You may have been to a chiropractor, or maybe even many different chiropractors and gotten a little different treatment from each one. Maybe you have never been to a chiropractor but you know that they are those back and neck pain doctors. As a chiropractor, allow me to speak briefly on what it is that I do.
Chiropractic is a profession. This means that doctors of chiropractic may choose to do many different treatments that are allowed within their scope of practice. What unites all chiropractors is that they do not utilize drugs or surgery in their treatment protocols, making them a very safe option to choose. First and foremost, I am a physician. This means that when someone comes to me with a health problem, I am trained to ask specific questions and perform a thorough examination on any complaint that they may present with. In case of a serious problem or one that needs evaluated by a specialist, I must refer a patient to get the treatment that they need.
Chiropractic is centered on the "adjustment."
Whether using their hands or an instrument, the purpose of the adjustment is to return normal motion and alignment to the joints. The spine is the most common, but any joint of the body can be adjusted. The most important part of the adjustment is the effect it has on the central nervous system (your brain and spinal cord). This effect can be powerful and explains some of the amazing stories of chiropractic helping many conditions. Through a complex process called mechanoreception, adjusting a joint has a positive impact on the brain and spine that relieves pain, improves function, and leaves you feeling great. Think of the adjustment as pushing the reset button on your brain. Because of this effect on the brain, the chiropractic adjustment is not only effective at treating back and neck pain, but also it has a positive effect on your whole body!
In my last post I spoke briefly about observing movement and treating function in the body. I have a special passion for this aspect of patient care. Ensuring proper spinal function is critical to most all health conditions, but certain conditions require additional treatment. Problems with the hands, feet, knees, or shoulders, for example, may need a different examination and special treatments. I enjoy analyzing a patient's individual movement to determine the best approach.
Finally chiropractic focuses on treating the function of the body as opposed to the symptoms that you present with. Think of it this way, your pain or symptom is like the check engine light on your car; flashing, ringing, very annoying, and disrupts your daily drive. You have some options when dealing with the light. You can cut the wire that leads to the light, or you can figure out what is wrong with the engine and this will stop the light. Let's get to the source of your problem and get your body functioning in the best way possible.
All the best,
Dr. Joel Ardner
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