Chiropractic Information

What is Chiropractic?

Welcome to the evolutionary and ever evolving world that is Chiropractic! The word “Chiropracitic” literary means “done by hand”. Chiropractic care is an holistic, safe and complimentary alternative and physical approach to health and wellness. The practicing of chiropractic as a medical profession stems back over 100 years and has evolved into the 3rd largest primary health care profession in the world, following medicine and dentistry.

How Chiropractic works

A Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) places most emphasis on the efficacy and functionality of the vertebral column and its relation to the nervous system. The spinal column comprises of 24 individual vertebral segments which spans the length of the entire back from the base of the scull, the pelvis and adjoining hips. Although each individual segment is capable of specific movements, the body relies upon each individual segment to work effectively with one another to create a dynamic functional unit. Each spinal segment involves two adjacent vertebrae with two posterior (back) facet joints and one anterior (front) cartilaginous disc. Even though most neuromusculoskeletal conditions originate as a result of vertebral dysfunction, DC’s also recognise and address conditions involving limbs.

A chiropractor’s speciality and responsibility is to be able to identify, evaluate and diagnose injury and biomechanical dysfunction in either the spine and/or limbs. Any vertebral joint hypomobility (loss of movement) or partial joint dislocation can cause nerve root irritation as a result of direct pressure from localised inflammatory exudative oedema which subsequently provides noxious neurological irritation, resulting in localised hypersensitivity and pain.

Chiropractors use highly specialised manipulation techniques to restore normal joint mobility, thus eliminating neurological irritation. Chiropractic adjustments and manipulations primarily comprise of high velocity, low amplitude thrusts which are safe and don’t carry abnormal risk.

How and why does neuromusculoskeletal conditions manifest?

The symptomatology of neuromusculoskeletal conditions can be the result of anything from everyday mundane and monotonous activities like bending forward and picking up kids or objects, stressful environment at work or at home, prolonged periods maintaining static positions like behind a desk, in front of a computer or standing behind a counter as well as traumatic events and/or injuries.

All the above mentioned activities inhibit the efficacy of normal spinal movement as well as neurological conduction which manifests in joint hypomobility with associated nerve root irritation and muscle spasms. Longstanding vertebral hypomobility have been identified as the primary factor responsible for early spinal degeneration as a result of continuous biomechanical dysfunction.

Who would benefit from Chiropractic treatment?

Chiropractic care is a conservative healthcare approach which doesn’t involve invasive treatment intervention, which implies that virtually anyone would benefit from it. Few examples:

• Babies, either normal or caesarean birth. Especially infants suffering from colic, hiccups, winds and just overall irritability and distress.
• Children and toddlers with potential spinal, motor or sensory developmental issues.
• Pregnancy, chiropractic treatment can suppress constant back pain in a natural and effective way as well as ease labour.
• Professional individuals spending hours in a seated position behind a computer
• Patients suffering from chronic headaches and sinusitis.
• The elderly with existing spinal and joint degenerative conditions.
• Neurological pain or pain down the arms or legs with no resolution.
• Athletes and sporting individuals pursuing sporting excellence as well as sport related injuries or ailments.