The Basic Principles of Chiropractic Spinal Analysis and Corrective Care

The spine is looked at bio-mechanically by chiropractors. Like building blocks, any misalignment in one area can also affect other areas. Some start at the top and work down, others start at the pelvis and work up.

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When a bone in the spine misaligns by tilting, twisting or compressing out of its proper position, trouble can occur. For one, an uneven pressure is put on the disc which over time can cause damage to the disc-like a slipped, bulging or herniated disc. The discs are tough cushioning pads in between the vertebra, made up of a gel-like center surrounded by strands of fibrous connective tissue. Secondly, a "pinched" nerve can result.

Vertebra can misalign from cumulative effects of minor stressors or injuries, or from one major injury. Most of these misalignments the body can correct on its own, but when it cannot, the bone becomes "locked" out of position. Research has shown that this "hypo-mobility" or locking of the joint, leads to degeneration- grinding away, arthritis, damage being done to the disc, cartilage or connective tissue surrounding that joint- in a very short time. If not corrected, this definitely will lead to permanent joint damage and possible fusion. Once in this stage, you are out of the chiropractor's realm of care and we will be forced refer you out to a medical professional.

This condition of misalignment, when it effects the related nerves, is what Chiropractors call a SUBLUXATION. Misalignment and edema (swelling) can irritate and inflame the nearby nerves and you can end up with a problem at that area or in whatever organ that nerve supplies.

The ability to identify and correct these subluxations are what chiropractors are experts in. We put together the information we get from the consultation and health history, the examination, the x-ray findings, and at times other testing procedures, to find the cause of your problem.

Once this information is gathered, a program of correction can be initiated to restore the spine to its normal state, or to get as much correction out of it as possible.  

The time it takes to achieve such correction is based on a few factors-

1) Age of the patient,

2) How long the problem has been present,

3) Any structural deviations (like scoliosis or reversed curves),

4) If degeneration or arthritis is present, and how severe,

5) Is there any compression, and how severe, and

6) Is there a pathological condition present, and how severe.