Wednesday, April 23, 2014

How Is Chiropractic Therapy Practiced?

By Essie Osborn


The main principle related to chiropractic is that any changes to the function and structure of the body's skeleton and the structures that support it may affect a person's overall health. Chiropractors have traditionally placed focus on the spine, but they view all the joints, nerves and surrounding muscles as possible problem sources.

According to these practitioners, the muscles and skeleton should not be seen as separate entities to other body parts. The body should be viewed as a whole and all the parts have a role to play. The spine is particularly important in chiropractic therapy as there are nerves that link other parts of the body with the spine. This includes the internal organs.

If there is a misalignment in one section of your body, it will cause pain, however it may also affect other sections of your body. Let's say you are experiencing a problem with the lower section of your spine. To take this into account, the upper spinal portion will start working harder. This could cause you to suffer from headaches because of the strain you are enduring. You may start compensating for the lower back pain by walking incorrectly. This may eventually cause pain in your ankles or knees.

The nerves in your spine are connected to other parts of your body. This is the reason why certain symptoms may be indicated elsewhere in the body, such as numbness in your thigh or pain in your leg. When you first consult with your chiropractor, he or she will do an evaluation of your health. This may include a full physical examination. The chiropractor will look at the way you move and stand, feel your head, pelvis and spine and may request that you undergo diagnostic imaging.

The adjustments that follow may be done while you are lying down, sitting, standing or a combination of all the positions. This is dependent on your symptoms and your chiropractor's judgment. During this therapy process, you may hear clicking as the joints in your spine are adjusted. This generally does not cause pain.

The chiropractor may use a variety of methods to do the adjustments. He or she will use differing hand pressure movements and special equipment. It may be necessary to place wedges under your body or use special tables that are adjustable to aid in the adjustments.

Your chiropractor will take your health conditions into account when making a decision on the type of treatment most suited to your needs. This is to ensure your comfort and safety during the procedure. Some of the situations they will take into account include if there are signs of arthritis, fractures, circulation disorders, your age and your body size. Previous treatments, including medical surgical procedures will be taken into account, as will the medication you are currently taking.

Chiropractors are viewed as practitioners of primary contact. This means that they are trained in the recognition of the most suitable treatment program. If your situation warrants referral to an alternate health care practitioner, your chiropractor will have the training to ensure that this is done.




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