THE CHIROPRACTIC PHILOSOPHY
Chiropractic is a primary spine care profession focusing on the diagnosis, treatment and management of neuro-musculoskeletal system (NMS) and recognizing the relationship between the health of the NMS and general Health.
Chiropractors have intricate knowledge of the normal and abnormal biomechanics of all joints throughout the body from both gross movement and specific segmental movement. Chiropractors thus learn how to detect areas, both gross and segmental levels, which are not moving in the correct manor (immobility).
Chiropractors thus restore correct motion back into these immobile joints assisting your body to function at its optimum.
“The nervous system holds the key to the body’s incredible potential to heal itself.”
— -Sir Jay Holder, M.D., D.C., Ph.D., of Miami, Florida —
How does immobility affect joints?
The lack of motion in a joint causes the adjacent joint to work overtime as it’s a 3 joint complex. Thus degeneration may often commence earlier in harder working joints.
How does this relate to nerves and nerve function?
Irritation of a joint capsule or an Intervertebral Disc (IVD) causes mechanical pressure onto nerve roots as they exit out of the spaces between the vertebral bodies/intervertebral foramina. The foramina is cone shaped with its smaller circumference around the medial border.
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Also the area where the nerves exit the foramina contains 3 protective layers, which transitions from dura to epineurium. Thus this is an area that is very susceptible to mechanical irritation.
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Has the most aggregation of soma and thus very excitable.
In short if there is any mechanical irritation, radiculopathy will ensue.
How does a Chiropractor correct this then?
By using high velocity, low amplitude adjustive techniques. Chiropractors spend their 3rd to 5th years learning and perfecting these techniques. A Chiropractor focus on gapping the joint and releasing the impingement or expingment of the synovial fold (Thus decreasing the pressure on the nerve root).
An adjustment causes activation of mechanoreceptors in the capsule that override the nociceptors in and surrounding the joint. An increase of blood circulation occurs in the area which supplies nutrition to the joint. The induced movement causes the release of metabolites through a process called diffusion. Gapping the joint also helps prevent the further formation of inflammation in the area.
In turn restoring the joint to optimal function allows the nerves to function normally.
Chiropractors may also use non-invasive treatment procedures and refer patients to medical and surgical practitioners should it be indicated.
Dr Jacques H Maree Chiropractor provides Chiropractic care for all families of Gauteng, Pretoria, Pretoria East, Garsfontein, Moreleta Park, Woodhill, Faerie Glen, Menlyn, Waterkloof, Brooklyn, Silver Lakes, Olympus, Elardus Park, Mooikloof, Menlo Park, Lynnwood, Woodlands and Wapadrand
