Dr. Alan Smith
Science shows that we all have within us an innate ability to heal ourselves. This "innate" ability is housed in our brain and communicates with every cell of our bodies through our nervous system. As long as this two way communication is functioning unimpaired, we are in a state of health and wellness. However, when this communication between our brain and body is impaired or irritated, our innate ability to heal ourselves doesn't work properly. This causes the symptoms we want to get rid of like:
headaches back pain neck pain
muscle spasms carpal-tunnel syndrome
arthritis extremity pains sprains/strains
Our brain and spinal cord are fairly well protected within our skull and spinal column.
However, the nerves that leave the spinal column to connect with our muscles and organs, called spinal nerves, are not protected. Because of our human anatomy, our spinal nerves can become compressed between the joints of our spine if our spine is injured. The small bones of the spine called "vertebrae" can become misaligned or restricted in their motion. These misaligned and or restricted vertebrae are called "subluxations". Subluxations compress and irritate the nervous system leading to stiffness, pain and eventually arthritis of the joints. Doctors of Chiropractic, called "Chiropractors", identify these subluxations through a thorough history, examination and X-rays if needed. The Chiropractor then formulates an appropriate treatment plan based on your particular problem.
The basic chiropractic treatment involves gentle re-alignment of the misaligned bones and restricted joints. These specific manipulations done only by chiropractors are called "Adjustments". Chiropractors are the only health practitioners qualified to diagnose and treat subluxations. Chiropractors perform adjustments on other joints of the body, as well as the spine, to treat foot, ankle, knee, wrist, elbow, hip and shoulder problems. While other factors affect the total health of an individual, elimination of subluxations is the single most important thing to living a happier, healthier, and pain-free life.
Pain is your body's way of telling you something is wrong. Medication often just masks the symptoms, and does not address the real cause of the problem. If the oil light came on in your car, would you cover the light with tape? Of course not, you would fix the problem and prevent major problems in the future. It is exactly the same with your body, only far more important.
