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The Chiropractor's Challenge Education is the greatest challenge facing the chiropractic profession today. The most important route to succeeding with this challenge is, and always has been, through patients. As a patient, you play an important role in meeting these challenges by sharing your experiences and understanding of chiropractic with others. Chiropractic has flourished for two reasons: First, chiropractic works. Second, our patients share their knowledge and experience with others.
Chiropractic already has a reputation for being the best solution for most neuro- musculoskeletal (nerve/muscle/bone) problems. Employers and workers' compensation boards have found that chiropractic care can return injured workers to their jobs faster and less expensively. Medicare and most insurance companies recognize chiropractic as necessary health care that is covered within their policy limits. |
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Since chiropractic enhances the functioning of the nervous system by removing interferences caused by malfunction in the spinal joints, chiropractors have been incorrectly categorized as strictly "back and neck" doctors. It is true that back and neck problems are what usually prompt an initial investigation of chiropractic by many patients. Not surprising is the fact that when their spine and nervous system function better, patients discover improvements in other aspects of their health too. Patients may notice they feel less tense and many begin to enjoy a good night's sleep which may have eluded them for years. So, you see, chiropractors are more than just "back and neck" doctors.
We hope you will share your positive experiences with others. A word about your experience with chiropractic to a family member or friend who is in pain could help make the difference between them living pain free, or living a life of discomfort. The profession has come a long way since its beginnings a century ago, due mostly to the many patients who have proved that chiropractic works. As we educate and successfully treat our patients, they become walking proof. As a patient, you play an important role in helping chiropractic in its greatest challenge: to educate the public, as you share your chiropractic experience with others. |
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Spinal Anatomy The health of the spinal column and the nerves it protects is central to chiropractic. Doctors of Chiropractic are specialists in evaluating bio-mechanical (functional) and structural derangements of the skeletal system and the effects they have on the nervous system, and treating these derangements to help restore and maintain health. Optimum health can only be achieved when this relationship is intact and unimpaired.
The nervous system consists of the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (the spinal nerves). Nerve fibers relay signals to virtually every cell, tissue and organ of the body, ultimately controlling all bodily functions. The brain coordinates and controls activities by sending impulses down the spinal cord and out each of 31 pairs of spinal nerve roots. These spinal nerves emerge from the spinal canal through small openings called "intervertebral foramen", which are located on each side of the spine between each pair of vertebrae. Spinal nerves are made up of thousands of nerve fibers many times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. A feedback system sends information from the body back to the brain to help the brain know what is happening. |
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The spine is made up of 24 moveable bones called vertebrae, as well as the sacrum and the coccyx. It protects the spinal cord, the pathway for almost all nerve impulses transmitted to and from the brain. The back is a strong, yet flexible structure. Each vertebra has four bony projections called facets, which, along with the facets of the adjoining vertebrae, form the joints. A thin, tough intervertebral disc lies between two vertebrae. The intervertebral disc consists of a tough, outer layer of cartilage and elastic tissue, surrounding a soft, gelatin-like material known as the nucleus. This soft, pulpy filling enables the disc to act as a shock absorber. |
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The combination of the vertebrae and the discs provides flexibility in the spine. The spine's support comes from the ligaments, tendons and muscles that surround and attach to the spine. The back is also supported by muscles in the abdomen, hips, buttocks and legs. The muscles help support the spine in a long S-shape curve (when viewed from the side): the body's most balanced and resilient position. If the body is in proper alignment, when viewed from the side, the ears, shoulders and hips should all line up in a straight vertical line. In this position, the physical strains borne by the spine and its supporting structures are evenly distributed.
The unique clinical concern in chiropractic is the unobstructed transmission of the spinal nerve impulses as they exit the spine. Malfunction of the vertebrae can cause the nerves to become stretched, impinged, entrapped, compressed, pinched or otherwise irritated. Since it is the purpose of the nervous system to coordinate the functions of the entire body, any |
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obstruction, no matter how slight, can disrupt the delicate balance. The unobstructed transmission of nerve impulses is of primary concern to the Doctor of Chiropractic.
The Nervous System The human body is made up of not one, but three nervous systems. Although, by category, these three nervous systems are separate, actually they are interdependent and interrelated. In order for the body to function properly, it takes all three nervous systems functioning properly, unobstructed and in harmony. At any given moment, millions of bits of "information" from the sight and hearing enter your nervous system and must be analyzed to determine an appropriate response. About 99.9% is discarded as "unimportant" at the moment. While all this is going on, all of the other senses are active, too, bombarding the nervous system and demanding a response. At the same time the body's many organs and functions must be tirelessly monitored, directed and unified. This is all accomplished by the integration of the body's three nervous systems. The following is a description of each: |
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- THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS) is composed of the brain and spinal cord. Impulses originating in the brain are sent to various parts of the body via the spinal cord. The brain is protected and encased by the bones of the skull, while the spinal cord is protected and encased by the 24 individual and movable bones of the spine called the vertebrae. The spinal cord is a direct downward continuation of the brain stem that starts at the upper border of the uppermost vertebra (called the atlas), and ends at the lower border of the first lumbar vertebrae.
- THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (PNS) is basically an extension of the Central Nervous System described above. The Peripheral Nervous System connects the Central Nervous System with all the tissues of the body. Thirty-one pairs of spinal nerves exit the spine and form a very complex network of nerves reaching out to every part of the body. Messages or signals are thus relayed from the tissues of the body back to the brain and vice versa. Chiropractic's unique clinical concern is the unobstructed transmission of these nerve signals as they travel back and forth from the brain to the tissues of the body.
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- THE AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM (ANS), also known as the "involuntary" nervous system controls activities of the body unconsciously. The Autonomic Nervous System includes all the nerve cells, or neurons, located outside the spinal cord and the brain stem. The ANS itself is divided into two separate entities: the Sympathetic and the Parasympathetic divisions. The Sympathetic division sends impulses that speed up or enhance (as in running) whereas the parasympathetic slows down (digestion). These two systems combined regulate the majority of the body's involuntary functions. Examples of involuntary control are the heart rate, respiration, blood circulation and digestion.
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The Doctor of Chiropractic works with all three nervous systems to bring about a positive change in the body. Spinal malfunction can cause irritation in the spine adversely affecting any or all three nervous systems, a condition chiropractors refer to as the "Vertebral Subluxation Complex". A properly administered chiropractic adjustment can eliminate or reduce the Vertebral Subluxation Complex, thus restoring normal nerve flow and creating a healthier nervous system.
Chiropractic is a complex and ever-expanding system of health care, and as such, cannot be completely covered in these few pages. We encourage you to seek further knowledge, if necessary, before deciding to entrust your health and wellness to our qualified Doctors of Chiropractic. Among many other sources, we have found this one to be full of valuable information:
The American Chiropractic Association. |
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