Modern chiropractic medicine was discovered by D.D. Palmer in the late 1800's. The word 'chiropractic,' stems from Greek, meaning, "hand practice," because the physician uses his hands to realign the joints of the body. Chiropractors are basically bone setters that focus on the joints of the spine. Ancient chiropractic was practiced in Egypt, Eastern Europe, and by acupuncturists in China over 5,000 years ago.
To the untrained eye, joint asymmetry remains unseen unless there is serious injury or long standing neglect. It is important to keep in mind though, that joint problems first manifest when we feel "tight" or "stiff," or when we notice the ability to stretch further on one side of the body than the other. Joint restrictions such as these are known as subluxations. This is implied anytime a joint fails to move properly-basically a "stuck joint." Medical doctors have their own more serious definition, but the chiropractic definition will be referred to for the rest of this article.
Stuck joints cause a variety of problems. First of all, after cells use up the nutrition they receive from the blood, they have waste they discard as lymph. Proper joint movement is essential to "pump" blood and lymphatic fluids back toward the heart. Therefore, a subluxation impedes lymphatic and blood circulation in the area. Nutrition doesn't get into the tissue as easily and waste remains. The local tissue becomes depraved and more toxic.
Secondly, subluxations affect the spinal nerves which enter and exit between every vertebra. Nerve tissue is the most sensitive to trauma and toxic insult. Therefore, a spinal subluxation has a direct influence on the nearby nerve roots. These nerves go to muscle, bone, skin, glands, AND organs like the stomach, bowels, and gonads. This is how subluxations can cause visceral (organ) complaints like heartburn, constipation, and infertility.
When a patient has an infection, the chiropractic physician may adjust vertebra near nerves pertaining to the spleen or thymus. Once the brain can properly communicate with these organs, the body's natural defenses are empowered to fight the invading pathogen. After this conservative approach has been exhausted, should the problem persist, a necessary medical referral may then be given. This avoids unnecessary antibiotics, saving money, and maintaining proper flora.
Should a subluxation remain untreated, gravity and stress compound, causing structural and biochemical changes until: (1) the spinal nerve opening narrows, leading to tingles, shooting pain, and/or numbness, (2) Osteoarthric change becomes chronically painful and degenerative, until (3) collapse. Numbers 1 & 3 may require surgery.
Chiropractors are trained to safely restore proper movement to stuck joints. This is accomplished by positioning the patient in such a way as to target the specific joint and delivering a fast, shallow thrust. Frequently a crack, crunch, or pop is heard and felt by the patient. Almost immediately, proper circulation and relief follow.
Chiropractic care is extremely safe (as seen by extremely low malpractice insurance rates) and compliments a holistic approach incorporating nutrition, acupuncture, herbs, and homeopathy. Chiropractors do not prescribe pharmaceutical drugs or provide surgical intervention.
Medical doctors (MD, DO) are the best equipped for handling critical care, when big guns like emergency drugs or surgical intervention is required to maintain life, limb, etc. When a problem persists and is serious enough, go to the hospital or check with your medical professional. However, why try to kill a mosquito with a cannon? Wouldn't a fly swatter be a better approach for initial presentations such as aches and pains?
To the untrained eye, joint asymmetry remains unseen unless there is serious injury or long standing neglect. It is important to keep in mind though, that joint problems first manifest when we feel "tight" or "stiff," or when we notice the ability to stretch further on one side of the body than the other. Joint restrictions such as these are known as subluxations. This is implied anytime a joint fails to move properly-basically a "stuck joint." Medical doctors have their own more serious definition, but the chiropractic definition will be referred to for the rest of this article.
Stuck joints cause a variety of problems. First of all, after cells use up the nutrition they receive from the blood, they have waste they discard as lymph. Proper joint movement is essential to "pump" blood and lymphatic fluids back toward the heart. Therefore, a subluxation impedes lymphatic and blood circulation in the area. Nutrition doesn't get into the tissue as easily and waste remains. The local tissue becomes depraved and more toxic.
Secondly, subluxations affect the spinal nerves which enter and exit between every vertebra. Nerve tissue is the most sensitive to trauma and toxic insult. Therefore, a spinal subluxation has a direct influence on the nearby nerve roots. These nerves go to muscle, bone, skin, glands, AND organs like the stomach, bowels, and gonads. This is how subluxations can cause visceral (organ) complaints like heartburn, constipation, and infertility.
When a patient has an infection, the chiropractic physician may adjust vertebra near nerves pertaining to the spleen or thymus. Once the brain can properly communicate with these organs, the body's natural defenses are empowered to fight the invading pathogen. After this conservative approach has been exhausted, should the problem persist, a necessary medical referral may then be given. This avoids unnecessary antibiotics, saving money, and maintaining proper flora.
Should a subluxation remain untreated, gravity and stress compound, causing structural and biochemical changes until: (1) the spinal nerve opening narrows, leading to tingles, shooting pain, and/or numbness, (2) Osteoarthric change becomes chronically painful and degenerative, until (3) collapse. Numbers 1 & 3 may require surgery.
Chiropractors are trained to safely restore proper movement to stuck joints. This is accomplished by positioning the patient in such a way as to target the specific joint and delivering a fast, shallow thrust. Frequently a crack, crunch, or pop is heard and felt by the patient. Almost immediately, proper circulation and relief follow.
Chiropractic care is extremely safe (as seen by extremely low malpractice insurance rates) and compliments a holistic approach incorporating nutrition, acupuncture, herbs, and homeopathy. Chiropractors do not prescribe pharmaceutical drugs or provide surgical intervention.
Medical doctors (MD, DO) are the best equipped for handling critical care, when big guns like emergency drugs or surgical intervention is required to maintain life, limb, etc. When a problem persists and is serious enough, go to the hospital or check with your medical professional. However, why try to kill a mosquito with a cannon? Wouldn't a fly swatter be a better approach for initial presentations such as aches and pains?
About the Author:
Charles Leahy writes about alternative healthcare. Learn about a wheaton chiropractor, and all about applied kinesiology.
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