Why Chiropractic?

Posted on September 23rd, 2011 by Andries Lodder

By Bradley Waterer

Chiropractors are Health Care Professionals who are trained to diagnose and conservatively manage neuromusculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. Chiropractors treat conditions that affect muscles, nerves and joints in the spine, hips, knees, ankles, feet, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, head and ribs. These conditions may result from every day wear and tear or injuries sustained through sports or accidents. Treatment is covered by medical aid and workman’s compensation.

How would Chiropractic help you?

Everyday actions such as a fall, lifting objects, stress, bad postures etc. can cause the spines moveable segments to become dysfunctional and fixated. Joint fixations lead to many short and especially long term problems if left untreated. The reasons for this are as follows:

Joint Dysfunction irritates many structures (such as muscles, joints, ligaments) which have a large nerve supply and are capable of detecting pain.
Joints need movement for their health. Lack of movement reduces the nutrient supply within a joint and degeneration will start to occur.
If a joint is fixated, then the muscles around it are not used, causing them to become small, weak, stiff and painful.

A combination of the above, leads to abnormal forces within the body which leads to i) pain cycle development and ii) degenerative processes

i. Pain Cycle

ii. Degenerative Processes

Phase 1: decreased range of joint motion, thickening of soft tissues.

Phase 2: further decrease in joint motion, joint degeneration begins, joint inflammation and pain, start of bony changes and overgrowth which can compress many important structures and cause pain.

Phase 3: uncorrected joint dysfunction allows further degeneration, bony and soft tissue changes, which will eventually progress to disc or facet joint fusion.

Phase 4: disc or facet joint fusion and massive bony overgrowth which compresses important pain generating structures.

By correcting joint dysfunction Chiropractic prevents or slows down the degenerative process by enhancing joint health. After careful clinical examination Chiropractic breaks the pain cycle by targeting and correcting each of its contributors. Scientific research provides evidence that Chiropractic reduces joint dysfunction, pain and muscle spasm, through various neurophysiological mechanisms.

The Chiropractic Profession concerns itself with the premise that prevention is better than a cure. Clinical techniques utilized by chiropractors help to identify joint dysfunction before pain develops and it is for this reason that regular screenings and maintenance treatment should be done.

Any further information needed please don’t hesitate to contact Bradley

b_waterer@yahoo.com or www.sandtonchiropractic.com