About Chiropractic
Chiropractic is a profession that specialises in the diagnosis, treatment and management of neuromusculoskeletal disorders. Mechanical disorders of the joints, particularly those of the spine, incorrect or inadequate function of the spine can cause irritation of the nerves and muscles, often resulting in symptoms of discomfort or pain. Contributing factors to this dysfunction include poor posture, repetitive strain or overuse, accidents, stress, poor nutrition and lack of exercise.
Manipulation of the joints is believed to help in a number of ways including:
Disruption of adhesions that have formed in or around the joint
Releasing trapped folds of the sensitive joint lining
Normalising muscle tone by correcting abnormal nerve signals coming from the dysfunctional joint
Relieving pain through complex neurological interactions in the spinal cord known as “pain gating”.
A chiropractor assesses the spine and other joints of the body for any loss of function, mobility or alignment by palpation (feeling). Gentle manipulative techniques, often referred to as “adjustments” or “manipulations”, are applied to restore correct function to the joints, thus improving mobility and relieving pain.
Chiropractic is effective in treating a wide range of conditions including:
Low back & leg pain
Neck & arm pain
Headaches and dizziness caused by neck problems
Shoulder pain
Hip, knee and foot pain
Elbow pain
Minor sports injuries
Many other joint and muscle problems
Pregnancy-related pain and infant irritability