Chiropractic is based on the phylosophy that our bodies were created to be a self-healing, self-regulating organisms. This is accomplished through our nervous system, which is made up of your brain, spinal cord, and nerves exiting the spine at each level. This system is so important that it is the first to develop as an embryo and it is the only system almost entirely encased in bone.
Throughout the course of our lives, we are subjected to many forms of stress. These can be physical, chemical, or emotional. Sometimes one or a combination of stresses can cause the small bones in our spine to shift from their normal positioning. This hard bone out of place puts pressure on the soft nerve and begins irritating it. If left uncorrected, this will lead to problems in whatever areas are being controlled by that nerve. All nerves control organs and tissues - not just muscles. It is also important to know that every cell, tissue, and organ in your body has a nerve component to it.
Not only will the misalignments cause nerve irritation, but it will cause premature degeneration of the spine from the uneven wear and tear on the joints. Science has found that there are 3 phases of degeneration. It begins with 2 bones, or more, getting out of alignment and ends with complete fusion of your spine. It takes years, if not decades, to progress through the various phases if left uncorrected. What starts out as the occasional headache or aching muscles, can eventually turn into numbness/tingling or even surgery. People in phase 3 degeneration are very easy to spot. They walk hunched over and have to turn their whole body to look to the left and the right.
Chiropractors are the only doctors trained in the detection and correction of the misalignments that start you down this ugly path. We are trained to find the bone(s) that is causing the problem and leading to symptoms. We very gently with our hands, or an instrument, realign the involed joint taking the hard bone off of the soft nerve. This relieves the irritation, corrects the uneven wear and tear, and allows your body to go back to functioning in a more normal state.
