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A Brief History Of Chiropractic Spinal adjustment has been practiced in every civilization, from the early Egyptians forward. In 1895 Daniel David Palmer, a longtime student of physiology and anatomy, founded the modern-day system and theory of chiropractic. Palmer had encountered a janitor who had been deaf for seventeen years, following an injury to his upper spine. While examining the janitor's spine, Palmer found a misaligned vertebra, that corresponded to the spot the man had injured just prior to losing his hearing, By administering a specific thrust or adjustment to the vertebra, Palmer restored the janitor's hearing. Fundamental to Palmer's philosophy of health is the idea that all living beings are endowed with what he termed "innate intelligence." Palmer believed that this intelligence regulates all the vital functions of the body as it flows through the central nervous system. Because of this belief, palmer felt that the primary task of the chiropractor was not to treat conditions but to remove nerve interference caused by subluxations so that the innate intelligence could carry out its role of maintaining the body's health and equilibrium without obstruction. Since Dr. Palmer's first chiropractic adjustment, the art and science of chiropractic has progressed significantly. Today, advanced diagnostic procedures, sophisticated equipment, scientific research, and the growing acceptance among other health care professionals makes chiropractic a popular health care choice. Chiropractic Philosophy The chiropractic perspective on health and disease emphasizes two fundamental concepts: 1) the structure and condition of the body influences how the body functions and its ability to heal itself; and 2) the mind-body relationship is instrumental in maintaining health and in the healing processes. Although chiropractic shares much with other health professions, its emphasis and application of philosophy distinguishes it from modern medicine. Chiropractic philosophy gravitates toward a holistic ("total person") approach to healing which combines elements of the mind, body and spirit and maintains that health depends on obedience to natural laws, and that deviation from such laws can result in illness. Widespread Use of Chiropractic Care Through adjustments of the spine and joints, chiropractors can influence the body's nervous system and natural defense mechanisms in order to alleviate pain and improve general health. Because of its effectiveness in treating back problems, headaches, and other injuries and traumas, chiropractic has become the second largest primary health care field in the world. Chiropractors get patients with back pain better and back to work faster than any other health care provider. Chiropractic care also costs less and provides greater patient satisfaction. Healthy Tips for a Healthy Spine The following tips can help you take better care of your spine: 1) Make sure you have a firm mattress that keeps the spine aligned and supports the spine's natural curve. The best sleeping position is on your back. 2) When standing for extended periods, rest one foot at a time on a small stool to maintain spinal curvature and relieve pressure. The knees should be bent when bending forward. Low-heeled shoes may help by maintaining spinal curvatures and cushioning your weight. 3) Use chairs that promote good posture and support your back. Placing a lumbar support in the lower portion of your back may help support your spine's natural curve. Readjust the seat of your car so that your knees are level with your hips. 4) When bending forward, bend at the knees and hips, but keep your back straight. This will help to keep your spine's curvature in proper alignment. When lifting, keep your spine straight while using your legs to do most of the work. Hold the objects being lifted close to your body to keep the weight on your spine to a minimum. The ABCs of Subluxations Vertebral subluxations are displacements of the spinal bones (vertebrae) that can cause stress to your spinal cord and nervous system. Subluxations may be caused by poor sleeping habits, poor posture, strenuous exercise, injuries, auto accidents, sports, slips or falls, and in some cases, the birthing process itself. Chiropractic adjustments are very helpful in correcting subluxations and restoring optimal health. Acupuncture Acupuncture alleviates pain and can increase the immune response by balancing the flow of vital life energy throughout the body. It is a complete system of healing and provides effective treatment for numerous conditions, from the common cold and flus, to addiction and chronic fatigue syndrome. Acupuncture originated in China over five thousand years ago. It is based on the belief that health is determined by a balanced flow of "Qi" (also referred to as Chi), the vital life energy present in all living organisms. According to acupuncture theory, qi circulates in the body along twelve major energy pathways, called meridians, each linked to specific internal organs and organ systems. There are over one thousand acupoints within the meridian system that can be stimulated to enhance the flow of qi. Special needles are inserted into these points (just under the skin) to relieve pain and restore health by rebalancing the flow of energy. Whiplash (aka Acceleration/Deceleration Injuries) If you have been in a car accident (even one at a slow speed) BEWARE!! You may have been exposed to a subtle injury that will be a problem for the rest of your life. The symptoms from these car crashes may not show themselves in the form of pain or disability for some time. Most injuries do not even show on x-ray. Therefore, you may get an x-ray that does not show an injury then try and live with the pain untill it becomes chronic and you are stuck with it. Your best defense is early and aggressive treatment to enable the injured tissue to heal properly without scar tissue and the resultant pain and disfunction. Crash facts Most injuries occur at crash speeds below 12 mph. Most cars withstand 8-12 mph impacts without structural damage. More than half of all low speed rear impact crash injuries occur without vehicle damage. There is no correlation betweem vehicle damage and occupant injury. The peak acceleration of the head is much greater than the peak accleration of the vehicle. Therefore, BEWARE the type of thinking that lets you spend the rest of your life in pain. The myth is one can not be hurt if the car isn't damaged. WRONG!! The myth is that injuries heal within 6-12 weeks. WRONG!! Call me to find out more about the myths and the facts of being in a car crash and what it can do to your body with no immediate outward signs.