Chiropractic is greatly misunderstood so let’s set about simplifying both what chiropractic is, how best to utilize it, and how to go about finding the most competent and effective chiropractor for you.
Many people understandably think of chiropractors as back doctors since a large percentage of people initially seek out chiropractic for the relief of neck pain, back pain, headaches, and sciatica. The truth is that chiropractors are more accurately nervous system doctors. The spine happens to be the most common place of irritation, pressure, and interference to the nervous system.
What Do Chiropractors Do?
There are a lot of chiropractors that really do not practice chiropractic. We’ll discuss how to filter them out in a little bit.
The brain sends the spinal cord down through the spine. Nerves exit the spinal cord and travel everywhere in the body. It is this nerve network that controls and coordinates all body functions.
The spine is made up of 24 moveable vertebrae and 3 more bones in the pelvis. If any of these joints get stuck out of position or lose their ability to move freely it creates stress and tension on the nervous system and impacts wherever those nerves go.
Thes stuck or misaligned vertebrae are called Subluxations. Chiropractors locate and correct these subluxations, allowing the nervous system to do its job of regulating all body functions.
Some of the many results of correcting subluxations are:
- Less tension and pain
- Better sleep
- Improved or resolved asthma
- Better digestion
- Better immune response
- Reduced stress
- Lowered heart rate and blood pressure
- Resolution of headaches
- Better Menstrual Cycles
So, while chiropractic is exceptional at helping people overcome neck pain, back pain, and headaches, it’s real value is in helping the body to function as it was intended. True chiropractors really don’t try to fix anything. They seek to remove interference so the body can heal and return to a state of balance.
Chiropractic holds that the human body is self-regulating and self-healing. There isn’t a medication that can make you heal. Yes, sometimes you might need medication to give your body an opportunity to heal but the medication did not and cannot do the healing.
The primary reason many people seek ongoing wellness chiropractic care is less about keeping their pain from returning and much more about wanting to keep their body in balance because they recognize that it feels much better and they function and perform much better.
How to Find an Exceptional Chiropractor
I’m astounded how many people call my office and their only question is how much we charge for the first visit and subsequent adjustments. No questions about how we go about delivering chiropractic care or how we adjust, or what our philosophy is.
When you go to a chiropractor or any other health care practitioner you are trusting your body to them. Don’t you want some information on which to base your decision? Don’t you want the best chiropractor?
Here are some of the steps and things I suggest you consider when choosing a chiropractor:
- First, seek out the recommendations of friends and family.
- Get really clear on what you are looking for. Is it short term pain relief or are you interested in correcting the underlying imbalance causing your problem? These are two very different approaches.
- Are you proactive about your health and interested in how chiropractic might support you in performing your best?
- Go online and do a search. Look at the reviews for each chiropractor. Read some of the reviews. What do they say about the service and what do they say about the doctor?
- Visit their websites. Read about their approach, their philosophy.
- Create a list of questions you would want to ask before starting care. Consider a brief phone or in person consultation to get your concerns addressed.
As with any professional service it is important to find a chiropractor that is a good match for you, your needs, and your experience with past chiropractors.
If you are ready to schedule your initial visit with Life Chiropractic of Grass Valley you can do that here: Schedule Here.