What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic

The correction and prevention of interference to the nervous system.

Chiropractor

A doctor who facilitates normal physiology, particularly that of the nervous system by the correction and prevention of subluxation. A doctor of physiology.

Subluxation

Interference to the nervous system.

Chiropractic is the correction and prevention of interference to the nervous system. Interference to the nervous system, also called “subluxation” can manifest itself in a number of ways in the human body. Toxins that we are exposed to or ingest can cause subluxation and affect nervous system function. Subluxation can also be caused by stress, physical or psychological. Most commonly, the doctor of chiropractic is concerned with the joints of the body, particularly those of the spine. When the vertebrae in the spinal column lose their proper motion or get “stuck,” nervous system interference results.

Subluxation can have detrimental effects on the body. The brain communicates with all of it’s’ cells via the nerves. Likewise the cells need to send information back to the brain. Motion can literately be thought of as a nutrient for the brain. Subluxation can starve the brain of vital information that it requires to function. Without motion different centers of the brain like the cerebellum and the hypothalamus can’t function properly. This can have effects on the whole body. The danger is that this will often occur without a symptom, which is why it is very important to practice proper spinal hygiene daily by moving the body and the spine. And also, why it is very important to have check-ups with your chiropractor regularly to make sure that your spine is moving right and you are not affected by subluxation.

Perhaps the theme most central to chiropractic is that of the body’s natural healing mechanism. In chiropractic we refer to this as “Innate Intelligence.” Strange at first but quite significant, Innate Intelligence is a remarkably accurate way to view the body and how it works. Put simply the philosophy of innate intelligence teaches us to look to those processes which are “physiologically compatible” with the body. These are things that are congruent with the natural mechanisms of the body. Aspirin, for instance while sometimes necessary in critical situations is not physiologically compatible. It has side effects that result in things like bleeding from the stomach and eventually ulcers. Things like omega 3 fatty acids and chiropractic adjustments do not have such side effects; rather they simply promote the body to undergo its physiology. The questions you ask determine the answers you get, and the first question in chiropractic is always “is this physiologically compatible?” This profound perspective is by and large what makes chiropractors such effective physicians.