The Nervous System is Vitally Important to Our Health & Well Being. Chiropractic is a branch of the healing arts that is based upon the fact that good health depends upon a healthy relationship between the nervous system and the spinal column. The practice of chiropractic deals with the concept of interference with normal nerve transmission and expression. It is based on the fact that abnormal functions of the body can be caused by abnormal pressure or irritation of the nervous system by various body structures.

Gray's Anatomy states that, "the nervous system's function is to control and coordinate "all" the other organs and structures and to relate the individual to his environment."

Yes, the nervous system is vitally important to our health and well being. In many cases the nervous system should be evaluated first before taking drugs or surgery, the last alternative.

Treatment (The Adjustment)

An adjustment that the Chiropractor administers to a vertebra of the spine is called "an adjustment."

• The adjustment of displaced vertebrae interfering with normal nerve supply and causing a disturbance to the nervous system is the major treatment. The adjustment is performed by hand and in some instances, by a hand-held device as the patient is lying face down on a specially designed table.

The Chiropractor relates various levels of the spinal column to various organs and conditions.

For example:

• If tenderness is found at the base of the skull, it may be related to headaches, sinus problems or to the jaw. Lower down in your neck may be found misaligned vertebra that relate to pain, tingling or numbness in your shoulder, arm or hands. Chest and stomach problems may have a displacement of the bones between the shoulder blades. Lower back pain can cause tingling down the leg and numbness (sciatica) as well as abdominal, bladder and prostate problems because of the same nerve supply

Orthopedic and neurological testing is a part of a chiropractic examination to arrive at the underlying cause of your problem.

Health Check List:

Take just two minutes to check for any symptoms you may have. Following an accident, always get checked by a Chiropractor to avoid future, possible serious health problems. If you have any symptoms call immediately for an appointment.

__Migraine headache
__Numbness in limbs
__Stiff or painful neck
__Nausea
__Dizziness
__Double vision
__Painful back
__Muscle spasm
__Nervousness
__Tingling in limbs
__Insomnia
__Pinched nerves
__Ringing in ears
__Poor circulation
__Mental dullness
__Tremors
__Rapid heart beat
__Constipation
__Early arthritis
__Tension
__Ache all over
__Fatigue
__Bursitis
__Neuritis
__Tendinitis
__Loss of neck motion
__Blackouts
__Muscle swelling
__Night blindness
__Loss of balance
__Cold hands or feet
__Shortness of breath

__Poor memory
__Anxiety
__Eye strain
__Period of depression
__Diarrhea
__Any change from pre-accident condition

Mini Exam at Home:

A simple visual check may be done to reveal possible spinal misalignment’s. In front of a mirror, stand up straight with your arms relaxed, looking straight ahead. Is your head tilted to one side? We become so accustomed to our everyday appearance we rarely notice asymmetry. Look at the level of your shoulders. Is one shoulder higher than the other? Next, look at your hip level. Compare each side at the top of your hip bone. Is one side higher than the other? Do you have your clothes altered because of a "short leg"?

Ask a family member to view you from behind. Turn your head to the right and left. Are you able to turn further one way than the other? Are your shoulders symmetrical? Does one shoulder blade protrude? Do the muscles seem to be bulkier on one side? Is one knee slightly bent when you are standing?

Many times, deviations such as those above can be the source of aches and pain.

All young children should have a spinal examination at least once a year. If caught early, much can be done for a spinal curvature, avoiding painful procedures like surgery and braces.

It is possible to have structural deviations without pain, but sooner or later, they will usually cause pain and are one of the major causes of osteoarthritis and other degenerative diseases.