What is chiropractic?

‘Chiropractic’ comes from the Greek word Chiropraktikos, meaning ‘done by hand’. Today, the World Federation of Chiropractic defines it as: ‘A health profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on the function of the nervous system and general health’.

By restoring normal function to the musculoskeletal system chiropractic can play a major part in relieving disorders, and any accompanying pain or discomfort, arising from accidents, stress, lack of exercise, poor posture, illness and every day wear and tear that can happen to all of us. 
 
Chiropractors at Back to Balance Chiropractic Clinic take a biopsychosocial approach to your health and well-being: this means that they consider your symptoms in the context of your full medical history, your lifestyle and your personal circumstances in order to help you to manage your problem and prevent it recurring.

What is chiropractic based on?

Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your nervous system controls the function of virtually every cell, tissue, organ and system of your body.

While the brain is protected by the skull, the spinal cord, covered by 24 moving vertebrae, is more vulnerable. . When these bones lose their normal motion or position (which may be caused by factors such as accidents, poor diet, repetitive strain, lack of exercise, poor posture and anxiety), they can irritate the spinal cord and the nerves branching out of it. This spinal nerve stress can lead to the symptoms of discomfort, pain and even disease which are a warning that the body is not functioning properly.

Also, this can disrupt the function of the tissues or organs these nerves control. Depending on where the nerve irritation has occurred in your spine, your symptoms may include the following:

• headaches or migraine,
• neck pain,
• back pain,
• chest or abdominal pain,
• shoulder, arm, wrist and hand pain,
• leg, knee, ankle and foot pain,

This is because the irritation of the nerve in one area can sometimes lead to pain (known as ‘referred’ pain) in other parts of the body.

Chiropractic locates these areas of spinal malfunction and corrects them to allow the body to heal itself (which we normally recognise in its ability to heal bruises, cuts and broken bones). As we all know, regardless of which type of doctor you consult, only the body can heal itself.

What do chiropractors do?

Chiropractors use their hands to specifically adjust the joints of your spine and limbs where signs of restriction in movement are found, improving mobility and relieving pain. This treatment is known as 'adjustments' or 'manipulation'.

Also, by manipulating joints, chiropractors stimulate the proprioceptors - your body's position sensors which provide feedback to the brain on where the joint is in relation to the rest of the body. This stimulation improves the way your nervous system works.

Chiropractors take a holistic approach which includes identifying and correcting the causes of the patient's health ailment. Chiropractors believe that correcting the cause of the problem provides significant long-term benefits over only treating the symptoms.

Chiropractors do not prescribe drugs or use surgical procedures

Who is chiropractic for?

Chiropractic treatment is suitable for everyone, including newborn babies, the elderly, pregnant women and sports enthusiasts. Once you are better, your chiropractor will help you to maintain your own health, and keep your body working as is should, by offering exercise and lifestyle advice for you to follow in the future.

Today's chiropractors treat many thousands of patients each week for a wide variety of conditions. They support their treatment with advice about their patients' work, diet, exercise, and lifestyle for them to follow in the future.

The Benefits of Chiropractic

Short-term and regular chiropractic care have a number of benefits including:

• Spinal and extremity pain relief
• Headache relief
• Increased mobility and range of motion
• Decreased stiffness and muscular spasms
• Arthritic joint pain relief
• Increased joint health
• Increased performance and energy
• Increased sense of well being and relaxation
• Increased balance and coordination
• Reduced degeneration and risk of injury
• Enhanced tissue healing
• Decreased tissue inflammation.