What is Chiropractic?

What is chiropractic
   Chiropractic is a natural form of health care which focuses on the treatment and maintenance of the neuromusculoskeletal system (NMS) primarily as well as every other system of the human body. By allowing the body to exist in optimal form, activities of daily living are more functional and pleasurable.

Is it for me
   Just as regular visits to the dentist, a visit to the chiropractor is very beneficial. Very few people are fortunate to have few or no health care problems. For many people there are areas in the body which may be problematic. In many cases, these areas often go unnoticed for years or until a serious injury occurs.
   As a chiropractic physician, one goal is to find problematic areas and treat them before they turn into noticeable, chronic areas. While some health care practitioners may appear to know how to treat NMS conditions thoroughly and effectively, it is the chiropractor who has spent the greatest deal of time learning and treating these types of conditions.

The adjustment
   The primary way that a chiropractor treats a patient is through the application of a chiropractic manipulative therapy or more commonly called an adjustment. A typical adjustment consists of an accurate and specific high velocity, low amplitude controlled force applied to a joint. In other words, an adjustment is a very fast yet shallow push on a joint that is restricted or subluxated. A subluxation is the generic phrase for a bone malposition or joint restriction which results in potential problems to the neuromusculoskeletal system.
   When an adjustment is made, the joint may produce a popping noise also known as a cavitation. As the adjustment is applied, the joint is moved so quickly that the fluids in the joint create an expanding carbon dioxide bubble. As the joint begins to approximate, the bubble pops creating the classic popping noise similar to when a knuckle in your finger pops.
   The effects of an adjustment are very therapeutic and include promoting an increase in joint movement, introduction of oxygenated blood and nutrients to the joint, and pain relief to the area via release of enkephalins which are natural pain killers produced by your body.

Best regards,
Dr. Joe