CHIROPRACTIC

Chiropractic is an effective and natural way to maintain health in your bones, joints, and muscles.

We deal exclusively with the spine because (1) it houses the nerves that control everything in your body and (2) it supports the body to maintain an upright posture. For example, it stands to reason that if the nerves that control your digestive system are being irritated, pinched, or blocked, then it is possible that your digestion may be too slow, too fast, ineffective, or cause illness. Removing this nerve irritation is part of what we do. The other part is maintaining the health of the spinal joints. Proper movement and posture is vital to the function of the spinal column. The close proximity of the spinal bones, spinal joints and nervous system demand that these areas are healthy, stress-free , and operating at an optimum level.

A very common condition that chiropractors often see is back pain (neck pain, or upper back, or lower back). Why do we get this? It's mostly due to poor posture, lack of stretching or exercise, and poor nutrition. If a body had to sit at a desk for 8 hrs a day, 5 days a week, for the whole year, don't you think the muscles and joints would become extremely fatigued? If someone had to lift 30-50 pound boxes 8 hrs a day, 5 days a week, for the whole year, do you think he/she would get back pain? I betcha they would.

Over-use or abuse of any joint in the body can lead to arthritis. Arthritis is simply "wear and tear" of the joints. Yes -- your body is designed to regenerate and heal, but without proper movement, proper exercise, and proper nutrition, the body's innate healing powers will not overcome the damage to the joints.

Another particularly common ailment in the spine is disc damage and disc herniations. The discs are like tiny 'shock absorbers' for the spine that provide body height, provide a cushioning of forces when the spine moves, and contribute to 'holes' that allow nerves to exit the spine. Sometimes, a slip-and-fall or improper lifting can place too much stress and pressure on these discs. The disc can then rupture and bulge or herniate, resulting in inflammation, pain, and possible irritation or pinching of the spinal nerves. Consequently, symptoms may include shooting paint or numbness and tingling in the arms and legs. Severe damage may cause bowel or bladder problems, weakness or loss of use of the limbs, or internal organ damage.

Ever notice how a person looks "tilted" when they stand? Their shoulders might be uneven, or their head may tilt in one direction. This person may have Scoliosis. It's a condition where the spine is curved to the left or right or both (kinda like an "S" shape). The real cause is unknown -- perhaps it is genetic, perhaps due to an imbalance in the way we use our muscles. It is very important to check this condition at an early age, especially for children. Monitor their posture. Make sure they are sitting and standing straight. Make sure they are properly carrying heavy book bags -- always try to carry bags using both shoulders.

It's sometimes hard for us to change careers, so the best thing we can do for our bodies is to lessen stress to it – whether it be physical, emotional, or chemical. If we sit for an hour at our desk, we should stand up and walk around for a few minutes. If we are on our feet for an hour, we should sit down for a few minutes. Everyone has deadlines at work – who doesn't? But we should do something to relax our brains and decrease emotions. Talk a day off, take a vacation, do some yoga or tai chi, do something that you enjoy. Stretching is an important aspect that most people do not do enough of. Stretching not only maintains flexibility in the muscle, but it promotes healing, maintains strength and stamina, and allows associated body parts to relax.

Lastly, pay close attention to your nutrition. Whatever you eat or drink becomes part of you. Don't feed your body junk. There's so many healthy choices out there -- there's no reason not to eat healthy. When shopping for food and whenever feasible, read the ingredients. If you can't pronounce an ingredient, throw it back. Eat a variety of foods with color -- the more color (natural that is) the better. Don't overdose on any one food -- everything should be eaten in moderation. Also, you've got to drink enough fluids. Your body is about 60% water. Without enough water, fluid production (e.g., blood, plasma, saliva) is affected, blood pressure is affected, lubrication of tissues is affected, transmission of chemicals, hormones, and vital substances is affected -- everything is affected!