Chiropractic is one of the western world’s three major healing professions. The other two are medicine and osteopathy. Chiropractors specialize in the neuromusculoskeletal system (nerves, muscles, and bone). Chiropractors identify and correct misalignments of the spine (vertebral subluxations). Subluxations adversely affect the nervous system and cause disease in the body.
The word chiropractic is from the Greek: “chiros” meaning hand and “practic” meaning practice. Many chiropractic techniques involve the use of the hands in restoring the vertebrae to their proper alignment and motion. Chiropractic is a lifestyle that more and more people are choosing.
Here our five more answers to help you understand chiropractic care...
What causes subluxations?
There are three basic causes of subluxations: physical, emotional, and toxic traumas. Physical causes could include the birth process, slips, falls, accidents, repetitive motions and improper lifting. Emotions such as grief, anger and fear can cause subluxations. Toxic or chemical causes include alcohol, drugs, pollution and poor diet.
Is chiropractic safe?
Yes! Specific chiropractic adjustments are very safe. Care is given only after a complete health history and chiropractic examination has been performed. Individual treatment protocols are developed taking into account the state of health and age of the patient.
What is a chiropractic adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment is the art of introducing a precise force in a specific direction to a vertebra that is subluxated or out of place. The chiropractor identifies the location of the subluxation, determines the exact direction and the best way to correct the positioning. The adjustment assists the vertebra in moving back into its normal alignment and restores proper motion in an effort to relieve nerve interference.
What causes the popping sound?
Lubricating fluids separate the bones of each spinal joint. Some adjusting methods can produce a sound when the gas and fluids in the joint shift. It’s like opening a bottle of champagne or removing a suction cup. It is NOT the bones cracking! The sound is interesting, but it is not a guide to the quality or value of the adjustment.
Can I adjust myself?
No. Some people can make their joints pop, but that’s not an adjustment! Worse, damage can occur by INDISCRIMINATELY mobilizing a joint, causing ligaments to weaken. Over time the spine will attempt to stabilize itself, resulting in the development of osteoarthritis. Chiropractic adjustments are very specific and only the spinal joints that are locked up receive adjustments allowing weakened muscles and ligaments to stabilize and heal.
