Chiropractic is a health profession. The word comes from ancient Greek. “chiro” means hand, and “practic” refers to what is done, meaning done by hand. Its origins can be traced back up six thousand years but the form of chiropractic that we know is just over one hundred years old. It is based on the fact that our nervous system plays an extremely important role in controlling our inborn ability to preserve health and balance (homeostasis) within the body.
Interference in normal nerve function is therefore bad for our health and general being. Chiropractic is an art, science and philosophy that has one goal. The goal is to find, analize and correct something called “vertebral subluxations.” Vertebral subluxations happen when joints in our spine have lost their position, are swollen, and put pressure on our nervous system, negatively affecting our health.
Individuals who make their health a priority in their life visit a chiropractor regularly. It becomes a part of a health preserving routine of excercising, eating a healthy diet, getting proper rest and so on.
Most often people see chiropractors because of pain or numbness in their: back – neck – shoulders – elbows – wrists – fingers – hips – groin area – knees – ankles – toes.
Nerve pressure can effect peoples health in many different ways. Here are some more complaints of chiropractic patients:
Headaches – Premenstrual pain – Radiating pain in extremities, arms, legs – Pelvic pain, pregnant women – Indigestion – Scoliosis – Dizziness – Allergy – Asthma – Chronic fatigue – Insomnia – Lack of ability to move – Different symptoms resulting from accidents of all kinds – Premenstrual syndrome – Stress – Inability to focus – Attention deficit disorder – Pain in ears – Ear infection – Problem with urine control – A badly functioning immune system – Different kinds of mental dysfunction.
It should be noted that chiropractic is not a therapy for the complaints mentioned here. However, since nerve pressure seriously affects our health, often in ways that can not be predicted, people often experience increased function in different areas of their health when their nervous system is allowed to function without interference.
Yes, not only is it safe but very necessary. During pregnancy women experience changes in their body function. Hormonal changes, increased weight and altered weight bearing can cause problems in their spines.
When it comes to giving birth the autonomic nervous system controls the labour. Being free of nerve pressure that can otherwise disrupt the birth process is extremely important.
If joints in the low back, lumbar or sacro-iliac joints are abnormally positioned it can cause the birth canal to be more narrow affecting the birth process negatively.
No, it is always your decision how long you decide to benefit from chiropractic care.
However, it is our wish that you are able to regain your health as well as you possibly can and that you keep your health as long as you possibly can. In that respect we hope you appreciate the benefits of coming in for regular checkups. And yes, also when you have no symptoms.
Absolutely. When the skeletal system is properly aligned and our nervous system functions properly without interference we have optimal conditions to excel in whatever sport we choose to participate in. We minimize the danger of injuries and we are likely to heal faster from existing injuries.
Many of the best athletes in history have used chiropractic care to increase their performance, Tiger Woods, Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, Michael Jordan, Kaka, Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Arnold Schwarzenegger to name a few. In any sport the performance is dependant on a normally functioning nervous system and that the joints in the athletes skeletal system are properly aligned and freely movable.