What is Chiropractic?
The word “holistic” may bring many images to mind. You might think of natural healing professionals such as acupuncturists and massage therapists. You might even think of vitamins and other dietary pain cures.
Chiropractic is holistic not because it is similar to other whole-body healing methods, but because it takes into account the whole body when treating you for a specific ailment. Holistic means entire, and that is just what chiropractic does—it treats the entire body.
Chiropractors are trained based on the core belief that the body can sustain and heal itself. That is to say, the body and its balance is 100% controlled by the brain. Thus, the brain’s connection to the body via the spinal cord is of vital importance for any ailment, from headaches to diseases. Learn more about the history of chiropractic.
In order for the brain to function at full capacity, its communication network must also function properly. Where does the spinal cord reside? That’s right—within the spine.
Vertebrae are the little bones that make up your spine. The bones are connected by spinal discs, which also function as cushions. The reason you can move your body around is because of the many connectors in the spine. These make the bones into a structure similar to a rope.
When the spinal cord experiences interference by vertebrae that are out of place, this disrupts your brain’s connection to the rest of the body. When this happens, the brain cannot control or heal the body.
This is where chiropractic comes in. Read more about how chiropractic works.
Chiropractic Methods
In order to restore your brain’s communication with the body via the spinal cord, the vertebrae must be realigned. Your chiropractor’s job is to adjust the spinal column so that it stops interfering with the nervous system housed in the spinal cord.
Medications are not the chiropractor’s first response to pain. Why ever not? you wonder. You may have guessed the answer by now: because the chiropractor believes your body can heal itself once the spine is aligned.
Many chiropractors do, however, offer vitamin and mineral supplements as part of encouraging a healthy lifestyle Such supplements can help the body heal itself. They give the body a boost toward healing, so to speak.
Chiropractors also offer lifestyle coaching to help patients find pain-free living. They may suggest regular exercise routines and guide patients toward a healthy diet. Such coaching is part of the holistic approach of chiropractic.
Chiropractic is all about treating the source of your pain, not the symptoms. This is why they do not attempt to dull pain through medications because pills will often function as a band-aid rather than a cure. If you want a cure, see a chiropractor.
Seeing the Chiropractor
When most people think of the chiropractor, they think about seeing one for neck or back pain. But contrary to common thought, the treatment of such pain is only a portion of what chiropractors are able to do.
Chiropractors can certainly treat chronic issues such as back pain, neck pain, sciatica, spinal degeneration, and joint pain, even slipped discs, but they are also often called on to effectively address such complicated issues as allergies, headaches, auto accident pain relief, insomnia, fibromyalgia, and so on. Read more about what chiropractic helps.
When you see us, we will offer a consultation and evaluation of your body’s health as a whole, not just address your current complaint. We will perform x-rays and other evaluative surveys to determine your overall health.
After determining your current state of health, we will offer an adjustment based on the conclusion of your needs. You can always speak with us about your fears and needs; we exist to help you understand your body better, so we welcome any and all conversations about health.
Chiropractic is an all-natural approach to overall health that is worth your attention not only when you have back pain, but at any time.