Chiropractic doctors practice natural, drugless, non-invasive health care and rely on the body's ability to self-heal. Sounds ideal, but just how does it work?
We look at the whole picture
Like other health-care providers, we follow a standard routine to gain information about the patient. We consult, review the case history, conduct a physical examination, and we may request laboratory analyses and/or x-rays. Unlike other health-care providers, however, chiropractic physicians also conduct a careful analysis of the patient's structure and pay particular attention to the spine. We also ask you about your life- Do you eat well? Exercise at all? How do you deal with stress? Do you have children? What do you do for work? And so on.
We seek the origin of the problem
Using this information, a diagnosis is made. Included in the diagnosis is the probable reason for your pain or discomfort. It is important to note that chiropractors seek the origin of the illness in order to eliminate it-we do not simply treat the symptoms. If your roof is leaking, do you simply catch the drips in a bucket for years on end, or do you repair the roof to prevent it from leaking? Similarly, if the migraine headache you've had all week is being caused by misaligned vertebra and an irritated nerve, do you continue to take pain killers indefinitely, or do you realign the vertebra to prevent the pain? You get the picture.
We fix the origin of the problem
Chiropractors have a term for misalignments: subluxations. A vertebral subluxation is a misalignment of the bones that protect the spinal cord. It's a leak in the roof. Or a kink in the wiring of your nervous system. The severity of the subluxation can vary, and there are a number of potential contributing factors that can be physical, emotional, mental, or chemical. The subluxation can be caused by any number of incidents, from birth trauma to an auto accident to simple repetition or over-use.
In this section, you will find articles on the mechanics of chiropractic care, its effects, and misconceptions.
If you need to shed a few extra pounds, you're not alone. Excess weight is possibly the largest health concern in the United States today. According to the Surgeon General, well over half of all adults in the U.S. were overweight in 1999. The good news is that your chiropractor can help you achieve your
Is a lack of sleep thwarting your best weight loss efforts? There is much evidence to suggest that a lack of sleep goes hand-in-hand with weight gain. But first, it is important to address why you aren't sleeping well. Is your stress level or caffeine intake to blame? Or is your sleeplessness due to
Over the hill at age 65? Ready for the rocker at 70? Not these days. Americans are living longer and making more of their later years. One key is exercise. "Perhaps the most debilitating influence in people's health as they age is a sedentary life," said Dr. Jerome McAndrews, national spokesperson
Category:
Newsletter Library, Back, Body & Joint Pain
You never know until you hurt it how much you use your lower back all day long. When your lower back is injured, every movement becomes painful. Simple actions, such as getting out of a chair or bending over the sink, become excruciating, and your daily routine becomes difficult and frustrating.
Back
Ten to fifteen percent of Americans suffer from chronic insomnia. Do you?
Most of us experience an occasional sleepless night, but prolonged bouts
of insomnia can lead to decreased mental function, frazzled nerves, and
lowered immunity. The good news is that you don’t have to pop
It used to be that osteoporosis was considered a disease that affected
only the elderly. We particularly associated osteoporosis with older women
whose backs were slightly hunched over or those who could no longer stand
up straight. Today, the truth is that an estimated 20 million American
During a graduate nutrition course at the University of Minnesota, a professor
posed a challenge to the class: Construct a 2000 calorie-per-day diet that
at least met the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for vitamins and
minerals without the use of supplements. Most of the graduate
Stress, sleep deprivation and fatigue have been no small component of
Dr. Michael Benson’s life. As a fetal surgeon, Benson is often up
for 24- to 36-hour stretches at a time looking after patients. He has little
time to rest or eat regular, healthy meals. It’s no wonder he has
If you have a headache, you're not alone. Nine out of ten Americans suffer
from headaches. Some are occasional, some frequent, some are dull and throbbing,
and some cause debilitating pain and nausea.
What do you do when you suffer from a pounding headache? Do you grit your
teeth
Category:
Newsletter Library, Back, Body & Joint Pain
Who hasn't had neck pain at one time or another? What's more, many of us have experienced on-going neck troubles at some point during our lives. Looking at human anatomy, it's no wonder pain strikes us so often in this vulnerable area. While the neck structure gives us an amazing range of movement with
It’s
hard to turn on the television or listen to the radio without hearing about
the dangers of an impending pandemic of the Avian Flu (often called the ‘bird
flu’). Day after day, the media interview expert after expert who
claim that the bird flu is going to cause massive
So, it's a New Year, which traditionally means it's time for a fresh start.
This year, why not make a resolution to improve your health? It's time
to start the self-improvement plans we've been putting off for so long.
Following these ten tips will increase your chances of living longer
Looking your best might not always be the best thing for you. Today's
society is extremely fashion and style conscious. Unfortunately, clothing
designers and stylists aim to please by creating unique looks that might
not always be practical or even comfortable.
The look of the season
Category:
Newsletter Library, Back, Body & Joint Pain
Traveling can be rough on the body. Whether you are traveling alone on businessor on your way to a sunny resort with your family, long hours in a caror an airplane can leave you stressed, tired, stiff and sore."Prolonged sitting can wreak havoc on your body," says Dr. Scott Bautch, immediate past president
When snow, ice and frigid weather blast into town, watch out, says the
American Chiropractic Association (ACA). Winter recreational activities
and chores can pose problems for the outdoor enthusiast whose body is not
in condition. Winter sports like skating, skiing and sledding can
The day after Thanksgiving is a milestone of sorts in America. It reminds
us of just how quickly the year has gone by— and how close we are
to the holiday season. This realization— coupled with the fabulous
sales at major department stores and malls everywhere— helps make