What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a natural, hands-on approach to healthcare centred around the function of the spine and nervous system. Chiropractic is based on the premise body’s innate ability to self heal and self regulate resides within the central nervous system, as it controls all the systems and processes of the human body. Interference to the nervous system can come about through physical chemical or emotional stress. Theses stressors have the ability to interfere with the brain’s communication with the body, manifesting as restriction to spinal joints. These restrictions are referred to by chiropractors as Vertebral Subluxations; these subluxations are subtle restrictions in movement between two vertebra which reduce the nerve flow to the target tissue, muscle, organ or gland.
What is a Subluxation?
A subluxation is abnormal nervous system function that manifests itself as a restriction of joint movement brought about by physical stress (trauma) chemical (environmental exposure to toxins) or auto-suggestion (emotional stress)
“A subluxation is a complex of functional and/or structural and/or pathological articular changes that compromise neural integrity and may influence organ system function and general health” -Association of chiropractic colleges position paper #1 1996
What is a Chiropractic adjustment?
A Chiropractic adjustment is the correction of a subluxation through the use of the chiropractors hands or instrument, with intent to restore full natural range of motion to restricted joints and to remove the interference to the nervous system to allow the body to self heal and self regulate.
Is Chiropractic care safe?
Chiropractic care is very safe, with majority of adverse effects from receiving a chiropractic adjustment are mild, ranging from post treatment lethargy to local discomfort. Haymo et. al 2007 Spine. The risk of stroke following a chiropractic adjustment range from 1 in 100 000 to 1 in 5.85 Million It is important to note that research into this topic does not demonstrate a causal link between chiropractic care and stroke.
Who can benefit from Chiropractic care?
People of all ages at any stage of life, at any activity level can benefit from chiropractic care, because chiropractic care focuses on reducing stress to the nervous system to allow your body to work at its very best without the use of drugs and surgery.
Is Chiropractic care suitable for children and pregnant women?
Chiropractic care during pregnancy has been shown to improve the function of the mother’s pelvis and lower back resulting in reducing labor time. Chiropractic care has also been shown to relieve stress and tension on the pelvis and ligaments that supper the uterus allowing for a smoother labor and delivery
“Dr Joan Fallon found that first-time mums averaged a 24% shorter labour, while experienced mothers (those who had given birth before) had a 39% reduction in the average labour time in a substantial percentage of births.”– Well Adjusted Babies
Chiropractic adjustments prior to delivery has been shown in a hospital setting to reduce the need for pain killers by up to 50% – Well Adjusted Babies
Regular chiropractic care during pregnancy can reduce some associated symptoms such as nausea, heartburn, constipation, and pubic pain – Well Adjusted Babies
Chiropractic care for babies and young children?
Traumatic births like C-section, forceps and vontouse can result in massive stress and strain placed on the baby’s nervous system in particular the bones of the baby’s skull and vertebra at the top of the neck. Safe and effective treatment from chiropractors can reduce these restrictions to allow for the baby nervous system to develop optimally so they reach their fullest potential
Children that have difficulty attaching while feeding, suffer from colic, have issues with bed wetting may experience improvement in these conditions due to subluxations affecting how their nervous system communicates with their body.
What is the cracking noise?
The cracking noise that is heard with a chiropractic adjustment is gas being liberated from the fluid in the spinal facet joints, when the chiropractor adjusts your spine the adjustment reduces the pressure in the joint allowing the gas to escape, much like opening a bottle of coke/champagne, once the pressure is equalized the gas forms bubbles pop creating the cracking sounds.
How many times should I see a chiropractor?
Everyone is a snowflake, and because everyone is different, the intensity and duration of treatment may vary in the initial stages of care. Chiropractic care can be sought to relieve pain or to improve function of their body as a lifestyle of wellness and prevention.
Are chiropractors only seen for back pain?
Chiropractors are trained to assess and treat both the upper and lower limb and have achieved fantastic results. Chiropractors make no claim to cure any disease, illness or aliment. The belief is if there is some form of nervous system interference that limits the ability of the target tissue to function, with regular care chiropractors can remove that interference allowing the body to function optimally, people have reported relief form conditions such as heart burn, reflux, colic, bloating, migraines, sinusitis.
How does Chiropractic help athletes?
The chiropractor can assist the athlete in many ways, from a injury prevention/surveillance perspective, making sure that the athletes body is free from nervous system interference resulting in improved muscle and joint function. Or a sports chiropractor may be involved in the rehabilitation and treatment of athletic injuries.
There is research to show that pelvic adjustment improves the activation of the quadriceps (1). Cervical adjustments also improve activation of the biceps (2) as well as elbow position sense (3). 1. Suter et. al JMPT 1999 2. Suter & McMorland Clin Biomech 2002 3. Haavik & Murphy JMPT 2011
Did you know that in US professional football, 77% of NFL trainers incorporate chiropractic care for the teams and players 31% of NFL teams have a Chiropractor officially on staff. – Stump & Redwood JMPT 2002
Something a little closer to home, Margie is the chiropractor that looks after the Adelaide Crows. Has assisted Adelaide United, she has also closely worked with the Australian Cycling team, attending the 2000 Sydney Olympics, 2004 Athens Olympics and numerous Cycling World Championships. However you don’t need to be a Pro athlete for chiropractic to take you to the next level.
What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is becoming increasingly popular as a technique for treating a range of musculoskeletal conditions. It is a technique used to treat pain arising from trigger points. Trigger points can develop as a result of overactive and tight muscles, which can be painful to touch. Not to be confused with the traditional practice of acupuncture, dry needling uses acupuncture needles only. The acupuncture needle can either be inserted superficially or deeper into the trigger point itself which helps inhibit the pain response.
Performed by an experienced practitioner, the benefits of dry needling include pain relief, a reduction in muscle tightness and an improvement in muscle activation. Used in conjunction with massage therapy, we are seeing.