The body suffers structurally because of the lifestyles and jobs that are increasingly sedentary. Many people are beginning to realize that this current health care system, and individuals in our society, are in dire need of long-term changes in the approach to health and well-being.

There must be a form of alternative care that promotes the overall function of the body that increases the quality of health and life of individuals instead of being in reactionary mode -- dealing with, and addressing, symptoms and problems as they arise. Chiropractic care is just that alternative.

What Is Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic care is about optimal nervous system function. The brain sends electrical and chemical information down through the spinal cord and out miles and miles of nerves to every cell, system, organ, and structure throughout the body. Those cells, systems, organs and structures then send information back through the nerves to the spinal cord and up to the brain. The entire system is called the nervous system, and it is the body’s communication system. People live their entire lives and existence through this system.

The spine houses and protects this communication system. The spine is also the frame of the body. It is composed of many joints, and muscles connect to it; all of this allows for stability and movement of the body.

When spinal joints become restricted in range of motion, also known as subluxation, the health of the spine suffers; because it interferes with the nervous system communication, the health of the entire body can ultimately decrease. Pain can absolutely occur as a result of this process as well.

Chiropractors are doctors who correct spinal subluxations to restore range of motion to the spinal joints with the intention of promoting spinal health and optimal nervous system communication. The procedure to correct the spinal subluxation is the chiropractic adjustment. These adjustments by the chiropractor are done by hand -- and sometimes tools -- to induce motion back into the spinal joint.

Doctors of chiropractic must complete 90 semester hours of undergraduate study related to chiropractic before entering a four-year doctorate program to become eligible to be licensed by a state board. In the United States, many states require that in addition to the education above, chiropractors must also pass all four parts of a national board exam in order to obtain a license to practice. Chiropractors are not medical doctors and they do not prescribe medication. It is for this reason that chiropractic care, or chiropractic treatment, is often considered an alternative medicine.

Why Should Chiropractic Care Be Considered Over Conventional Medicine?

The foundation of chiropractic care is about creating, maintaining, and/or restoring optimal spinal health for the purpose of promoting and allowing optimal nervous system function. Common side effects of the chiropractic adjustment are a decrease in pain, and improving range of motion and joint function.

Life happens, and pain and symptoms arise as a result of everyday occurrences. These symptoms need to be dealt with if one is to maintain a certain quality of life. No one wants to go through life injured or sore.

There are options in care and avenues people can take to address the problems and symptoms. Some avenues are more aggressive and involve more risks or side effects than others. There is a time and place for everything in life and interventions with the healthcare system are no different. One thought process is to start with the most conservative form of care and become increasingly more aggressive if, and when, necessary. Chiropractors are doctors who offer this path as the first form of health care.

Chiropractic care is very conservative because it goes specifically and directly to the function of the frame structure. Chiropractic care looks to correct problems by improving the function of the structure; as a result, symptomology and pain often resolve.

Conventional medicine looks at the problem or symptom and utilizes the addition of something like a chemical -- such as a pill or shot -- to decrease inflammation, or a physical thing -- metal screws and rods -- to offer support to the body structure. Based on the sheer minimal level of invasiveness (meaning no addition of anything unnatural to the body), chiropractic care is the most conservative option.

The education, training, and licensure of Doctors of Chiropractic is extensive. As well, chiropractic care has minimal negative side effects when compared to other medical interventions. In 2018, JAMA Network studied the addition of chiropractic care to treatment of low back pain in military personnel compared to receiving medical care alone. The results showed statistically significant moderate improvement in low back pain intensity and disability at six weeks compared with those who solely received standard medical care.

A study published by the National Institutes of Health showed that 42.7 percent of workers with a back injury who initially saw a surgeon had surgery, whereas only 1.5 percent of those who saw a chiropractor as a first point of contact had surgery.

Chiropractic care can be an incredible option for conservative care as a first step toward improving one’s health and wellness while also decreasing pain and symptomatology with minimal risk.

A Shift In Approach

One of the main issues in healthcare is the idea that individual providers or a specific group are the one avenue that’s superior to all others to achieve restored health. This is ridiculous and not helpful.

The health of individuals would be greatly improved if these dogmatic approaches were set aside and we, as a society, went back to the basics.

Start by looking at the foundation of how the body functions, which is via the communication system (the nervous system). Look at the structure of the frame (the spine) that houses and protects that nervous system -- assure it is in optimal health and function/motion. See what, if anything, can be corrected at that structural level through regular chiropractic care. Those are the basics, and a chiropractor is specifically trained to address those areas.

If restoration of health and improvement in symptomatology does not occur from there, then adding more aggressive treatments at a controlled rate while monitoring progress (adding medications or shots) is an option. If you get to that point, a credible chiropractor will refer you appropriately.

If those interventions still do not produce results, then it’s time to go to the most aggressive options, which may include surgery. Shifting to this approach would stop a battle between traditional medicine and alternative medicine and bring the focus back to where it should be: the health and vitality of the whole individual dealing with the issues at hand.

Doctors of chiropractic are educated, trained and licensed on assessing who is the right patient and what is the right care protocol. If you are looking to improve your overall health and well-being, or you are dealing with symptoms such as neck pain or back pain that clearly indicate your body is in need of attention, seeing a chiropractor is an absolute must. The chiropractor can assess if you are a good candidate for care or if something more aggressive is necessary.

Let a chiropractic evaluation be your first, most conservative, and possibly most profound, step you take on your journey of health.

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