Chiropractic medicine focuses on the spine and nervous system for the treatment of a variety of health conditions, including back and neck pain, asthma and digestive problems. Founded in 1895 as an alternative to traditional medicine and drugs, chiropractic promotes bodily healing through a holistic approach to wellness.
Nervous System Improvement
The nervous system consists of a network of nerve cells and fibers that transmit nerve impulses between parts of the body. Chiropractic works on maintaining efficient, normal and healthy nervous system functionality. Because many of those nerve cells are in the spine at the back and neck, chiropractic focuses on treating this area to accommodate a healthy nervous system. Chiropractic is especially useful when nerve cells in the spine are disrupted, either because of a physical injury, an illness or simply the strain of day-to-day life. This treatment works on reversing those harmful trends and returning the nerve cells in the spine back to full capacity.
No Drugs
Chiropractors treat the spine by adjusting your back and neck to reverse any changes that injury, infection, illness or stress may have caused. They do so physically, by adjusting your body or by instructing you to carry out a number of movements. These adjustments and movements help alleviate the spinal nerve cells’ agitation without surgery or medication. The major advantage of avoiding surgery or medication is eliminating their side effects. Chiropractic treatment, therefore, is more convenient within a daily routine and does not interfere with basic mental or physical aspects of your life as you receive treatment.
Natural Healing
Chiropractic is considered a holistic approach to treatment because it supports healing above and beyond any particular symptoms. Chiropractors, for example, may adjust your diet and exercise routine as much as they adjust your spine. In addition, reversing any negative effects of an injury, illness or stress can assist the nervous system’s return to full functionality. A fully functioning nervous system is better prepared to help the body resist symptoms from illness, infection or stress. In this way, chiropractic attempts to treat the root of the symptoms and not just the symptoms themselves.
Flexibility
Part of having a healthy spine involves a baseline of muscle flexibility, not only in your back, but throughout your body. Being more flexible promotes blood flow and reduces stress, but it also helps you avoid further injuries like slipped discs and chronic back pain. Flexibility also assists in muscle development and improved posture.
References
- University of Minnesota; Chiropractic - What are the Basic Concepts?; Larry Kuusisto, Ph.D., D.C.
- Palmer College of Chiropractic: Benefits of Chiropractic
- Vanderbilt University - Health Psychology; The Effectiveness of Chiropractic Treatment on Musculoskeletal and Other Disorders; Emily Taylor; November 2008
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Chiropractic
