthy lifestyle are your keys to optimal health!
Back to TopYour spine protects your spinal cord and nerves which send messages to the brain & the rest of the body. Improper position of the spine, (subluxation) can interfere with vital signals which may compromise organ & tissue function. Specific Chiropractic adjustments help to improve mind/body communication.
Back to TopAbsolutely. Compared to other medical treatments, which include medication and surgery, chiropractic is by far the safest. It is estimated that 140,000 people in the USA die each year from drug-related reactions and nearly 100,000 people die as a result of medical errors. Insurance companies evaluate the risks of all professions, and charge a premium based on the risk the profession poses. Chiropractors have by far the lowest insurance premium of all medical providers. Even though thousands of chiropractic adjustments are made each year, only a few complaints are registered.
Back to TopAn adjustment is a gentle, carefully placed thrust which moves vertebrae into their proper position. The chiropractor usually delivers the adjustment by hand, but occasionally uses other instruments. The purpose of the adjustment is to correct a spinal subluxation.
Back to TopSubluxation refers to a spinal bone (vertebrae) that is not in its right position or not moving in its normal range of motion. Misaligned vertebrae are irritating nerves and blood vessels, which in turn affects the way your body communicates with your spine. Subluxations are the cause of many pains and dysfunctions in muscles and organs. The body's natural ability to heal itself is greatly improved with the subluxation removed.
Back to TopYou can become 'Subluxated' just by living life! Many simple things, such as poor posture, gravity, stress, and bad habits can cause Subluxation. Also, car accidents, slips and falls, sporting injuries, and even the birth process can begin this devastating process of spinal breakdown.
Back to TopMost chiropractic adjustments are not only virtually painless, they actually feel great and relieving. In cases of a recent injury, inflamed tissue may react to adjustments and cause some discomfort. Application of ice after treatment may soothe any irritation.
Back to TopThe sound is no reason to be concerned. The sound is not coming from the bones themselves. It's coming from a lubricant called synovial fluid that's found in every joint. That fluid contains dissolved gases. During the adjustment the joints are slightly separated to move into proper position. This releases the built-up pressure on the fluid and gasses and creates a 'pop' and not all adjusting techniques produce the noise, which means an adjustment can be proper and effective, even if you do not hear any noise.
Back to TopAfter completing four years of undergraduate studies, chiropractic students then go on to complete four to five additional years of graduate studies at an accredited Chiropractic College or University. In addition to their academic and clinical studies, chiropractic students undergo several hundred hours of patient care and management in a clinical setting, and then must take rigorous National Board Exams and State Board Examinations to achieve licensure. Once licensed, chiropractors are often required to receive additional education each year, depending on the state in which they practice.
| Chiropractic | - | Medicine |
| 540 | Anatomy | 508 |
| 240 | Physiology | 326 |
| 360 | Pathology | 401 |
| 165 | Chemistry | 325 |
| 120 | Microbiology | 114 |
| 630 | Diagnosis | 324 |
| 320 | Neurology | 112 |
| 360 | X-Ray | 148 |
| 60 | Psychiatry | 144 |
| 60 | Obstetrics | 148 |
| 210 | Orthopedics | 156 |
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| 3,065 | Total Hours | 2,706 |
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| Other Required Subjects | ||
| Spinal Adjustments | Pharmacology | General Surgery |
| Manipulations | Immunology | Advanced Radiology |
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Chiropractors are part of a network of health-care professionals. Like other doctors, they will make referrals for patients when necessary. Chiropractors are trained to recognize risk factors and signs of disease that are outside their scope of treatments and they will not hesitate to make a referral when it's in a patient's best interest.
Back to TopChiropractors believe in the body's ability to heal itself and for that reason they don't prescribe medication or perform invasive procedures. They focus on providing your body with the right elements for self-restoration by restoring free-flowing communication between all parts of your body.
Back to TopChiropractors are trained to detect problem areas in your spine before they develop into problem conditions or symptoms. Just because symptoms disappear, does not mean you subluxations are corrected. Regular adjustments help to maintain or support a healthy spine and nervous system. Maintenance or wellness spinal care programs, which may include advice on posture, nutrition and exercise, can effectively prevent pain. However, how you choose to use chiropractic care is ultimately up to you. If your spine wears out, there is no solution. Because your spine directly influences the function of your nervous system, spinal decay permanently damages the nerves and spinal cord. Nearly everyone flosses and brushes their teeth even though their teeth don't hurt. Spinal adjustments are like flossing the spine. Lifetime care of the spine should be a priority.
Back to TopAbsolutely not! The earlier the problem is detected, the greater the chance of it being corrected for a life of optimal health. As the twig is bent, so the tree grows. Bumps, falls, jumping and school bags, may all impact your child's development.
Back to TopThe body heals via direction from the nervous system. Think of your body's nervous system as its electrical wiring, serving every single cell in your body either directly or indirectly. When we have Subluxation it acts like a short circuit, interfering with information that some part of your body was supposed to get. Regular adjustments allow optimal communication in your body to maximize healing.
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