What is Chiropractic?
In the 120 years of its development, chiropractic science has grown to major stature in the field of the healing arts and has reached millions of people. With the rate of growth steadily increasing, the chiropractic profession has found a continuing need to acquaint new patients with the nature of chiropractic care.
The modern chiropractor works both directly and indirectly with the nervous system. Every function of the body is controlled by nerve impulses traveling from the brain to all parts of the body. Nerves make possible all movement. Nerves transmit all sensations to the brain. Nerves make possible all sense; sight, smell, taste, touch and hearing. Nerves maintain balance and keep the body temperature at 98.6. Nerves make it possible to swallow. Nerves make the bowels move. Nerves control the liver, lungs, spleen, pancreas, gallbladder, and kidneys. In fact, the nervous system is the master system which controls all other systems of the body, including the glandular, reproductive, digestive, eliminative, respiratory, circulatory and immune systems.
In the field of chiropractic, the avenue of approach is the spine. The spine houses and protects the spinal cord - this "switchboard" of the nervous system, through which nerve fibers pass from the brain to different parts of the body.
The Role of Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is commonly used as part of a conservative approach to musculoskeletal health. Patients often seek care for issues such as back pain, neck pain, headaches, joint stiffness, or posture-related discomfort. Rather than focusing only on symptoms, chiropractic care evaluates how the spine and body are functioning as a whole. Treatment may include spinal adjustments, movement-based recommendations, and lifestyle guidance depending on the patient’s condition and goals. Over time, it aims to help patients maintain mobility, prevent recurring issues, and support a healthier, more resilient body through improved alignment and movement habits.
How does the Nervous System relate to Chiropractic Care?
The nervous system is the communication network of the body. It carries signals between the brain and every other system, influencing movement, sensation, coordination, and organ function.
Because spinal nerves exit through the spine, proper spinal movement is important for maintaining normal communication between the brain and the body. When joints in the spine lose normal motion or become restricted, this may contribute to irritation or interference in nearby nerves, which can affect how the body feels or functions.
What Is a Vertebral Subluxation?
A vertebral subluxation refers to a situation where a spinal segment is not moving or functioning properly. In chiropractic care, this term is used to describe mechanical and neurological stress that may affect how well the nervous system communicates with the body.
Vertebral Subluxation is assessed through a combination of physical examination findings, posture analysis, and spinal evaluation. Chiropractors use this information to determine areas of the spine that may benefit from specific treatment.
Visit What is Subluxation? for more information.
What Is a Chiropractic Adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment is a precise, controlled technique used to improve spinal joint motion and reduce tension in surrounding tissues. Adjustments are tailored to each patient based on their examination findings and individual needs.
The goal of chiropractic adjustments is to help restore better movement in the spine, reduce discomfort, and support overall nervous system function. Many patients also report improvements in mobility and daily activity as care progresses.
What is Subluxation?
A vertebral subluxation refers to a functional issue in the spine where one or more vertebrae are not moving or functioning properly. In chiropractic care, this term is used to describe areas of the spine that may be associated with joint restriction, muscle tension, or irritation of nearby nerves.
Vertebral Subluxation is assessed through spinal examination, posture analysis, and movement testing to better understand how the spine may be affecting overall function.
How Can This Affect the Body?
The nervous system is responsible for sending and receiving signals between the brain and the rest of the body. When spinal joints are not moving properly, it may contribute to changes in how these signals are transmitted.
This can sometimes be associated with symptoms such as discomfort, stiffness, reduced range of motion, or altered function in certain areas of the body. The impact can vary from person to person depending on the location and severity of the issue.
How do Chiropractors Address Subluxations?
Chiropractors evaluate the spine to identify areas of restricted movement or dysfunction. When appropriate, they use chiropractic adjustments—precise manual techniques intended to improve joint mobility and reduce tension in surrounding tissues.
The goal of care is to help restore better spinal motion and support improved overall function. Treatment is individualized based on each patient’s findings, symptoms, and health goals.
👉 A Note on Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is one approach used to manage musculoskeletal and spinal-related concerns. While chiropractors are trained in spinal assessment and manual therapy techniques, care is typically part of a broader healthcare picture and should be supported by positive, health conscious choices.
The Five Components:
The Osseous (bone) component is where the vertebrae are either out of position, not moving properly, or are undergoing physical changes such as degeneration. This component is sometimes known as kinesiopathology.
The Nerve Component is the malfunctioning of the nerve. Research has shown that only a small amount of pressure on spinal nerves can have a profound impact on the function of the nerves. This component is scientifically known as neuropathology.
The Muscle Component is also involved. Since the muscles help hold the vertebrae in place, and since nerves control the muscles themselves, muscles are an integral part of any VSC. In fact, muscles both affect, and are affected by the VSC. This component is known as myopathology.
The Soft Tissue Component is when you have misaligned vertebrae and pressure on nerves resulting in changes in the surrounding soft tissues. This means the tendons, ligaments, blood supply, and other tissues undergo changes. These changes can occur at the point of the VSC or far away at some end point of the affected nerves. This component is also known as histopathology.
The Chemical Component is when all these components of the VSC are acting on your body, and therefore causing some degree of chemical changes. These chemical changes can be slight or massive depending on what parts of your body are affected by your subluxations. This component is often known as biochemical abnormalities.
Chiropractors have known about the dangers of subluxations for over one hundred years. Today, more scientific evidence is showing the dangers of subluxations and the health benefits of correcting them. To be truly healthy, it is vital that your nervous system be functioning free of interference from subluxations. Our goal is to allow your body to return itself to the highest level of health possible by correcting VSC. Chiropractors are the ONLY health professionals trained in the detection, location, and correction of the VSC.
Phases of Health
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Phase 1
Many people go to a chiropractor because they are in pain. In this first phase of care, the main goal is to reduce your symptoms. Sometimes this will require daily visits, or two to three visits per week for a time. Most people are under the assumption that if they don’t feel any pain that there is nothing wrong with them – that they are healthy.
Unfortunately, pain is a very poor indicator of health. In fact, pain and other symptoms frequently only appear after a disease or other condition has become advanced.
For example, consider a cavity in your tooth. Does it hurt when it first develops or only after it has become serious? How about heart disease? Regardless of whether you are talking about cancer, heart disease, diabetes, stress or problems with the spine, pain is usually the last thing to appear. When you begin chiropractic care, pain is also the first symptom to disappear, even though much of the underlying condition remains.
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Phase 2
Most chiropractors regard the elimination of symptoms as the easiest part of a persons care. If all that the chiropractor does is to reduce the pain and stop there, the chances of the condition recurring are much greater. In order to prevent a rapid recurrence of symptoms, it is necessary to continue receiving care even though your symptoms are gone.
During the correction/restorative phase of your care, you will not have to receive adjustments as often as you did during the first phase of care and, depending on your particular circumstances, you may begin doing exercises and stretches either at the center or at home to help accelerate your healing.
Do not be discouraged if on occasion you have mild flare-ups in your symptoms. This is considered normal as flare-ups are bound to occur during this phase because your body has not fully healed.
Depending on the severity of your injury or condition, and how long you have been suffering from it, this phase of your care may last anywhere from a few months to a couple of years.
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Phase 3
Once your body has fully healed, routine chiropractic care can help ensure that your physical problems do not return, and keep your body in optimal condition. Just like continuing an exercise program and eating well in order to sustain the benefits of exercise and proper diet, it is necessary to continue chiropractic care to ensure the health of your musculoskeletal system.
When you make routine chiropractic care a part of your lifestyle, you avoid many of the aches and pains that so many people suffer through, your joints will last longer and you will be able to engage in more of the activities you love.