The Truth About Chiropractic

By Anthony T. Hardnett, DC

Effective Integrative Healthcare, LLC

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The Truth About Chiropractic

Instead of prescribing drugs or performing surgeries, chiropractors use manual treatments of the spine and joints, exercise therapy, massage, trigger point therapy and lifestyle changes to allow the body’s natural state of health to fully express itself. These natural treatments are much safer than over-the-counter medications and invasive surgeries.

Chiropractors have had the equivalent training of medical doctors including four years of college, four years of professional college, as well as an internship. What truly differentiates doctors of chiropractic from other healthcare professionals is the fact that chiropractors are the only professionals who are trained to diagnose and treat what are called spinal subluxations.

The word “subluxation” comes from the Latin words meaning “somewhat or slight” (sub) and “to dislocate” (luxate). So the term “vertebral subluxation” literally means a slight dislocation or misalignment of the bones in the spine.

When a subluxation occurs, a chiropractor can correct the misaligned bone and allow it to return to its proper position. This procedure is appropriately called an adjustment, and the adjustment enables the body to heal.

The chiropractic adjustment is a quick thrust applied to a vertebra for the purpose of correcting its position, movement, or both. Adjustments are often accompanied by an audible release of gas that sounds like a “crack.” The sound sometimes shocks people a little bit the first couple times they get adjusted, but the sensation is usually relieving.

Occasionally, minor discomfort is experienced, especially if the surrounding muscles are in spasm or the patient tenses up during the chiropractic procedure. There are times when the audible “cracking” does not occur. This is often due to either significant muscle tightness or that the patient may be having a hard time relaxing during their adjustments.

To make sure that the problem does not reoccur and that the pain does not come back, several adjustments over a course of time may be necessary, in addition to massage, physical therapy, stretching exercises, or strengthening exercises. In the chiropractic world, keeping the problem fixed and preventing its reoccurrence is just as important as the initial remedy.

If you would like to explore a drug-free and non-invasive treatment method from a highly trained and certified professional, consider visiting your local chiropractor and heal yourself naturally.

Your body should have the power to heal most everything, and a doctor of chiropractic can help.