What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic (Greek - to do by hand), a health care discipline, holds to the universal philosophy that the body has an inborn ability to heal itself. This inborn ability is called innate intelligence. As a self-regulating organism, every cell, tissue, organ and system of the body is under the control of the Nervous System (Brain, Spinal Cord & Nerves). Interference with the nervous system affects the normal controlling and regulation of bodily functions, often presenting as a Chiropractic or Vertebral Subluxation. A Vertebral Subluxation refers to a biomechanical dysfunction of the Spine causing pain, tenderness, swelling/inflammation, altered blood flow, muscle tension, decreased regular motion and resulting nerve dysfunction. Therefore the practice of Chiropractic focuses on the close relationship between structure (the Spine, Pelvis and Skeletal system), function (as coordinated by the Nervous System) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health through the adjustment (or removal) of Vertebral Subluxations to the Spinal Column, Pelvis and Skeletal joints.
A Chiropractic Adjustment is a specific and controlled thrust delivered to the involved Spinal or Skeletal joint to remove the nerve interference, only utilising the hands. This action accurately revives normal motion to the affected joint, decreasing swelling and restoring a normal relationship between the structure and function of the body.
Chiropractic is, therefore, the Science, Philosophy and Art of locating and correcting areas of Nervous System dysfunction, thereby looking to fix the CAUSE of the disease, not just a treatment of the symptoms.
What is a Subluxation?
The individual vertebral joints in your spine can move out of position, creating pressure on or irritating the nerves. When this occurs, Chiropractors refer to this as a Subluxation. For your body to perform at its peak, your brain must both send and receive signals to and from your body via these exiting spinal nerves. This results in your body not receiving the proper nerve messages and being unable to function 100% of its innate abilities. This interruption of nerve function causes symptoms throughout your body. If the nervous system is impaired, it can cause malfunction of the tissue and organs throughout the body.
Doctors of Chiropractic are the only professionals who undergo five years of university-level training to administer an adjustment specifically to the spine. Your chiropractor has specific training in finding and correcting subluxations to restore optimal nervous system function that liberates the body's innate healing abilities and allows a fuller expression of personal potential and health.