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The doctor of chiropractic is especially skillful in treating neuromusculoskeletal problems such as disc and other back and neck disorders, postural problems, and conditions of the joints. But the chiropractor treats much more. Millions of Americans are chiropractic patients for a wide variety of health disorders. They depend on their chiropractor as their family doctor to help them maintain their health through proper diagnosis, treatment, and referral when necessary. They also rely on the doctor's counseling to stay healthy through nutrition and vitamin therapy as well as fitness and conditioning programs.
The doctor of chiropractic is uniquely qualified to render primary care by virtue of his or her extensive education in diagnosis, anatomy and adjustable technique, as well as clinical knowledge. Each doctor of chiropractic is required to complete a minimum of six years of combined pre-professional and chiropractic education. Nearly every state requires that a doctor of chiropractic have graduated from a four year chiropractic college accredited by the Council of Chiropractic Education (CCE) and pass stringent licensing examinations by both national and state licensing boards.
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Riverbridge Chiropractic Center (561) 968-0922 |
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What Is an Adjustment?
An "adjustment" as used by doctors of chiropractic, means specific manipulation of vertebrae which have abnormal movement patterns or fail to function properly. This altered spinal function may interfere with nerve function. Functional disorders, such as those involving organs and glands, may also respond to chiropractic adjustment.
Corrective spinal manipulation as performed by the doctor of chiropractic is usually done by hand on an adjustment table. The adjustment involves applying specific pressure to certain areas of the spine that demonstrate abnormal movement patterns which may in turn cause altered body function.
The purpose is to relieve pressure and irritability on sensitive nerves and correct abnormal structural relationships. Adjustments are precise maneuvers which put spinal joints through their normal ranges of motion. Techniques utilized require special knowledge of anatomy as well as manual skill and dexterity.
It is important to remember that your chiropractor is a member of the health team, who, as a healthcare professional works for the benefit of the patient. As a primary care doctor concerned with the "total person," the chiropractor seeks to enable your body to operate as nature designed-efficiently and comfortably. Doctors of chiropractic take pride in their ability not only to relieve pain and suffering without the use of drugs or major surgery, but also to assist their patients in attaining more productive and satisfying lives.
Adjustments
When a subluxation occurs, a chiropractor can correct the misaligned bone and allow it to return to its proper position. This procedure is appropriately called an adjustment, and the adjustment enables the body to heal. The chiropractic adjustment is a quick thrust applied to a vertebra for the purpose of correcting its position, movement or both. Adjustments are often accompanied by an audible release of gas that sounds like a "crack." The sound sometimes shocks people a little bit the first couple times they get adjusted, but the sensation is usually relieving. Occasionally, minor discomfort is experienced, especially if the surrounding muscles are in spasm or the patient tenses up during the chiropractic procedure. There are times when the audible "cracking" does not occur. This is often due to either significant muscle tightness or that the patient may be having a hard time relaxing during their adjustments. However, the chiropractic adjustment is still important. The leak is fixed. The wiring is fixed. Information is flowing again. To keep the wiring fixed and the information flowing, several adjustments over a course of time may be necessary, in addition to massage, physical therapy, stretching exercises, or strengthening exercises. In the chiropractic world, keeping the problem fixed and preventing its reoccurrence is just as important as the initial remedy.
There are actually five components that contribute to the vertebral subluxation complex (VSC):
- Bone Component: where the vertebra is either out of position, not moving properly, or are undergoing degeneration. This frequently leads to a narrowing of the spaces between the bones through which the nerves pass; often resulting in irritation or impingement of the nerve itself.
- Nervous Component: is the disruption of the normal flow of energy along the nerve fibers, causing the messages traveling along the nerves to become distorted. The result is that all of the tissues that are fed by those nerves receive distorted signals from the brain and, consequently, are not able to function normally. Over time, this can lead to a whole host of conditions, such as peptic ulcers, constipation and other organ system dysfunction.
- Muscular Component: since nerves control the muscles that help hold the vertebrae in place, muscles have to be considered to be an integral part of the vertebral subluxation complex. In fact, muscles both affect, and are affected by the VSC. A subluxation can irritate a nerve, the irritated nerve can cause a muscle to spasm, the spasmed muscle pulls the attached vertebrae further out of place, which then further irritates the nerve and you have a vicious cycle. It is no wonder that very few subluxations just go away by themselves.
- Soft Tissue Component: the VSC will also affect the surrounding tendons, ligaments, blood supply, and other tissues as the misaligned vertebrae tug and squeeze the connective tissue with tremendous force. Over time, the soft tissues can become stretched out or scarred, leaving the spine with either a permanent instability or restriction.
- Chemical Component: is the change in the chemistry of the body due to the VSC. Most often, the chemical changes, such as the release of a class of chemicals called "kinins", are pro-inflammatory; meaning that they increase inflammation in the affected area.
These changes get progressively worse over time if they are not treated correctly, leading to chronic pain, inflammation, arthritis, muscle trigger points, the formation of bone spurs, loss of movement, as well as muscle weakness and spasm. Chiropractors have known the dangers of the vertebral subluxation complex ever since the birth of the profession. More and more scientific research is demonstrating the tremendous detrimental impact that subluxation have on the tissue of the body. In order to be truly healthy, it is vital that your nervous system be functioning free of interference from subluxations. Chiropractors are the only health professionals trained in the detection, location, and correction of the vertebral subluxation complex through chiropractic care.
