What is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a natural, hands-on approach to healthcare centred around the function of the spine and nervous system. Chiropractic is based on the premise body’s innate ability to self heal and self regulate resides within the central nervous system, as it controls all the systems and processes of the human body. Interference to the nervous system can come about through physical chemical or emotional stress. Theses stressors have the ability to interfere with the brain’s communication with the body, manifesting as restriction to spinal joints. These restrictions are referred to by chiropractors as Vertebral Subluxations; these subluxations are subtle restrictions in movement between two vertebra which reduce the nerve flow to the target tissue, muscle, organ or gland.
What is a Subluxation?
A subluxation is abnormal nervous system function that manifests itself as a restriction of joint movement brought about by physical stress (trauma) chemical (environmental exposure to toxins) or auto-suggestion (emotional stress)
“A subluxation is a complex of functional and/or structural and/or pathological articular changes that compromise neural integrity and may influence organ system function and general health” -Association of chiropractic colleges position paper #1 1996
What is a Chiropractic adjustment?
A Chiropractic adjustment is the correction of a subluxation through the use of the chiropractors hands or instrument, with intent to restore full natural range of motion to restricted joints and to remove the interference to the nervous system to allow the body to self heal and self regulate.
Is Chiropractic care safe?
Chiropractic care is very safe, with majority of adverse effects from receiving a chiropractic adjustment are mild, ranging from post treatment lethargy to local discomfort. Haymo et. al 2007 Spine. The risk of stroke following a chiropractic adjustment range from 1 in 100 000 to 1 in 5.85 Million It is important to note that research into this topic does not demonstrate a causal link between chiropractic care and stroke.
Who can benefit from Chiropractic care?
People of all ages at any stage of life, at any activity level can benefit from chiropractic care, because chiropractic care focuses on reducing stress to the nervous system to allow your body to work at its very best without the use of drugs and surgery.
What is the cracking noise?
The cracking noise that is heard with a chiropractic adjustment is gas being liberated from the fluid in the spinal facet joints, when the chiropractor adjusts your spine the adjustment reduces the pressure in the joint allowing the gas to escape, much like opening a bottle of coke/champagne, once the pressure is equalized the gas forms bubbles pop creating the cracking sounds.
How many times should I see a chiropractor?
Everyone is a snowflake, and because everyone is different, the intensity and duration of treatment may vary in the initial stages of care. Chiropractic care can be sought to relieve pain or to improve function of their body as a lifestyle of wellness and prevention.
How does Chiropractic help athletes?
The chiropractor can assist the athlete in many ways, from a injury prevention/surveillance perspective, making sure that the athletes body is free from nervous system interference resulting in improved muscle and joint function. Or a sports chiropractor may be involved in the rehabilitation and treatment of athletic injuries.
There is research to show that pelvic adjustment improves the activation of the quadriceps (1). Cervical adjustments also improve activation of the biceps (2) as well as elbow position sense (3). 1. Suter et. al JMPT 1999 2. Suter & McMorland Clin Biomech 2002 3. Haavik & Murphy JMPT 2011
Did you know that in US professional football, 77% of NFL trainers incorporate chiropractic care for the teams and players 31% of NFL teams have a Chiropractor officially on staff. – Stump & Redwood JMPT 2002
Something a little closer to home, Margie is the chiropractor that looks after the Adelaide Crows. Has assisted Adelaide United, she has also closely worked with the Australian Cycling team, attending the 2000 Sydney Olympics, 2004 Athens Olympics and numerous Cycling World Championships. However you don’t need to be a Pro athlete for chiropractic to take you to the next level.
What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is becoming increasingly popular as a technique for treating a range of musculoskeletal conditions. It is a technique used to treat pain arising from trigger points. Trigger points can develop as a result of overactive and tight muscles, which can be painful to touch. Not to be confused with the traditional practice of acupuncture, dry needling uses acupuncture needles only. The acupuncture needle can either be inserted superficially or deeper into the trigger point itself which helps inhibit the pain response.
Performed by an experienced practitioner, the benefits of dry needling include pain relief, a reduction in muscle tightness and an improvement in muscle activation. Used in conjunction with massage therapy, we are seeing.