THE BENEFITS OF CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR OVERALL HEALTH

In last month’s blog, we talked about the human spine and the importance of the nervous system. It was a great introduction to the chiropractic profession and a foundation for what we will share in this week’s blog about chiropractic care and its benefits for overall health.

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a German term meaning “Done By Hand.” The profession was founded by DD Palmer in September 1895 in Davenport, Iowa. It was discovered after Dr. Palmer performed a spinal adjustment to a partially deaf man whose hearing was almost fully restored after just one adjustment.

Over the last 127 years, chiropractic has been developed, tested and perfected, and with over 200 different techniques, chiropractic is becoming even more recognized than ever before. In fact, chiropractic is becoming the main source that people are turning to them versus their PCP.

Chiropractic takes a completely different approach than other traditional western medicine treatments by treating the body with a natural, holistic approach. The biggest difference between a chiropractor and a medical doctor is that an MD will prescribe medicine, physical therapy or refer out for an injection to remove pain. What most people don’t realize is that medicine and injections are only numbing the pain and not fixing the problem. The same goes for surgery. Low back/neck surgery has a low success rate.

Referring to last month’s blog, we can now connect the relationship between the spine, the nervous system and the primary goal of the chiropractic profession. Why do chiropractors adjust the spine to get through the nervous system? The medical term for a misaligned vertebra(e) is called a subluxation. A subluxation is when a misaligned vertebra(e) creates a narrowing passageway that nerves pass through and impinges on associated nerve roots.

Depending on what level of the spine that is affected will determine the referred pain, muscle strength changes, sensory changes and organ disruption. Duration of nerve interference also plays a big factor in symptoms because symptoms typically start gradually, with pain worsening over time.

Let’s quickly discuss organ disruption before we move on to the solution part of this blog. If you recall from last week’s blog, we briefly talked about the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). The ANS nerve innervation goes to the internal organs including the heart, lungs, digestive tract, urinary tract, and reproductive organs. 

With prolonged nerve interference, the internal organs begin to fail depending on the spinal level affected. Symptoms of ANS nerve interference include rapid/slow, heartbeat, difficulty breathing, digestive distress, bladder/bowel incontinence, sexual dysfunction, etc.

Referring to last month’s blog on the nervous system, because of nerve interference, chiropractic can help relieve conditions, not limited to but including:

• Back/neck pain
• Sciatica
• Headaches/migraines
• Numbness/tingling
• Asthma
• Digestive Distress
• Vertigo
• Allergies
• Colic
• Bedwetting
• Sleep Apnea
• Etc. 

Of the 200 different chiropractic techniques, most are a high-velocity, low-amplitude adjustment. High velocity is the speed that is applied to the thrust during an adjustment. Low amplitude is the small distance a spinal segment will move after the adjustment. 

Let’s clear the air of two big misconceptions. Notice in the paragraph above that we said nothing about strength. Most people think that a chiropractor needs to be strong to execute a successful adjustment. Newsflash: Speed is everything. Speed (high velocity) is what executes not only a successful adjustment, but also a painless one.

The second misconception is the cracking sound that patients may hear after an adjustment. If the cracking sound is heard, that doesn’t mean the bone(s) fractured. That popping sound that is heard are little gas bubbles trapped in joint spaces that make an audible sound when the joint reaches its range of motion limitations. 

Additionally, if a popping sound is not felt or heard after an adjustment, that doesn’t mean that the adjustment was unsuccessful. What patients may feel versus what the chiropractor feels for proper alignment are two totally different things.

The Chiropractic Solution

Although the chiropractic philosophy varies, chiropractors all have one thing in common and that is getting the patient well and keeping them pain free. Every chiropractor’s main goal, regardless of the technique performed, is to remove nerve interference. When an adjustment is performed, the body promotes the healing process to fight off inflammation. Over time, the healing process will effectively remove the body of toxins and inflammation with routine chiropractic care.

Notice that we said over time and with routine. One chiropractic adjustment isn’t going to fix a long-term problem. It may offer some relief, but the problem isn’t resolved. When you are looking for a good chiropractor, find one that will sit down and do a complete health history, perform x-rays and conduct a thorough neurological examination. 

Another quality to look for in a good chiropractor is whether they provide a treatment plan or not. A treatment plan is vital for patient care because a series of spinal manipulation therapy over a short period of time will restore the nervous system and stabilize the body long-term. 

Once a treatment plan is completed, look at continuing maintenance care with your chiropractor. Maintenance care is a continued treatment plan over a longer period of time. The purpose of a maintenance plan is to maintain the positive results patients received during their original treatment plan.  

The Wrap Up

There was a lot of information to take away in this month’s blog. The chiropractic profession is a unique, holistic approach to healthcare and nervous system restoration that cannot be fully taught in one blog. 

If you have family or friends looking for the qualities of a good chiropractor that we discussed above, have them give us a call and we will be happy to sit down and chat with them.

In next month’s blog, we will talk specifically about the chiropractic technique we use to treat patients. If you have any questions about chiropractic and the overall health benefits, please call us at (724) 547-3377 and check out our website at www.laurelmountainchiro.com for more content.

Yours In Health,

Brian M. Steinert, DC