General Chiropractic/Health Information Chiropractic Over 20 million people receive chiropractic care every year. What is chiropractic? The basis of chiropractic care is detecting and correcting irregularities and interferences with the human body s own natural state of good health. Chiropractic treatment addresses and is able to correct the physical and emotional afflictions such as low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches, stress, scoliosis; rather than just treating the symptoms that result from them. People of all ages can benefit from hands-on, drug free chiropractic care. This in turn allows a state of good healthy living. Adjustments Chiropractic adjustments have been an effective treatment for health problems for over 100 years. Definition of an adjustment: An adjustment is a manipulative technique that chiropractic physicians use to restore normal position and motion to the spine. How does an adjustment help? Vertebrae protect the spinal cord. Any disturbance to the spine can affect nerve tissue and result in health problems. Adjustments re-establish position and motion to the spine and helps restore good health. Is an adjustment a safe procedure? Studies by the government and private organizations have shown that chiropractic care is the preferred, most effective, and safest forms of initial care for back-related problems.
Accidents & Injuries Emergency medical treatment often leaves some health problems unresolved What is my best course of action after an accident? Your first concern, naturally, should be to get the immediate care needed to deal with any injuries you may have sustained. After that, however, the longer term healing process begins. Your chiropractic physician can be of great help in your rehabilitation process by providing follow-up care and monitoring your progress. He can provide an ongoing program of specific spinal adjustments combined with simple exercises to restore proper joint mobility and functionality of the spine. Low Back Pain The leading cause of disability for Americans under age 45 is back pain Chiropractic treatment of low back pain: Chiropractic physicians provide safe and drug free treatment for acute low back pain. Many people prefer this treatment to painkillers, muscle relaxers or surgery for relief from pain. Chiropractic back treatment allows the body to heal naturally by locating the source of problem and correcting it. Spinal adjustments and manipulation are two common chiropractic treatments used for back problems. Your chiropractic physician may recommend exercises to strengthen and retrain muscles, a program including hot or cold compress, or diet/lifestyle changes. If you experience back pain, it s best to seek care right away. Neck Pain Communications moving from the brain to other parts of the body must travel through the neck. Chiropractic relief for neck pain: Neck problems will often impair your health if they are not addressed and corrected, even though most are not life threatening. A lot of neck pain that people experience is the result of damage or irritated nerves from misaligned vertebrae. A chiropractic physician treats neck pain by locating the source of the problem and correcting it without medication or surgery. Once the source of the problem is then corrected, the body is allowed to begin a healing process without nerve interference.
Headaches It is estimated that 25% of the population have headaches at any given time Chiropractic relief for headaches: Many things can trigger headaches, such as allergies, toxic fumes, physical or emotional stress, or bright light. Another commonly overlooked cause of headache is misaligned spinal bones in the neck and upper back. A chiropractic physician is experienced in finding causes behind headaches and in relieving the immediate pain. In order to return misaligned spinal bones to more normal position you may need a series of adjustments. In addition, a chiropractic physician can suggest safe, natural alternatives for preventing and relieving headaches including therapy, relaxation exercises, and lifestyle modification. Sciatica and Leg Pain Your leg pain could be coming from an underlying problem in your back. What is Sciatica? Sciatica is severe pain in the leg resulting from compression, irritation or inflammation of the sciatic nerve. It usually originates in the lumbar region of the spine. Chiropractic treatment of sciatica involves locating the source of the irritation and relieving the pressure causing the pain. Once the underlying problem is corrected, the body is able to heal without nerve interference. Your chiropractic physician can assess the severity of the problem, and implement a treatment protocol to relieve the pain and irritation. Disc Injuries What are disc injuries? How do they occur? What can chiropractic do to relieve the problem? While the intervetebral disc is a common culprit in spine-related health problems, its function is widely misunderstood. The disc is a small cartilage pad that is situated between spinal bones. The soft, jellylike center is contained by surrounding layers of fibrous tissues. Each disc serves as a connector, space and shock absorber for the spine. When healthy, discs allow normal turning and bending. Since spinal discs have a very poor blood supply, they depend upon the circulation of joint fluids to bring in nutrients and expel waste. If a spinal joint loses its normal motion or position and this pumping action is impaired, the health of the disc can deteriorate. Like a wet sponge, a healthy disc is flexible. On the other hand, a dry sponge is hard, stiff and can crack easily. This is how many disc problems begin.
Because of the way each disc is attached to the vertebrae above and below it, a disc cannot slip as commonly thought. However, trauma or injury can cause discs to bulge, herniate, or worse, rupture. This can be quite painful, putting pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots, thereby interfering with their function. The chiropractic approach to disc problems is to help restore better motion and position to the spinal joints. Besides reducing disc bulging, better spinal function can help decrease inflammation and begin the slow process of healing in the surrounding soft tissues Poor Posture What are the causes of poor posture? 9) 10) Psychological factors such as low self-esteem. Muscle Instability throughout the body. Excess Weight. Poorly manufactured footwear. Malnutrition. Careless sitting, standing or walking. Incorrect sleep habits. Occupational stress. Poorly designed workspace. Poorly designed mattress. What are corrections for poor posture? 9) Educate yourself. Get a postural analysis (by a qualified Chiropractic or Medical Physician) Engage in corrective exercises and stretching. Avoid sitting for longer than 30 minutes in one stretch. Avoid prolonged standing (especially in the same position). Purchase a quality mattress. Be conscious and aware of how you sit, stand and move. Eat proper nutrients, minerals and vitamins. Avoid slouching (hyper-flexion). What are the benefits of good posture? Improved appearance. Improved self-esteem. Improved blood circulation, which transports toxins out and nutrients in. Decreased chance of injury. Improved mental and physical energy. Better lung capacity. Improved sleep. Better body mechanics and stability. Prepared by: Dr. Gagandeep S. Arora, D.C. (Arora Chiropractic) (60 920-7808 www.arorachiropractic.com