Health Solutions, Chiropractic Information, Chiropractic Information for the Lay Person, Naddaf

A Brief History Of Chiropractic

The chiropractic profession was founded in 1895 by Dr.
Daniel David Palmer. Since Dr. Palmer's first chiropractic
adjustment, the art and science of chiropractic has
progressed significantly. Today, advanced diagnostic
procedures, sophisticated equipment, scientific research,
and the growing acceptance among other health care
professionals makes chiropractic a popular health care
choice.

Chiropractic Philosophy

The chiropractic perspective on health and disease
emphasizes two fundamental concepts:

1) the structure and condition of the body influences how
the body functions and its ability to heal itself;
and
2) the mind-body relationship is instrumental in
maintaining health and in the healing processes.

Although chiropractic shares much with other health
professions, its emphasis and application of philosophy
distinguishes it from modern medicine. Chiropractic
philosophy gravitates toward a holistic ("total person")
approach to healing which combines elements of the mind,
body and spirit and maintains that health depends on
obedience to natural laws, and that deviation from such laws
can result in illness.

Widespread Use of Chiropractic Care

The increasing interest in alternative forms of care has
caught the attention of several health associations and
government agencies. A 1993 study in the New England
Journal of Medicine reported that "The estimated number
of visits made in 1990 to providers of unconventional
therapy was greater than the number of visits to all primary
care medical nationwide," and chiropractic was among the
most frequently used non-medical therapies.

A followup report published in the Journal of the American
Medical Association in 1998 found that the use of
non-medical treatments had increased significantly since
the 1990 survey, with "overall prevalence of use increased
by 25%, total visits by an estimated 47%, and expenditures
on services provided by practitioners of alternative
therapies by an estimated 45%." Of the survey
respondents, one in nine (11%) had used chiropractic care
within the previous year.

Healthy Tips for a Healthy Spine

The following tips can help you take better care of your
spine:

1) Make sure you have a firm mattress that keeps the spine
aligned and supports the spine's natural curve. The best
sleeping positions are on your back or side.

2) When standing for extended periods, rest one foot on a
small stool to maintain spinal curvature and relieve
pressure. The knees should be bent when bending forward.
Low-heeled shoes may help by maintaining spinal
curvatures and cushioning your weight.

3) Use chairs that promote good posture and support your
back. Placing a lumbar support in the lower portion of your
back may help support your spine's natural curve. Readjust
the seat of your car so that your knees are level with your
hips.

4) When bending forward, bend at the knees and hips, but
keep your back straight. This will help to keep your spine's
curvature in proper alignment. When lifting, keep your
spine straight while using your legs to do most of the work.
Hold the objects being lifted close to your body to keep the
weight on your spine to a minimum.

The ABCs of the Subluxation Complex

The subluxation complex often results in nervous system
compromise, impairment to the muscles, damage to soft
tissues, and is involved in a degenerative process.The
subluxation complex may be caused by poor sleeping habits,
poor posture, strenuous exercise, injuries, auto accidents,
sports, slips or falls, and in some cases, the birthing process
itself.

Chiropractic adjustments are very helpful in correcting
subluxations and restoring optimal health.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts based upon
the understanding that good health depends, in part,
upon a normally functioning nervous system (especially
the spine, and the nerves extending from the spine to all
parts of the body). "Chiropractic" comes from the Greek
word chiropraktikos, meaning "effective treatment by
hand." Chiropractic stresses the idea that the cause of
many disease processes begins with the body's inability to
adapt to its environment. It looks to address these
diseases not by the use of drugs and chemicals, but by
locating and adjusting a musculoskeletal area of the body
which is functioning improperly.

Chiropractic works by restoring your own inborn ability
to be healthy. When under the proper control of your
nervous system, all the cells, tissues, and organs of your
body are designed to resist disease and ill health. The
chiropractic approach is to locate and help remove
interference so that your body can return to its natural
state of being healthy.
Since improved nervous system function is the primary
focus of your care, chiropractic can have a positive effect
on many health conditions not normally thought of as
"back problems".

What is an Adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment is the art of using a specific
force in a precise direction, applied to a joint that is
fixated or not moving properly. This adds motion to the
joint, helping the bones gradually return to a more
normal position and range of motion. Improved spinal
function, improved nervous system function, and
improved health are the purposes of this safe and natural
procedure.

There are many ways to adjust the spine. Usually the
doctor's hands or a specially designed instrument delivers
a brief and highly accurate thrust. Some adjusting
methods are quick, whereas others require a slow and
constant pressure.

What conditions benefit from chiropractic care?
Although chiropractic is used most frequently to relieve
low back pain, studies have found it to be effective for a
variety of conditions, such as migraine headaches, neck
and shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia,
and infantile colic.

Does Chiropractic hurt?
Under normal circumstances, adjustments don't hurt.
The patient may experience a minor amount of
discomfort during the adjustment which lasts only
seconds.

Is Chiropractic safe?
Chiropractic adjustments or manipulations are extremely
safe. The risk factor is estimated to be in excess of one
million to one. Chiropractic care is the safest of the
healing arts. Chiropractic is comfortable and benefits
everyone including infants, the elderly and pregnant
women.

What kind of education and training do doctors of
chiropractic have?
Chiropractors receive an education that emphasizes
neuromuscular diagnosis and treatment. Preparation for
the practice of chiropractic is concentrated on three areas
of learning; basic training in the biological and health
sciences (anatomy, physiology, histology, biochemistry,
clinical and radiological diagnosis); specialized training in
the chiropractic discipline (theoretical studies, practice,
diagnosis and applications); and extensive clinical
training.

Have any studies been published showing what
chiropractic is effective for?
Several studies have documented the effectiveness of
chiropractic in relieving back pain. More recent studies
have shown chiropractic to be effective in treating
infantile colic and migraine headaches.

What to look for in a chiropractor:

1. Ask for credentials and technique.
2. Inform the doctor of all your health problems.
3. Inform the doctor of all your medications, whether
prescription, over-the-counter, or supplements.
4. In general, any condition should respond to treatment
within the first 3 treatments.
5. If your condition remains the same, consider
consulting a different chiropractor.
6. If your condition worsens, discuss the changes with the
doctor. If worsening continues for more than two visits,
change your chiropractor. The technique used by the
doctor may not be appropriate for your condition.
7. If improvement is noted, whether immediate or
gradual, continue with your treatment.
8. Remember, over adjustment is just as bad as over
medication.
9. Use your judgment in frequency of treatments if your
condition has subsided and when you are in the
maintenance phase of treatment.

What other services do you offer besides chiropractic?

Our office offers a variety of alternative health
treatments, including acupuncture and nutritional
consulting.

What can I expect on my first visit?

The first thing a chiropractor will do is ask you about the
health complaints about which you are chiefly concerned.
The DC will also ask about your family history, dietary
habits, other care you may have had (chiropractic,
osteopathic, medical, etc.), your job, and other questions
designed to help determine the nature of your illness and
the best way to go about treating the problem.

A physical examination will be performed in accordance
with your DC's clinical judgement, which may include
x-rays, laboratory analysis and other diagnostic procedures.
In addition, a careful spinal examination and analysis will
be performed to detect any structural abnormalities which
may be affecting or causing your condition. All of these
elements are important components of your total health
profile, and vital to the doctor of chiropractic in evaluating
your problem.

How Long Do You Have to Go to a Chiropractor?

Maintenance care is important in order to prevent your past
health problems from occurring again. Therefore it is
essential that you continue to see your chiropractor on a
maintenance program to ensure your present health will
not regress. This will benefit you, your spine and especially
your overall health.

Remember, how you feel does not always reflect how
healthy you are. Your chiropractor realizes it is easier to
prevent spinal problems than to correct them. That's why a
maintenance care program consisting of regularly
scheduled chiropractic spinal examinations and adjustments
are being recommended to you.

Can Chiropractic Prevent Back Surgery?

In a majority of cases, the answer is a resonating "YES."

What Causes the Sound of an Adjustment?

Not all adjustments produce the sound associated with
"popping knuckles." Some create a little sound while
others create none at all. The sound of "popping" is caused
by gas rushing in to fill the partial vacuum created when
the joints were slightly separated.

Can I Go Only Once?

Of course, once is better than never. However, in order to
receive the full benefits of chiropractic and notice the
benefits of improvement with your health, it is important
that you stick to the length of your treatment plan
recommended by your chiropractor.