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What is Chiropractic Care

The word Chiropractic comes from the Greek, meaning done by hand; the practice has been around since the times of Aristotle. Grounded in the principle that the body can heal itself when the skeletal system is correctly aligned and the nervous system is functioning properly, a chiropractor uses his or her hands (or an adjusting tool) to manipulate vertebrae to overcome misalignments, called subluxations, which disrupt proper nerve transmission resulting in body pain and other conditions.
The first documented case of chiropractic treatment yielding results took place in 1895 in Davenport, Iowa, when D.D. Palmer performed an adjustment on a deaf janitor named Harvey Lillard. Lillard, who reportedly lost his hearing years earlier when he felt something pop in his back, had long since given up on a cure, saying “I was deaf 17 years and I expected to always remain so, for I had doctored a great deal without any benefit.” D.D. Palmer suspected some impingement to nerves that serviced the inner ear and made the first chiropractic adjustment to Lillard’s spine. Days later, Lillard reported that his hearing was completely restored.

How does chiropractic treatment work?

The answer can be found by looking into the relationship between the spine and the nervous system. The nervous system, your spinal cord and nerve roots, is the master controller of all living cells, tissues and organs; it orchestrates and coordinates all cellular functions. The spinal column encases the nervous system (spinal cord and nerve roots) and is responsible for its protection; because of this close relationship, structural problems in the spinal column can irritate parts of the enclosed nervous system. This irritation can result from inflammatory biochemicals released during injury, from direct mechanical pressure or, most commonly, from misalignment of spinal bones which chiropractors refer to as subluxation. Subluxation is derived from the Latin terms Sub ("less than") and Luxate ("to be dislocated"). Whatever the cause of the irritation, the functioning of the nervous system is negatively impacted as is the functioning of the cells, tissues and organs which the affected nerve(s) control. The resulting ailment is dependent upon the cells, tissues and organs affected as well as the extent of nervous system compromise.
Because the body's innate recuperative powers are affected by and integrated through the nervous system, correcting spinal abnormalities which irritate the nervous system can lead to favorable results in patients suffering from various, seemingly non-spinal health conditions. Therefore, diagnosing and addressing the cause of these negative impacts is at the core of a chiropractic treatment.

What exactly do chiropractors do?

Practically speaking, chiropractors are primarily concerned with locating and treating these vertebral subluxations. By using a variety of unique and well-developed skills, the chiropractor checks the patient's spine for any misalignments, fixations or other abnormalities. If subluxations or other abnormalities are detected, the chiropractor will use their hands or an instrument to apply a gentle force in a corrective manner to the affected spinal area. In addition to spinal adjustive techniques, soft tissue techniques such as massage, dietary and nutritional counseling, physical therapies or and lifestyle modification programs are commonly employed. Here at KC Chiropractic and Wellness, our chiropractic technique is heavily influenced by Applied Kinesiology - a diagnostic and treatment technique based upon measuring and influencing a muscle’s neurological function.

What happens during a spinal adjustment?

A main technique used by chiropractors is a spinal adjustment. Also known as a chiropractic adjustment, the goal of this technique is to reduce or eliminate vertebral misalignment (subluxation) and return the spine to a more natural state of health. When a patient has a subluxation, chiropractic adjustment is used to correct the misalignment, which helps to enhance joint mobility, reduce pain and muscle spasm, and reduce nerve irritation or impingement.
Chiropractic adjustment is a highly developed skill acquired during years of intensive training. The technique involves the manual application of a controlled force into the spinal vertebrae which have become misaligned and limited in their range of motion; it can be done with hands or with adjustment tools. This procedure corrects vertebral alignment and is often accompanied by a familiar clicking sound which, while alarming initially, is merely the audible release of gas from within the spinal joints.
This procedure rarely causes discomfort or pain; many patients report a sense of immediate relief associated with the chiropractic adjustment and often experience positive changes in their symptoms shortly after receiving care. If discomfort is experienced, it is typically minor and resolves within a matter of days. To achieve optimal results patients may receive several adjustments over multiple chiropractic visits. In addition to chiropractic adjustments, the care plan may also include massage and functional restoration exercises.
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