What is Chiropractic?

Definition of Chiropractic

Chiropractic is a drugless, non-surgical approach to healthcare that is holistic in nature. This means that rather than thinking of you as a group of distinct systems (respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, etc.), chiropractors recognize that any part of your body is subject to influence from other areas. This is how a foot problem can cause knee or low back pain, or a neck issue may influence digestion.

Connection to the nervous system

The science and focus of Chiropractic is how spinal function and its relationship with the central nervous system affects one’s overall health and well being. In viewing the body this way, we can often discover problem areas that have been previously overlooked as the root cause of various signs/symptoms of ill-health and/or poor body biomechanics.

What is subluxation?

The nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord (the “switchboard”), with thousands of nerves that branch through openings between the spine to control the function of every cell, tissue, organ, and gland in the body. When vertebrae are out of their natural alignment, nerves become stretched or twisted (commonly referred to as a nerve “pinch”), and this vital communication system in the body is disrupted. This neurological disturbance is called a SUBLUXATION, and it may result in failure or suboptimal functioning of one or more parts of the body.

Issues can occur

In the event of an acute injury or small, repetitive traumas related to physical and daily activities, an accumulation of spinal stress occurs. This will result in misalignments or restrictions (subluxation) of the spinal or extremity joints that may lead to:

  • Decreased mobility
  • Pain and discomfort
  • Increased risk for potential injury
  • Overall body function at less than its optimal level

Focus on the root cause

As a licensed doctor of chiropractic, Dr. Jeannique Norbert is able to deliver preventative treatments and long-term care at a fraction of the cost of traditional treatments, surgery, and medications. This is achieved by addressing the root of the cause via correction of function rather than simply eliminating symptoms.

 

Common complaints relieved by chiropractic care

  • Headaches and migraines
  • Upper/lower back pain
  • Neck pain
  • Whiplash
  • Scoliosis
  • Numbness/tingling to extremities (ie. carpal tunnel syndrome)
  • Disc problems
  • Arthritis
  • TMJ syndrome
  • Sports injuries
  • Overuse injuries
  • Pregnancy-related pain
  • Sciatica

Frequently Asked Questions

What is it?

According to The Association of Chiropractic Colleges, chiropractic care focuses on the relationship of structure and function (as coordinated by the nervous system), and how that relationship affects the preservation and restoration of your health.

The science of chiropractic focuses on the body’s skeletal system and takes a holistic approach towards healthcare. The spine houses and protects the spinal cord, which is the “switchboard” through which information is transmitted through your nervous system from the brain to all parts of the body.

In the event of an acute injury or repetitive micro-trauma related to physical and daily activities, an accumulation of stress occurs. This results in misalignments or restriction of spinal or extremity joints. These misalignments or restrictions interfering with the information being transmitted by the nervous system may cause.

  • Inhibited mobility
  • Pain and discomfort
  • Body function at less than its optimal level
  • Increased risk for potential injury

As a licensed doctor of chiropractic, Dr. Jeannique Norbert is able to deliver preventative treatments and long-term care at a fraction of the cost of traditional treatments, surgery, and medications. This is achieved by addressing the root of the cause via correction of function rather than simply eliminating symptoms.

What does a chiropractor do?

A doctor of chiropractic is the only board certified, national and state licensed professional who is trained to detect and correct subluxations (misalignments in vertebra). Chiropractors are health care providers who diagnose and address patients’ health and wellness concerns via focusing on the nervous, muscular and skeletal systems of the body. Treatment may include spinal and extremity adjusting, physiotherapies, physical rehabilitation and suggestions pertaining to nutrition and lifestyle habits, including supplementation and diet changes.

Chiropractors do not cure or treat diseases or conditions. A chiropractor is a guide to help your body achieve a level of optimal health and function so that it works the way it was intended. Though chiropractors only directly treat the spine, parents and children under chiropractic care have had amazing improvements with both musculoskeletal and organic conditions.

The adjustment

The principal therapeutic procedure utilized is the chiropractic adjustment, which is a quick, gentle, hands on or instrument-assisted motioning of a joint which may be misaligned and or lack proper movement (subluxation). Restoring proper motion to subluxated joints help to clear the nervous system of interference, thereby allowing the body to heal, muscles to relax, alleviate pain, and ultimately lead to overall wellness.

Dr. Jeannique Norbert utilizes multiple safe, gentle techniques that suit each patient’s comfort and treatment needs.

Who can benefit?

Chiropractic care is available to men, women and children of all ages, including infants and pregnant women. In other words … your entire family! Some of the benefits of receiving chiropractic care include:

  • Improved muscle and joint mobility and stabilization
  • Regulation of the nervous system
  • Improved biomechanics
  • Decreased pain and inflammation
  • Quicker recovery after injury
  • Re-injury prevention
  • Optimization of health

Common musculoskeletal conditions relieved by chiropractic care:

  • Headaches and migraines
  • Neck pain
  • Upper/lower back pain
  • Sciatica
  • Whiplash
  • Scoliosis
  • Disc problems
  • Numbness/tingling to extremities
  • Arthritis
  • TMJ
  • Sports injuries
  • Overuse injuries

See Pregnancy Care and Pediatric Care for more information on the benefits of chiropractic care for these individuals.

How long will care take once I get started?

Since chiropractic care depends on the healing abilities of each patient, results can vary from patient to patient. Everyone responds differently. With this fact in mind, Dr. J constructs her acute/active care treatment plans based on a scientific understanding of the healing phases of the body before stabilization can be achieved.

For those who are just looking for relief from pain or other symptoms of subluxation, treatment can be as few as 12 adjustments with what is typically called, “Relief Care”. Once the vertebra is gently adjusted back into alignment the symptoms may be relieved right away, or in a very short period of time. However, for those who don’t want their symptoms to return, the best treatment course will include corrective or rehabilitative care.

The fact is, the body is self-regulating and when it detects that something is wrong it will try to correct it. Meaning, when one vertebra is out of alignment the body begins to adapt and other vertebrae may move to compensate. What this means to your spine is that the muscles and tissues around that vertebra have begun to self-correct and accept this misalignment as normal; any false move or over-exertion may have that vertebrae moving back out of place. It could take as little as 3 months or more than 6 months to a year, but eventually that subluxation may return and with it, your original symptoms.

This is why as your Wellness Chiropractor, Dr. J will suggest that you allow enough time for your body to adapt to the correct alignment of your spine. Once aligned, the final step is “Wellness Care.” This will typically require less frequency of visits as your spine is back in alignment, and your choice of healthier eating and exercise habits may mean you’re the healthiest ever!

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“Chiropractic is the largest, drugless  healing aid in the world.”

~ Unknown

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