According
to The Association of Chiropractic Colleges,
"chiropractic is a health care discipline
which emphasizes the inherent recuperative power
of the body to heal itself without the use of
drugs or surgery. The practice of chiropractic
focuses on the relationship between structure
(primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated
by the nervous system) and how that relationship
affects the preservation and restoration of
health."
Origins
The "founding father" of chiropractic,
Dr. D.D. Palmer, developed a theory that spinal
misalignment caused nerve pressure or irritation
which in turn caused various ailments. He
realized that the structure and condition
of the body influenced how the body functioned
and its ability to heal itself, without the
use of drugs or surgery.
This simple
philosophy has healed people and has prevented
unwanted injury and illness for over a century!
But to fully understand the chiropractic perspective,
one must learn a bit about the nervous system,
or how our bodies are "wired."
Our
Wiring
The nervous system consists of the brain,
spinal cord, and nerves. The brain is divided
into sections and stores and receives an incredible
amount of information. But this information
needs a way to get in and out. Nerves provide
a pathway for this information to travel,
and the spinal cord is made up of bundles
of these nerves. The spine both houses and
protects the spinal cord.
Nerve dysfunction
can result from any number of factors, such
as falls, accidents, stress, tension, or over-use.
These events can alter our "wiring"
and create pain or discomfort in our bodies.
Getting
to the Source
Doctors of chiropractic are trained to locate
the source of the pain or discomfort— it may
actually be far from the actual location where
the symptom is occurring— and then we correct
or adjust the joints in the body and set it
up to heal on its own.
Of course,
the type of correction or adjustment employed
by the chiropractor depends on the condition
being treated, but you get the main idea.
The important thing to remember is that chiropractic
success occurs by addressing the source of
the problem, not just masking the symptoms.
Holistic
Efficiency
Because helping the body heal itself involves
many facets, chiropractors also provide lifestyle
advice to help prevent illness and injury.
Diet & nutrition, fitness, ergonomics,
and other areas in your life contribute, or
diminish, your overall health. By making the
right choices, one can live a life full of
wellness and vitality.
