Chiropractic
Chiropractic was developed
in 1895 approximately the same time as osteopathy,
a similar health care discipline involving
manual treatment of the spine. Today,
chiropractic is recognized as a mainstream
healthcare discipline and is covered by many
health insurance plans, including Medicare
and Workers Compensation. In California,
chiropractic is regulated by the State Board
of Chiropractic Examiners. Chiropractors,
whose professional degree is "D.C"
-Doctor of Chiropractic- are required to complete
four academic years of training at an accredited
chiropractic school, pass a national board
exam, and take 12 hours of continuing education
each year to keep their licenses current.
Being a hands-on, skill dependent form of
treatment, a person's chiropractic experience
can differ from doctor to doctor. Some
techniques are firm in nature while others
are low force. Patients typically associate
with a practitioner whose approach appeals
to them the most.
The Concept
Simply put, chiropractic emphasizes care of
the human frame. Chiropractors
contend that the human frame, particularly
the spinal column must be symmetrical,
flexible, and properly
aligned in order for the body to
function at an optimum level. Keeping a properly
aligned, flexible spine helps improve posture
and mobility, which are important to health.
Breathing, strength, coordination, and energy
expenditure are directly influenced by spinal
alignment. If you have a rotated spine,
high hip, or high shoulder, for example, you
will need to expend more energy doing everyday,
simple tasks like walking and lifting.
As a result, you'll feel fatigued and will
be prone to developing back pain. It
is therefore no surprise that elite athletes
such as Emmit
Smith and Tiger
Woods, whose jobs require peak efficiency
body mechanics, depend on chiropractic to
help them get an edge over the competition.
A poorly aligned spine is more susceptible
to degenerative changes and
injury due to uneven body weight distribution,
which can erode discs and joints over time.
In addition, abnormal spinal alignment and
movement can degrade the function of tiny
nerves called proprioceptors, which
are responsible for back muscle coordination
and reflexes. Research shows this to
be a cause of lower back pain and degenerative
joint disease.
Diagnosis
A chiropractor will first take a history
of the patient's chief complaint. He/she will
then determine if other health factors are
pertinent to the patient's condition, such
as previous trauma, medical conditions like
heart disease or diabetes, current medications,
and lifestyle activities. Next, an orthopedic
and neurological evaluation will
be done. If these tests reveal evidence of
spinal misalignment, a skeletal X-ray
may be taken in order visualize the alignment
and condition of the affected vertebrae, and
to rule out bone pathology or congenital malformations.
Next, the chiropractor will consult
with the patient and make recommendations
on treatment.
Treatment
Treatment usually consists of a series of
spinal adjustments (a gentle
hand or instrument-delivered force into the
affected vertebra(e) done to restore alignment
and flexibility to that area) and supportive
treatment modalities such
as traction, light therapy, myofascial release,
ice/heat packs, and electrical muscle stimulation.
Home care exercises and stretches
are usually prescribed after the acute stage.
The patient may be treated once, or over the
course of several weeks depending on the severity
of the condition. The patient is released
when the pain has significantly diminished
and when ranges of motion (flexibility) and
strength are restored.
Most people can benefit from chiropractic
treatment; however, there are conditions which
may limit or even prevent one from being a
candidate for chiropractic care. These include:
- Patients with a history or risk factors
for stroke
- Patients with severe osteoporosis
- Some cancer patients
- Patients with surgical rods or surgically
fused vertebrae
To
Schedule an Appointment, Call (415) 627-9077
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