What does a Chiropractor do? Why Chiropractic? What does a Chiropractor do? Adjusts the joints of the spine and limbs that aren’t moving properly Myth Busters Once you go to a Chiropractor, do you have to go forever? No, only as long as you want to continue to receive the benefits. Eliminating symptoms is only a part of Chiropractic care, maintenance of health and preventing illness is the goal – just like diet, exercise and dental care. I don’t need a Chiropractor because my pain is gone. Pain is usually the first thing to go in the healing process - as soon as a broken arm is set, the pain goes away, but it takes time to heal. Cancer can develop 7 years before you’re aware of symptoms! If you feel good, couldn’t you feel even better? I can crack my own spine, so why do I need to go? Usually you’re only able to adjust the joints that are easy to move, or hypermobile. It feels good for awhile (endorphins release and muscles relax) but you’ll probably have to repeat the process multiple times in a day, because you can’t get to the correct joint by yourself. My back is out, can’t you just put it in? Backs DO NOT go in and out. Chiropractors don’t realign the spine, we increase the range-of-motion. An x-ray would show your spine in the exact same place before and after an adjustment. Why? The spine is held together with strong ligaments - without them you could easily become paralyzed by a simple fall. Chiropractors adjust “stuck” joints - which allows them to move through a free range-of-motion. Isn’t that “popping” sound a bad thing? No, when you’re being adjusted the joint capsule stretches, increasing the volume by 15-20%. A partial vacuum is created and the synovial fluid in your joints rapidly releases oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide gas due to the drop in pressure. It takes about 20 minutes for the gases to return to the synovial fluid. There are no studies that suggest “cracking” your knuckles will cause arthritis. Sorry Grandma! Benefits of Chiropractic Try these simple demonstrations… Better breathing - Tighten your chest or hunch over with bad posture and breathe in…now sit-up straight and breathe again, much easier isn’t it. With chiropractic adjustments you’re free to breathe deeply and take in more oxygen. Better nerve function - Stand up straight and put your arm out at 90 degrees to your side then have someone push down on it. It should be strong. Now slump over with bad posture, and push down again, your arm should be weak. Your brain communicates with your body via the spinal cord - with bad posture it shuts off not only your shoulder muscle but all your vital organs too. With chiropractic adjustments you can maintain your posture, allowing your nervous system function at a higher level. Better blood flow - Grab your wrist tightly, then let go. Your skin becomes white, which is a lack of blood flow. Restriction of blood flow occurs throughout your body when your muscles are tight - with chiropractic adjustments blood flow is increased allowing your entire body to be healthier. Decrease pain - Grab your wrist again, this lack of blood flow is due to constriction. As muscles and joints become tight they trap inflammatory chemicals causing pain and more constriction. In 5 days adhesions begin to form, causing more tightness and more trapped chemicals - chiropractic adjustments let muscles and joints move freely allowing these chemicals to be pumped out while healthy new chemicals flow in. Compressed Nerve Proper Blood Flow Equals Health Soft Tissue Adhesions