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Back to Good
Health
Extracts From Article on Chiropractic Care By
Ted Koren
Chiropractic and osteopathic care works with your body’s own natural
strengths by encouraging its natural healing processes to
restore and maintain health.
The spine consists of 24 vertebrae in addition to your
sacrum and coccyx and has many important functions in the body.
The spinal column houses and protects your vital spinal cord and
spinal nerves; it supports your hips and shoulders; it serves as
an attachment to your muscles; and it supports your head and
ribs. A healthy spine is therefore essential for good health.
In fact, many health conditions can be traced back to
spinal problems. ‘Subluxations’ or misalignments in the spinal
column press on the nerves of the spine and not only cause back
pain but also affect other parts of the body. These
misalignments pinch off the essential nerve and blood supply to
your body’s organs and systems, which in turn limits your body’s
ability to maintain good health and heal itself. Subsequently, chiropractic
and osteopathic treatment
releases deep stress within your body and mind, to enable you to
function better.
Do
YOU suffer from spinal subluxation?
To find out whether a misaligned spine could be causing you
health problems, ask yourself the following questions:
-
Do your
heels wear out unevenly?
-
Are you
unable to take a satisfying deep breath?
-
Do you
have to ‘crack’ your neck, back or other joints a lot?
-
Are you
unable to twist or turn your head or hips to either side
easily and equally?
-
Are you
often fatigued?
-
Do you
have low resistance to disease?
-
Does your
foot become swollen when you’re out walking?
-
Do you
have poor posture?
-
Do you
suffer from headaches, backaches, sore or tender spots in
muscles or joints?
-
Do you
just not feel right?
If you’ve answered ‘yes’ to any of the above, it may be a
good idea to visit your local practitioner for a
check-up. A difficult birth or delivery, a car accident, a fall, bad
posture, junk food, emotional tension, physical or mental
stress, watching lots of TV, spending many hours on your PC,
dental work, surgery, drug use and long car journeys are all
stresses that can lead to subluxation of the spine.
What is the difference between Chiropractic and Osteopathy?
Chiropractic and Osteopathy are both manipulation-based
therapies used for treating problems associated with bones,
joints and the back. These 2 therapies have much in
common, but Chiropractors tend to focus on the joints of the
spine, and the nervous system; whilst Osteopaths put equal
emphasis on the spine, nervous system, joints and surrounding
muscles, tendons and ligaments.
Chiropractors mainly use a manipulative technique on the spinal
column and pelvic area - consisting of short, rapid forceful
movements called ‘high-velocity thrusts’. These are designed to
realign and mobilise the spine, and may result in an audible
sound – a ‘clicking’ similar to knuckles being stretched.
Osteopaths
also carry out high-velocity thrusts on the spine, but these
play a much smaller part in treatment than in chiropractic.
Osteopaths also use a wide range of other techniques, from the
stretching of soft tissues and massage to rhythmic joint
movements and manipulation - on other parts of the body, as well
as the back. They may use only gentle ‘release’ techniques with
some people, particularly children and older people. These are
called ‘muscle energy’ techniques and are used to release
tension in specific muscles.
Is
Chiropractic or Osteopathy suitable for ALL?
Yes, both are very safe for everyone, from newborn babies to
the elderly. Regular spinal adjustments should be part of
everyone’s healthcare regime to help keep you younger and
healthier, no matter what age you are.
All
UK-based Chiropractors must be registered with the
General
Chiropractic Council and Osteopaths with the
General Osteopathic Council to legally call
themselves Chiropractors or Osteopaths. Practitioners can only
become registered if they have completed an accredited course.
To find out where your nearest chiropractor
is located, please visit the
British Chiropractic Association.
If you live outside the UK, please click
here to find a
chiropractor local to you.
To locate the nearest Osteopath to you in the
UK, please click
here.
The above information should not be treated as a substitute for the
medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care
professional.
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