More Information

Topics:

A Brief History Of Chiropractic The first recorded chiropractic adjustment was performed on September 18, 1895, by Dr. Daniel David Palmer, a Canadian-born teacher and helter. Dr. Palmer was, at the time, studying the cause and effect of disease. His patient was Harvey Lillard, a janitor working in the same building as Dr. Palmer in Davenport, Iowa. Mr. Lillard, who had complained of hearing problems for over 17 years, allowed Dr. Palmer to examine his spine. Dr. Palmer discovered a "lump" on Mr. Lillard's back and suspected that a vertebra might be out of place, which he then repositioned the vertebra with a gentle thrust. After several such treatments, much of Mr. Lillard's hearing was restored. Since Dr. Palmer's first chiropractic adjustment, the art and science of chiropractic has progressed significantly. Today, advanced diagnostic procedures, sophisticated equipment, scientific research, and the growing acceptance among other health care professionals makes chiropractic a popular health care choice. Chiropractic Philosophy The chiropractic perspective on health and disease emphasizes two fundamental concepts: 1) the structure and condition of the body influences how the body functions and its ability to heal itself; and 2) the mind-body relationship is instrumental in maintaining health and in the healing processes. Although chiropractic shares much with other health professions, its emphasis and application of philosophy distinguishes it from modern medicine. Chiropractic philosophy gravitates toward a holistic ("total person") approach to healing which combines elements of the mind, body and spirit and maintains that health depends on obedience to natural laws, and that deviation from such laws can result in illness. Widespread Use of Chiropractic Care The increasing interest in alternative forms of care has caught the attention of several health associations and government agencies. A 1993 study in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that "The estimated number of visits made in 1990 to providers of unconventional therapy was greater than the number of visits to all primary care medical nationwide," and chiropractic was among the most frequently used non-medical therapies. A followup report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1998 found that the use of non-medical treatments had increased significantly since the 1990 survey, with "overall prevalence of use increased by 25%, total visits by an estimated 47%, and expenditures on services provided by practitioners of alternative therapies by an estimated 45%." Of the survey respondents, one in nine (11%) had used chiropractic care within the previous year. Healthy Tips for a Healthy Spine The following tips can help you take better care of your spine: 1) Make sure you have a firm-supportive mattress that keeps the spine aligned and supports the spine's natural curve. The best sleeping positions are on your back or side. It's best to use a neck support pillow and a body pillow to help support your joints. 2) When standing for extended periods, rest one foot on a small stool to maintain spinal curvature and relieve pressure. The knees should be bent when bending forward. Low-heeled shoes may help by maintaining spinal curvatures and cushioning your weight. 3) Use chairs that promote good posture and support your back. Placing a lumbar support in the lower portion of your back may help support your spine's natural curve. Readjust the seat of your car so that your knees are level with your hips. 4) When bending forward, bend at the knees and hips, but keep your back straight. This will help to keep your spine's curvature in proper alignment. When lifting, keep your spine straight while using your legs to do most of the work. Hold the objects being lifted close to your body to keep the weight on your spine to a minimum. The ABCs of Subluxations Vertebral subluxations are displacements of the spinal bones (vertebrae) that can cause stress to your spinal cord and nervous system. Subluxations may be caused by poor sleeping habits, poor posture, strenuous exercise, injuries, auto accidents, sports, slips or falls, and in some cases, quite simply the birthing process itself. Chiropractic adjustments are very helpful in correcting subluxations and restoring optimal health. Subluxations causes restrictions in normal joint movement. Then joints lock down becoming "fixed" in place. This stimulates certain nerve sensors (nociceptors) which when activated often cause a person to feel pain. After a chiropractic adjustment and normal movement is restored, these nociceptors are turned off, restoring normal "mechanoreceptor" stimulation and pain typically resolves. How Can Chiropractic Help? . . . . . . . . How Function Relates To Pain For over 100 years now, chiropractors have been helping their patients find relief from their aches, pains and other health related problems without the use of drugs or surgery. By helping restore the normal mechanical function a joint, chiropractors help the body move more freely. As a result, many find relief from pain as their spinal joints (or other joints such as the knee, ankle, wrist, elbow or shoulder) begin to function more normally again. Movemiento Es Vida!-Movement Is Life! As injuries or pain occurs, we tend to favor the painful area, letting it rest and keeping it from moving. This is a natural reaction. Of course rest can be helpful, but too much of anything can hurt in the long run...Our spinal joints and the joints in our arms and legs require movement in order to get properly nourished. A joint that is braced or rested too long actually begins to degenerate and this is the beginning of arthritis. This has been shown to occur in a little as 24 hours after immobilization. That's why we feel...Movement is Life! Don't Judge Your Health By How You Feel!!! Sounds a bit crazy, but it's true! Not all of the nerves in your body can feel pain. Actually only a small percentage feel pain. Most are information carrying nerve fibers that when pinched, may cause a body part, tissue, cell or organ to begin to mal-function...and the scary thing is...if the nerve that is pinched does not carry pain sensations, you will never be aware the nerve is pinched until 5, 10, 15, 20 or more years later...possibly, when it is too late! Pain usually only occurs at the end stage, or "crisis stage" of a problem! (This is when you feel it....OUCH! Keeping things Moving… Chiropractors examine the alignment and function of your joints and make corrections (Called adjustments, manipulations or mobilizations) to these joints to help restore their proper alignment and improve their function. Chiropractors are well trained in orthopedics, neurology and in evaluation of these subluxations described above. Whether or not you or a loved one are in pain, it makes perfect sense to get checked by a chiropractor to be sure.