Your nervous system controls and regulates every cell of your body. When your nervous system doesn’t work correctly, you don’t work correctly. And when you don’t work correctly, you’re sick! Simple as that.

Nerve compromise can result from postural distortions that are easily revealed with a few simple tests. Consult a professional for evaluation.

After a thorough examination, a chiropractor adds energy to your spine at an opportune time and place to help your body “right” itself. Think of a chiropractic adjustment as a gentle “nudge” to help restore better movement to the spine.

While the word chiropractic comes from the Greek meaning “done by hand,” there are many ways to adjust the spine.

Whether done with actual hands, various types of handheld instruments, blocks that harness the effect of gravity or by other means, a chiropractic adjustment is distinguished by the chiropractor’s intention.

It surprises many to learn that the intent of chiropractic adjustments is NOT to treat a disease, reduce pain or any other symptom. Granted, that’s a frequent result, but that’s not the purpose of chiropractic adjustments! Instead, the intent of chiropractic adjustments is to help revive your spine’s ability to function more normally.

Helping your spine and nervous system to function to the best of its ability is the century-old basis of chiropractic. Treating symptoms and curing various diseases is the practice of medicine. Both have their place.

What do chiropractic adjustments feel like? Usually quite pleasant. Often patients mention that not only do they move better, but that they feel more “connected” and report a pleasant sense of ease and well-being. That’s important. Because repeated visits are often necessary.

Your nervous system, consisting of your brain, spinal cord and all your nerves, is the most vital system of your body. Its purpose is to coordinate and regulate all the other systems of your body as well as help you adapt to your environment. Just a few of the jobs it looks after, without a conscious thought from you are:

• Producing stomach acid after a meal

• Communicating with the immune system

• Increasing your pulse when climbing stairs

• Reducing your blood pressure when seated

• Learning to crawl, walk or ride a bicycle

• Producing pain when touching a hot stove

• Perspiring to cool you when it’s hot

Your nervous system controls every cell, tissue, organ and system of your body. Your DNA may determine your height or the colour of your eyes, but your nervous system controls and regulates how your body functions.

If your nervous system were to be impaired, interfered with or compromised, so nerve messages to or from your brain are distorted, parts of your body may not work as intended. Stroke victims and those confined to wheelchairs are tragic and severe examples of this simple neurological fact.

That’s why the most significant parts of your nervous system are protected by bone. Your brain is protected by your skull and your spinal cord is covered by the moving bones of your spinal column.

Yet, even with this protection, interferences can happen. Especially along the spinal column. The most common (and overlooked) cause is stress.

Chiropractors in Australia are nationally registered and regulated healthcare professionals. Chiropractic is a drug and surgery free modality of treatment concerned with the diagnosis, management and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system; this includes the effects of these disorders on the function of the nervous system and general health. It is based on the teachings of Galen and Hippocrates and the premise that the body can respond appropriately to its environment provided that the nervous system is free of interference. In summary, chiropractors focus on the detection and correction of aberrant spinal function and its subsequent effect on how the nervous system controls and coordinates the body.

Australian chiropractors are highly qualified healthcare professionals who study at university for a minimum of five years, and there is growing research and evidence base not only in Australia but through international federations. As with other healthcare professions, there are internationally and nationally recognised standards of qualification to enable practice in Australia and this is part of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme.

All healthcare interventions carry a level of risk and treatment will be informed by evidence, clinician experience and patient participation. There is significant review and reform occurring in Australia to ensure that patients receive appropriate care, utilising effective treatments and underpinned by exemplary conduct. There are examples in all healthcare modalities where treatment choice, effectiveness and conduct are not optimal, it is not just about chiropractors and chiropractic, and all professions are experiencing change.

For more see https://chiropractors.asn.au/about-chiropractic/chiropractic-and-you