Chiropractic is a holistic healthcare approach that emphasizes the body’s inherent capacity for self-healing. Chiropractors are highly-trained professionals who use manipulative techniques on the spine and nervous system in order to restore function across the board.
Spinal misalignments can interfere with brain-body communication and have an adverse effect on your immune system. Regular visits to a chiropractor can help strengthen your immunity and protect you against future illness.
The Spine
The spine is a complex system connecting your brain to the rest of your body. It consists of bones called vertebrae that stack atop one another for flexibility and shock absorption when you move.
Vertebrae are joined together by facet joints, which appear as bony knobs extending from one vertebra to the next. These facet joints are supported by an intervertebral disc which acts as a shock absorber for the spine and helps keep it from becoming misaligned.
Each spinal nerve exits from a specific vertebra and sends messages to various parts of the body. Any injury or shift to these vertebrae can affect how these nerves function.
The Nervous System
The nervous system (brain, spinal cord and nerves) is responsible for all bodily functions. When it’s malfunctioning, you may experience digestive issues, frequent illnesses and balance/coordination issues.
Your brain and spinal column communicate with one another via a network of nerves that run from and to the spine. These vital connections are shielded by bone, specifically the skull and vertebrae (ring-shaped bones that make up your spinal column).
Neurons communicate with each other via tiny gaps called synapses. When a neuron receives a signal from the nerve, it releases chemicals called neurotransmitters that carry the message across this gap.
Exercise
Exercising is an excellent way to promote health and wellness, particularly for chiropractic patients. Exercising increases muscle strength which can help protect you from injury and keep you healthy for longer.
Regular exercise can reduce tension on the spine and increase flexibility, which are vital for those suffering from back pain. Furthermore, it increases blood flow and transports oxygen and nutrients to muscles and tissues of the body, aiding in healing processes.
A chiropractor will collaborate with you to craft a tailored exercise program tailored for your individual needs. At the start of treatment, these exercises may be more vigorous; however, as your body heals and recovers, the frequency and intensity of these activities should decrease accordingly.
Nutrition
Chiropractors assist patients in leading a healthy lifestyle through exercise, rest and the use of natural, drug-free solutions. Furthermore, they ensure the patient’s body is functioning at its optimum capacity to heal itself from injuries.
Nutrition is an integral component of chiropractic care, as it can improve the effectiveness of treatment and lead to long-lasting effects. Most chiropractors will collaborate with their patients on creating a nutritious diet that includes fresh produce like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, low-fat dairy products, as well as healthy oils.
Nutritional counseling is important because it addresses the whole body, rather than just symptoms, which may be confusing for some people. Adding a nutritionist to your staff will add value to your practice and promote patients’ overall wellness.
Stress Management
Stress is a normal reaction to change or difficulty, but if left unchecked for too long it can have detrimental effects on your health. It causes physical, emotional and behavioral symptoms like headaches, stomach upset and sleep issues; making it important to manage stress effectively.
Chiropractic can help alleviate stress by relieving muscle tension, soothing irritated nerves and improving blood circulation. It may also restore chemical balance in the body to reduce cortisol levels and enhance your capacity to cope with stress.
Chronic stress can have numerous detrimental effects on your health, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, acid reflux and digestive issues. This is because chronic stress increases production of cortisol–a hormone that prepares you for fight or flight–in your body.