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Healthy Living... Straight Talk on Chiropractic Care New website: advanceddoctors.com As a doctor of chiropractic, I see first-hand the benefits of chiropractic care. Some benefits chiropractic has shown to help seniors include, more energy, increased mobility, and an improved quality of life. Chiropractic is a safe, effective, conservative and proven method of care for over one hundred years. That is why, insurance companies pay us and our malpractice insurance is extremely low. The chiropractic adjustment focuses on removing subluxations of the spine and other joints of the body. A subluxation is a misalignment of a joint, not allowing it to move correctly. This usually involves several systems of our body that is called a “vertebral subluxation complex” that is composed of five areas: 1. Abnormal motion/position of a bone, 2. Abnormal nervous function (irritation), 3. Abnormal muscle function (spasm), 4. Abnormal soft tissue function (disc bulge), 5. Abnormal function of the body (bone degeneration, change in bodily functions). A chiropractic adjustment is a specific force given in a specific direction into a joint to improve its placement so it moves correctly, allowing the nerves send information from the brain to its destination the best it can without interference. An adjustment is very safe and done countless times daily from newborns to the elderly worldwide. There are many different ways to do an adjustment, chiropractors like all of us are individuals and have different ideas how to treat. One is not better than another, only different. While, adjusting the spine is of the greatest importance, all our joints can be adjusted and a subluxation does not have to be near an area of a problem, since nerves can travel long distances. When a subluxation is present it often creates or is created by several problems and this is why one usually needs more than a single chiropractic adjustment to correct a subluxation. Chiropractors regularly improve the range of motion for all areas of our body. Chiropractic has shown to reduce falls by improving one’s balance by improving the neuromuscular function of the body by allowing the body’s nervous system to work the best it can. If your car or home has an electrical problem, it does not work correctly, the same occurs with our bodies. As we age our joints change with wear and tear or illness and often degeneration begins with changing bones and their function. Chiropractic adjustments help with proper joint function and in turn often relieves problems in the: jaw in Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMD) and extremities (areas outside the spine) as in: Carpel Tunnel Syndrome, shoulder, Knee or foot problems (as in Plantar Fasciitis). Non-joint issues such as: improved bladder control, digestion, sinus and vision function are a few issues that affect seniors and have shown may improve with chiropractic care. Studies have shown older chiropractic patients are less likely to have been hospitalized, used a nursing home and have over all better health. Chiropractors often treat with more than just the adjustment and use therapies, exercise and nutrition for muscles, bones and the entire body. While a subluxation can cause as an example a muscle problem, a muscle problem can cause a subluxation. To be as healthy as you can be and feeling the best you can you should look into chiropractic and see how it can benefit you. You will not know until you do. A Brief History Of Chiropractic The first recorded chiropractic adjustment was performed on September 18, 1895, by Dr. Daniel David Palmer, a Canadian-born teacher and helter. Dr. Palmer was, at the time, studying the cause and effect of disease. His patient was Harvey Lillard, a janitor working in the same building as Dr. Palmer in Davenport, Iowa. Mr. Lillard, who had complained of hearing problems for over 17 years, allowed Dr. Palmer to examine his spine. Dr. Palmer discovered a "lump" on Mr. Lillard's back and suspected that a vertebra might be out of place, which he then repositioned the vertebra with a gentle thrust. After several such treatments, much of Mr. Lillard's hearing was restored. Since Dr. Palmer's first chiropractic adjustment, the art and science of chiropractic has progressed significantly. Today, advanced diagnostic procedures, sophisticated equipment, scientific research, and the growing acceptance among other health care professionals makes chiropractic a popular health care choice. Chiropractic Philosophy The chiropractic perspective on health and disease emphasizes two fundamental concepts: 1) the structure and condition of the body influences how the body functions and its ability to heal itself; and 2) the mind-body relationship is instrumental in maintaining health and in the healing processes. Although chiropractic shares much with other health professions, its emphasis and application of philosophy distinguishes it from modern medicine. Chiropractic philosophy gravitates toward a holistic ("total person") approach to healing which combines elements of the mind, body and spirit and maintains that health depends on obedience to natural laws, and that deviation from such laws can result in illness. Widespread Use of Chiropractic Care The increasing interest in alternative forms of care has caught the attention of several health associations and government agencies. A 1993 study in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that "The estimated number of visits made in 1990 to providers of unconventional therapy was greater than the number of visits to all primary care medical nationwide," and chiropractic was among the most frequently used non-medical therapies. A followup report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1998 found that the use of non-medical treatments had increased significantly since the 1990 survey, with "overall prevalence of use increased by 25%, total visits by an estimated 47%, and expenditures on services provided by practitioners of alternative therapies by an estimated 45%." Of the survey respondents, one in nine (11%) had used chiropractic care within the previous year. Healthy Tips for a Healthy Spine The following tips can help you take better care of your spine: 1) Make sure you have a firm mattress that keeps the spine aligned and supports the spine's natural curve. The best sleeping positions are on your back or side. 2) When standing for extended periods, rest one foot on a small stool to maintain spinal curvature and relieve pressure. The knees should be bent when bending forward. Low-heeled shoes may help by maintaining spinal curvatures and cushioning your weight. 3) Use chairs that promote good posture and support your back. Placing a lumbar support in the lower portion of your back may help support your spine's natural curve. Readjust the seat of your car so that your knees are level with your hips. 4) When bending forward, bend at the knees and hips, but keep your back straight. This will help to keep your spine's curvature in proper alignment. When lifting, keep your spine straight while using your legs to do most of the work. Hold the objects being lifted close to your body to keep the weight on your spine to a minimum. The ABCs of Subluxations Vertebral subluxations are displacements of the spinal bones (vertebrae) that can cause stress to your spinal cord and nervous system. Subluxations may be caused by poor sleeping habits, poor posture, strenuous exercise, injuries, auto accidents, sports, slips or falls, and in some cases, the birthing process itself. Chiropractic adjustments are very helpful in correcting subluxations and restoring optimal health.