How does Chiropractic care work?
Chiro is a holistic, ‘hands on’ approach to health that believes in the self-healing ability of the body, and hence, the proactive involvement of the patient. It focuses on improving the health of the nervous system by removing abnormal pressures or stress that affect nerve transmissions, and hence, the body’s performance and function.
The spinal cord located in the vertebral column is the main pathway for nerve messages to and from the brain. Nerves branch out from the spinal cord through holes on either side of the vertebral column, so misaligned vertebra may compromise or irritate nerve signals, which negatively impact one’s health.
Chiropractors use regular, small, specific and controlled adjustment using various techniques to improve the function of your spine and the closely related central nervous system. Adjustments introduce movement and stimulation of the nervous system which helps re-educate your body towards better alignment so that it can perform at its peak. This combats the accumulation of daily stresses and activities.
Who should see a chiropractor?
Spinal nerve stress is a fact of modern life. In many ways, our bodies are still designed to be swinging from trees – we are built to be upright and far more active than modern sedentary society allows. You go to a dentist to get your teeth checked for cavities; you go to a doctor to get a health check. Going to a chiro to receive a periodic spinal check-up makes good preventative sense.
The body is remarkably effective at compensating for injuries, malalignment or other problems. Your body may only begin experiencing pain after years of malalignment and compensatory behaviour when it can no longer cope. Your Chiro helps re-educate your body away from patterns of behaviour that are compensating for less-than-optimum health. Rather than waiting until you are in pain, Chiro is a preventative, complementary procedure to ensure optimum health at all times.
Do Chiropractic adjustments hurt?
Chiropractic adjustments are often very gentle and, contrary to popular opinion, don’t necessarily create ‘popping’ noises in adjusted joints. Coincidently, the popping sound is produced when gas and lubricating fluids in the joint shift. Sounds produced by adjustments don’t indicate the quality of an adjustment.
What is the difference between Chiropractic and Physiotherapy?
Chiro operates under the philosophy that the body needs to be free of nervous system irritation or subluxation for optimal functionality. Chiropractors make specific, direct or indirect spinal adjustments to the spine to remove unwanted pressure or impingement on spinal nerves created by fixed or locked spinal segments. This allows the nervous system to operate better and returns health to the affected area.
Physiotherapists working with back problems manipulate joints to facilitate greater mobilisation. While mobility of spinal joints is generally desirable, limited mobility tend to be symptoms of nerve impingement rather than the underlying cause of dysfunction. Chiro seeks to address underlying neurological and structural causes of dysfunction, so that the body can address symptoms as it heals.
Both Chiros and Physios often give supportive exercise, diet and lifestyle advice to maximise patients’ treatment; these can vary dramatically due to their different focus and philosophies.
Are X-rays necessary?
X-rays are not always necessary for every patient but they allow your Chiropractor to discover things which are not always perceptible during a physical examination and eliminate the risk of overlooking possible predisposing factors such as arthritic conditions or abnormalities which will affect a positive outcome. X-rays grant better visibility of the location of spinal problems as well as revealing pathologies and degenerating, showing your history of spinal stresses, confirming other examination findings, making your adjustments more precise, and recording structural and functional progress.
Chiropractors analyse X-rays for vertebral subluxations (changes in joint position and health) that could affect the dynamics and health of your spine, impacting on your general wellbeing. Chiropractors also check whether the structural appearance of your spine matches the way it worked during your examination. Any progressive changes of concern such as arthritis, disc degeneration, or infections will also be highlighted.
Our clinic features on-site X-ray facilities for your convenience, with all our practitioners licensed to take and analyse X-rays. Because the practitioner that conducts your examination takes your X-rays, exposure is minimised to only those areas being investigated. We use lead shielding to protect vulnerable areas such as gonads and sex organs and using high frequency ‘green film’ which requires less radiation to produce good quality film. We avoid X-raying growing children where possible and never expose pregnant women. A set of X-ray films are usually relevant for four years unless a further incident occurs requiring updated information; we can normally use X-rays you have already had taken within this timeframe.
What is ChiroMagic4Kids?
ChiroMagic4Kids helps children realise their potential as human beings. We speak to kids on their terms and involve them in assessments and adjustments to empower them to adapt good habits and share how healthy habits create healthy lives.
We support parents in their important role in facilitating their child’s health by increasing their knowledge and resources. ChiroMagic4Kids offers regular parental workshops focusing on healthy lifestyles for kids where we involve other holistic health practitioners.
Families have exclusive access to our clinic on Saturdays and we give priority to children’s appointments during school holidays, sports seasons and school examinations. We conduct a complete assessment of your child’s spinal and developmental health and developmental reviews every six months. If we can prevent the adults of the future from suffering in the way that a large number of our community has done, we will have achieved our goal.
What training has a chiropractor had?
A Chiropractic practitioner in Australia studies for a minimum of five years, beginning with a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in anatomy and physiology. Once students have attained a high level of understanding for the structure and function of the human body they begin their Chiropractic course.
Over 635 lecture hours are spent learning the art and science of chiropractic, alongside medical students whose subjects are far more diverse and who cannot spend the amount of time concentrating on the advanced neurology of chiropractic. Graduates of Chiropractic attain a high level of understanding and skill in adjusting techniques, neurology, radiology, pharmacology and biomechanics. All students spend their final year working with patients within supervised clinics which ensures that graduates attain a real, practical experience before completing their studies.
Once graduated, every Chiro must become registered with the Chiropractors Registration Board within the state in which they wish to practice. The Registration Board continually ensures that all Chiropractors have met the professional and educational standards required to deliver safe and effective chiropractic care to our community.
if you have any other questions, please feel free to call and we’ll be happy to answer them.