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What
is Chiropractic?
What truly differentiates doctors of chiropractic from any other
health care professionals is the fact that chiropractors are the only
professionals who are trained to diagnose and treat what are called
spinal subluxations. The word “subluxation” comes
from the Latin words meaning “somewhat or slight" (sub) and
“to dislocate” (luxare). So the term
‘vertebral subluxation’ literally means a slight
dislocation or misalignment of the bones in the spine.
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.
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