I’ve had to dispel many myths about chiropractic throughout my career. It’s a pleasure doing it because a lot of this lore is really creative. Nothing combats those rumors better than treating patients who hesitantly come through our doors after trying every other option and having them realize that the neurological influence of a chiropractic adjustment helps with unwanted symptoms that go way beyond back pain. As a chiropractor in Springfield, Illinois, I’m one of more than 77,000 chiropractors. And that’s just in the United States.
Chiropractic care is over 125 years old. That’s older than her…
…her…
…and this…
While in the past, medical doctors have expressed speculation about the effectiveness of chiropractic, they’ve begun to change their tune. MDs now regularly refer their patients to chiropractors to help with a myriad of issues from migraines and joint pain to gastrointestinal issues and sensory disorders. They recognize chiropractic care as a powerful approach to avoiding painkillers and surgery. Better late than never, for some people it just takes more time.
A chiropractor is a doctor who specializes in identifying and removing misalignments in the spine called subluxations. These misalignments interfere with nerve function and result in pain and dysfunction throughout the body.
Rapid fire anatomy lesson! Our bodies are incredible, we are truly works of art, wonders of the world if I do say so myself. The central nervous system runs the show when it comes to our body.
The brain is the control center sending messages out to every single cell from a lil’ baby mitochondria to our lungs. Both of them. At the same time. It sends these messages via the spinal cord, which is contained within the spine, and out through the vast nerve network. These messages regulate and control EVERYTHING. If the spine shifts out of alignment it interferes with these messages and has devastating effects on our breathing, digestion, immunity, organ function, and fertility just to name a few.
Without obstacles or interference, our body can actually heal itself. Our goal as a chiropractor is to clear, and keep clear, these interferences and allow the body to work its magic. What separates chiropractic care from the treatment of most medical doctors is that it’s one of the best ways to PREVENT illness, as opposed to only focusing on treating illness.
Chiropractic can help treat and prevent:
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Migraines and frequent headaches
- Asthma
- Sciatica
- Acid reflux
- Colic
- Heart problems, including high blood pressure
- Bell’s Palsy
- Frozen shoulder
- Joint pain and osteoarthritis
- Epilepsy and other neurological problems
- Brain and nervous system dysfunction
- TMJ
- Insomnia and trouble sleeping
- Indigestion or upset stomach
- Dental or visual problems
- Injuries and disorders of the musculoskeletal system, anything involving the muscles, ligaments, or joints
- Injuries due to accidents or trauma
One of the reasons this list is so exhaustive is because chiropractic works to reduce inflammation throughout the body – the root cause of many diseases. It also works to balance the different responses of the nervous system, taking the body out of “flight or fight” mode and allowing it to focus on function and healing rather than protection.
The central nervous system directs all healing, if it’s compromised it can’t do its job and the body breaks down. We don’t cure ailments or diseases. We remove interferences that the body can heal and function naturally, the way it was designed. And all without the help of
We believe in a “whole person” approach. We’re not interested in stopping at treatment. We try to get to the root cause of a symptom so that we can fix the underlying issue and prevent it from coming back. That means we’re focused on reducing stress – emotional and physical, reducing inflammation, improving nutrition, increasing strength and flexibility, and educating our patients to give them ownership over their health. Just spend a few minutes clicking through this website, it’s a labyrinth of vital information on how your body works and how to keep it functioning optimally. It’s like the maze in The Shining…except completely different.
Heck, I’m writing a 1,000-word blog post so that readers can understand there’s real philosophy and intention behind our approach. We love to get to know our patients well, their unique symptoms, how their lifestyle may be affecting their health, their stress levels, diet, and sleep cycle. We’re like your mother, but we don’t want any grandkids from you. We take this approach because that’s the only way we can not only treat the symptoms but prevent them from coming back. The more we know, the more helpful we can be.
Many of those trepidatious faces walking through our door in desperation will ask us, “is chiropractic safe?” It sounds risky, considering how sensitive and vital the spine and spinal cord are to overall health. Plus, there’s that bizarre fetish of loud adjustment cracking videos on YouTube. (If you know you know if you don’t good for you).
Chiropractic treatment is considered to be one of the safest approaches in healthcare today. Chiropractic adjustments are specific and precise which is why chiropractors receive 4,620 hours of training. Temporary soreness, similar to what’s felt after a workout, is possible, but that’s just because we’re training tissue to work better. It’s also important to point out that we treat pain and other symptoms without drugs and their nasty side effects. Adjustments also help people avoid unnecessary surgery, I mean talk about risky.
At the Springfield Wellness Center, we love our patients – adore, treasure, prize, cherish, carry a torch for. We love that we can walk alongside them on their journey to better health and ultimately a better life. We understand that not everyone in Springfield, Illinois knows about the incredible power of chiropractic yet, so we don’t mind when people ask questions. Ask away! We won’t stop shouting from the rooftops about the all-natural, non-invasive healing power of chiropractic until the whole city has heard. Call us anytime or schedule a visit with one of our incredible doctors. Unlock your body’s unbridled potential, live fearlessly, and pain-free. We KNOW it’s possible.
