Chiropractic Care is a complementary and alternative medicine health care profession and an approach to healing concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractors take an integrated and holistic medical approach to the health needs of their patients, considering physical, psychological and social factors. They provide care and support by improving health and wellness, and reducing pain and disability. As well as advice about self-help, exercise, diet and lifestyle. Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches.
Doctors of Chiropractic are often referred to as chiropractors or Chiropractic physicians practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling. The most common therapeutic procedure performed by Doctors of Chiropractic is known as “spinal manipulation,” also called “Chiropractic adjustment.” The purpose of manipulation is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become “Subluxated” hypomobile or restricted in their movement, as a result of a tissue injury caused by a single traumatic event, such as a slip and fall, auto accident, improper lifting of a heavy object, or through repetitive stresses, such as sitting in an awkward position with poor spinal posture for an extended period of time.
Some subluxations or misalignments may result in inference of nerve transmissions for the brain and spinal column to muscles, organs and tissue. It is common that some subluxations have no pain and people are not aware of them. Subluxations can cause decreased neurological innervation that can lead to muscle, organ and tissue failure. Also early degeneration of the spine or the joints affected because the spine or joint wears unevenly. In any case, injured tissues undergo physical and chemical changes that can cause inflammation, pain, and diminished function for the sufferer.
Chiropractors identify subluxations that create a malfunction and dysfunction. They correct misalignments, subluxations or restrictions by making "adjustments" or “manipulations” to the spine, affected muscles, joints, tissues or other parts of the body that are in need. Restoring mobility, alleviating pain, muscle tightness, improving tissue healing function, nerve function, joint and muscle function.
Doctors of Chiropractic may assess patients through clinical examination, laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging and other diagnostic interventions to determine when Chiropractic treatment is appropriate or when it is not appropriate. Chiropractors will readily refer patients to the appropriate health care provider when Chiropractic care is not suitable for the patient’s condition, or the condition warrants co-management in conjunction with other members of the health care team.