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Have you ever heard someone talk about visiting their chiropractor or “getting an adjustment” and wonder just what exactly is being adjusted? Chiropractic means “done by hand”, and Chiropractors use a variety of techniques (usually by hand) to restore function and proper mechanics to the human spine, pelvis, and often other bones and joints. The chiropractor may apply pressure with their hands while you are laying face-down or face-up on a table. They may test and challenge the range of motion of your spinal joints. The table may have a portion of it the ‘drops down’ with a bump. And what about the ‘crack’? Sometimes certain adjustments (certainly not all) create movement in fixated joints and you can hear a crack like when your knuckles or knee might pop. Don’t worry…it’s not ‘something breaking off’! What’s happening is the chiropractor is restoring motion to a joint that isn’t moving properly. What if the thought of your ‘bones popping’ creeps you out and has kept you from seeking chiropractic care for all of these years (you know who you are!)? By all means let us know! There are lots of ways to be adjusted that don’t ‘pop’.
Dr. Ellen has adjusted two-week old babies as well as 98-year-olds…nobody over 100 yet, but everyone in between! Also, people with other chronic or disease conditions, traumatic injuries, arthritis, osteoporosis… Everyone has a different ‘optimal’ place that we can take you to…there is no excuse for you not to feel as good as you can feel…wherever that may be.
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When the spine and pelvis are not balanced and functioning properly, the result can be pain, muscle tension, headaches, nerve impingement (pain in arms/hands, or legs/ feet), difficulty sleeping, decreased endurance, stiffness, decreased range of motion…in short, biomechanical problems can keep you from enjoying the use of your body and enjoying your life.
A properly functional skeletal and nervous system is crucial for everyone’s health and well-being. Many athletes receive regular chiropractic care because they find it improves their agility, balance, and endurance. Others find that they are more relaxed and calm following their adjustments. They sleep better, stand straighter, and have more energy. Some research has shown that chiropractic adjustments can release endorphins, those natural fell-good hormones.
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Chiropractors check the spine to evaluate the motion of joints. Good joint motion is essential to the health of muscles, discs, and joints. Decreased joint motion, over time, causes disc and joint degeneration (osteoarthritis), which can lead to joint pain, loss of flexibility, possible nerve root compression. Even decreased function without symptoms of pain can create permanent negative changes in the spine. Many problems arise gradually and symptoms appear only when problems are advanced. Wellness care helps detect and correct problems at an early stage by restoring and maintaining normal function and biomechanics. Properly functioning muscles and joints are healthier and more resistant to injury, illness, and degeneration.
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