Chiropractic’s basic principles:
- The body is self-healing and self-regulating. Chiropractic care focuses on aiding and enhancing these natural functions.
- The nervous system, the body’s communication network, is integral to the body’s self-management (homeostasis).
- Mechanical problems in the spine are one condition that can disrupt the body’s self-regulation. Over-stimulated or irritated spinal nerves can set off or dampen normal reflex functions, interfering with normal regulatory communications. Ultimately, chronic conditions can result: pre-mature joint degeneration, muscle spasm, headache, sciatica, disc degeneration, etc.
- Correction of the mechanics of the spine can help the body get back to homeostasis and normal self-management.
In a nutshell, chiropractors help keep your back working normally, in spite of how you abuse it. A flexible, stable back will be less painful. And because your spine is so closely tied to your nerves, this helps you be healthier.
What causes these mechanical problems in the spine?
- Injury: falls, car accidents, etc
- Posture: chronic joint and muscle dysfunction
- Over-use injuries: tendonitis, joint wear and tear
- Muscular imbalance: from over-use and asymmetrical development
- Degenerative conditions: arthritis
- Congenital/developmental conditions: which lead to postural, muscular or nervous system imbalances
- Coping responses to other disease states: irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, obesity, fibromyalgia, hip/knee degeneration, etc.
What is a chiropractor?
- They are SPECIALISTS IN BACK CARE, which includes back and neck conditions, sciatica, headaches and arm radiculopathies. These are the predominant health problems treated in chiropractic offices.
- They are MUSCULO-SKELETAL THERAPISTS treating athletic injuries, carple tunnel syndrome, tendonitis (tennis elbow, etc), knee and hip problems, and conditions stemming from muscular imbalances and joint problems.
- They are WELLNESS COACHES, sources of information and counseling for nutrition, exercise, stress management and lifestyle management.
Dr Town’s methods of therapy
- ADJUSTMENT: manipulation mainly to the spine to restore normal function to aberrant joints.
- FLEXION-DISTRACTION: traction to the low back
- SOFT TISSUE THERAPIES: to break up adhesions and encourage normal mobility
- EXERCISE: to relieve joint stresses, encourage normal range of motion and strengthen and balance the body’s muscular/stability system.
- ULTRASOUND: to stimulate tissue healing and circulation, generally in accessible sprain/strain type injuries.
- NUTRITIONAL ADVICE: to learn to feed the machine and stop abusing it, enabling the body to take better care of itself.
- LIFESTYLE and STRESS MANAGEMENT COUNSELLING: often the key cause of physical pain and dysfunction.
Most common ailments treated by chiropractors
- Low back pain, whether due to impinged joints, disc injury, muscle spasm, arthritis or sprain/strain injuries, are by far the most common presenting condition.
- Neck pain, with or without radiation to the shoulders and arm, are also very common.https://townchiro.com/wp-admin/edit.php?post_type=page
- Headache, whether tension, migraine or postural in origin, respond to chiropractic care.
- Radiating limb pain (ie sciatica) is often treated successfully by chiropractors.
- Musculo-skeletal injuries like tennis elbow, carple tunnel syndrome and acute sprain/strain injuries are frequently treated.