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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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