What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is the branch of medicine that embraces natural healing methods, and understands that health depends on the proper functioning of the nervous system. The primary focus of a chiropractor (doctor of chiropractic) is the 24 moveable bones in the spine called vertebrae, and the nerves extending out from the spinal cord.

Chiropractors pride themselves on avoiding the use of drugs, needles, and surgery in their pursuit of a patient's health. Although referrals are regularly made if a patient's condition is outside of the doctor's expertise.

A chiropractor's primary tools are his or her hands. As a matter of fact, the word "chiropractic" is derived from the words "chiros" and "praktikos". These are two Greek words that simply translate to mean, "to use the hands".

Most patients see a chiropractor for neck pain, back pain, or headaches, but a number of people are now seeking medical care from chiropractors on a varying number of conditions.

Upon a first visit to a chiropractor, he or she will do a full examination of your spine and nervous system, as well as any associated areas, to determine if chiropractic can help.

Auto accidents, lifting injuries, slip and falls, stress, and bad posture are only a few of the potential causes of adverse effects on the spine and nervous system that can result in damage, abnormal alignment, and tension. A chiropractor reduces and corrects the misalignments and rehabilitates the damaged tissue thereby reducing pain, discomfort , and most importantly restoring the proper function of the nervous system.

The use of diet, exercise, physical therapy, and nutritional support are the other tools the chiropractor has to help manage a patient's health.

Most medical doctors now refer neck and back pain patients to chiropractors. This is due to several facts: a chiropractor's treatment methods are considered more conservative than the "old traditional medicine" approach, recent research has shown chiropractic to be the most effective treatment, and because patients have expounded the triumphs they have achieved to their M.D.s.