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!