Chiropractic

What is chiropractic? Chiropractors are nervous system specialists and place high priority on the spinal cord and its nerves functioning and communicating properly to make sure the whole body is in a healthy state. The chiropractor knows if there is disease in this system, it can lead to disease elsewhere in the body. This is due to the fact that the nervous system controls all other parts of the body.

The nervous system consists of the brain, the spinal cord which is housed by the spine, and 32 pairs of nerves come out of each side of the spine and run to different parts of the body. The nervous system tells all other parts of the body what to do and when to do it. Here is a very simplistic version. The brain is the control center and sends messages down through the “cable” or the spinal cord and the nerves act as long extension cords that eventually lead to all parts of the body. Just like in any good relationship, if there is a breakdown in communication, there will be a problem. It is the same in this circuit of communication between the brain and the body. If there is a pinching or irritation to the nerve because of extra pressure, it can cause a miscommunication and therefore problems in your body.

Chiropractors treat what is called subluxation. Subluxation is where a bone or swelling of disc material irritates the nerve and symptoms such as muscle spasm, tenderness, swelling and decreased range of motion are found. A subluxation also causes changes to the structure of the disc and joint as well as to the nerves. Subluxation causes degeneration of the spine and over time the degeneration worsens. Time makes the problem worse, not better. This is why Spinal check-ups are so vitally important! So if you know someone in pain, one of the best things you can do is to refer them in for a consultation, so the Whitacre Wellness team can determine if their problem is spine related.

Let’s talk about a normal spine. In a side view of our spine, there are three curves we will see. The spine curves forward in the neck, in the mid-back it comes back and in the low back it sways forward again. The great purpose of these three curves is to create a spring. Just think, each time you take a step and gravity bears its effect on your spine, that spring keeps all the joints from wearing unevenly. The wear and tear on the spine in that healthy state is very minimal. Problems occur; however, when our bodies experience trauma or micro-traumas from repetitive postures and motions that cause distortions to those curves and initiate problems. The curves, once distorted, bear weight unevenly and therefore spinal degeneration sets in. A chiropractor’s job is to try to restore the curves, if possible, and relieve pressure to the nerves. It is not always possible to restore curves. As time has a cumulative effect, it makes full correction impossible. The goal of the chiropractor, at that point, is to get your body to it’s optimal function and teach you how to keep it at that level, so that it does not go back to the point of injury it was in when you were first seen.

What can you do to keep your spine healthy? The first thing you can do is to have a talk with your doctor about correction of your spine, as much as is possible for you. He or she will talk to you about a treatment plan to correct the problem you have as much as possible. Once you have worked with your chiropractor to get to your optimal level, then YOU MUST come in for a spinal check-up usually once a month. Every person’s body is different and some can go longer and some must be seen more often to keep proper function going. A spinal check-up is done to prevent problems from sneaking up on you. The chiropractor can see problems that are starting and catch them before they get worse. This is often before you would feel the problem, but left alone, without correction could lead down a slippery slope of pain and more degeneration for you.

Why does your chiropractor talk about a treatment plan? Your doctor will most likely talk to you about correcting the problem as much as possible, to help prevent further degeneration. Your body, unfortunately is not like an air conditioner that can have parts replaced and easily fixed. It is with us for the long term and maintenance of the body is much easier than replacement of parts (surgery). When you come into the chiropractor, with pain, the problem usually has been developing over time and is now in a state of degeneration and needs some care to try to reverse some of the damage that has been done. There are three phases your doctor will discuss with you to get you better: The correction phase is where the goal is to decrease pain levels and decrease the swelling of the injury. The second phase is where we focus more on healing to the surrounding structures, the muscles, ligaments, tendons etc. The last phase is the rehabilitative phase, where our goal is to continue to work on the health of your spine while you are strengthening the muscles surrounding the region that was injured. This strengthening process helps prevent re-injury of the area involved. During this process you will be taught exercises that you, with your injury can specifically do. Our rehab specialists will work with you to make sure you are not re-injuring yourself while you do the exercises and he will make sure your form is proper. He can also teach you exercises to do at home. All phases are important, but the strengthening or rehab phase and spinal check-ups are the most important in keeping the level of health that you desire.

Next we will discuss therapeutic massage. Oftentimes, your doctor will recommend you see the massage therapist, because your adjustments are not “holding” as well as they should. When spinal joints are injured, the surrounding muscles do not get proper blood flow and so they can easily develop toxic areas that are called trigger points. Over time, your muscles can end up looking like a gristly piece of steak. The massage therapist will work to increase blood flow to the area and break up scar tissue, so the muscle can heal and functWhen spinal joints are injured, the surrounding muscles do not get proper blood flow and so they can easily develop toxic areas that are called trigger points. Over time, your muscles can end up looking like a gristly piece of steak. The massage therapist will work to increase blood flow to the area and break up scar tissue, so the muscle can heal and function properly.