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Why Should I See A Chiropractor?
by Dr. David L. Wick, D.C.
At the mention of "chiropractor" or "chiropractic," most people think of health practitioners who work on back or neck pain. That image is correct, but there is far more benefit from the work of chiropractic than initially meets the eye.
The fundamental belief that chiropractic was founded on is that there is a Universal Intelligence in all matter that maintains it and gives it the expression of life. Within the human body, this intelligence is referred to as Innate Intelligence, and it directs every function of the body through the nervous system. If there is some blockage of usual innate action, "dis-ease" is expressed through diminished body functions.
Therefore, chiropractors are concerned first and foremost with the function of the nervous system. The training they receive is to find dysfunctional areas of the nervous system and make corrections to improve nerve communication to muscles, organs and glands.
My work as a chiropractor is to determine, through a variety of functional tests, where a particular area of the spine may be involved in disturbing the normal communication of the spinal nerves. The area of spinal interruption is termed the Subluxation Complex. Whenever a person has a Subluxation, one or more of the following may result:
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Abnormal position and motion of spinal bones (Kinesiopathology)—These problems may be caused by various physical traumas like the birth process (naturally or C-section), auto accidents, athletic or work injuries, improper posture, repetitive motions, and poor sleep habits. Chemical imbalances and emotional stress may also contribute to these problems.
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Abnormal function of the nervous system (Neuropathophysiology)—The improper position or motion of spinal bones may result in impaired function of spinal nerves. Disturbed spinal nerve functions may affect all of the muscles, organs and glands controlled by those nerves. This may cause those affected tissues to kick into "overdrive" or have deficient function. Either case may cause the body to wear out prematurely.
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Abnormal muscle function (Myopathology)—Because of improper spinal bone movement, and potential nerve irritation, muscles supporting the spine can weaken and atrophy or become tight and spasm. Elasticity of the spinal muscles may change as scar tissue and adhesions form during periods of injury or malfunction.
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Abnormal soft tissue function (Histopathology)—Other supportive tissues around the spine may have problems as well. Discs, ligaments and other soft tissues may malfunction in the presence of a subluxation. Because discs and ligaments have relatively poor blood supply, the healing functions of those tissues is often slow and requires continued care even after relieving the most obvious symptoms associated with spinal subluxations.
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Abnormal functions of the spine and body (Pathophysiology)—When the spinal bones have improper alignment and movement, the body responds in various ways. Bony spurs and spinal decay may eventually lead to fused and immovable spinal regions. Poor nerve communication from the spine may cause further degenerative changes in organs, glands and other tissues that are deprived of their normal nerve control.
Similar to tooth decay or heart disease, the subluxation complex may develop rather silently. Waiting for a symptom to show up may allow the disease process to affect quality of life and body functions for some time before anything presents itself. That's why many patients show up in my office with spinal arthritis or disc problems without ever having a symptom until they woke up one morning in pain, or bent over to pick up a light object such as a pencil. Obviously, sleeping and pencil picking should never result in injury, but that's the way it seems when subluxations develop silently over time.
Just as it is foolish to wait for a heart attack before considering heart health, it is unwise to wait for back pain before taking care of your spinal health.
Many of us take good care of checking our teeth, blood pressure, heart function and so on, and we also need to regularly have our spinal function checked by a chiropractor to make sure that we are living at our best. Good health is not the absence of symptoms, it is the presence of optimal function!
©Copyright 2005 Dr. David L. Wick, D.C. All rights reserved.
This article is not intended for the diagnosis or treatment of any illness. Diagnosis and treatment of all health conditions should only be performed by your doctor of chiropractic or other licensed health care professional. Please use this article for informational purposes only. This information does not replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare provider.
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