How Does Chiropractic Work?
Chiropractic treatments work by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become hypomobile — or restricted in their movement — as a result of a tissue injury. Injured tissues undergo physical and chemical changes that can cause inflammation, pain, and diminished function. Manipulation, or adjustment of the affected joint and tissues, restores mobility, thereby alleviating pain and muscle tightness, and allows tissues to heal and improve range of motion. Chiropractic also helps to restore normal tone to muscles and improves posture.
Joints with diminished function send abnormal signals to the muscles that cross them, creating weakness and tightness in those muscles. This cycle of abnormal joint motion and associated muscle dysfunction is known as the SUBLUXATION COMPLEX and can have profound effects on activities of daily living and competitive performance.
Do I Have A Slipped Disc?
The disc is a soft, gristly 'shock absorber' that lives between two adjacent spinal vertebrae. The disc has a fibrous outer ring which holds in a jelly-like material, not unlike a jelly doughnut. A 'slipped disc' is common way to refer to a wide variety of disc problems. However, a disc doesn't 'slip', because of the way it attaches to the vertebrae above and below. A disc may bulge, tear, herniate (the 'jelly comes out of the doughnut'), or degenerate (thin/wear out/dry out, or collapse).
Do I Have A Pinched Nerve?
A pinched nerve is somewhat rare. It is more likely that an adjacent vertebra or one of the spinal joints irritates, stretches or chafes a nerve. These subluxations distort the nerve messages sent between the brain and the body, resulting in tight muscles, arm, or leg pain. Sometimes even unhealthy alterations to the organs and tissues connected by the affected nerves can result. Return to top
How Do You Get Subluxations?
There are at least three common causes of subluxations. Physical causes include slips and falls, accidents, repetitive motions, improper lifting, poor postural habits, unsupported sitting, and sleeping on your stomach. Emotions such as grief, anger and fear can cause subluxations. Chemical causes may include alcohol or drug abuse, pollution, and toxic chemicals such as nicotine and pesticides. More recently, poor nutritional habits such as too much caffeine, too many refined carbohydrates, too little high-quality protein and too many 'bad' fats have been linked to subluxation complex and a general poor health status.
How Do I Know If I Have a Subluxation?
You can have subluxations and not know it. As with the early stages of tooth decay, subluxations can be present before warning signs like pain or discomfort appear. The results of a thorough chiropractic examination can show the location and severity of subluxations you may have. Warning signs you may observe suggesting subluxation include one shoulder higher than the other; head, shoulders or pelvis tipped or rotated; and/or the head and neck carried forward of the shoulders.
Can Subluxations Clear Up On Their Own?
Yes. Today's hectic lifestyles are a constant contributor to subluxations. Fortunately, our bodies have the ability to self-correct many of these problems as we bend and stretch, or when we sleep at night. When subluxations don't resolve spontaneously or through our own efforts, then you need to see a Chiropractor. Return to top
What Is An Adjustment?
Chiropractic adjustments usually involve a quick thrust that helps restore motion to spinal joints that aren't moving fully. There are many ways to adjust the spine or the extremities. Most adjustments are performed manually, using the doctor's hands. Sometimes a small instrument, a moveable table, or traction can be used as an aide to correct subluxations.
Are Chiropractic Adjustments Safe?
Yes. Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal conditions. Although chiropractic has an excellent safety record, no health treatment is completely free of potential adverse effects. By avoiding drugs and surgery, chiropractic care has an excellent track record for safety. A thorough exam can identify the rare person for whom chiropractic care might not be suited. Chiroractic adjustments are considered safer than taking an over-the-counter pain reliever.
Will Adjustments Make My Spine Too Loose?
No. Only the specific spinal joints that are 'locked up' or restricted from their normal motions receive adjustments. This allows weakened muscles and ligaments to stabilize and heal.
Can The Bones Move Too Much?
Highly unlikely. A Chiropractic adjustment uses the right amount of force, delivered to a precise location, at the correct angle, and at just the right moment when the patient's positioning and breathing allow for the least amount of thrust to effect a release of the joint. The intent is to get a 'stuck' joint moving again, helping reduce muscle tightness and nerve irritation. Years of training, practice and experience make Chiropractic adjustments specific and safe.
What Makes The Sound During The Adjustment?
Lubricating fluids are found in nearly all joints. The fluid provides nourishment to the cartilage lining the joint, acts as a shock absorber and allows the bone ends to glide freely within the joint itself. Some adjusting methods can produce a sound when the joint is opened further than the joint has recently moved during normal activities. This causes the dissolved gases in the joint fluid to come out of solution, creating a gas bubble within the joint space. It is much like opening a bottle of champagne or removing a suction cup. The sound is interesting, but is not a guide to the quality or value of an adjustment.
Prevention is Key!
The best way to fight the pain, emotional stress, and missed work that may accompany a spinal problem is to prevent it from happening in the first place. The following tips will help you identify and eliminate "spinal stressors" and incorporate spinal health into your daily routine.
At the office:
- Make sure your chair fits correctly. There should be 2 inches between the front edge of the seat and the back of your legs. Sit with your feet flat on the floor, with your knees at a 90-degree angle. If you can't sit that way, use an angled or elevated foot rest.
- Take periodic stretch breaks. Clench your hands in a fist and move your hands like this: 10 circles in, then 10 circles out. Put your hands in a praying position and squeeze together for 10 seconds and then "pray" with the backs of your hands together, fingers pointed downward for 10 seconds. Spread your fingers apart and then bring them together one by one.
- Hold the telephone with your hand or use the speaker phone. Don't cradle the phone between your ear and shoulder. This can lock up the spinal joints in the neck and upper back, and eventually cause pain.
Playing Sports:
- Warm up slowly before a game. Do calisthenics, flexibility exercises, or light running to increase your heart rate.
- When sweat beads form, your body is at the proper temperature to stretch the tendons and muscles.
At Home:
- When you wash the dishes, open the cabinet beneath the sink, bend one knee, and put your foot on the shelf under the sink. Lean against the counter so some of your weight is supported in front.
- When resting or watching TV, don't use the sofa arm as a pillow. The angle is much too sharp for the neck.
- Don't bend from the waist when you lift a child. Squat with your back straight. Keep the child close to you and use your legs and arms to lift.
In the Yard:
- If you shovel snow, push the snow straight-ahead. Don't try to throw it and walk it to the snowbank. Avoid twisting and turning motions. Bend your knees to lift when shoveling. Let your legs and arms do the work, not your back. Take frequent rest breaks to take the strain off your muscles. Try to stand as erect as possible.
- When raking leaves, use a scissors stance: right foot forward and left foot back for a few minutes; then reverse, putting your left foot forward and your right foot back. Bend at the knees, not the waist, as you pick up leaves or grass from the grass catcher. Make piles small to decrease the possibility of back strain. For mowing, use your weight to push the mower.
- Whenever possible, use ergonomically correct tools for the job.
Chiropractic Care Can Help
If your pain persists, consider spinal manipulation. The goal of a Chiropractor is to manipulate the spine and help stimulate your body's natural healing process.
Leslie W. Lange, DC
Michael F. Maiorano, DC, CCSP
Karen A. Santini-Feger, DC
Kenny H. Tsang, DC
and the entire staff of
Greater Rochester family & sports Chiropractic
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| Related links:
New York State Chiropractic Association
American Chiropractic Association (ACA)
American Back Society
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