What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a healing art that recognizes the nervous system as the primary determining factor of a person's health. The human nervous system regulates all life-sustaining functions such as movement, blood circulation, digestion, breathing, and immunity from disease. The nervous system is comprised of the brain and spinal cord, which resides inside the spine. Nerves branch out from the spinal cord, exit from between the bones of the spine (vertebrae), and divide numerous times until every cell in the body is reached. Nerves are like electrical wires that run through our body, and the brain is like a "generator" sending electrical impulses through these nerves to every single cell, telling them what to do. Thanks to this miraculous system, living in good health is possible -our digestive system automatically converts our meals into living tissue; our lungs automatically take in and extract oxygen from air; cuts and wounds automatically heal; and invading germs are automatically attacked and destroyed. Whenever the nervous system is functioning properly, optimum health is possible.
Although the spine is designed to protect the spinal cord and its delicate nerves, very often it does the opposite. In the course of living, we encounter minor and major trauma to the spine, such as the birthing (delivery) process, slips and falls, sporting accidents, car accidents (whiplash), repetitive/cumulative trauma associated with work (typing, lifting) or a hobby (tennis, crocheting, etc.); poor posture, and obesity. Over time, these events can cause the spine to change shape, or misalign, and irritate the nerves within. This results in body dysfunction and ill-health. Symptoms of spinal misalignment can include pain, numbness, and tingling in the spine or limbs; chronic headaches; frequent colds, and the feeling of fatigue and stress.
Chiropractic is the art and science of detecting spinal misalignments, called subluxations, and correcting them naturally and painlessly, without the use of drugs or surgery. When spinal irritation to the nerves is reduced, nerve function is restored, and the body typically returns to a more optimal state, resulting in improved health.
Chiropractors use the spinal adjustment as the main method of spinal correction. A spinal adjustment is a precise, manually delivered, gentle force into a misaligned joint. Adjustments improve range-of-motion (flexibility) and can result in a sensation of well being due to improved nerve and vascular (circulatory) function.
