Chiropractors: What Do They Do?

Modern chiropractic began in the late 1800s when Daniel David Palmer, a self-educated teacher, healer, and chiropractor, performed the first spinal manipulation on a patient. Chiropractic is the third largest area of medicine today. The word chiropractic comes from Greek words meaning “treatment by hand”, which is exactly what chiropractors doâ€- they use their hands to manipulate the body and promote healing and wellness.

A doctor of chiropractic (DC), chiropractor, or chiropractic physician is a healthcare professional trained to diagnose and treat disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Chiropractors treat patients of all ages, including infants, children, and adults. They believe in a traditional (non-surgical) hands-on method of treating these disorders.

The chiropractic philosophy is dependent on the following belief statements:

• All bodily functions are interconnected, and the healing process requires the entire body.
• A healthy nervous system, particularly the spine, is a vital component of a healthy body. The spinal cord carries information throughout the body and is responsible for many bodily functions, including voluntary movements (such as walking) and involuntary functions (like respiration). When the systems of the body are in equilibrium, it is referred to as homeostasis. Disorders of the bones, muscles, and nerves increase the risk of other health problems and can disrupt homeostasis.
• When body systems are in harmony, the human anatomy possesses the extraordinary ability to maintain well-being and self-regulate.

Chiropractor

They use traditional diagnostic testing strategies (like X-rays, MRI, and laboratory work) along with specific chiropractic techniques that involve hands-on manipulation of the articulations (joints) of the body. Chiropractors also offer nutrition and lifestyle counseling for a healthy approach. Chiropractors do not prescribe medication and do not perform operations; however, many chiropractors work with medical doctors and will refer a patient when needed.

Chiropractors believe that among the main reasons for pain and disease is the misalignment of the vertebrae in the spinal column (this is known as a chiropractic subluxation). Through the usage of manual detection (or palpation), carefully applied pressure, massage, and manual manipulation of the vertebrae and joints (called adjustments), chiropractors can alleviate pressure and irritation on the nerves, restore joint mobility, and help return the body’s homeostasis.

Some chiropractors dedicate their practices exclusively to finding and removing subluxations. But in addition to using manual adaptations, most chiropractors offer other treatment modalities such as the following:

• Physiotherapy
• Herbal therapy
• Heat/cold therapy
• Ultrasound
• Electric muscle stimulation
• Acupuncture
• Manipulation under anesthesia
• Traction
• Massage
• Exercise programs and teaching
• Lifestyle and nutrition counselling
• Physical rehabilitation

Additionally, many chiropractors have considerable postgraduate training and become board-certified in some specific areas of interest, such as:

• Neurology
• Orthopaedics
• Sports medicine
• Physical rehabilitation
• Nutrition
• Diagnostic radiology
• Internal Disorders
• Pediatrics
• Forensic sciences

Disorders That Chiropractors Treat

Chiropractors diagnose and treat various spinal disorders that cause musculoskeletal or nerve-related pain. Similar to other types of physicians, a chiropractor performs a neurological and physical examination as part of their process of making an accurate diagnosis. X-rays or CT scan studies may be ordered to confirm your diagnosis. Â Several spine-related problems that might be assessed and treated by chiropractic care.

Back sprains/strains  the tough bands of tissue that hold bones, become torn or overstretched, causing sprains. Strains involve a muscle or a tendon. Either one can occur when you lift too much weight, play a strenuous sport, or even bend or twist improperly during the day. The pain may be aching, burning, stabbing, tingling, sharp, or dull.

Cervicogenic headaches are often associated with known neck pain. The pain from this type of headache is usually felt and/or behind the eyes, in the temples, or in the back of the head. A headache may be confused with migraines or cluster headaches.

Coccydynia is a type of pain that develops in the tailbone area of the spine. Some people who ride a bike for a long time or who fall may develop coccydynia, which can worsen when sitting. The pain starts without any cause.

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is usually associated with aging. As you age, your discs break down due to years of strain, overuse, or misuse, and the pillow-like cushions between your vertebrae can degenerate. The discs may lose shock absorption, elasticity, and flexibility. They become thinner as they dehydrate.

A herniated disc usually occurs in the neck or lower back. A herniated disc can lead to pain once the outer ring (annulus) or interior Matter (nucleus pulposus) presses on a nearby nerve root.

Myofascial pain is a chronic pain illness where pressure on sensitive points in your muscles–known as trigger points–can cause deep, aching pain in seemingly unrelated parts of your body. This is called referred pain. Sometimes, myofascial pain feels like a “knot” in the muscle and occurs after a muscle is used repeatedly.

Piriformis syndrome may occur when the piriformis muscle (a lean muscle located in the buttocks) compresses or irritates the sciatic nerve. Symptoms of sciatica may include pain and/or sensations (such as tingling or numbness) that travel down through the buttocks and into one or both legs.

Sciatica may occur when the sciatic nerve or a branch of the sciatic nerve is compressed or becomes swollen. Sciatica’s hallmark is moderate. Some people with sciatica describe the pain as sharp, like an electric shock, or shooting.

Short leg or leg length discrepancy is also called limb length discrepancy (one leg is shorter than the other).

Spondylosis, also known as spinal osteoarthritis, may affect the spine’s facet joints or other bones. This kind of arthritis is associated with aging.

Whiplash is a hyperflexion/hyperextension injury commonly occurring when an automobile is rear-ended.  The neck and head are “whipped” suddenly and quickly forward (hyperflexion) and backward (hyperextension), which may lead to severe neck sprain and/or strain.

Chiropractic Benefits

Chiropractic services offer numerous benefits for individuals of all ages,  including the young and the elderly.

Realistically, not everyone requires a chiropractic adjustment at this time. Like many aspects of personal health, it is dependent on each person’s physical condition. However, it is impossible to know whether chiropractic care is necessary until a chiropractor has actually examined you.

The following are some of the numerous benefits that chiropractic services can provide to patients throughout their lives.

Children

Many parents wonder if choosing a chiropractor is safe for young children. The short answer is yes. The American Chiropractic Association fully endorses pediatric chiropractic care, and chiropractors receive specialized training in pediatric care as part of their doctoral studies.

Now more than ever, the spines of children today are subjected to various types of stresses that can cause misalignments, including wearing heavy backpacks, increased use of computers and mobile devices, and sports injuries.

Chiropractic care can address these issues and has also been successfully used to treat conditions such as colic, chronic ear infections, and back and neck pain.

Teens

Many teenagers are involved in sports. Poor posture habits and hefty backpacks can also negatively impact your teen’s spine. Chiropractors help alleviate lower back pain caused by athletic activities and aid in the healing of minor injuries.

Since an aligned spine reduces pain and stiffness, it enables the body to become more flexible and stronger. Regular adjustments may help your teen perform better and improve overall health.

Adults

The benefits of chiropractic care continue and expand into adulthood. Here, we see neck and spinal adjustments frequently used to rehabilitate automotive, work-related, and sports-related injuries.

Military and commercial pilots often seek chiropractic care due to the long hours spent in awkward positions and being subjected to extreme G-forces in high-performance aircraft

Adult patients have also indicated many other positive results from chiropractic care, including:

• Feeling less stressed
• Better sleep
• Lower blood pressure
• Reduced feelings of depression
• Less chronic pain
• Fewer headaches
• Improved pregnancies

Seniors

One of the more common myths about chiropractic care is that seniors are considered too old and frail to benefit from it. In reality, the opposite is true. Older patients who undergo spinal manipulation have reported numerous significant improvements in quality of life.

Summary

Chiropractic has evolved significantly since its inception. Due to its success in treating back and neck problems and as a consequence of changing approaches and recent research, chiropractic has become more accepted. It is currently considered by many to be a piece of mainstream Western medicine. Actually, many hospitals finally have chiropractors on staff. The court system has also recognized chiropractors as expert witnesses in their field.

See A Chiropractor, Lead A Fuller Life

My name is Dr. Alexander D. Jimenez, an advanced specialty chiropractor treating moderate to severe joint and spinal disabilities. Primarily Specialty Practice Directives: Sciatica, Neck-Back Pain, Whiplash, Headaches, Knee Injuries, Sport Injuries,  Dizziness, Poor Sleep, Arthritis. We utilize advanced, proven therapies that focus on optimal mobility, health, fitness, and structural conditioning. We also use patient-focused diet plans, Specialized Chiropractic Techniques, Mobility and Agility Training, and therapeutic CrossFit protocols. We are the premier facility focused on the “PUSH-as-Rx ®┠¢Â Functional Fitness System to treat patients suffering from various injuries and health problems. Regardless of age, limitation, or functional impairment, there is a place, level, protocol, nd safe procedure for our patients.

Our simple yet powerful mantra….To live, you must move. To love, you must move. To Matter, you must Move Freely as God Intended...

Let us help you live, love, and matter for yourself and your loved ones. Â 

Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T 

For more information, please feel free to contact us at (915) 850-0900

Chiropractic Clinic Extra: Non-Surgical Treatment