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History
Chiropractic is the largest natural primary health care profession
in the world today. While Chiropractic is a relatively new science the first picture depicting spinal manipulation were
discovered in prehistoric cave paintings in Point le Merd, Southwestern France. These historical records date back to
17,500 B.C. Other races and cultures such as the ancient Chinese, Japanese, Egyptians and Greeks revealed evidence of
spinal adjusting techniques. Spinal manipulation was crude and passed down from generation to generation, practitioners
were often known as ‘bone setters’.
The advent of modern Chiropractic came about when Daniel David Palmer
(D.D Palmer) discovered the specific spinal adjustment. Born in Ontario, Canada D.D Palmer is recognised as the discoverer
and Father of Modern Chiropractic. On September 18th 1895 D.D Palmer performed his first adjustment on Harvey Lillard a janitor
who had suffered with deafness for 17 years. His hearing soon returned and modern Chiropractic was born. In his own
words D.D Palmer said “there was nothing accidental about this as it was accomplished with an object in view, and the
result expected was obtained”.
His son B.J Palmer was instrumental in developing the modern philosophy,
art and science that we are familiar with today. Together, Father and son had the vision and determination to create
the founding institution of Chiropractic learning, Palmer School of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa USA.
Technique and Procedure
There are many varied techniques in Chiropractic but the intent is the same. This
diversity caters for the fact that we are all individuals and that we should approach our health care in general as individuals.
Our treatment plans are highly individualized and vary from day to day depending on what symptoms and problems you present
with on that visit. One size does not fit all in healthcare! Chiropractic has
its basis on the understanding that the nervous system controls and co-ordinates all the functions of our body. Interference
to the communication and function of the nervous system via misalignments of the spine or Subluxations can impair the
optimal function of the body. The purpose of the Chiropractic adjustment is to improve spinal mobility and decrease nerve
irritation.
By definition, a subluxation is an impairment to the motor unit
which also impairs proper nervous function. The motor unit is the vertebrae of the spinal column, it's connecting
ligaments, supporting muscles and tendons, and coordinating nerves. If you have a breakdown of one of the components
of the motor unit, it is proven all other components also function improperly. Therefore, by improving normal joint
function, the muscles and nerves surrounding that joint tend to function better. Combine
this with proper treatment of the muscles (Active Release Technique) and restorative active exercises and you get well quickly.
Rehabilitation and Therapy
We also utilize both passive and active therapeutic techniques to help
your body to restore optimal function.
Passive therapy techniqes include electrical muscle stimulation,
cryotherapy, hot moist pack therapy, spinal segmental traction, myofascial release therapy, massage, and ultrasound.
These therapies are designed to help you in the initial phase of care where muscle and nerve relaxation are needed as well
as reduction of inflammation. These help to enhance the spinal adjustment Active therapy techniques
have a completely different role. A lot of individuals have excessive "popping" during normal daily activity without
an adjustment occurring. This excessive popping is abnormal movement of a joint that is not stable. Active therapy
is specifically designed to strengthen the motor unit (muscles, ligaments, and tendons) that support the joint. This
will help your adjustment to "hold" better and is truly rehabilitation of the spinal motor unit. We believe
this is integral to restoration of proper joint and nervous function, which is the goal of Chiropractic. In short, active
therapy promotes stability in your joints.
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