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Chiropractic 101

woman with upper back pain
There are two aspects of spinal health: Structural & Functional.

The structural aspects within a chiropractic clinic are usually addressed with an x-ray. This type of imaging is important to determine the health of the joints but also to be able to see their mechanical position. For patients, these are easier to focus on because they are tangible and observable. However, functional aspects are equally as important and include excessive/limited movement in spinal joints and it’s effects on the surrounding soft tissues (muscles, fascia, ligaments and nerves). The combination of these effects is often called a vertebral subluxation.

Outside of improving movement in joints, the purpose of an adjustment is to change the function of nerves.

Our bodies constantly need to be able to monitor changes in our environment (both internal & external) and change bodily functions accordingly. This control is under what is called the Autonomic Nervous System.

For instance, when you start running, your heart rate and breathing rate needs to adjust to the activity or when you get nervous before an exam and your nervous system starts churning your stomach, your plams get sweaty or heart rate elevates – all of this is under the control of your Autonomic Nervous System.

However, nothing in excess is ever good!

Many areas can get affected when certain nerves are functioning improperly and keeping vital functions of your body elevated or depressed for a long time.

A chronic vertebral subluxation can contribute to an altered sense of feeling, ability to maintain balance, blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, regular stomach and bowel function and reproductive function – just to name a few.

An ADJUSTMENT is a direct, specific movement of a joint administered by a chiropractor.

It is aimed at correcting a vertebral subluxation which is causing decreased movement and improper function of the nervous system & spine

An Adjustment directly influences the nerves exiting the spinal cord and going to different areas of the body. The three main areas are the following:

  1. Feeling: Improper neurological function can cause pain, burning sensations, numbness, tingling, decreased/increased or loss of sensation.
  2. Healing: Your body replaces 50 to 70 billion cells each day under the control of the nervous system. If affected, your body can’t heal properly causing increased health issues.
  3. Function: Compromised nerve function can affect the immune system, blood pressure, balance, posture, organ Systems, disc and muscles causing muscle spasms and joint pain

Just like the electricity that runs through your house powering all the electronic devices you own, so to does the nervous system control every function in the body. By correcting it’s function with an adjustment, the POWER is turned back on and your body is able to heal and communicate the way it was always meant to.
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