Given that Chiropractic is the fastest-growing health
care profession, it is important that you understand
what Chiropractic is and what it can do for you.
Fact: The nervous system is the primary
control mechanism of the body. The nervous system is comprised
of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. The nervous system
regulates all bodily functions, both voluntary and involuntary,
by communicating the necessary messages, via the nerves,
between the brain and virtually every cell, tissue and organ
of the body. The health of the spinal column
and its relationship with the nerves that flow through it
is the focus of the Chiropractic discipline. In
order to understand fully what this entails you need to understand
a little about how the spinal column works.
The spine has two basic functions: 1) to
allow freedom of movement and 2) to house and protect the
spinal cord. The spinal cord is the pathway for almost
all nerve impulses transmitted to and from the brain. The
spinal cord is protected within 24 moveable bones called
the vertebrae as well as the lowest bones, the sacrum and
the coccyx, and together this makes up the spinal column.
The spinal column is divided into four regions of the vertebrae:
The Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar, and Sacral regions.
To help you understand the terminology a simplified explanation
of the bones in the spinal column follows:
The Atlas: is the first
bone in you neck and is freely movable. The Atlas
supports the base of the skull and every nerve
in your body passes thru the Atlas at the brainstem
and for this reason alone deserves a separate mention
even though it is part of the Cervical Vertebrae.
The Cervical Vertebrae: consists
of the first seven bones, including the Atlas, which
make up your neck. Individual vertebrae are referred
to as C1-C7.
The Thoracic Vertebrae: make up
the middle back and are the next 12 bones of the
spinal column. This is the longest portion of your
back. Individual vertebrae are referred to as T1-T12.
The Lumbar Vertebrae: is commonly
referred to as your lower back and consists of five
large vertebrae known as L1-L5.
The Sacral Region: is commonly
referred to as your tailbone and is made up of the
sacrum and the coccyx. As a child the sacrum
consists of five individual bones and the coccyx
is made up three to five bones. In the adult,
the sacral bones and the coccyx bones fuse so that
each of these two bones are solid individual bones.
|
Each vertebra has two bony projections called
facets, which form a hinge with the facets of the adjoining
vertebrae. A thin disc, made up of
cartilage on the outside with a soft gelatin-like material
on the inside, lies between each vertebra providing a cushion
for your spinal vertebrae. This combination of vertebrae
and disc provides flexibility in the spine. Ligaments, tendons,
and muscles surround and attach to the spine giving it its
strength.
Since the Nervous System affects such a large percentage
of the body, Chiropractors may treat individuals with:
Headaches
Joint pain
Neck pain
Low back pain
Sciatica
Osteoarthritis
Spinal Disk Conditions
Carpal Tunnel
Tendonitis
Sprains
Strains
TMJ |
Chiropractors are not limited to the above
list, they also aid in Digestive Disorders, Allergies, Asthma,
Sinus trouble, Dizziness and more. Since the nervous
system supplies nerves to so many organs and tissues, many
body systems may be affected. Chiropractors must be aware
of how the many systems are integrated and affected by an
injury/damage to the spinal system.
