What really is Chiropractic?
The focus of traditional health care is on germs and blood; prescriptions of drugs often ignore the real cause of the problem. Chiropractic is different. Chiropractic produces results by helping your nervous system work the way it should. It’s a scientific fact that your brain, spinal cord and the rest of your nerves control every aspect of your body. Hinder the vital nerve links between your brain and your body, and ill health can result. A common source of interference comes from the moving joints of bones that encase the “information super highway” of your spinal cord.
Nerve pressure, which can be as little as the weight of a dime can cause numbness, weakness or the under-performance of organs and tissue. Furthermore, spinal misalignment can cause nerve tissues to stretch, chafe or become irritated. This can distort the nerve messages between your body and your brain. The result? Hyperactive organ function, high blood pressure or even increased pain.
Your initial visit with a Chiropractor will begin with a thorough examination, which will help locate areas of nervous system compromise. The moving joints of the spine are common culprits. Once identified, the Chiropractor will perform specific adjustments to help reduces these interferences.
The intent is to restore your body’s ability to regulate and heal itself. Without drugs. Without surgery.
Chiropractic is simple. It’s natural. It honours the wisdom of your body. And it has helped millions enjoy relief and better health for more than a century.
What do Chiropractors do?
Chiropractors are experts trained in the neuromusculoskeletal (nerve, muscle and bone) system. They are best known for successful treatment of the Back, but they use the spine as an avenue to access the rest of the body, therefore they are not limited to back problems only. Nerves control every action of the body; the nerves exit the spinal cord which is an extension of the brain encompassed by the boney spine. The spine is a series 77 joints all in a row that function in a syncytium to provide mobility, stability of the torso and protection of the spinal cord and nerves. Disruption of just one joint can interrupt biomechanics of the entire spine, associated nerve function and decrease or increase actions of the nerve’s target (i.e. muscle or organ). Using a hands-on approach, a Chiropractor can make specific adjustments to your spine allowing for normal functioning of the nervous system.
Because Chiropractors are well trained in all aspects of the nerves, muscles and bones of the body, they are not limited to conditions of the spine and can help treat many other conditions of the body from head-to-toe.
Who should see a Chiropractor?
Everyone! Improved nerve communications between your brain and your body can help everyone. So, even if you don’t have pain, you could be a good candidate for chiropractic care. Modified adjusting approaches can help children, the elderly or those with special needs.
Since chiropractic care depends on the healing abilities of each patient, results can vary from patient to patient. Everyone responds differently. Some detect changes in a few short days or weeks. Others may take weeks to months before showing progress.
If I don’t have a Back problem, can I still see a Chiropractor?
Of Course! Chiropractors are capable of addressing a large variety of injuries, the most common reasons to see are Chiropractor are:
However, many patients choose to see a Chiropractor even if they don’t have pain at all. These patients focus on prevention and maintaining an optimal functioning nervous system.
Do I have to keep going to the Chiropractor for life?
This is a frequent misconception about Chiropractors that can be best resolved by referring to the frequency you visit your dentist. You are required to have frequent visits to resolve an issue, then regular maintenance cleaning to keep up your oral health. Like your Chiropractic doctor, some patients opt to continue with some type of regular chiropractic checkups. These patients show up for their visits feeling great, but require these visits to ensure the optimal health of their spine. Their interest in wellness and prevention helps make sure that once they get well, they stay well.
What is an adjustment?
A Chiropractic adjustment restores the mobility of the joint, removing pressure from the nerve and restores nerve function, thus normal target function. During a Chiropractic adjustment, many people hear and audible sound that arises from the joint space, this sound is an escape of gas from an over pressurized joint capsule that has been immobilized due to the joint’s dysfunction. The greatest misconception of this audible sound is that the Chiropractor is “cracking bones,” or the bones are being “rubbed together.” In fact, the exact opposite is true; a Chiropractic adjustment, when done correctly, actually creates a gap in the joint that stretches the capsule allowing the gas to escape and the audible sound is the result. The best example to simulate a Chiropractic adjustment is hearing people crack their knuckles. Those that do, realize that once they have “cracked” their knuckles that they cannot do so for another 20 minutes or so; this is the case due to the gas being released from the capsule and needing time to build-up within the joint again. If the “cracking” sound was in fact “bone-on-bone,” then the person would be able to crack their knuckles until they became red and painful.
Is Chiropractic covered by OHIP or Health Insurance?
Chiropractic is no longer covered by OHIP, but many extended health insurances cover Chiropractic care.
Each of us has the freedom to place a different value on our health. Ultimately, good health is about personal responsibility. While an insurance company or other third party may be helpful, be careful. Don’t allow a profit-motivated company to make decisions about what you do with your health. Find out how we can make Chiropractic care affordable for just about anyone.
Chiropractic is a team approach to better health. As you enjoy results, tell those you love. Explain how millions enjoy relief and better health by restoring the integrity of their spine and nervous system with safe and natural Chiropractic care.