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Chiropractic combines science, philosophy and art. It is based on the fact that your body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism. Chiropractors refer to this self-healing ability as
innate intelligence. The body is controlled and regulated by the brain, spinal cord and nerves, which communicate to every cell of the body e.g. all of the cells including the muscle, skin, blood and organ cells. The vertebrae (which provide bony protection for the spinal cord and nervous system), can become misaligned (or
subluxated), causing dis-ease in the tissues and organs throughout the body. The dis-ease will often lead to symptoms. However, symptoms don’t usually present immediately. This is because the human body is a miraculous organism and it will attempt to compensate for dis-ease. Therefore, it often takes time for a subluxation to begin to cause obvious symptoms. Chiropractors look at the human body as a complete system (rather than as separate parts or systems). This is one of the main differences between chiropractic and the allopathic medical model. |
What about my pain?
Common symptoms that people present to chiropractors with are: pain, tingling, numbness and sprains and strains. When someone presents with these symptoms, the nerves are definitely compromised. These symptoms usually come on suddenly, but the cause of them may have been building up for some time - in some cases a whole lifetime! Although pain is an uncomfortable sensation, we can be grateful for it because it is the body’s way of telling us that there is dis-ease and that the body needs to be brought back into balance. Pain usually makes people take positive action to improve their health. |
There are many other symptoms that patients present with. These include intense period pain, poor digestion, ‘fuzzy head’, dyslexia, hyperactivity, poor bladder control, weakness on one side of the body, low shoulder and recurrent overuse injuries etc. All of these symptoms indicate that there is dis-ease in the body and this is how your chiropractor will view them. Your chiropractor will look for the cause of the dis-ease (or disease) and remove stress to your nervous system, so that your body can start to heal itself. Chiropractors do not treat the symptom itself. They look for and treat the cause. This is another difference between chiropractic and allopathic medicine. Often the cause of the symptom is distant from the site of the discomfort. This is because all parts of the body are integrated and they all affect each other. |
How Does Chiropractic Work?
Chiropractic works by removing interference to the nervous system and thereby restoring optimal function. Chiropractors achieve this by adjusting the spine (or peripheral joints). This removes the interference and stimulates joint movement receptors (your body's position sensors that provide feedback to the brain about where the joint is in space). This stimulation directly affects the way your nervous system works and adapts. There are many different ways of being adjusted. How you are adjusted depends on the techniques the chiropractor uses, your particular condition and the individual chiropractor. The ways in which a chiropractor adjusts a 98 year old, a football player, a pregnant lady and a 2 day old baby are all different. Each individual presents in a completely different state, therefore, they all require individualised treatment. |
What Type of Education Do Chiropractors Get?
Chiropractors in Australia complete a three year science degree plus a two year master’s degree. The curriculum has a medical focus and special emphasis is placed on anatomy, neurology, biomechanics, nutrition, radiology, physiology, diagnosis and spinal adjusting. All chiropractors in Australia must also pass a demanding state board exam. There are 3 Universities in Australia that teach chiropractic: Macquarie University, RMIT and Murdoch University. |
Is Chiropractic Safe
In the words of the New Zealand government's inquiry, chiropractic care is "...remarkably safe." It is safer than back surgery, muscle relaxants and even aspirin. People of all ages enjoy safe and effective care. |
Is Chiropractic Scientific?
There is more and more research being done that confirms the effectiveness of chiropractic treatment for many health ailments and diseases. There is substantial research that validates chiropractic for its safety and for low back pain, headaches, asthma, whiplash, ear infections/glue ear and pre-menstrual syndromes. Please go to our reference links page to view further chiropractic research. |
What is chiropractic suitable for?
Chiropractic treatment is suitable for everyone including newborn babies, the elderly, pregnant women and sports enthusiasts. When the majority of the nervous system interference is removed and your whole body is functioning well, your chiropractor will help you to maintain your health by educating you about: the best form of regular exercise for you; nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices. At Total Chiropractic we believe it is important for you to actively participate in your healing and health, so we recommend specific things for you to do during certain stages of your treatment. The adjustments a chiropractor performs in a consultation removes the interference to your nervous system, however, it is your responsibility to follow the advice of your practitioner to ensure that you obtain optimal results. |
Do I Need a Referral to Visit a Chiropractor?
Absolutely not! Chiropractors are primary health practitioners. This means that you do not need a referral. If your chiropractor does not think chiropractic care is appropriate for you or if they don’t think that they can help you, they will refer you to an appropriate health care provider. |
I’m not sick. Should I see a Chiropractor?
Yes. Symptoms are not a good indication of your state of health. They often surface after years of body malfunction. Just like we service our car even though it’s not broken, it is also beneficial to have regular chiropractic adjustments to maintain optimum health. Patients often report how much better their overall health is when they see a chiropractor for regular ‘tune ups’. Patients commonly report less coughs and colds, less ear infections and less bronchiolitis, (just to name a few). Overall health is improved because chiropractic care reduces stress in the body, thereby allowing the immune system to function more efficiently. This beneficial effect applies to all body systems – not just the immune system. |
The Initial Consultation
The chiropractors at Total chiropractic will take a full health history during your initial consultation. This includes questions about the reason for your visit (or your primary health complaint) and other questions regarding your overall health.
You will then be given a physical examination, which provides the chiropractor with information about your nervous system function and where there is dis-ease in your body. This includes comprehensive muscle, orthopedic and neurological tests. At Total Chiropractic we use the advanced system of Applied Kinesiology (AK) to assist us with our diagnosis of structural, biochemical and/or emotional dis-ease in the body.
Most clients are referred for a full spinal x-ray which gives us more information about your structural integrity before we adjust your spine. This tells us whether there is any bony pathology, congenital abnormalities, arthritis/degeneration, centre of gravity or specific misalignments that are important for further treatment specificity and safety. All of these elements are important components of your total health profile. |
Report of Findings visit (2nd appointment)
Your second appointment is just as important as the initial consultation. This is when your whole health profile is assembled and explained to you. Your chiropractor will also tell you how chiropractic can assist you. We explain your x-rays to you in detail (so that you can understand your current state of health) and after all of your questions have been answered, you will be given a folder with further information about chiropractic care. This includes information about our policies and a care program that is specific for you. We suggest that you keep this and add to it any extra information that we give you in subsequent consultations. You will then be given your first chiropractic adjustment with your chiropractor at Total Chiropractic. Enjoy your journey to optimal health! |
Written by:
Sara Winchester, B.Sc(HM), M(Chiro), Dip (Sports
Chiro), Cert(AK). Cert (Webster) |
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