A healthy system should be structurally sound. Any mechanic or builder can tell you that even a slight misalignment of structural joints can (and probably will) cause problems in a system. Why shouldn’t the same be true for your body’s structures?
Chiropractors are primarily concerned with optimal functioning of the nervous system, the core of which is encased in the skull and spine. We know that structural misalignments can diminish nerve function. This is painfully obvious when you experience the sensation of a “pinched nerve.” However, it’s not so obvious when you are experiencing nerve impingement that does not happen to be painful. (Yes, you can have a pinched nerve without pain; only one out of nine nerve functions is sensory!)
Are structural corrections limited to “cracking” bones? NO! Just as there are many sorts of misalignments, there are many ways to make corrections. There are non-force adjustments (which make no noise at all), instrument adjustments (which also usually do not make “cracking” sounds), soft tissue corrections (which include manual therapy techniques such as massage), and of course traditional manual bone-moving adjustment techniques. We use the techniques that are most appropriate for the type of misalignment at hand, and we refer out when you need something else.
Aside from chiropractic, what are the other ways in which the STRUCTURAL base of health is addressed? Here are a few: EXERCISE, properly supported feet, massage, acupuncture (yes, meridians count as structure), healthy dentistry and orthodontics, optometry, physical therapy, bodywork, colonics, skin brushing...
What are the structural corrections that people may receive in our office? CHIROPRACTIC SPINAL ADJUSTMENTS (duh!) EXTREMITY ADJUSTMENTS (shoulders, wrists, knees, jaws... yes, pretty much any joint can misalign and cause problems, and yes, chiropractors are trained to correct these misalignment issues.) CUSTOM ORTHOTICS (properly supported feet pave the way for a properly supported spine) AURICULOTHERAPY (sometimes, nerve points on the ear are stimulated to stimulate a target organ or function. We mostly use this when people are working on smoking cessation.)
