THE WHAT AND WHY OF CHIROPRACTIC
The who and the where have been answered if you have made it to this site, but the what and why of chiropractic may still be foremost on your mind if you are new to this practice of medical care.
The main focus of chiropractic practice is the relationship between the function of joints, muscles, and the nervous system (neuromusculoskeletal disorders) and the effects of these disorders on health. The spine is of central importance.
The principal treatment is joint adjustment or manipulation. Management also includes rehabilitative exercises, patient education and lifestyle modification, and the use of physical therapy modalities and orthotics and other supports. There is also an emphasis on health promotion and early return to activities for injured patients. The focus on education and patient empowerment, as research now shows, is an important factor in the success of chiropractic management and the high level of patient satisfaction reported.
Chiropractic offers an alternative approach to managing conditions by drugs or surgery. Although it may be more convenient to walk to the medicine cabinet and take a pill, this approach may eventually lead to side effects from the increased usage of the medicines. Conservative management of certain conditions without medications is possible, but requires proactively making another choice.