Chiropractic is an important component of the US health care system and the largest alternative medical profession. The term "chiropractic" combines the Greek words cheir (hand) and praxis (action) to describe a treatment done by hand. Hands-on therapy—especially adjustment of the spine—is central to chiropractic care.
A chiropractic adjustment is a specific maneuver that places the dysfunctional (subluxated) spinal segment in an open position and the surrounding segments in a closed position, meaning they can’t move. The subluxated segment is then contacted and a light force is directed through it to restore it’s normal range of motion. With the return of normal motion the swelling decreases allowing the heat and the
tenderness to be alleviated and hence the tissue innervated by the nerve exiting that spinal segment receives its full nerve impulse and is able to heal itself and return to normal function.
Chiropractic is founded upon a single, basic premise: all living things have an inborn or innate wisdom that expresses itself as an organizing principle in life. Our incredibly complex and organized bodies are an expression of that innate intelligence of life. Our healing ability, which constantly works to maintain us in health, and heal us if we are injured or diseased, is a reflection of this wisdom.
In other words, a chiropractor doesn’t “fix” a problem. We help remove the obstacles that keep the body from healing itself. We then help the person maintain that balance by introducing some stretching, exercises and other activities or dietary supplements that will reinforce those changes.
At the Bridger Chiropractic Clinic we have two basic approaches to developing a treatment plan: symptomatic care or corrective care. If a patient’s goal is to address, and get rid of, the underlying problem that brought them into the clinic, then they would choose to have corrective care. This would mean an increased frequency of visits at first, then as the body changed and the treatments held for a longer time, the frequency would be decreased. Research has found that in the case of an injury, it takes the tissues involved 90 to 120 days to repair. If a person prefers to do symptomatic care then the doctor would do every thing they could to help to resolve the pain and discomfort that brought the patient into the office. The patient would then make the follow up appointments based on how they feel, with the understanding that the basic underlying issues are not necessarily going to be resolved, but that they would feel more comfortable. The patient need only be clear with the doctor about what type of approach they prefer.
Chiropractic occupies a unique place in modern health care. On the one hand, it draws upon modern scientific knowledge and techniques. On the other, it utilizes the ancient concepts of self-healing, life energy harmony, natural healing and the innate wisdom of the body.
To learn more about Chiropractic please visit these sites:
Http://nccam.nih.gov/health/chiropractic/
http://www.chiropracticresearch.org/
