Chiropractic Care, and What You Need to Know

By Dr. Molly Casey

Chiropractors are often thought of as back pain specialists. While neck and back pain do very often resolve with chiropractic adjustments, that is not the focus of our care or the greatest effect regular chiropractic care has on our health and life. So what does chiropractic care do?

The Nervous System

The nervous system consists of the brain, the spinal cord, and the miles of nerves that go to every single cell, system, structure and organ within the body. The brain speaks to each of these by sending messages down the spinal cord and out the nerves. The cells, systems, structures and organs send information back through the nerves into the spinal cord and up to the brain. This is the communication loop through which you live your entire life. Your heart beats, your intestines digest, you move your body, and you see the colors you see through the operation of this system. The better this system functions, the better your opportunity to experience optimal health. The worse this system functions, the lower level of health that is experienced.

The Spine and Subluxation

The spine houses and protects the nervous system. The healthier the spine, the better it moves, the better the opportunity for the nervous system to function at its optimal level. Chiropractic runs on the premise that when the spinal joints are restricted in their normal range of motion, it interferes with the ability to fully protect and allow optimal function of the nervous system. Chiropractors refer to this interference as a subluxation. Subluxations, simply put, are spinal joints that are restricted in range of motion interfering with the optimal functioning of the nervous system. Remember, the nervous system controls absolutely everything with your body. While discomfort and pain may result from spinal subluxation, chiropractors acknowledge that there are far more significant, vital functions that are likely affected, decreasing the individual body’s ability to express optimal health.

The Adjustment

The chiropractic adjustment is a specific tool used by chiropractors to correct spinal subluxation and restore motion to spinal joints, thus increasing the function and expression of the nervous system. It is gentle and effective. When the subluxation is corrected, spinal joint motion is restored and the nervous system is given the opportunity to function at its highest possible level.

Chiropractic is about the full expression of health and life. Chiropractic is about facilitating the body’s ability to function and heal at its highest possible level. Less than 20 percent of the nervous system is able to transmit pain. This means that the lack of pain is not a great indicator as to the actual health of the nervous system. Yes, pain often resolves with regular chiropractic care and that is phenomenal for quality of life; however, chiropractic focuses on the health and function of the structure of the spine to allow optimal health and life expression. When given the proper environment to thrive, including structural integrity, the body has a greater chance of expressing optimal health.

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this page are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this post is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics, including but not limited to the benefits of chiropractic care, exercise and nutrition. It is not intended to provide or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your chiropractor, physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this page.