So, to help you better understand what your chiropractor does and how it can best help you this is a brief overview of the principles of it.
The body is a self healing organism. This is often described as the body’s ‘ ‘innate intelligence’. When you get a cut the body knows how to repair. This is the wisdom by which the body looks after itself and regenerates keeping us healthy. Sleep, diet, exercise and lifestyle all impact the efficiency with which the body can do this. However all the body functions are primarily controlled and regulated by the nervous system.
The central nervous system is protected by the vertebral column (spine). The spine is also a dynamic functional structure that keeps us up right and moving. But like all working/moving structures which are exposed to forces, be it the tyres on your car, the soles of your shoes or even your clothes; they all degrade over time through ‘wear and tear’ and eventually need to be replaced. Unfortunately this is not an option when it comes to your spine as it is for your tyres.
Posture, prolonged sitting, repetitive activities like holding babies on one hip, the gym or golf. Traumas like whiplash and falls, even being born is a major trauma for the body structure. There are many more factors that can all have an impact on the degeneration/ wear and tear process and the structure of the spine. This results in movement of the bones and degeneration of the cartilage between the vertebra bones (the discs). Once this happens pressure is applied to the nervous system causing damage.
The nerves work like hose pipes with messages going up and down. If pressure is applied to these channels like a foot to a hose pipe, the nerve signal is greatly reduced. And considering that signal is controlling your body’s repair and all regulation functions like your bowels digesting, heart pumping, muscle strength and coordination, glands secreting hormones and immune system. It stands to reason that for your body to be as healthy and efficient as it can be, the spine should be maintained and nerve pressure reduced. Freeing the nerve channels will allow the body to do what it does best, look after and heal itself.
The wear and tear process can potentially be reduced considerably with regular chiropractic care for you and your family. Stop it becoming a problem before it’s a problem. It happens to us all. Ever wondered why Nan got shorter as she aged? The reason is the degeneration and reduction of her vertebral cartilage discs.
I hope that helps your understanding a little more and I’m always happy to explain more when I see you in the clinic.
Daniel O’Sullivan
Peterborough Chiropractor (Peterborough Chiropractic Health and Wellness Group)
