Chronic Stress Can Kill You; Why You Need Chiropractic

Chronic stress is a common component to the daily life of most people in the American society. Low-grade chronic stress is a contributing element to all major diseases and current undesirable health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, depression, and others.

How does chronic stress affect one’s nervous system and, importantly, can regular chiropractic care help mitigate the effects?

Autonomic Nervous System

The autonomic portion of your nervous system is continuously active and controls just what it sounds like it would, the automatic functions of the body. It’s comprised of the parasympathetic nervous system, the sympathetic nervous system, and the enteric nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system deals with the resting and repair activities such as tears, salivation, food digestion and elimination.

The sympathetic nervous system deals with the opposite -- fight, flight, or freeze response. This system shunts the body’s functions away from resting and digesting and into protective functions.

Chronic Stress Response

When the body is under chronic low-grade stress, the sympathetic nervous system remains active at a steady rate that is higher than normal yet not as high as if your life was in danger at this exact moment. Some causes of low-grade stress are working long hours for extended periods of time, family and life demands, less than optimal sleep -- whether in length or quality, bad posture, low water consumption, poor food choices, and more.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic adjustments affect the whole communication of the nervous system. Different areas of the spine correlate directly with specific stimulation or deregulation of different areas of the nervous system. For instance, if a patient’s nervous system is highly overactive and has been for a great period of time, the doctor of chiropractic can focus on adjusting areas of the spine that stimulate joint motion and nervous system function in segments in which the nerves are specifically associated with parasympathetic functioning such as upper cervical joints (upper neck) and the lowest lumbar and sacral regions (low back). In doing this, the thought process is to assure optimal nervous system communication and flow in the areas that ultimately promote rest and digesting function. In supporting proper joint movement and optimal nervous system function of those areas, the idea is that it will promote the calming elements of the nervous system and take pressure off of the overactive sympathetic component.

One of the most frequent comments patients say after getting adjusted is “I simply feel better and have a greater sense of ease.” I contend that when the nervous system is rebooted through the quick impulse of the adjustment, the tension of the muscle fibers is released and reset, and the joints experience a restoration of motion; this is enough to create some space for folks to feel and enjoy the decrease in the chronic stress load.

Add regular chiropractic adjustments to one’s healthcare routine and this is enough to create a major shift in one’s health and life. Come on in and see the doctors at The Joint Chiropractic and let us help you help yourself in decreasing stress this year in your life!

Are You Doing Self-Care All Wrong?

When you think of the phrase “self-care,” what immediately comes to mind? Maybe a candle lit bath, a sweet treat, a relaxing massage.
For some people, these are definitely ways to feel good, calm and cared for. However, that’s not all self-care is. Over the last few years, self-care has become a three billion dollar industry, and that really muddies the water. It’s crucial that you’re able to separate between the things that you need (not the things you’re told you need), and the things that you want, so you can find out what self-care means for you. Today, let’s take a look at that process!
(And trust us, you are more than worth the effort.)

What Is Self-Care

According to The University of Buffalo’s School of Social Work, self-care “refers to activities and practices that we can engage in on a regular basis to reduce stress and maintain and enhance our short- and longer-term health and well-being.” So… bath bombs and massages… that can be a part of it! But look a little deeper; what is it that you need in order to be and stay well?

It’s All About You

Realistically, figuring out what you need can be hard. Self-care, itself, can be hard. And it’s not always pretty. Sometimes it’s taking the time out of your busy schedule to eat something healthy that makes your body feel good. Sometimes it’s making that doctor’s appointment you’re a little scared to make. Sometimes it’s saying no to a night out, even if it makes you feel guilty, because you’ve been tired lately and know you need the rest.
Self-care is advocacy. It’s taking the reins of your own physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health —whatever that means to you—and if you don’t know what that means for you, self-care is making sure you take the time to figure that out.

How To Get Started

If you’re someone who doesn’t even know where to start, don’t worry. For the next few days, go throughout your daily life. Keep in a journal or notebook all the prominent things you do, think and feel during the day. Really think about your life and the role you play in it.
Then, begin to make a list. Put two or three things (don’t overwhelm yourself!) that greatly impact how you feel and function (whether you’re currently honoring those things or not), and one by one, begin making small changes. For instance, if you find that you’re tired all the time, and that it’s really impeding on your life, add that to the list. Think of a few ways that you could make room for quality sleep, the things you will have to make peace with sacrificing and also the gains you will make with each day. Maybe you’ll have to do some research; maybe you’ll need to consult a professional.
The journey will be different for each person. The crucial thing is that you follow it through until you find methods and strategies that work for you.
Because you are important and you deserve to be happy.

5 Answers to Your Most-Asked Chiro Questions

It’s true—the number of patients across the globe who’ve reaped the benefits of chiropractic care is now the highest it’s ever been. Amazing, right? And while that means more and more people are finding relief and embracing the importance of spinal health, it also means curiosity is at an all-time high. Let’s take a look at some of our most frequently asked questions!

Is Chiropractic Safe?

Very much so! Chiropractic has an excellent safety record. It’s a conservative, all-natural approach to healthcare that avoids invasive procedures or addictive drugs. In fact, malpractice rates between chiropractors and other healthcare professionals are very different—our malpractice premiums are only a small fraction of the cost compared to those for medical doctors.

Can I Adjust Myself?

Please don’t! Your chiropractic physician has years of training, education and experience under their belt and is a pro at adjusting your spine safely, correctly and accurately. A chiropractic adjustment versus bending and twisting yourself certain ways to “crack your back” are very different things—in fact, self-joint manipulation can be pretty counterproductive and sometimes dangerous, making an already unstable spine even worse.

Are All Patients Adjusted the Same Way?

No; every person is different and has his or her own unique needs. At Franklin Chiropractic & Accident Clinics, Inc., our doctors of chiropractic evaluate each person’s spinal issues and symptoms and develop an individual treatment plan that best addresses that specific patient’s concern.

What Causes that Popping Sound During an Adjustment?

We know that sometimes it can make people nervous, but in reality, the “popping” sound you hear during a chiropractic adjustment is nothing to be worried about. This sound is painless and completely harmless. It’s caused by natural gases in your body rushing to fill the partial vacuum that’s created when your joints shift. It’s not an indicator of any problems. In fact, not all adjustments make a sound! Pretty cool, right?

Why Should I Go to a Chiropractor?

It’s a common misconception that chiropractic only helps people with back pain—and while the American College of Physicians does recommend conservative care, like chiropractic, first for back pain sufferers, that’s not the only condition it may help! Chiropractic is helpful for a wide variety of health problems. It helps improve nerve system function, which in turn, encourages the body to heal.

Why You Should Consider Homemade Baby Food

Many things have been changing in the baby world: Cloth diapers, baby-wearing, attachment parenting and homemade baby food have recently become all the rage. As advocates of organic, whole foods and natural diets, we love the idea of making your own baby food. 
 

The Truth about Commercial Baby Food

Most adults were once fed out of cute little jars with a grinning, toothless baby on the label. But what our moms didn’t know is that many of these commercial baby food companies add in a ton of water, sugar, salt and corn syrup—which depletes the nutrients. Even worse are the added thickening agents like flours and chemically modified starches.

A study published by the Center for Science in the Public Interest reported that in many cases your child is only getting 20 to 30 percent of the nutrients found in the fresh, whole version of the fruit or vegetable. For example, Gerber’s Bananas with Tapioca provides only 28 percent of the riboflavin, vitamin B6 and potassium per ounce than that of its natural counterpart.

Processed Baby Food & Allergies

Reuters Health just revealed a study out of the United Kingdom that correlated fresh, unprocessed baby foods with a decreased risk of food allergies. By analyzing the food diaries maintained by the parents of 1,140 infants, researchers found that the babies without food allergies were mainly fed fruits, vegetables, poultry and fish.

Considering that 1 in every 13 children in the United States has a food allergy, this is a huge finding. In 2008, the CDC reported an 18 percent increase in food allergy amongst Americans from 1997 to 2007. Could all the processed foods Americans ingest be directly related to the increasing rate of food allergies?

How to Safely Make Baby Food

Homemade food for your little bundle of joy may be much easier than you think. There are many whole foods out there that can easily be mashed up on the spot for a great meal. Try bananas, avocado, squash or sweet potato. You can also use a blender or small grinder to chop or puree veggies like cooked peas or carrots, greens, asparagus or broccoli and fruits like mangoes, pears, peaches or apricots.
Foodsafety.gov reminds parents to never feed your child raw, unpasteurized milk, honey, home-canned food or outdated canned food. Some other tips include:

• Wash your hands and all equipment thoroughly
• Wash all fruits and vegetables
• To avoid cross-contamination, use separate cutting boards for produce and meats
• Be sure to cook all meats thoroughly
• Don’t store prepared meat, poultry or fish in the fridge for more than 24 hours; 48 hours for fruits and veggies
• Frozen food must reach an internal temperature of 165 °F before serving
• Do not defrost baby foods in water or leave them at room temperature to thaw

Remember, choosing organic means you’re avoiding loads of pesticides. Also, please follow your pediatrician’s recommendations for introducing foods to your child.

Chiropractic: Turning A Time Card Into Time Well Spent

There’s a group of people we interact closely with as much, or more, than our families. Statistically, we spend more time with our work family than we do with our loved ones. Supervisors, fellow employees and colleagues all make up the working relationships that are such a large part of who we are.

Even punching a time card in a small office, we’re typically exposed to more threats to our health than we are with the spouse and 2.2 children waiting for us at home. And we’re exposed to just as many stressors.

There are many things we can do to improve our health and work relationships, but did you ever think about your spine being one of them? The spine is your body’s command center, your first line of defense against everything. An aligned spine, one that is allowing your nervous system to communicate freely, gives you the ability to respond positively to life’s unknown events.

It comes as no surprise that health care costs have skyrocketed over the years while the quality of care received has remained the same in many cases. For companies, this cost is even greater with loss of work due to sickness and injuries -- and rising health insurance premiums to boot. Many of these injuries and illnesses are preventable. Employers are looking for ways to improve performance, decrease cost and provide an enjoyable, healthier work environment. Feeling better, functioning better, playing better, communicating better and ultimately working better often results in a greater bottom line. A greater bottom line to your company may also mean more money in your pocket as well. Not a bad exchange.

Health Benefits

Doctors of chiropractic focus on helping their patients achieve a properly functioning spine and nervous system. When spinal joints are functioning properly, you can perform better which may give rise to the following critical benefits:

• A happier workplace environment - Chiropractic has been shown to be effective in the reduction or elimination of pain, as well as muscle tension and stress-related conditions.
• Increased performance - Chiropractic improves joint mobility, physical performance and overall function. Imagine making decisions with a clearer head.
• Fewer sick days - Chiropractic care has been shown to produce reparative and preventative benefits. Wouldn’t it be great spending your allotted personal time off at the beach instead of the doctor’s office?
• More efficient and increased productivity - Chiropractic care often results in increased daily activity and productivity.

These advantages are like gold for an employer, but also for you and your work colleagues. Imagine everyone feeling and performing at their optimal level.
The spine has an excellent musculoskeletal memory. Just like your teeth, it is recommended that you take care to provide it with proper care from a young age. Maintaining proper range of motion in the spine is paramount to controlling pain, promoting an active lifestyle and enabling you to enjoy a higher quality of life. And enjoying work more.

How Chiropractic Can Help

When one or more joints become restricted in the spine, it causes a lack of motion that, in turn, can cause an interruption of the nerve communication from the brain to the body. This interruption can affect the cells, tissues and organs of the body many times inhibiting your performance. Licensed doctors of chiropractic (such as those at The Joint Chiropractic), referred to as DCs, apply a gentle, targeted movement to the restricted joints to improve motion of the body’s spinal column and extremities, thereby enhancing nerve function. This highly controlled procedure is known as a chiropractic adjustment.

As you can see, visiting a chiropractor is more than just having your back “cracked” or “popped.” Having a spine that is free from nerve interference is your first line of defense to whatever life may throw at you. In addition, a properly functioning spine may result in better decisions, better health, better experiences, better memories and better moments of laughter and joy. If work is important to you, then these things will be important to you as well.

If an improved work environment and quality of life sounds like something you want, then make chiropractic a part of your wellness lifestyle and have your spine checked for joint dysfunctions. Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest, drug-free, non-invasive forms of health care available. Whether suffering from pain or not, keeping your body functioning at its peak may be one of the best investments you will ever make if for no other reason than you’re more productive. More and more people are experiencing the benefits of routine chiropractic care. They are learning that chiropractic makes a much better vitamin than it does an aspirin; unlike medicine that masks a problem, chiropractic aims to fix the root cause of the problem. Discover how millions of Americans have not only found relief from pain, but also a pathway to wellness and a healthier, more active lifestyle by making chiropractic part of their healthy habit regimen.

Quell the Swell: 5 Foods That Fight Inflammation

Do you feel like you’ve tried everything but still experience back pain? If so, maybe it’s time to look more closely at the food you’re eating. A lot of people don’t realize that a majority of their diet contains inflammatory foods such as sodium, gluten, trans fats and aspartame. To help reduce arthritis, joint and back pain, it is recommended you eat an anti-inflammatory diet containing nuts, veggies, meats, and healthy fats (similar to the Paleo diet). Here are five other foods to help decrease inflammation.

Oranges

Oranges are filled with Vitamin C, which not only kicks a head cold to the curb, but helps fight arthritis pain. It prevents cells from experiencing a surplus of inflammation and oxidative stress, which aids in reducing joint pain. You don’t just have to stick to oranges though. Other fruits and vegetables such as bell peppers, grapefruits, raspberries, strawberries, cabbage, and sweet potatoes also contain loads of Vitamin C.

Green Tea

Green tea has been used in medicine for centuries, but a recent study shows that it could be beneficial for people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Green tea helps absorb antioxidants and fights compounds that harm healthy cells. Like Vitamin C, green tea contains anti-inflammatory properties, which reduces joint pain and irritation.

Fish

Most fish, including salmon, contain a large amount of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are known to reduce inflammation. You can also get omega-3s through walnuts or flaxseeds, but your body only absorbs a small percentage of it. It’s better to get your intake from fish than from fish oil supplements.

Purple Grapes

Purple grapes (that’s right—red wine), and purple and red food in general, contain an antioxidant called proanthocyanidins. This antioxidant helps decrease inflammation by restricting enzymes and unstable molecules that damage cells. You can also find it in blackberries, cranberries, cherries, cinnamon, and even nuts like hazelnuts, pecans and almonds.

Ginger

Ginger contains gingerols, which is an anti-inflammatory compound. It has been shown to reduce inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. The best part about ginger is that it is easy to implement into your diet. You can use a juicer to add ginger to any drink (add it to orange juice for extra anti-inflammatory power). You can also make your own ginger tea, or add it to your salad dressing.
Although making your diet anti-inflammatory is beneficial, there are other ways you can try to relieve joint and back pain. Going to a chiropractor can be a convenient and easy way to reduce pain and improve joint mobility along the way.

11 Chiropractic Facts That'll Amaze You

The number of those benefiting from chiropractic care continues to rise as more and more people discover the importance of good spinal health. If you’re a patient of chiropractic, you probably know a lot about what the therapy can do for you—but what about the profession itself? Here are some chiropractic fun facts you definitely didn’t see coming.

1. The term “chiropractic” is a combination of two Grecian words: cheir which means hand, and praktos which means done. “Done by Hand”... fitting, right?
2. The first chiropractic adjustment was given in 1895 by Daniel David Palmer (the father of Chiropractic!) who helped a janitor, Harvey Lillard, regain his hearing after a back accident he suffered 17 years prior.
3. Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) go through a minimum of 4,200 hours of classroom, lab and clinical internships during their 4-year doctoral graduate school program. Perspective: If you combine all that time, that’s 175 days straight. Oof.
4. It is estimated that Doctors of Chiropractic (DCs) treat over 35 million Americans (adults and children) annually.
5. There are about 95,000 doctors of chiropractic in active practice across the globe, and about 10,000 students are currently enrolled in chiropractic education programs in the United States alone.
6. 32 National Football League teams utilize chiropractic! All 32 teams have their own chiropractor to boost performance, maintain wellness and treat musculoskeletal strain and injury.
7. Unbeknownst to quite a few, infants can benefit greatly from chiropractic care. It makes sense—birth can be pretty hard on a little body! The adjustment is adapted to suit their needs and is perfectly safe.
8. Each day, over one million adjustments take place across the globe. That’s a whole lot of relief!
9. Chiropractic is recognized and regulated by law in over 40 countries! And in the United States, D.Cs are licensed in all 50 of them!
10. An injured worker is 28 times less likely to have spinal surgery if the first point of contact is a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC), rather than a surgeon.
11. Treatment for low back pain (a common symptom treated by chiropractic care) initiated by a DC costs up to 20 percent less than when started by a MD.

Can Chiropractic Adjustments Lower High Blood Pressure?

One-third of the adult population, around 70 million Americans, have high blood pressure (hypertension). In addition, 1 in 3 Americans has prehypertension, which means higher than normal blood pressure numbers. Even more alarming: 1 in 5 adults with high blood pressure do not know they have it, because typically there are no associated symptoms.
Thankfully, chiropractic offers a drug-free approach to treating high blood pressure. Read on to learn more.

Understanding Blood Pressure and Hypertension

Each time the heart beats, it's pumping blood into the arteries of the body. Blood pressure is the force of the blood as it pushes against the walls of the arteries. The two numbers in a blood pressure reading are systolic, the top number that measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats, and diastolic, which is the bottom number measuring the pressure in the arteries between beats.
Normal levels are 120/80 and lower, prehypertension levels are 120-139/80-89, hypertension stage 1 is 140-159/90-99, hypertension stage 2 is 160/100 or higher, and hypertension crisis (emergency care needed) is 180/110 or higher.

The Risks of Hypertension

This common condition is more dangerous and fatal than many people realize. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists high blood pressure as the primary or contributing cause of more than 360,000 American deaths in 2013. That's nearly 1,000 deaths each day.
The CDC also states that with high blood pressure, there's a great risk of other dangerous conditions:

• First heart attack: 70 percent of adults who have a first heart attack have high blood pressure
• First stroke: 80 percent of adults who have their first stroke have high blood pressure
• Chronic heart failure: 70 percent of adults with chronic heart failure have high blood pressure
• Kidney failure: High blood pressure is the second leading cause of kidney failure 

 

Treatment of High Blood Pressure

Fortunately, high blood pressure is simple to diagnosis and there are many methods of treatment. Regularly, doctors prescribe medication to control hypertension, but blood pressure often can be lowered using natural, non-pharmaceutical methods. Lifestyle changes play a big role in blood pressure; losing weight, exercising regularly, eating well, reducing excess sodium, limiting alcohol, quitting smoking, cutting back on caffeine and reducing stress all positively contribute to healthy blood pressure levels.

Chiropractic Adjustments and Lowered Blood Pressure

In March of 2007, the Journal of Human Hypertension published a study that demonstrated a significant decrease in blood pressure following a chiropractic adjustment to the Atlas vertebra (located at the base of the skull). This study involved 50 individuals with high blood pressure; the improvement in blood pressure levels continued into the eighth week following the adjustment—potentially longer, as the study only assessed the patients following the adjustment and at a follow-up visit eight weeks later.

Make an appointment to talk to a chiropractic doctor about chiropractic and high blood pressure.

Treatments of the Sacroiliac Joint

A common joint disorder involves the sacroiliac joint, which links the bottom of the spine with pelvic bone. This joint endures a lot of pressure and absorbs the shocks from the upper body.

 

While it is a very strong and mostly stationary joint, the sacroiliac joint can become damaged or impaired. Sacroiliac joint dysfunction can mimic many of the symptoms of herniated lumbar disc. People with sacroiliac joint dysfunction typically complain of pain on one side of their lower back or buttocks. The pain can sometimes shoot down one or leg or both, sometimes extending all the way down to the foot.

 

Possible chiropractic treatments include:

    -Spine manipulation or adjustment
    -A joint injection (if pain warrants)
    -Analgesics
    -Exercise
    -Ice therapy

Treatments for Whiplash

Whiplash is an injury to the cervical spine, or neck, and occurs when the muscles and other soft tissues are hyperextended or hyperflexed. Whiplash can damage the intervertebral discs of the upper spine.

Most instances of whiplash occur during a front- or rear-end automobile collision. The force of the vehicle being struck, or striking another object are quite powerful, and can cause the neck muscles, ligaments, and tendons to twist and turn with incredible, unnatural force. These tissues, which are stretched far beyond their natural limits, can become torn and in some cases, permanently damaged. In addition, vertebral discs in the cervical spine can bulge, tear, and rupture.

A chiropractic examination of a possible whiplash injury entails assessing whether a serious injury warrants hospitalization, and which tissues and spinal structures have been injured.

The exam may include such things as a cranial nerve examination, reflex and motor skill tests, and motion palpation, which assesses the spinal joints' mobility and pain response.

Possible treatments for whiplash may include:

• Muscle relaxation or stimulation, which entails gentle muscles stretches and/or finger pressure on specific sensory trigger points
• Heat therapy
• Ice therapy
• Spinal manipulation
• Range of motion and other therapeutic exercises designed to test the stability and integrity of the neck muscles and correct unnatural movement patterns in the neck and other areas
• Consultation about proper ergonomics, including tools used during work, as well as mattresses and pillows

Some people who incur whiplash supplement their chiropractic treatment with a device called a cervical collar, a soft cushion that envelopes the neck and keeps the weight of the head from applying undue pressure to damaged tissues during the healing process. Other methods may employ a cervical traction device, which keeps the neck immobile.

Most people who suffer whiplash can heal properly in two to four weeks, providing they follow the treatment regimen outlined by their chiropractor. Sever cases of whiplash involving trauma to the spine or discs may require surgery.

Treatments for Sleep Apnea

Mechanical manipulation can offer some relief for people suffering from sleep apnea. Manipulation may improve the function of the muscles in your chest wall, and thus, help you breathe more easily and boost the oxygenation of your blood during sleep. In addition, manipulation can lower pain and restlessness and improve the reflexes of your spinal cord that control blood flow.

Acupuncture also has been shown to complement other kinds of therapy in treating people with sleep disorders such as apnea. If you have anatomical problems like airway obstructions, acupuncture can sometimes be used to open the airway.

Treatments for Migraines

Some recent studies have shown that patients suffering from chronic headaches and migraines may benefit more from long-term chiropractic care than drug therapy alone.

For headaches that originate in the cervical ( neck) area, chiropractic treatment such as spinal manipulation has been shown to be quite effective. A 2001 Duke University study, for example, found that spinal manipulation provided relief for patients with headaches that originate in the neck, and resulted in fewer side effects than medication. Researchers in that study concluded that such treatments as relaxation training, thermal biofeedback combined with electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback, cognitive-behavioral therapy, nutritional changes, and to a lesser degree, acupuncture, are all modestly effective in treating migraine headaches.

Treatments for Discs

A whole host of things can go wrong with a vertebral disc over a lifetime. A traumatic injury can crush or misplace a disc. An excessive pulling or lifting accident at home or on the job can force a disc out of position. And for some of us, simply getting older can cause a disc to deteriorate. This is usually called degenerative disc disease.

The vast majority of disc injuries occur in the lower back or lumbar region. When a damaged lumbar disc presses on a nerve root, it can cause radiating pain, numbness and weakness in other areas of the body, including the buttocks, leg, ankles and toes. Ironically, in many cases, a person with a herniated disc will not feel back or neck pain.

Cervical (neck) discs that have herniated can cause radiating pain and numbness down an arm and into the wrist and hand. Other types of symptoms include shoulder pain and numbness, as well as muscle and reflex weakness.

Chiropractic care entails a conservative, nonsurgical approach to treating disc injuries and other disc-related problems, and is often a course of treatment prior to any surgery, if recommended by a primary care physician or surgeon. And in other cases, disc injuries may heal themselves without any intervention.

Before undertaking any course of chiropractic treatment for a disc problem or injury, patients are thoroughly examined. This examination includes such things as analysis of posture, limb measurements, and pelvic balance, gait and reflex analyses. It is important to know whether the disc problem is a result of an injury or disease. If more information is needed, a diagnostic test, such as a MRI or X-ray, may be required to accurately pinpoint the source of the problem.

Treatments may include spinal adjustment or manipulation, and therapies such as electrotherapy and ice/heat therapy.

Specific techniques for treating disc injury include:

• Flexion-distraction - The patient lies on a specialized table that gently stretches the spine, allowing the chiropractor to pinpoint the affected disc while slightly flexing the spine. These procedures gently move the disc away from an affected nerve, slowing or eliminating inflammation, and pain.
• Pelvic blocking - This method employs cushioned wedges that are placed under each side of the hips. The chiropractor gently maneuvers the pelvic area, allowing gravity to pull the disc away from the affected nerve.

Corsets, Braces, and Splints

Corsets, braces and splints are used in chiropractic treatment. A common application of braces is used to treat children with idiopathic scoliosis, or curvature of the spine.

Back braces are only recommended for younger children (girls between 11 and 13, and boys between 12 and 14). The primary goal of orthodontic treatment involving a back brace is to stop the progression of the curvature; braces do not normally reverse curvature that has already taken place.

Adjustments

Chiropractic adjustments have been shown to be a safe and effective alternative treatment for pain and injury.

Chiropractors perform 95 percent of all adjustments in the world to correct the subluxations, or misalignments, of the vertebrae in the spine. Chiropractic adjustments are performed by applying gentle, yet firm pressure to a bone. The goal of any adjustment is to restore the bone to its natural, or original, position. The important thing to remember is the act the adjustment frees-not forces-a vertebrae to allow it to find its natural position. This is accomplished by the body's innate intelligence.

Chiropractic adjustments are performed to treat a wide variety of conditions, including (but not limited to):

• Arthritis
• Bursitis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive strain disorders
• Chronic muscle pain and stiffness
• Headaches
• Most musculoskeletal and sports-related injuries
• Nerve disorders
• Pain and stiffness in the back, chest, abdomen, neck, hips and shoulders, as well as extremities such as arms, legs, and feet
• Sciatica pain
• Scoliosis
• Tendonitis
• Whiplash and other traumatic injuries

Adjustments can be performed while sitting, standing, or lying down. Some adjustments involve special instruments or tables.

Some common adjustment techniques include:

• Instrument adjustments, which involve a spring-loaded device.
• Lumbar roll, in which the chiropractor applies a firm, yet quick thrust to a misaligned vertebra while the patient lies on his or her side.
• Motion palpation, a hand technique the chiropractor uses to determine if your vertebrae are properly aligned.
• Release work, in which the chiropractor uses gentle pressure with the fingers to separate the vertebrae.
• Table adjustments, which entail lying on a specially designed table that drops when pressure is applied to a specific area. The dropping motion allows more gentle adjustments than some manual adjustments do.
• Toggle drop, which entails firm pressure applied on a specific area of the spine by using crossed hands.

Chiropractors take many factors-including size, weight, and muscle structure-into consideration when deciding on which adjustment to make. Sometimes, ice, electrical stimulation, or massage therapy (including traction massage) are used prior to a spinal manipulation in order to relax the muscles.

In some cases, it may necessary to perform an adjustment while you are sedated. Spinal manipulation under anesthesia, which is considered a very safe procedure, is usually reserved for patients with conditions such as chronic neck, back, and joint pain, muscle spasm, shortened muscles, and fibrous adhesions.

Another form of adjustment called craniosacral therapy, or "CST," involves exerting very mild pressure to the body's craniosacral system, which is comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. This includes the cranium-which is composed of the skull, face and mouth, and the "sacrum," or tailbone. CST has been shown to provide relief from chronic neck and back pain, scoliosis, brain and spinal cord injuries, migraines, chronic fatigue, nervous system disorders, jaw joint problems, and stress disorders. (Such conditions as aneurysm and intracranial hemorrhage prohibit this kind of therapy.)

Adjustments almost always do not involve any pain or discomfort. The important thing for a patient to keep in mind is to remain relaxed, because stiffening up may impede the adjustment process. Popping sounds are sometimes heard during adjustments; these are usually pockets of air being released behind a joint or other bony structure.

Adjustments can leave you with a greater sense of well-being, calm, and most importantly, on the road to a life without pain. Following an adjustment, some patients experience mild aching or soreness in their spinal joints or muscles, which can usually be relieved by an ice or heat pack.

Adjustments have been shown to:

• Increase blood flow
• Increase pain tolerance levels
• Increase range of motion
• Increase the body's secretion of "good" chemicals such as melatonin and endorphins
• Reduce blood pressure
• Reduce tension and muscle pressure

Neurological Exams

A neurological examination is sometimes performed to determine if any part of your body has incurred damage to its central nervous system. Many health problems have been associated with nerve damage, and such, this exam can significantly improve the chances of making a thorough diagnosis.

A neurological exam involves a thorough exploration of the body's arms, legs, and trunk.

If you have a neurological exam, your chiropractor may look for signs of:

• Bowel or bladder problems
• Gait problems (walking, running, climbing stairs, etc.)
• Muscle spasms or twitching
• Numbness, tingling, or pain and whether changing positions relieves those symptoms
• Problems with balance
• Weakened muscle strength and tone
• Weakened reflexes (a sign of possible damage to the spinal cord, nerves, or muscles)
• Weakness (consistent or intermittent) in your arms or legs

Ice Therapy

In many cases, temporary pain, and even additional injury, can be minimized and even avoided by a simple application of ice. Ice, applied in a timely manner and in an appropriate way, can reduce inflammation. Inflammation left unchecked can allow the source of the pain to continue doing damage to muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other structures.

Ice causes the veins in the affected tissue area to constrict. This reduces the flow of blood while acting as kind of anesthetic to numb the pain. But when the ice is removed (and this is key), the veins compensate by opening large, allowing a large volume of blood to rush to the affected area. The blood brings with it important chemicals that aid in the healing process.

Ice therapy is not recommended as a form of treatment for any kinds of rheumatoid arthritis, Raynaud's Syndrome (a circulatory disorder of blood vessels of the extremities), colds or allergic conditions, paralysis, or areas of impaired sensation.

Exercise

Exercise and other kinds of physical activity can go far in keeping your body strong and healthy, able to fight disease and ward off injuries from pulling, pushing and lifting. A healthy and fit body also generally recovers faster from Injury and Pain.

In general, there are three basic types of exercise: strengthening. stretching and aerobic. Here's a brief description:

• Strengthening exercises focus on the abdominal and back muscles because these play a key role in supporting your spine and maintaining good posture.
• Stretching exercises target the soft tissues in your legs and surrounding your spine. These muscles provide the flexibility you need to move and get around.
• Aerobic exercises foster a strong and healthy heart and lung function. These kinds of exercises generally involve large muscle groups.

Other kinds of mild exercises include those that help you correct or maintain good posture (with a focus on the neck and back); ease tension from prolongued periods of sitting.

Lifestyle and Nutrition Counseling

Chiropractors believe that when your body is in a state of homeostasis, or balance, all of its varied systems function properly to repair or reverse injury or disease.

It is a holistic approach to patient care, one that focuses on a patient's total wellness, or well-being, instead of specific diseases, or ailments. This intricate physiological and biochemical interrelationship among various parts of your body-including its spinal, musculoskeletal, neurological, and vascular systems-is what chiropractors dedicate themselves to exploring and treating, with special attention to nutrition, exercise, and healthy emotional and environmental relationships. When one or more of these systems is impaired, your body ceases to function normally and your resistance to disease is compromised. 

Lifestyle counseling is a critical part of what Chiropractic Care involves-from providing advice on lifting techniques, sleep, posture, exercise, and nutrition and diet, to ergonomic work environments and sports and recreational injury prevention.

Exercise and other kinds of physical activity can go far in keeping your body strong and healthy, able to fight disease and ward off injuries from pulling, pushing and lifting. A healthy and fit body also generally recovers faster from injury and pain. Like exercise, proper nutrition provides a wealth of benefits-both physical and emotional-that contribute to your body's strength and its ability to ward off disease and disability. A healthy diet translates into a healthy body; the proper mix of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are the best recipe for ensuring your skeletal, muscular, nervous and circulatory systems function smoothly.

Type of Treatments: Corsets, Braces, and Splints

Corsets, braces and splints are used in Chiropractic Treatment. A common application of braces is used to treat children with idiopathic scoliosis, or curvature of the spine.

Back braces are only recommended for younger children (girls between 11 and 13, and boys between 12 and 14). The primary goal of orthotic treatment involving a back brace is to stop the progression of the curvature; braces do not normally reverse curvature that has already taken place.