The Science Behind Chiropractic Care

The modern chiropractic profession has been treating patients for a variety of health conditions since 1895. That is when Daniel David Palmer adjusted the spinal column of Harvey Lillard and restored his hearing. Mr. Lillard had loss his hearing when he was kicked by a horse. Daniel Palmer reasoned that if a blow to the spine caused the hearing loss, then that blow caused something in the spine to dislocate and cause the problem. He thought that a movement in the opposite direction would restore normal positioning and the hearing would return. He was right.

Since that first chiropractic 'adjustment' many scientific experiments have been conducted try to prove ( and many projects trying to disprove) chiropractic treatment. The studies have been conducted by chiropractors, neurologists, osteopaths, clinical researchers, and physiologists. The evidence is overwhelming that the chiropractic theory has a solid scientific basis.

The chiropractic theory states that the all of the systems of the body are controlled by the nervous system. Any disruption in the communication of the nervous system can lead to physical disease (literally dis-ease). Pain, illnesses, disease processes, and other physical ailments are all possible conditions that result from nervous system disruptions.

The main pathway for the communication between the brain and the rest of the body is the spinal cord, the main nerve that runs down the spinal column. Any external pressure on the spinal cord can affect the flow of nervous energy and cause miscommunication within the body. A classic example of nerve interference is the condition called 'sciatica'. In this physical condition the sciatic nerve, which is the main nerve running down the back of the leg, is compromised (often said to be 'pinched') where it exits the spinal column in the lower back. Sciatic pain can be very debilitating. Your neighborhood chiropractor, Dr. Jeffrey Roistacher will adjust the lumbar vertebrae, releasing the pressure on the sciatic nerve, and relieve the pain. In this example the nerve that is being compromised is a sensory nerve conducting pain. There are many nerves travelling throughout the body that all have different functions, though their main job is communication. The results on any nerve that is being compromised as it exists the spinal column can be dramatically affected by chiropractic adjustments to relieve this pressure, just as the pain being conducted by the sciatic nerve is reduced through chiropractic spinal adjustments.

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