What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches.
Doctors of Chiropractic – often referred to as chiropractors or chiropractic physicians – practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis and treatment. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling.

The most common therapeutic procedure performed by doctors of chiropractic is known as “spinal manipulation,” also called “chiropractic adjustment.” The purpose of manipulation is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become hypomobile – or restricted in their movement – as a result of a tissue injury. Tissue injury can be caused by a single traumatic event, such as improper lifting of a heavy object, or through repetitive stresses, such as sitting in an awkward position with poor spinal posture for an extended period of time. In either case, injured tissues undergo physical and chemical changes that can cause inflammation, pain, and diminished function for the sufferer. Manipulation, or adjustment of the affected joint and tissues, restores mobility, thereby alleviating pain and muscle tightness, and allowing tissues to heal.

Chiropractic adjustment rarely causes discomfort. However, patients may sometimes experience mild soreness or aching following treatment (as with some forms of exercise) that usually resolves within 12 to 48 hours.

In many cases, such as lower back pain, chiropractic care may be the primary method of treatment. When other medical conditions exist, chiropractic care may complement or support medical treatment by relieving the musculoskeletal aspects associated with the condition.

Doctors of chiropractic may assess patients through clinical examination, laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging and other diagnostic interventions to determine when chiropractic treatment is appropriate or when it is not appropriate. Chiropractors will readily refer patients to the appropriate health care provider when chiropractic care is not suitable for the patient’s condition, or the condition warrants co-management in conjunction with other members of the health care team.

This information came from the ACA (American Chiropractic Association). You can learn more about the ACA at www.amerchiro.org

Why I became a Chiropractor

I was a junior at Declo High School when I started to look into careers I wanted to pursue.  I spent time in the school library reading up on careers that sounded interesting, made enough money to support a family, that did not involve too much travel time, had good hours so I could be home in the evening and off on the weekends.  I pretty much wanted the perfect career that involved a lot of money and little time at the office.  Who doesn't want that career.  After reading through all the careers that sounded like me I found two careers that I thought I could handle and still love my job.  Hotel Management and Teacher (most likely High School History and Government).  Chiropractic was not on my top two for a few reasons it seemed like a lot of school and I did not perceive myself as a good student, I did not think I was smart enough to make it through the schooling.  I do remember reading about it in the library and thinking I liked the philosophy of helping others get well and teaching people how to live a health lifestyle.  But again I turned away from it because there was just no way I was smart enough to make it through all the schooling.  

I must give you some insight on who I am before I tell you how I came to the chiropractic career choice.  I am a spiritual person, I was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon).  I have always felt close to my spiritual side and have tried to let it direct my life in a path that is right.  I could get deep into that but that is a whole new blog so we won't go there.  With that said... here is my story.  I was in San Diego California serving a mission for the church when one day careers came to mind as we (I say "we" because as missionaries we travel in pairs)were walking thru Chula Vista California.  As I pondered careers I saw a doctors office, just a small humble medical doctors office and later I saw a dentist office.  These small doctors offices just kept popping out to me, this happened for two or three days.  But again I just did not feel smart enough to be a "Doctor" let alone put in the years at school.  One day I saw a Small Chiropractors office right then I got the warmest feeling of this is it, and again I questioned it because of the time and lack of smarts.  I saw a few more Chiropractic offices and each time I could feel the change happening in me.  As I was praying one night I asked if this was the career for me, would it support my future family, could I make it through school?  The answer came quick and strong as a YES.  I was excited, scared, happy, and nervous all at once.  While I was feeling this Strong YES this is the career for you, I was also warned that it was going to be a tough road, you will want to quit at some point, you will wonder why did I do this to myself but to never quit, just keep showing up to class and move forward each year.  

The next morning I was thinking of my new career path and I wondered how I would understand my patients back pain because I never had severe back pain how could I help them if I have never felt it.  The weirdest thing happened to me that day, I had the worst back pain I had ever had, pain killers did not work and laying down helped a little. This only lasted for a day.  I now understood what I was going to be treating and helping people with.  

To sum it all up I truly believe that Chiropractic Chose me!