What Is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is the art and science of diagnosing, locating, and treating what is referred to as a vertebral subluxation or subluxation complex. The word “Subluxation” is a medical term—“Sub”, meaning less than, and “Luxation”, which refers to a dislocation. In Chiropractic terms, a subluxation is two or more contiguous vertebral segments that are not in their normal aligned position (but are not dislocated), are fixed or locked in that position, and are causing disruption to the nerves in the surrounding tissue. As irritation to the affected nerves persists, symptoms may develop in the tissues supplied by these nerves. These symptoms may be musculo-skeletal in nature. However, the same nerves that feed the musculo-skeletal system also connect to the body's internal organs. Because the nervous system controls all functions in the human body, any disruption of nerve impulses will not allow organ systems to function at their full potential.

The subluxation complex has five components:

The problem starts when a vertebra (or vertebrae) is out of its normal alignment and not moving properly. This creates tissue irritation and subsequent disruption in nerve impulses. The brain receives messages that it interprets as being problematic and immediately sends messages back to the surrounding muscles that then tighten or become spasmodic. This is the body's attempt to guard the area from further movement that could worsen the problem. Since muscles attach to bones via tendons and bones connect to bones via ligaments, the muscle tension and spasm keeps the vertebra or vertebrae locked and a vicious cycle develops.

Left untreated, the affected areas become a source of chronic deep tissue inflammation that progressively worsens and can cause chronic pain, loss of mobility, muscle weakness and spasm, and set the stage for earlier degenerative changes to the joints, discs, and connective tissue.

The Chiropractor's job is to break this cycle of events through Chiropractic adjustment. Adjustments can be done by hand, with an instrument, or through any combination of available techniques. Regardless of the technique used, the goal remains the same: to reduce the subluxation and restore more normal alignment and function to the affected vertebrae, initiating the body's natural healing process.

Many people attmept to manage their chronic pain with Ibuprofen, Tylenol, Aspirin, Naproxen, Percocet, Vicodin, Flexeril, Skelaxin, and a whole host of other potentially dangerous medications. None of these addresses the root of the problem—they simply mask the symptoms. Chiropractic care is a proven solution—not a coping mechanism—that harnesses the body's natural healing ability, not by adding something to the system, but by removing anything that might interfere with its normal function.