What is Chiropractic?
According to the Department of Labor’s Dictionary of Occupational Titles a chiropractor is one who: “Diagnoses and treats musculoskeletal conditions of the spinal column and extremities to prevent disease and correct abnormalities of the body believed to be caused by interference with the nervous system: Examines patient to determine nature and extent of disorder. Performs diagnostic procedures including physical,
neurologic, and orthopedic examinations, laboratory tests, and other procedures, using x-ray machine, proctoscope, electrocardiograph, otoscope, and other instruments and equipment. Manipulates spinal column and other extremities to adjust, align, or correct abnormalities caused by neurologic and kinetic articular dysfunction. Utilizes supplementary measures, such as exercise, rest, water, light, heat, and nutritional therapy.
Chiropractors are the second largest group of America’s licensed primary care physicians, along with medicine and osteopathy. When people think of chiropractic they might think that chiropractors specialize in the biomechanical causes of disease and illness. However, chiropractors are trained to diagnose and recognize when the body’s inherent recuperative powers are compromised and a medical referral for more invasive intervention may be necessary.
How does Chiropractic work?
The nervous system directs and coordinates all of the bodily functions: breathing, digestion, excretion, muscle contraction, and organ function. When the nerves that exit the spine are irritated, the impulses which travel across these nerves from the brain out to the cells of the body will be negatively affected. Normal communication within the body can be disrupted, resulting in pain, disease or illness.
Chiropractors are trained to detect and correct the vertebral misalignments that irritate the nerves. These misalignments are more frequently called the Vertebral Subluxation Complex which involves bone, muscle, nerves, ligaments, and other soft tissues.
The vertebral subluxation complex is often overlooked, but can be a serious threat to health. In natural medicine the focus of chiropractic, is to attain and maintain function rather than the treatment of disease. By removing these interferences the body can be free to heal itself.
