Chiropractic Manipulative Therapy

What is a Chiropractic adjustment?

 

The main treatment method of chiropractors is the "chiropractic manipulative therapy" or commonly referred to as an "adjustment". In technical jargon, it is the act of "moving the joints of the spine beyond the individual's usual physiological range of motion using a fast, low amplitude thrust" [THE CHIROPRACTIC ACT, 1991]. This generates a release within the joint which may cause a sound as the movement takes place.

 

The simple definition:

 

Dr. Boer performs adjustments to correct the misaligned or subluxated vertebrae and change the function of the joints of the body. Correcting dysfunction (subluxation) will have a beneficial effect on the nervous system and help in relieving pain and bringing you to optimum health. The adjustment is usually done by hand. It consists of placing the patient on a specially designed adjusting table and applying pressure, using specialized techniques, to the areas of the spine that are out of proper alignment or that do not move properly within their normal range of motion. During an adjustment the joint is moved past its passive range of motion but not past its anatomical limit. An audible "pop" is often associated with the procedure, which is the consequence of gasses being released within joint fluid. Since every patient is unique, each treatment and each adjustment is unique as well. Your age, size and individual spinal problems will determine which adjustment technique will best put you on the road recovery.

 

FYI:

 

Making specific, corrective adjustments to the spine is not as new as you might think. Accounts of spinal manipulation appear in the writings of ancient Egypt, the Mayan and Incan cultures, and in the literature of Renaissance Europe where practitioners of manipulation were known as "bone setters." Chiropractic Manipulation treats subluxations.

 

What is a Subluxation?

 

By definition, subluxation is a slight dislocation or biomechanical malfunctioning of the vertebrae. Stress, bad posture, sitting too long, slips/falls, automobile/work related accidents, sports injuries, just to name a few, all cause vertebrae to malfunction. This malfunction interferes with the nerves the spine is meant to protect and the interference causes irritation to the spinal cord, or nerve roots. The irritation of the nerves and the effects it produces is called a "Subluxation" or more precisely the Vertebral Subluxation Complex (VSC)

 

Vertebral meaning relating to the bones of the spine or vertebrae;

Subluxation meaning the improper motion or function of the vertebrae; and

Complex meaning a condition consisting of many elements.

 

A Doctor of Chiropractic is the only doctor trained to detect, correct and help prevent the Vertebral Subluxation Complex using Chiropractic spinal manipulation (the adjustment) as the primary form of treatment. When the Vertebral Subluxation Complex is present a variety of effects on the spine, ligaments, tendons, muscles, organs and the tissues controlled by the affected nerves. There are five major parts to the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.

 

Spinal kinesiopathology - the abnormal movement of the structures of the spine causing restriction in movement.

 

Neuropathophysiology - the damage to the nerves - stretching, pinching or irritating - interfering with normal function resulting from abnormal movement.

 

Myopathology - the changes in muscle such as weakness, wasting, or spasm due to abnormal spinal movement.

 

Histopathology - the alterations in soft tissues, discs (bulging or herniation), and ligaments and the changes in the blood and lymph supply.

 

Pathophysiology - the cumulative, degenerative damage to the vertebrae (bone spurs) as it tries to stabilize and the effects of that on the organs and other tissues of the body.

 

See worldchiropracticalliance for more information.

 

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