History |
Techniques |
Glossary
The Objective
Chiropractic is used to correct vertebral subluxations, also
referred to as nerve interference, in a safe and effective
manner. It is not considered a specific cure for any particular
symptom or disease, but it can be used for any patient with
nerve interference regardless of symptoms or disease.
Vertebral Subluxation
or Nerve Interference
 At
every moment our brains send instructions to cells in our
bodies. These messages travel on a complex system of nerves.
If they run into interference, they may slow down, get lost,
or take detours. Much interference occurs along the spine
since all nerves from the brain travel down this column of
interlocking bones, called vertebrae.
The nerves branch off though openings along the spine to get
to destinations throughout the body. Nerve
interference occurs when one or more of the vertebrae
shift out of alignment. Another name for this is vertebral
subluxation, or simply subluxation. The spinal opening narrows
where misalignments occur, distorting the flow of energy throughout
the body. The body cannot perform efficiently when there is
nerve interference because it does not get the proper messages
from the brain. It follows that correction of nerve interference
will help the body return to normal functioning.
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Adjustment
Spinal adjustment is a specific application of forces to
facilitate the body's correction of nerve interference. The
forces need to be applied with the right amount of pressure
in the proper direction at the proper time. Usually this is
done with the doctor's hands but it can also be done with
adjusting instruments. Different kinds of adjustment
techniques are used but they all have the same goal and
are not ailment specific. The adjustment is to correct or
reduce nerve interference. Often symptoms are relieved as
a result because a symptom is your body's warning signal that
something is wrong. If you have no symptoms but visit a chiropractor
for a wellness checkup you will not have an adjustment unless
nerve interference is detected. Likewise, the presence of
a symptom without nerve interference will not warrant an adjustment.
Many patients report a feeling of peace and relaxation after
an adjustment. It often leads to increased energy and improved
sleep. Sometimes symptoms begin to improve after the first
adjustment. Often patients are unaware of these initial internal
improvements, however.
Some patients experience discomfort such as soreness, headache,
or fatigue after the first adjustment. This usually goes away
within the next few adjustments. Often this discomfort is
due to detoxification of the body after adjustments. As poisons
exit the system they could cause headache, slight head cold,
or even mild fever and lethargy.
Muscles may be sore, comparable to the soreness experienced
after a hard workout at the gym. This is a temporary condition
that goes away as the muscles gain strength and flexibility.
Spinal nerves that have been impinged and stressed are suddenly
revived after adjustments. As these nerves heal they are sensitive
and old injury pains may return during the process of retracing.
Retracing
causes the healing process to repeat as if the injury was
fresh.
If you don't feel much change after an adjustment it may
be that your general health is very good and the nerve interference
was corrected at an early stage.
Everyone is different and will have a unique reaction to
adjustment but everyone benefits from the correction of nerve
interference.
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