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The Ins and Outs of Chiroproctic CareBy Nancy GrundyOne of the popular alternatives to healing traditional back pain care is Chiropractic Health Care. Chiropractic is a holistic treatment which focuses the body's natural ability to heal itself without the use of drugs or surgery. In some cases that may mean helping you heal an injury naturally, but in other instances, chiropractors suggest preventative programs which help you become better than well. Chiropractic care should not replace traditional medicine, and traditional medicine should not exclude chiropractor care. M.D.'s and D. C.'s (Doctor of Chiropractic) complement each other as their medical training has different emphasis. D. C.'s may have a strong background in anatomy, neurology, diagnostics, and orthopedic care, and M.D's may have more training in pathology, physiology, chemistry, psychiatry, and obstetrics. There are many times when surgeries must be performed. Wounds must be treated and broken bones and internal injuries require the expertise of a medical doctor. But there are several other times, particularly with athletes, where injuries might be best treated by a chiropractor. The history of chiropractic care dates back many year. Early missionaries who visited China found an ancient manuscript called the "Cong Fou Document," written about 270 B. C. These ancient papers show practioners using soft tissue manipulation to heal a variety of problems. Around 1500 B. C., the Greeks were known to use tissue manipulation. Recorded writings of that periods have been preserved on the original ancient papyrus. These gave us instructions on how to manipulate the spine. Hippocrates, father of modern medicine, wrote a book on chiropractic care. He was born in 640 B.C. and lived to be 73 years old, which was a very long time to live in those days. He wrote, "On setting Joints by Leverage and Manipulation; An Importance To Good Health." He said, "Get knowledge of the Spine, for this is the requisite for many diseases." Five hundred years later, the Greek Physician Galen cured paralysis of the right hand of a well-known man, Eudemeis. Galen, who was known as the "Prince of the Physicians" said, "Look to the Nervous System as the key to maximum health." The North American Indians, as well as the Winnebago, Sioux, Maya and Incas, all did spinal adjustments. Ancient societies applied spinal adjustments unsystematically for over one thousand years before modern chiropractic care was started. A systematic approach was developed by D.D. Palmer in 1895 when he adjusted the spine of a deaf client named Harvey Lillard. The result seemed like a miracle for the man's hearing was restored. Palmer named the new method and new profession chiropractic-meaning "done by hand," and opened his school in 1910. He reasoned that when the spine is fully aligned, there is free flow of nerve energy to every cell, thus allowing the body's innate ability to work effectively and coordinate normal body functions. Chiropractors don't write prescriptions for medicine. If you see a chiropractor, you will receive a comprehensive health history and then talk with the doctor about how the pain occurred. He or she will evaluate and if necessary order other diagnostic tests. If a spinal subluxation (displacement of a vertebra or spinal bone) is found adjustments are done to rectify the problem. The adjustments are very precise, controlled movement designed to move the bone back into place to correct any nerve interference or muscle-tissue spasms. Restoring the body's natural nerve transmission and blood flow through the adjustment, combined with an exercise program of stretching to correct muscle tightness and weights to improve muscle-strength imbalances, is sometimes all that is needed to rehabilitate many injuries. Care for ailments like lower back pain, disc problems and neck pain are the obvious reasons people visit a chiropractor. However, many chiropractors also treat limb problems such as knee or elbow joint and muscular problems like rotator cuff problems. Usually adjustments are made, followed by stretching and strengthening exercises and massage techniques (performed by the doctor, if qualified, or by a Massage Therapist.) Recently, I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Michael Hirsch, a Chiropractor in Oakland, who maintains a general and sports related practice. A.S.-What attracted you to chiropractic as a profession? M.H. -I grew up in a household
with parents who were holocaust survivors. Needless to say, there was an
extreme amount of emotional and physical trauma. My mother was medicated
constantly. I remember as a child going to the doctor's office more than
I went to the park. My mother developed a lot of immune problems. The message
for me was to always be a good boy because any disturbance could push mom
over "over the edge." My mother complained of digestive problems constantly,
and in those days unfortunately most problems that women had were thought
to be psychological. She was treated and medicated for stress for years.
After many years she was saw a doctor in California (I grew up in New York).
This doctor determined her stomach problems to be cancer. By that time
the cancer had spread and she did not survive long after that.
A.S.-What are some of the healings you've witnessed as a D.C.? M.H.-The most profound occurrence in general is the healing of emotions that go along with the healing of the body. The body is like a hard drive in a computer. Toxins and blockages accumulate, causing interference with normal function and homeostasis (balance). If these toxins are not allowed to surface or purge, the body will accumulate that build up of toxins by pain or a disease process. The first indicator could be pain. This is one of the obvious ways our body communicates. If you ignore the pain, then you are basically ignoring the body's attempt to communicate. The body has innate intelligence and there is an intimate relationship between the mind, body and spirit. Occasionally, however, there is interference that requires outside intervention. Many headaches are
caused by various conditions of the cervical spine. The cervical spine
acts as a downward extension of the brain and sends information to all
parts of the body. A loss of integrity or changes within the spine or adjoining
structures can lead to headaches and/or problems in the upper extremities,
such as tingling in ones arms or hands. This is a perfect opportunity to
see a chiropractor.
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