The Chiropractic Practice Objective: The professional practice objective of chiropractic is to correct vertebral subluxations also referred to as nerve interference, in a safe and effective manner.  The correction of nerve interference is not considered to be a specific cure for any particular symptom or disease.  It is applicable to any patient who exhibits nerve interference regardless of the presence of absence of symptoms of disease.

            The purpose of chiropractic care is the correction of nerve interference.  Nerve interference promotes sickness and disease.  It robs our vitality and weakens our immune system.
           
The spinal column consists of twenty-four small bones called vertebrae.  Seven of these are located in the neck.  Twelve are found in the mid-back and five are in the lower back.  The vertebrae stack one on top of the other, and when you look at them from front to back, they form a straight line.

            It is very rare to find someone with a spine that’s perfectly aligned.  In most people, the spine curves slightly to the right or the left and sometimes, on or more of the vertebrae are twisted or rotated.

            When the vertebrae are misaligned, the flow of messages from the brain to all the other cells in the body is distorted.  This type of nerve interference creates dis-organization of bodily processes and dis-ease.  This misalignment of the vertebrae can often exist undetected and slowly undermine one’s health.

            The word disease is a combination of dis and ease.  Dis is a prefix meaning “apart form” and ease meaning a “state of balance.”  It follows then that dis-ease is a lack of comfort, a loss of harmony in the system.  When there is a lack of harmony in music, the musician adjusts the notes to complement one another and “work well together.”  That’s exactly what an adjustment to correct or reduce nerve interference can do – restore body harmony.

            Unlike music, where discord is immediately apparent, damage from nerve interference is not so obvious at first.

            The unfortunate aspect of this “dis-ease” is that it need not be painful to silently destroy the body’s health and well-being.  Gradually, the body’s life support systems begin to fail and the ability to live a full life diminishes.  Nerve interference is often referred to as a silent killer, because it may be present for many years before symptoms arise.  It can quietly, painlessly undermine your health before any major warning signs appear.

            The causes of nerve interference are numerous and often, unavoidable.  They can be caused at birth, if the delivery is difficult or requires the use of forceps.  Many births result in subluxations.  Children, during the critical growing years, fall while learning to walk.  In later years, they engage in activities like skate boarding or surfing and many other kinds of sports which can cause subluxations.  Other spinal problems can be caused by junk food diet or having poor sleeping positions.  Many seemingly harmless activities can disturb the integrity of the nerve system.

            As adults, many things can weaken the spine, and cause nerve interference.  This list includes: sports accidents, automobile collisions, falls in the house, bad posture, emotional stress, dental problems, pushing ourselves past our limits, alcohol and drug abuse or even carrying heavy briefcases or handbags on a daily basis.  We’ve reached a point where nerve interference is epidemic in our population.  To ignore it and not have your spine checked regularly by a chiropractor is to invite disease to overwhelm your body and impair the quality of your life.

            A doctor of chiropractic is uniquely trained to locate and help correct nerve system interference which promotes the body’s natural healing ability.

            Invest in your health, take time for regular check-ups.  It’s the best gift you can give yourself and your family.

What to expect on your first visit

            The first visit will consist of a consultation and complete spinal examination.  Most doctors will also provide some education if you are not familiar with chiropractic care. 

            The first thing you’ll be asked to do when you visit a chiropractic office is fill out forms regarding personal information and health history.  Then, the doctor will have a consultation with you and give you a chiropractic examination.

            The most common examination is called palpation.  The doctor carefully feels – or palpates – the entire spinal region to detect nerve interference.  Other methods or instruments may be used to verify the findings.  All of the examination techniques used by chiropractors are safe, painless and non-invasive.

            Indications of nerve interference show up on an X-ray, soft tissue damage to nerves, muscles or discs – nerve impingement – can’t be seen.  For further diagnosis, some chiropractors utilize imaging tools such as MRI’s, Thermography and Paraspinal EMG’s and CT (CAT) scans.  Your chiropractor will explain these methods in greater detail.

            Use of X-rays should be a concern, but keep in mind that chiropractic does not use radiation as treatment or therapy but only as a diagnostic tool.  Chiropractic radiology generally exposes patients to a lot less radiation them similar orthopedic and medical examinations.  Screens, shields and high-speed X-ray film further reduce the danger of over exposure.

            Chiropractors believe that the benefit must always justify the risks that are inherent.  That’s why we talk to our patients honestly, explain the risks and answer questions in non-technical terms.

            After testing and diagnosis, you’ll receive a report of the doctor’s findings.  You’ll be told if there is any nerve interference and how severe it.

            You and your doctor will discuss the health of you spine and the doctor will outline a course of care needed to correct the nerve interference.  This may include spinal adjustments, beneficial exercise and changes to your life-style.

            Chiropractors don’t treat symptoms.  Our job is to locate the cause of die-ease, the nerve interference, and correct it.  Frequent adjustments may be required at the beginning.

            As your condition improves, the number of adjustments will decrease and you’ll be placed on wellness care.  Don’t expect nerve interference to be corrected in a few visits.  It will take continued adjusting to be certain the vertebrae have returned to their proper position and your muscles and ligaments can continue to hold them firmly in place.

            Once you are properly “back together,” your doctor will perform periodic spinal checks to make sure your spine remains free of nerve interference.

            There are three levels of chiropractic care.  First, is an Intensive Care Phase, Level I.  During this time, the chiropractor’s objective is to reduce stress damage to the spine and nervous system.

            You might be in a situation where you have pain, or disease that has convinced you to seek help.  Realize that the chiropractic adjustments are helping you immediately but you have to understand healing takes time.  Your condition didn’t over overnight.  Be willing to change your personal habits and follow the doctor’s advice to move the process along.

            During the Level I period, you may be seeing you D.C. every day – or at least three times a week depending on the need.

            Level II is the Reconstructive Phase.  Now, the spine is nearly or completely aligned but it has to be monitored while it becomes stronger and holds the adjustment for longer periods of time.  This stage is critical.  Complete correction cannot take place if you don’t have your spine checked regularly to be very sure there isn’t a reoccurrence of nerve interference.  During Level II, you may be seeing your chiropractor from one to two times a week.

            Level III is the Wellness Phase.  Now, your spine is holding its adjustment.  This phase is similar to having your eyes checked or having your teeth cleaned.  You want to visit your chiropractor on a regular basis.  In this way, you can detect and correct nerve interference early and enhance your body’s Innate ability to express its maximum health potential.

Some information has come from the following book:
Chiropractic First:  the Fastest Growing Healthcare Choice … Before Drugs or Surgery
Terry A. Rondberg, D.C.