Sunday, December 27, 2009

Back Pain


The common perspective amongst individuals in the general public is that Chiropractic treats back pain. Yes! It is true that people who seek chiropractic care for back pain do yield great results. However, the fact of the matter is, their low back pain may have improved without chiropractic intervention. For some, general rest, acupuncture, or hot/cold packs may have had the same positive results. The important thing to know is that there is no cook book recipe or formula that is designed to be effective for every episode of back pain. As research advances so must our thought process in dealing with the condition. For years, the medical community has prescribed weeks of bed rest for the treatment of low back pain. Today however, we know that bed rest may tend to make the pain worse. We now understand that the quicker we get the connecting muscles of the spine active and balanced, the better outcome is expected in the patients.

Recent research has shown that eighty percent of all low back complaints are linked to the muscles, ligaments and disks. All of which leads to an abnormal load being placed on the spine resulting in an inflammatory process and degenerative changes or arthritis. Other conditions causing low back pain include herniated disks as well as unrelated disease in the back area, for example, digestive or kidney problems, or even cancer. From the multitude of causes for low back pain, how can we be sure of what treatment is most effective. No one knows exactly. Individuals take aspirin for relief of low back pain, yet do not know the effects or level of toxicity introduced by doing so. If there is a cheaper and less toxic approach to aspirin and surgery should that not be perused?

As mentioned earlier, chiropractic is not a treatment for low back pain. However, chiropractic patients experience great results in the relief of their low back pain from care. How is that the case? Simple! A healthier body adapts and functions better than a compromised one. When we do something good to maintain our health, the whole body responds as a whole. Such things as a good night's sleep and exercise are effective for decreasing low back pain, not because they are the treatments, but rather they are good things for the whole body. Chiropractic as well is good for the whole body. Get your spine checked regularly for subluxation and express health.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Chiropractic and Kids


It is common in today’s society for individuals to blame an ailment on the effect of a bad night’s sleep, a sudden change in the temperature, or a lack of appropriate nutrients throughout one’s day and so on. With the exception of forceful external encounters, such as a gunshot, sudden falls, car accidents, or a slip off of a ladder, we do not suddenly become ill. Disease is not a spontaneous process; it is the result from long term micro trauma, negligence, and abuse that manifests itself collectively over time. When we began to experience a lapse in health, the fact of the matter is that it has been building up for quite some time.

Because of such a fact is the exact reason while children should receive regular chiropractic care. Recent research has made known that 80% of young children encounter their first subluxation during the birthing process. The sad thing is, many of these children will go well into their young adult years or even their entire lifetime with that same interference impeding normal function of the nervous system. Even for the other 20% who are fortunate enough to have been spared during the birthing process, there are still hurdles that we encounter throughout childhood. How many times does a little one fall while learning to walk? Or older kids, how often do they fall out of bed, off a bike, out of a tree, fight with siblings, or encounter the rigors of early child hood sports?

The result from all of the things mentioned above is inevitable risk for subluxation. When these are not corrected, they will begin to take a negative toll on the body making it difficult to fight off disease, concentrate, and less able to coordinate and harmonize the body. It will make it more challenging to clean and rid the body of toxins, suppressing the body’s function.

Isn’t the adjustment too forceful for children? This is a question that a lot of people have when speaking of pediatric chiropractic care. The answer is NO. Each person is adjusted in accordance to their size, age, health complaint and subluxation. Children, because of their small stature, coupled with time and the fact that the results of negligence and abuse have not yet taken its toll on their young bodies, will benefit more because the problem is being addressed before the results are able to sit in. Kids need chiropractic care.