What is your health problem and how is your health?

The brain, vertebrae and nerves that make up the spinal column are an integral part of the central nervous system.  These two systems enable the body to function.  In simple terms, messages sent from the brain travel along the nerves in the spinal column to other parts of the body.  Some messages require no conscious effort to work - like breathing.  These are traveling through the autonomic nervous system.  Other messages, like performing a song and dance routine, involve a conscious effort and use the nerves in the central nervous system.  The spinal column acts like a phone line between the brain and the parts of the body that need to be used.  Like a phone line, if the message from the brain is obstructed on its trip along the spinal column it can become altered and this can cause problems.

Each nerve within the spinal column is related to the proper functioning of other major body parts.  The diagram (below) outlines the nerves in the spinal column and the parts of the body to which they relate.  What does all this have to do with you, your health and chiropractic?  Plenty!  In order to comprehend what these areas have in common it helps to understand what chiropractic means.

Chiropractic Health Care For The Whole Person

Chiropractic is a conservative health care method which emphasizes maintaining the structural integrity of the body.  It deals with the whole person and treats the causes of problems rather than just the symptoms.  In addition to restoring health and increasing disease resistance, chiropractic attempts to help individuals maintain good health.  A doctor of chiropractic does not use drugs or surgical procedures to treat patients.  Instead the focus is on maintaining a normal balance in the skeletal, muscular, nervous and circulatory systems and the interaction of these systems.  A chiropractor is an important part of a complete heath maintenance team.