What Exactly is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a health care discipline which emphasizes the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery. The practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health.

A common question frequently asked is, what conditions do chiropractors treat? It would be more helpful to ask, what conditions do spinal subluxations cause? By recalling that the nervous system controls the functions of the body, the traditional view of chiropractic for only back pain is quickly expanded upon. Whenever abnormal health conditions are present, it is important to make sure the nervous system is free from interference. The chiropractic profession is trained and specializes in detection and correction of spinal subluxations.

The word chiropractic comes from the two Greek words cheir (hand) and praxis (action), which means “done by hand.” This is a good description of one of the major treatments the chiropractor performs; the spinal adjustment. When a spinal bone is out of position or not functioning correctly, the chiropractor uses a specific manual adjustment performed with the hands to correct this problem. This is discussed further under the section about Gonstead.

So, is chiropractic for back pain, neck injuries, and headaches? Certainly. But never forget, no matter what disease or health problem you have, it might be directly or indirectly caused by nerve interference. So before you take medication for your menstrual cramps or heartburn, have your gall bladder removed, or reach for your inhaler because of asthma, make sure the cause is not a spinal subluxation.

There are many ingredients to being truly healthy: a good diet, exercise, avoiding stress, sufficient rest, and perhaps, even a positive attitude. But let’s not forget one of the most important, “keeping your nervous system free from interference.”

If your condition is caused by a spinal subluxation,
no pill, powder or potion will correct it, only a specific chiropractic adjustment.