Chiropractic is a form of health care concerned with the relationship between the spine and pelvis (structure) and the nervous system (function). You may have heard the phrase ‘structure governs function‘ meaning if the structure of the body is not optimal, functioning of the body will not be optimal.
Spinal problems may place endangering stress on your spinal cord and nerves. This leads to interruptions of nerve supply for your major organs such as your heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, digestive system and other cells in the body, including skin and blood cells.
If cells can’t be replaced in the normal way, disease, problems and pain may set in. Our goal as Chiropractors is to remove the nerve interference and allow proper nerve supply to every organ, tissue and cell in the body. By removing nerve interference, chiropractors help the body to function in a better way.
“Chiropractic is a patient-centered, hands-on approach to health that’s focused on influencing bodily function through structural correction”
What is a chiropractic adjustment? A chiropractic adjustment refers to the force, applied by a qualified Doctor of Chiropractic, to a vertebrae (or joint) that has abnormal movement patterns or fails to function normally.
Your adjustments aim to correct troublesome misalignments along the spine, thus helping to increase range of motion, improve structure and function, reduce nerve irritability and reduce pain.
A series of adjustments may be recommended if your case warrants chiropractic care (that is what our new patient checkup is designed to assess). Chiropractic may be used for pain relief (short term care) or may be corrective (a medium to long-term process).
Over time, and after a series of adjustments, we hope that you will start to notice positive changes to your body, your posture and how you function!
“Your adjustments aim to increase range of motion, improve structure and function, reduce nerve irritability and reduce pain.”
Chiropractic philosophy is based on the scientific premise that your body is a self-regulating and self-healing organism with chiropractic simply removing any interference that can stop your body from regulating and healing.
D.D. Palmer, the founder of chiropractic, taught that innate intelligence flowed through the body, particularly through the nervous system. This innate intelligence is meant to influence all other systems of the body. Palmer believed the flow of innate intelligence through the nervous system could be impacted by distortions and irritations to the spine. This resulted in the origins of the chiropractic adjustment and subsequent use of this method to treat a range of conditions.
Chiropractic care is generally considered safe (it is wise to point out that no health treatment is entirely risk free). Published studies and reports through the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme show that chiropractic is a low risk health modality. It is widely accepted and used as a form of health care by many in the community.
Each week, over 200,000 Australians visit their local Doctor of Chiropractic (Chiropractors’ Association of Australia). Most health care funds cover chiropractic care for injury and rehabilitation.
The New Zealand Government’s Inquiry commented that chiropractic care is ‘remarkably safe’.* Chiropractic has an excellent safety record. It is the result of a conservative approach to health that avoids invasive procedures or addictive drugs.
In relation to neck and back pain treatment, studies have shown that a course of chiropractic care was 250 times safer than a course of anti-inflammatory drugs.**
Chiropractors are spinal health care professionals. Chiropractors identify and work to correct misalignments in your structure, improve spinal and hip biomechanics and improve nervous system functioning.
The chiropractic adjustment is unique to the profession of chiropractic. It involves the skill of using a specific force in a precise direction, applied to a fixated joint. The purpose of the adjustment is to improve spinal function, improve nervous system function and improve health.
Chiropractors are primary healthcare practitioners therefore a referral is not required. GP’s may refer certain patients to chiropractors via the Enhanced Primary Care Program (EPC) for x5 visits.
In Australia chiropractors are five year university trained (at an accredited university) and are government registered and regulated health professionals. To become registered in Australia chiropractors must adhere to strict and comprehensive educational standards. A chiropractic degree program typically includes a three year undergraduate program combined with a two year Masters of Chiropractic graduate program.
Many patients receive chiropractic care well into their senior years. Adjustments may help keep the spine mobile and prevent worsening posture and disc degeneration. With recent concern over life-time dependence on prescription medications and their long term side effects, chiropractic offers an alternative for many health complaints. Adjustment technique is modified to suit your comfort levels and health.
The longer you put off seeking treatment for spinal problems, the longer it may take to treat and correct the issue. Some health complaints require a minimal amount of treatment, others require medium to long term corrective care. Many patients stay on top of their health with infrequent checkups and adjustments.
References
* Chiropractic in New Zealand: Report of the Commission of Inquiry. (1979). Hasselberg PD, Government Printer, Wellington, New Zealand.
** Dabbs, V., & Lauretti, W.J. (1995). A Risk Assessment of Cervical Manipulation vs NSAIDs for the Treatment of Neck Pain. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 18(8), 530-536
Our clinic commonly helps the following challenges: