The best known and most widely used alternative therapy in the United States today, chiropractic focuses on the manipulation of the spine and other joints to help treat a variety of problems involving bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
Chiropractors primarily use their hands to apply pressure to a joint or group of joints. (In fact, the name “chiropractic” is derived from Greek words meaning “done by hand.”) This treatment is known as an “adjustment” or a “manipulation.” The aim of using manipulation is to provide relief for pain or stiffness, and to improve posture as well as the function of nerves, joints, and muscles.
Spinal manipulation has been practiced for thousands of years; there are records of it from ancient Egypt and China.
Chiropractic takes a structural, nutritional, and emotional approach to health care. The chiropractor aims to gently restore the natural and delicate balance that exists in all healthy individuals.
To do this, a chiropractor examines the bones of the vertebrae, and locates those that do not move properly or are out of alignment. These areas, called subluxations, can cause pain and dysfunction in the surrounding nerves and muscles at the same level as the subluxation. Chiropractors treat subluxations by adjusting the vertebrae (and the associated muscles, tendons, and ligaments) gently with their hands. When misalignments are corrected the integrity of the nervous system is restored, ensuring optimal function of the entire body. For more information on how chiropractic can help you feel and function better call us today.