What is Chiropractic?
A chiropractor is one of many primary care physicians who are a part of your team to ultimately help to decrease pain, increase function, improve your daily quality of life and prevent further injuries. Chiropractors attend 3 years of a doctorate program with extensive knowledge in the musculoskeletal system (bones, muscles and joints). They are experts in diagnosing conditions, referring out when needed and co-managing with other physicians. Your health and function are their #1 priority. Chiropractors treat the WHOLE person and not just your symptoms.
Three things a modern day chiropractor, like myself, bases their practice off of are the following; evidence based medicine, patient centered-care and integrative care. An evidence based practice includes the patients needs, preferences and values, clinical expertise and research evidence.
Chiropractors are experts in your spine – but much more than that! They treat the WHOLE body, holistically and without the use of opioids! We aim to find the root of your problem instead of putting a bandaid on it. We want to relieve you of your pain and help prevent future issues!
Your spine is composed of 24 vertebrae which protects your spinal cord – the main highway for information to be conducted to and from your brain to the rest of your body. The joints, muscles and surrounding soft tissues provide stability for your spine and aid in your daily movements such as bending over to tie your shoes, swinging a golf club, picking up your kids or grandkids, and etc. Sometimes, you may experience joint dysfunction where movement may be inhibited at one or more segments in your spine or extremity. Not always, but sometimes pain may be associated with this joint dysfunction! Our job is to help you restore that motion, provide mobility and help build stability.
Chiropractic health care is NOT sick care. Avoid heavy pain killers if possible. Low back pain management guidelines recommend spinal manipulation (adjustments) as one of the top management options for low back pain. Chiropractic care results in lower surgeries and health care costs. Conservative care such as chiropractic is 20% more effective than medical care – the average medical doctor will prescribe muscle relaxants or a pain killer. While this may help some take “the edge off” it never really fixes the root of the problem. Chiropractors will aim to find the SOURCE of your pain. See future blog posts for conditions that chiropractors are experts in treating!
