What is Chiropractic?
The premise of Chiropractic is that a nerve in the body sends information (nerve impulses) between the brain and body to help the body function properly. When interference occurs with the nerve signal between the brain and body, the necessary information is not available for the body to function in the way it was designed to and in some cases result in pain. One of the most likely places for this interference to occur is in the spine, where the nerve branches off the spinal cord passing between the spinal bones and traveling throughout the body. Consider that your ability to move your arms and legs originates with an idea in your brain. This information has to communicate with the muscles in your arms and legs. The communication occurs through a nerve, which travels through your spine. Most everything that goes on below your neck is being determined by your brain sending information through your nerves.
This may sound like a new idea, however it is not. A Doctor of Chiropractic adjusts bones of the spine to remove interference on the nerve.
Chiropractic, discovered in the United States in 1895, by Daniel David Palmer. Doctor Palmer started The Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa. Doctor D.D. Palmer's son Doctor Bartlett J. Palmer dedicated his life to the development and refinement of Chiropractic. Palmer college is often refered to as the Fountain Head of Chiropractic because of its historic significance.
Prior to Doctor Palmer's discovery, the concept of treating illness by adjusting the spine dates back to Hippocrates (400 B.C.), who stated
"Get solid knowledge of the spine, in behalf of this is the requisite in behalf of many diseases." Hippocrates, 469-377 B.C.
What can a Chiropractor help with?
Chiropractic is often used to treat conditions including neck pain, back pain, sciatic pain, fibromyalgia, scoliosis, vertigo, migaine and non migraine headache pain. Conditions that affect the nerve where it may be under pressure from the spine can lead to these conditions.
Do I need to see a Doctor of Chiropractic?
Some indications that you may need to see a Doctor of Chiropractic include headaches, neck pain and back pain. Chiropractors are trained in physiology and anatomy and will be able to diagnose your health problem to see if you may benefit from care.
What can I expect when I see a Doctor of Chiropractic?
You will have a consultation with the Doctor of Chiropractic to evaluate your condition and during this time you will tell the doctor where your pain areas are and what you are experiencing. During this discussion the doctor will ask you several questions, to better understand your health problem. If the findings indicate that you may benefit from Chiropractic care, the doctor will conduct an examination. During the examination the doctor will perform a series of tests to objectively assess your health problem. After a thorough consultation and examination, the doctor will discuss the findings with you and let you know what treatment options are available to you, what the expectations from Chiropractic treatments are and alternatives to treatment. If Chiropractic care is found to benefit you, the doctor will discuss with you a treatment plan.
Is the Atlas Orthogonal technique still Chiropractic?
Yes. Atlas Orthogonal was developed by Doctor Roy Sweat, a Doctor of Chiropractic practicing in Atlanta, Georgia since 1950. The technique uses the same Chiropractic principle of adjusting the spine in a very gentle and precise maner to remove pressure on the nerve from the spine.
