Chiropractors believe that “subluxations” can cause the medical conditions that we experience. They base this on the idea that when our bodies are injured and the structure to our body (spine) it leads to a misalignment that can cause damage how nerve signals are relayed back and forth from the brain. The belief is that when those who practice chiropractic realign the body then the nerve relays can be corrected thus correcting any resultant medical conditions. Chiropractic theory is that good health is related to proper spinal column position and condition. In 1895 Daniel David Palmer founded Chiropractic practices. He believed that diseases were a result of spinal bones that had become misaligned. His theory of “subluxations” these misalignments of the spinal bones is what causes disease when the “nerve energy flow” is interrupted. This flow from brain to all the body cells is interrupted by the spinal misalignment causing disease.

Subluxation Explained

The term “subluxation” is used differently in the medical community from how it is used in the chiropractic community. In the medical community the term means that there is a partial dislocation of a joint structure. In the chiropractic community, “subluxation” refers to more of a metaphysical status of body structure.

The Connection Between Health and Alignment

Health conditions related to the misalignment of the spinal cord include: breathing disorders such as asthma, cramps, headaches, and stomach ailments. There seems to be a pattern to how health ailments occur - the sequence is that first there is a misalignment, then pain is experienced in muscles or body structure, then the nerves, and lastly the person’s energy and health.

The basic chiropractic therapy is to manually adjust what is distorted or misaligned with the body (spine or other skeletal bones). This realignment restores the normal flexibility to spine and joints. This allows for normal positioning of the spine and structure of the body, which in turn relieves stress on the nervous system. When the nervous system is restored, energy can again flow correctly throughout the body restoring and healing damaged or unhealthy body parts. Tense muscles can contribute to misalignment so most chiropractic therapy involves ultrasound and massage to help relax muscles.

There are certain conditions that chiropractic therapy may help. These conditions are: joint locking, and myofascial pain syndrome (fibromyalgia).

Chiropractors use many instruments including x-rays to determine what misalignments have occurred to the body structures so that proper realignment can take place. Whenever a patient has known symptomatic vertebral disc herniation chiropractic manipulation is contraindicated. Those who have arthritis of the spine must also not be subjected to chiropractic manipulation.

Tips to Verify a Good Chiropractor Therapy is being practiced
Like most professions there can be some who practice unsavory theory. There are some ways to determine the good from the bad.

1. Recommendation from your physician

2. The chiropractor is a member of the National Association for Chiropractic Medicine or the Canadian Academy of Manipulative Therapists

Who to Avoid

1. Those who use scare tactics

2. Any who offer to sell supplements there in their office

3. Have lengthy contracts for clients to sign that promote regular “preventive” adjustments

4. Suggest that they are substitutes for regular visits to your physician or that they can treat medical problems, which are not musculoskeletal in nature

Great Britain may not be a hotbed for chiropractics, but once the science invaded the isle, it was next to impossible to pretend it was not popular. As a matter of fact, many Brits view the chiropractor with something akin to awe, in part because she or he is so in tune with the bodys functioning and in another part because it is possible for a chiropractor to affect so much of a persons life and quality of life simply by expertly placing hands on certain areas of the vertebrae and adjusting them. It is therefore not surprising that a number of schools have sprung up that are supporting those who are embarking on a career in chiropractics, and if you are thinking of studying in Great Britain to become a chiropractor, you will want to know about them as well!

Take for example McTimoney College of Chiropractic science and art in Oxfordshire. In 1972 this college was founded by the late John McTimoney whose professional life before the Great Depression began as a silversmith. Along the way he changed course and became an artist, yet it was his lifelong love for others in pain and attempts to find ways that would ease pain that would lead to the spectacular change in life which would have far reaching consequences. Mr. McTimoney himself suffered a fall from a ladder which gradually robbed him of the use of his arms and began to impair the use of his legs as well. Physicians suggested a risky surgery, yet Mrs. McTimoney had revived an early childhood acquaintance with a chiropractor who had studied with Daniel Palmer, the inventor of chiropractics, himself. This chiropractor treated Mr. McTimoney successfully and the latter was so impressed with the ability to relieve pain that he was hoping to find a way to learn this art. It would take a few more years until Mr. McTimoney once again crossed paths with a chiropractor, a student of Bartlett Palmer, who was actively searching out students for her craft, and this time he went ahead and trained.

Given time, Mr. McTimoney was able to cure his own wife from neuritis and in 1951 went into private practice as a chiropractor. While in practice, he fine-tuned his approach to the practice and soon became known as a holistic healer. Three years later he began to use his ability also to ease pain in animals, and to this day he is credited with being the first chiropractor ever to attempt such a feat. Due to the overwhelming demand for his services, in 1972 he founded the Oxfordshire School of Chiropractic where he taught others to not only relive the suffering of humans but also of animals. In the year 1980 John McTimoney died, but his school and mission endures to this day, being perpetuated by the mans former students who now pass on his knowledge, understanding and innovation to anyone who feels the calling to spend a life dedicated to easing suffering in man and beast.

Part and parcel of the chiropractic visit is the adjustment of any misaligned vertebrae which may in turn be causing you a lot of pain and overall discomfort. There are many myths surrounding the actual manipulation of the spine that takes place, it is an important fact about this chiropractic tool that there is a large amount of experience that goes into each and every healing touch. While you might be somewhat uncomfortable about the experience the first time you visit a chiropractor, it is significant to remember that she or he went through years of training in order to refine her or his experience and skill. Thus, you are not dealing with someone who is apprehensive about adjustment your spine and for this reason may apply too much or not enough pressure but instead you will be cared for by a medical professional who has an intimate knowledge of the procedure and knows just how much pressure to apply at what location of your body.

Sometimes patients report that while their spine was being adjusted they felt or head a distinct pop. This might scare you simply because it might sound like something burst. Yet in truth, these popping sounds and sensations are little more than bubbles of gas that are being released when your joint is moved. It sounds scary but there is no danger or ill effect associated with it.

Of course the number one important fact about chiropractors and their healing art rests in the duration of the treatment results. Oftentimes patients will visit a doctor expecting the effects of their treatment to last forever. While this might be an acceptable expectation to have of a surgeon who operates on the body to remove something or to surgically knit something together, it is imperative to understand that since your spine undergoes so much work and pressure on a daily basis, there are no guarantees about how long the adjustment will last. At times it only takes one wrong move to undo your last chiropractic adjustment while other times you can go for a month without needing to have your chiropractor do any more manipulations.

While this may not sound like much, keep in mind that injuring your spine by every day lifestyle choices is easily done and just as easily fixed. In the beginning of your treatment relationship you might visit your chiropractor for a number of times to affect the healing you are looking for while after the initial adjustments have taken good hold, you will only need to visit on an as needed basis or perhaps on a maintenance basis. Discuss this concern with your chiropractor so that you will understand how the adjustments will affect your overall health and how often they might need to be repeated in order to take hold more completely. Additionally, speak to your chiropractor about concerns you might have about your everyday activities and how they might be impacting your musculoskeletal health. Remember that your chiropractor is a holistic healer who not only cares about your spine but also about your whole body and how it is affected by everyday living!