Chiropractic Philosophy, Purpose and Passion

Chiropractic is a natural, drug free health care that focuses on correcting the causes of physical problems rather than addressing just the symptoms. Chiropractic is based on a powerful premise : with normally functioning nerves, joints and spine, the body is better able to heal itself and stay healthy. By focusing on the health of your spine and nerves, your chiropractor works to restore the health of your entire body and guides you in a personalized approach to overall wellness -through spinal adjustments, exercise, good nutrition and stress management. Health is freedom.

Subluxations- What Chiropractors "Fix"

A "vertebral subluxation" (pronounced sub-lucks-aee-shun) is the reason for seeing a chiropractor. All of the examination and x-ray tests performed are for the purpose of finding a subluxation at a spinal joint.

Very simply, a subluxation involves 3 basic elements: muscle spasm and tightness, lack of proper joint movement, and nerve interference.

The last one, nerve interference, is the most important of the three. Muscle pain and spasm serve to alert you to the presence of nerve interference and motivate you to make an appointment but without good nerve supply, your body WILL NOT be healthy. The graphic on the left illustrates the damage of impaired nerve flow.

Your brain communicates with the rest of your body through the spinal cord and the nerves which branch from it. They go everywhere. Each muscle, joint, tissue, gland and organ receives communication from the brain over the nerve "information highway". A break in that communication causes missed messages and malfunction. This lowers your health potential and allows disease to take root.

Although we often feel nerve interference when the muscles of our back or neck ache, the problem can be much deeper. If a nerve channel is blocked, the potential for more than simple muscle pain becomes reality.

Our office has helped people of all ages with the standard joint and muscle symptoms, however, we have also witnessed improvements in bowel function, lung capacity, allergies, asthma and sinus pain, earaches, carpal tunnel, TMJ, and eyesight. The nervous system is a comprehensive and delicate system which regulates all other systems. It is wise to keep it "in tune." Chiropractic helps with the fine-tuning of your nervous system.

The chart below illustrates your spine with the nerves that exit between each vertebrae, where those nerves go and some possible problems you may experience when there is subluxation interfering with the nerves.

Degeneration- Spinal Decay Normal

The x-ray on the right shows the cervical spine (neck) from the side. One can see the jaw (mandible) and the back of the skull. The vertebrae are in good alignment there is a gentle forward curve to the spine - this is necessary for good health. There is no evidence of spinal disc or joint decay. This is a healthy, well adjusted-spine.	Normal
The x-ray on the right looks very different from the normal in one striking way: there is a reversal of the curve. Do you see it? This is the first stage of degenerative change. This is seen oftentimes following an accident or injury, such as whiplash. However, it can also occur over a period of years with repetitive positions or physical stress. That curve is needed to give maximum room for the physical movement of the spinal nerves in their special channel. It also allows proper mechanics (movement) of the spinal joints - without which the discs and joint begin to erode and decay.	Phase 1 Degeneration
This is a film of the 2nd phase of degeneration. Notice at the 5th, 6th, and 7th vertebrae there seems to be changes to the disc spaces. Compare the disc between 4/5 and the one at 5/6. The space at 5/6 is about half the size of the disc above. Think of what this change does to the spinal nerve exiting at the back side of the disc. This creates nerve interference, Pain and can be difficult to manage, but still possible to become symptom-free and restore nerve impulse.	Phase 2 Degeneration
In phase three, spurring and moderate fusion occurs. Look at the front of the 6/7 vertebrae. That is spurring. AKA ankylosing spondylitis. This can occur with long-standing subluxation and a progressive loss of proper joint motion. This stage is usually beyond the help of traditional chiropractic, however, there are soft-tissue techniques which will help with pain management.	Phase 3 Degeneration
This is complete fusion and loss of motion. Don't let yourself get to this stage. The last two phases are irreversible. You would never let your teeth decay like this. Don't let your spine decline either. Chiropractic help is designed to prevent this decay...	Phase 4 Degeneration

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