Patient Education
The more you understand your body and how it functions, the better equipped you'll be at taking care of yourself to achieve optimal health.
Our team of chiropractic professionals empower patients to take charge of your own health and future, educating you about your condition to decrease your need for future care. We've included the Patient Education section on our website to provide you with valuable, practical wellness information which you can incorporate into your lifestyle to improve the quality of your life.
We hope you will turn to these pages whenever you have a question about health related issues and urge you to contact our practice at any time to make an appointment with one of our providers.
The Chiropractic Profession
The word chiropractic comes from the Greek words, "chiro," meaning hand, and "practic," meaning practice, or treatment. Thus, "treatment by hand" is an appropriate definition since chiropractors typically use their hands to manipulate different parts of the body in an effort to promote healing and wellness.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care
One of the main causes of pain and disease in the human body can be traced to improper alignment of the vertebrae in your spinal column. This is called a subluxation. Through carefully applied pressure, massage, and manual manipulation of the vertebrae and joints, pressure and irritation on the nerves is relieved and joint mobility is restored, allowing your body to return to its natural state of balance, called homeostasis.
Educational Requirements
The educational requirements for chiropractors are similar to that of medical doctors. In general, chiropractors must complete four years of undergraduate study from one of the nation's 17 accredited chiropractic colleges. During the first two years of study, students receive classroom and laboratory work in anatomy, physiology, public health, microbiology, pathology, and biochemistry. The final two years involve courses in manipulation and spinal adjustments, as well as clinical experience in areas that may include physical and laboratory diagnosis, neurology, orthopedics, geriatrics, physiotherapy, and nutrition, biomechanics, radiology, and natural medicine.
Chiropractic Principles
When all of your body's inter-related systems-including your musculoskeletal, nervous and vascular systems-are in balance and functioning properly, your body possesses a remarkable knack for healing itself. This state is called homeostasis.
Common Myths
In spite of its long recognition by the medical community and the government as a safe, proven, and effective treatment, many people today still have misconceptions about chiropractic care.
History of Chiropractic
For centuries scientists, physicians, and even philosophers have long believed that the body's spinal cord is at the root of many ailments that have nothing to do with back or neck pain.
But the birth of the chiropractic profession was not to occur until the late-19th century-September 18, 1895, to be exact-in the small offices of the Palmer Cure & Infirmary in Davenport, Iowa. Late that day, Canadian-born Daniel David Palmer was in his office trying to have a conversation with the building's janitor, Harvey Lillard.