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Avenues of Approach

Every healing science has its own avenue of approach. In
medicine, a needle injects through skin, or doses are
swallowed, to provide drugs access to the body. In
surgery, the flesh is cut to give the surgeon access to a
problem inside. In chiropractic science, the avenue is the
spine – the structural core around which the rest of the
body is built – which houses and protects the spinal cord.
This cord is the fibrous network through which all nerve
fibers and messages travel. Is it any wonder why this is the only system in the body
that is fully encased and protected by bone? No accident here!

Importance of Alignment

Why is spinal alignment so important? Our nerves enter and leave through openings
between the vertebrae, the movable bones that make up the spine. When vertebrae
are misaligned or displaced, normal functions are disrupted; dysfunction and pain
are often the result. These disruptions are called subluxations.

Subluxations are caused not just by injuries, but by things we do every day. Work
stress, such as repetitive motion, poor ergonomics, and sitting or standing for long
hours, can affect your alignment. Whether you are earning a living, playing sports, or
lifting toddlers and groceries, the stress of daily life can take a toll.

When subluxations occur, they affect not only the muscles, tendons, and joints in the
area, but the entire flow of the nervous system. Pain is often how the body warns us
of a problem, like the warning light on a car. Getting rid of a symptom without fixing
the cause is the same as covering up the warning light on your dashboard.

While pain might drive you to seek treatment, it is just as important to address the
cause. All of our systems rely on a properly-functioning nervous system, so ignoring
your spine is never a good idea!

Accidents, Injuries, and Subluxations

Why Do People Need Chiropractic Care?

When discussing chiropractic care, people often talk about injuries they suffered in
an automobile accident. The most common is whiplash to the cervical spine (neck).
The term whiplash comes from the sudden whipping movement of the neck during a
collision, that can stretch and tear the ligaments and muscles that support the spine
and head. Many of us have or will experience whiplash in our lifetimes. Some people
experience little or no pain in the neck immediately after the event, but if left
untreated, a whiplash injury can create a host of painful problems down the road.

Accidents can cause more obvious injuries too, like a concussion from hitting the
windshield, a knee slammed into the dashboard, as well as shoulder and torso
injuries from the seatbelt compressing the upper body during impact. If you have
been in an accident, please do not wait. Have yourself checked out by a chiropractor!