Chiropractic therapy health benefits

Nov 24
08:06

2011

Gwen Leon

Gwen Leon

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Chiropractic therapy is effective in treating back and neck pain and a few other health related problems.

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Chiropractic is a branch of alternative medicine that focuses on musculoskeletal and nervous system mechanical disorders. It is used most often to treat these disorders with manipulations of the spine,Chiropractic therapy health benefits Articles joints and soft tissues to balance the nervous system and re-establish and preserve the body’s self-healing ability.

Contrary to conventional medicine, chiropractic’s goal is to enhance health by removing blockages to the nerve transmission flow with the use of non-invasive treatment that does not include drugs or surgery.

The spine is the structure that protects and houses the spinal cord; it also provides mobility to the upper body. This duality of strength and flexibility make the complex structure of joints that form the spinal column.

The spinal column is a series of vertebrae that extend from the base of the skull to the center of the hips. Thirty one pairs of nerves run through the spinal column and leave the spine through a series of openings forming a complicated network that carries sensations, mobility impulse and enervates every living tissue in your body.

More than often times accidents, falls, and overexertion can result in vertebrae displacement or spine misalignment, causing irritation to the nerve roots coming out of the spine compromising the nervous system and causing inflammation and pain.

Chiropractic manipulations include, twisting, pulling, or pushing movements and their objective is to adjust a musculoskeletal area of person that is not functioning properly. By correcting spinal misalignments or subluxation, irritation is reduced or eliminated and the nervous can operate more efficiently.

All chiropractors must examine and diagnose a patient before arriving to a course of treatment. Chiropractors use physical and spine structure examination, patient history and x-rays as methods of consultation.

Chiropractic treatment side effects may include: discomfort or minor pain on the area of the manipulation, headaches and sometimes fatigue. All of these normally resolve within a day after treatment.

Some of the techniques chiropractors use to adjust subluxations include:

-          Diversified technique or full spine manipulation.

-          Activator technique to deliver precise adjustments to the spine with the use of a spring loaded tool.

-          Thompson technique that relies on the use of a drop table.

-          Manipulation under anesthesia, among others.

 

Chiropractic treatment is generally safe but in rare occasions may result in serious complications such a stroke when manipulating cervical vertebrae.  Other rare complications include herniated discs that lead to pain, numbness and weakness of the legs and buttocks which can have a negative impact on both  bladder and bowel control.

Chiropractic practitioners must have three years of undergraduate study and complete four years of chiropractic academic instruction before receiving a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. To practice they must undertake a four-part state exam with the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners to become licensed.

Many chiropractic practitioners offer complimentary therapies such as: acupuncture, physical rehabilitation, herbal therapy, massage therapy, physiotherapy, electric muscle stimulation, nutrition counseling, manipulation under anesthesia, exercise therapy, homeopathy, kinesiology, etc.

Chiropractic care is consider an alternative and complimentary therapy and can be combined with conventional medical treatment.