Chiropractic and Chiropractors explained.

This is a guest post by a Doctor of Chiropractic Dr Angela Pastilledes. Her details are also at the bottom of the post.

What is CHIROPRACTIC?

The word "chiropractic" combines the Greek words cheir (hand) and praxis (action) and means "done by hand." Chiropractic is an alternative medical practice and has a different approach from medicine in diagnosing, classifying, and treating medical problems.

Chiropractors’ belief is that the main cause of pain and disease is the misalignment of the vertebrae in the spinal column.  This theory arises from the fact that the nerves exit the spinal cord and supply the muscles, ligaments and organs, thus misalignment of the spinal cord affects the functioning of all these structures. This misalignment is detected manually by palpation (feeling by hand) of the spine and joints.

Chiropractors use a hands-on therapy called manipulation (or adjustment) as their core clinical procedure. Manipulation passively moves the joint beyond the normal range of motion to restore optimum functioning of the joint, when this occurs sometimes a popping sound can be heard.

What is the noise I hear during an adjustment? 
When your vertebrae are adjusted, tiny pockets of gas are released from the joints, making a "popping" noise.  Not all patients hear this noise. It's not a sign that the adjustment is working or not working.

What happens in a chiropractic treatment?

When going to the chiropractor they will ask what your complaint is, from there the chiropractor will assess your range of motion and orthopaedic, muscle and nerve evaluation will be done. Muscle treatment includes dry needling (if needed or wanted by patient) acupressure, soft tissue therapy over the affected area and manipulation. Advice on posture, ergonomics, sleeping position, appropriate stretching and rehabilitation may be given.

What types of conditions do chiropractors treat? 

When a Chiropractic adjustment is administered proper movement is restored and a number of conditions are corrected via this manipulation:

·         Pain and stiffness

·         Headaches

·         Injuries/whiplash

·         TMJ (jaw problems)

·         Sports injuries

·         Bursitis and Tendonitis (conditions involving inflammation of soft tissues).

·         Fibromyalgia (chronic muscle pain and stiffness).

·         Scoliosis

·        Sciatica

·         Disc injuries/hernitions

·         Nerve disorders.

·         Hip impingement

·         Arthritis

·         Fatigue

·         Stress

·         Sinusitis

·         Sleeping difficulties    

 How do you know if you need a chiropractor?

Obviously if you have pain and stiffness or any joint and muscle conditions chiropractic would benefit you, however any healthy person at any given time will have segments of their spine which are ‘out of place’ , these segments send signals to your brain letting it know that they are not functioning properly.

Why not have a spinal screening and get your body working at is best.

Contact details:

Dr Angela Pasteilledes

96 Brand Road (inside TAP Kruger)

Tel: 031 201 1442

Cell: 083 233 1187

Email: chiropractic.angela@gmail.com
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