What Is Chiropractic Care?
Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your nervous system controls the function of every cell, tissue, organ and system of your body. Your nervous system consists of your brain, spinal cord and millions of nerves. Your skull protects your brain, and 24 moving bones of the spine protect your spinal cord. Many everyday activities can cause these spinal bones to lose their normal position or motion. This can result in nervous system dysfunction and ultimately, ill health.
The chiropractic approach to better health is to detect, reduce and help prevent nervous system dysfunction. Doctors of chiropractic elect not to use drugs or surgery to treat this dysfunction.
The seven most commonly treated health problems are:
- Neck Pain
- Shoulder, arm and hand symptoms
- Headaches
- Low Back Pain
- Leg and foot symptoms
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
It is interesting to note that, although these seven symptoms are commonly treated by chiropractors, other "non-related" health problems will often begin to resolve themselves when patients begin chiropractic care. For example, teenagers who begin treatment for adolescent scoliosis (curvature of the spine) may also begin to experience relief of childhood asthmatic symptoms. The reason for this lies in the function of the nervous system. As the chiropractor restores the vertebrae of the spine to a normal position, the nerves that exit the affected area begin to function more efficiently. Another example is with patients who begin treatment for low back problems. Many times they will begin to experience relief of associated gastrointestinal problems.
Chiropractic is a safe, non-invasive method of health care delivery. It is highly effective in treating a variety of musculoskeletal problems, and should always be considered as a possible alternative to surgery or drugs. Chiropractors are highly qualified diagnosticians. A reputable chiropractor can guide a patient to the best path for treatment of their musculoskeletal problems, whether it be a course of conservative chiropractic care, or more radical treatment through a referral to a neurologist or orthopedic doctor for surgical options.
For a listing of reputable chiropractors in your area, contact your state Chiropractic Association, or the American Chiropractic Association at (703) 276-8800.
