Terminology

High-velocity, low amplitude thrust

is a targeted technique which emphasizes speed to employ a therapeutic force that is brief in duration and travels within the joint's anatomic range of motion to elicit release of motion restrictions.

Restriction/fixation/intersegmental dysfunction

A lesion or dysfunction in a joint or motion segment in which alignment, movement integrity and/or physiological function are altered, although contact between joint surfaces remains intact. It is essentially a functional entity, which may influence biomechanical and neural integrity.

-World Health Organization (WHO)

Chiropractic

"Chiropractic is a healthcare discipline that emphasizes the inherent recuperative power of the body to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery. The practice of chiropractic focuses on the relationship between structure (primarily the spine) and function (as coordinated by the nervous system) and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of health. In addition, doctors of chiropractic recognize the value and responsibility of working in cooperation with other health care practitioners when in the best interest of the patient."

-Association of Chiropractic Colleges

What a chiropractor does

The word chiropractic comes from the Greek language and translates to "done by hand." This means that almost all of the treatments that you receive from a chiropractor will involve the use of hands. These treatments include chiropractic manipulation, manual therapies and therapist guided functional exercises. They also use therapies that don't involve hands but remain natural and conservative including nutrition and lifestyle advice.

Chiropractic manipulation

Chiropractic manipulation is a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust designed to restore range of motion and neurologic function to a restricted joint. Restored function results in a decrease in symptoms and a reduction of pain. These restrictions result from traumatic injuries and daily events like repetitive motions and sustained poor posture. Restrictions occur in all joints of the body and while manipulation of the spine is the most common, ankles, wrists, shoulders, elbows and many other joints can be treated as well.  Research has shown manipulation, done by a skilled practitioner (a chiropractor) to be efficacious, safe and cost-effective.

Proper form, posture and ergonomics

Motion and structure are mirrors images of each other. Poor posture leads to a structural change in the tissue (like muscle, ligament and tendons) because they adapt to the environment that they are given. These structurally changed tissues will restrict proper motion which will make the body susceptible to injury. This is because improper movement patterns put extra load or stress on joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons that are not designed to handle such stress. A well known example is lifting by bending over and using the back instead of the legs. This can result in an injury that is felt immediately or in micro-trauma. Micro-trauma, with repetition, can lead to an injury from something as simple as bending over to get clothes from the dryer.

Conditions Treated

• Low back pain
  
• Neck pain and upper back pain
  
• Headaches and migraines
  
• Joint pains (shoulder, knee, hip, ankle etc)
  
• IT Band sydrome
  
• Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
  
• Disc bulges/ herniations
  
• Sprains and strains
  
• Athletic injuries
  
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  
• Tennis elbow
  
• Golfer's elbow
  
• Rotator cuff syndrome
  
• Plantar fasciitis
  
• and more
  

Related Reading

10 Common Habits That Cause Back Pain

References

Coulter, ID. (1998) Efficacy and Risks of Chiropractic Manipulation: What Does the Evidence Suggest? Integrative Medicine , 1: 2, 61-66.

Gert Bronfort, Roni Evans, Alfred V. Anderson, Kenneth H. Svendsen, Yiscah Bracha, Richard H. Grimm; Spinal Manipulation, Medication, or Home Exercise With Advice for Acute and Subacute Neck PainA Randomized Trial. Annals of Internal Medicine. 2012 Jan;156(1_Part_1):1-10.

Giles, L, Muller, R. (2003) Chronic Spinal Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Medication, Acupuncture, and Spinal Manipulation. Spine , 28(14):1490-1502.

Haas M, Sharma R, Stano M. (2005) Cost-effectiveness of Medical and Chiropractic Care for Acute and Chronic Low Back Pain. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics , 28 (8): 555√563.

Inglis BD, Fraser B, Penfold BR. (1979) Chiropractic in New Zealand, Report of a Commission of Inquiry. Wellington, New Zealand: Government Printer.

Nwuga, V.C.B. (1982) Relative therapeutic efficacy of vertebral manipulation and conventional treatment in back pain management. American Journal of Physical Medicine , 61, pp. 273-278.

Stano M. (1993) A comparison of health care costs for chiropractic and medical patients. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics , 16(5):291-9.

White Oak Family Wellness

chiropractic | acupuncture | nutrition

St Charles Chiropractic