Given that Chiropractics is the fastest-growing
health care profession, it is important that
you understand what Chiropractics is and what
it can do for you. Chiropractics is a form
of natural health care that focuses on treating
a patient without using drugs or medicines.
Chiropractics not only focuses on the treatment
of an injury or pain, but also on the wellness
approach of patient healthcare in order to
prevent future injury/pain.
Fact: The nervous system is the primary control
mechanism of the body. The nervous system is
comprised of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
The nervous system regulates all bodily functions,
both voluntary and involuntary, by communicating
the necessary messages, via the nerves, between
the brain and virtually every cell, tissue and
organ of the body. The health
of the spinal column and its relationship with
the nerves that flow through it is the focus
of the Chiropractic discipline. In
order to understand fully what this entails you
need to understand a little about how the spinal
column works.
The spine has two basic functions: 1) to allow
freedom of movement and 2) to house and protect
the spinal cord. The spinal cord is the
pathway for almost all nerve impulses transmitted
to and from the brain. The spinal cord is protected
within 24 moveable bones called the vertebrae
as well as the lowest bones, the sacrum and the
coccyx, and together this makes up the spinal
column. The spinal column is divided into four
regions of the vertebrae: The Cervical, Thoracic,
Lumbar, and Sacral regions.
To help you understand the terminology a simplified
explanation of the bones in the spinal column
follows:
The Atlas: is
the first bone in you neck and is freely
movable. The Atlas supports the base
of the skull and every nerve in your
body passes thru the Atlas at the brainstem
and for this reason alone deserves a
separate mention even though it is part
of the Cervical Vertebrae.
The Cervical
Vertebrae: consists
of the first
seven bones,
including the
Atlas, which
make up your
neck. Individual
vertebrae are
referred to as
C1-C7.
The Thoracic Vertebrae: make
up the middle back and are the next 12
bones of the spinal column. This is the
longest portion of your back. Individual
vertebrae are referred to as T1-T12.
The Lumbar Vertebrae: is
commonly referred to as your lower back
and consists of five large vertebrae known
as L1-L5.
The Sacral Region: is
commonly referred to as your tailbone and
is made up of the sacrum and the coccyx. As
a child the sacrum consists of five individual
bones and the coccyx is made up three to
five bones. In the adult, the sacral
bones and the coccyx bones fuse so that
each of these two bones are solid individual
bones |
Each vertebra has two bony projections called
facets, which form a hinge with the facets of
the adjoining vertebrae. A thin disc,
made up of cartilage on the outside with a soft
gelatin-like material on the inside, lies between
each vertebra providing a cushion for your spinal
vertebrae. This combination of vertebrae and
disc provides flexibility in the spine. Ligaments,
tendons, and muscles surround and attach to the
spine giving it its strength.
Since the Nervous System affects such a large
percentage of the body, Chiropractors may treat
individuals with:
- Headaches
- Joint pain
- Neck pain
- Low back pain
- Sciatica
- Osteoarthritis
- Spinal Disk Conditions
- Carpal Tunnel
- Tendonitis
- Sprains
- Strains
- TMJ
Chiropractors are not limited to the above list,
they also aid in Digestive Disorders, Allergies,
Asthma, Sinus trouble, Dizziness and more. Since
the nervous system supplies nerves to so many organs
and tissues, many body systems may be affected.
Chiropractors must be aware of how the many systems
are integrated and affected by an injury/damage
to the spinal system.
