CHIROPRACTIC
APPROACHES
There
are two basic approaches within the chiropractic profession. Let's
discuss them both.
STRAIGHTS-
This is the term given to chiropractors who believe that the human
body is healthier if the nervous system is not impaired by spinal
misalignments, or subluxations. These chiropractors base their
practice around this model of health and will use various means
to "teach" this concept to their patients, including
videos, classes/ patient lectures, posters, brochures, and handouts.
The
concept is as follows: There exists a "life force" that
animates all living things. It uses the nervous system to carry
out the functions of life, such as breathing, digestion, circulation,
immunity, and so on. The nervous system itself consists of the
brain, housed in the skull; spinal cord, housed in the spine;
and peripheral nerves which exit the spine that eventually branch
out multiple times and eventually reach every single cell of the
body. The brain controls the body by sending electrical signals
down the spinal cord, to the nerves, directing every cell's function
(for example, a liver cell). The process goes the other way as
well, as cells send information back to the brain in the reverse
direction. It is a closed feedback system, where the brain sends
the "proper" amount of nerve tone, depending on the
needs of the cell.
Whenever
there is interference in this closed loop system, the nervous
system's ability to send the proper nerve tone to the cells is
adversely affected. Straight chiropractors believe that such interference
can come at the spinal level. One or several vertebra can move
out of position and place pressure on the spinal cord or nerve
roots (where peripheral nerve originate, and exit from between
the vertebrae). Once this happens, the pressure to the nerve results
in either too much nerve tone, or too little. The cells do not
get the proper amount of nerve flow, which makes them susceptible
to "dis-ease", or causes them to reach a state out of
equilibrium. And, according to straight chiropractors, this allows
an opening for disease processes to occur.
Naturally,
the solution is to remove nerve pressure to the spinal cord coming
from misaligned spinal vertebrae. This is done by adjustments
to various areas of the spine, wherever the misalignments, or
subluxations are detected. The purpose is to remove pressure to
the nerves so that proper nerve tone can return to the cells,
making the body more healthier and preventing disease.
Subluxated
vertebra, or subluxations are detected by various means, including
skeletal x-rays, motion palpation (feeling the movement of the
spine at each level), instruments that measure skin temperature
over the spine, and visual observation of posture.
The
straight chiropractor will examine the patient's spine, perhaps
take full-spine X-rays (neck, thoracic, lumbar, pelvis), and will
schedule the patient to return the next day after spending time
developing and analyzing the x-rays. The patient may be required
to watch a video that explains the concepts described here, and
will be shown spinal models and posters that illustrate the relationship
between the spine and spinal cord.
The
second appointment is usually referred to as the "Report
of Findings." Here, the straight chiropractor will go over
the x-rays taken the previous day and will show the patient where
he/she believes subluxations exist. He will explain that symptoms
are the last manifestation of a disease process, which usually
starts undetected. The concept of brain, spinal cord, nerve interference
and dis-ease will be reinforced at this visit; perhaps with a
second video on the subject. Then, a treatment plan designed around
"correcting" the spinal subluxations will be recommended.
It is likely to be on the order of three (3) treatments a week
for several months. The patient will be advised to do maintenance
visits indefinitely, to ensure that the subluxations don't build
up again once they are "corrected."
MIXERS
- Though the term is rarely used outside of chiropractic, mixers
refers to those chiropractors who limit their practice to treating
musculoskeletal injuries. Mixers will readily see patients who
suffer from back pain, neck pain, radiating nerve pain and/or
numbness; extremity joint (shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee,
ankle) problems, sports injuries, car accident injuries, postural
problems, tension headaches, and similar non-emergency conditions
involving muscles, joints and nerves.
The mixer
chiropractor will use modalities in conjunction with chiropractic
adjustments. Modalities are complementary treatments to the spinal
adjustment done before or after the adjustment to enhance it in
some way. The primary modalities used by mixer chiropractors include
ice, heat packs, ultrasound, electric muscle stim, low level laser,
light therapy (phototherapy), and traction.
Mixer chiropractors
often include orthopedic supports in their arsenal. Orthopedic
supports lend artifical support to an area of the body that is
experiencing instability. Orthopedic supports may include shoe
inserts (orthotics), knee braces, elbow braces, and back supports.
Mixer chiropractors
often incorporate exercise programs for their patients to rehabilitate
weak areas following an injury.
Most mixer
chiropractors will recommend a short course of treatment, perhaps
6-8 visits depending on the presenting condition. After the condition
has stabilized, maintenance visits may be recommended as a preventitive
measure option; however, the decision rests on the patient. Unlike
straight chiropractors, where the lifetime maintenance program
is central to care, mixers tend to offer it as an option.