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What
is chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a healing science
that places emphasis on maintaining
the structural integrity and balance
of the body. It is a natural form
of healthcare that relies on a normally
functioning nervous system to control
and coordinate all the functions of
the human body. It is the science
of locating and correcting nerve interference
with normal body functions through
chiropractic adjustments.
Chiropractors
have found that if there is pressure
along the spine, it causes dysfunction
and eventually pain and other symptoms,
which frequently affect muscles, joints,
blood vessels, organs and glands.
The goal of chiropractic is to allow
your body to heal itself and to function
optimally, without the use of drugs
or surgery.
Chiropractic
is based on the premise that to maintain
health, you must treat the cause—not
just the symptoms. At Chiropractic
West, we consider all aspects of the
patient's life: family history, work,
lifestyle, environment, exercise,
and the patient's physical and emotional
well being.
How
can chiropractic help me?
Chiropractic restores joint movement,
relieves pain, reduces susceptibility
to injury and helps to prevent degenerative
diseases, such as arthritis and disc
disease.
What
do chiropractors "treat"?
Chiropractors address subluxations
or misalignments of your spine rather
than "treat" any specific
disease or condition. Chiropractors
are spine specialists who are trained
to identify spinal misalignments and
correct them through specific chiropractic
adjustments, allowing the nervous
system to function without interference.
Why
is proper functioning of the nervous
system so important?
The brain sends signals via the nervous
system to various organs, muscles
and tissues to control and coordinate
their proper function. When there
is any type of nerve interference,
dysfunction results. Without correction,
disease processes occur. For instance,
when an accident occurs on a highway,
traffic is backed up for miles and
people can't get to their destination
quickly and without irritation. Think
of the nervous system as an electrical
pathway transporting signals to and
from the brain for proper functioning.
If an accident occurs, disaster happens.
Adjusting the vertebrae restores normal
function, removing the irritation
to the nerve, allowing the nervous
system to return to its natural state
of well-being.
What
is a chiropractic adjustment?
The intent of a chiropractic adjustment
is to restore proper motion to the
spine by removing irritation to the
associated nerves. There are several
adjustment techniques that Chiropractic
West practitioners can utilize in
performing safe, specific adjustments.
The chiropractic adjustment differs
from spinal manipulation performed
by physical therapists and osteopaths
due to its specificity. Chiropractors
remove subluxations (a partial dislocation
of a joint), not merely manipulations
of the spine. Chiropractic is an art
and science that takes extensive training
and practice to master.
Is
chiropractic safe?
You may be assured that your Chiropractic
West chiropractor is a recognized
health care professional who has completed
five years of graduate study. The
core curriculum chiropractors receive
includes over 4,500 hours of study
in anatomy, physiology, pathology,
biology, chemistry, pediatrics, geriatrics,
nutrition, diagnosis and many hours
of training in an internship program
similar to a medical-school curriculum.
Is
an adjustment painful?
Although each patient reacts differently,
the procedure is rarely painful. Many
Chiropractic West patients report
they feel a sense of relief and relaxation
following an adjustment. Adjustments
can cause a variety of reactions from
temporary soreness to a sense of euphoria
and well-being.
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