If there were a fire in your home, and the smoke alarm went off, would you put out the fire or take the batteries out of the smoke alarm? Doctors of Chiropractic "put out the fire" by removing the cause of your health problems. They do not merely treat the effect or the symptoms that you are feeling. Fixing the underlying problem is their main focus.

To help you make a decision about visiting a chiropractor, you need to understand that the nervous system controls every function in your body. If there is any "interference" to your nervous system, your body will not be able to function properly.

The most common type of nervous system interference is known as vertebral (bones in your spine) subluxation (out of place.) A subluxation is caused by injuries, falls, smoking, junk food, anxiety, depression, stress, etc.

Twenty-four spinal bones, called vertebrae, surround and protect the spinal cord. When a vertebra has moved out of its normal position, it causes trouble. This subluxation interferes with your nervous system's ability to send and receive information to and from the brain.

This pressure on the nerve will severely interfere with a specific muscle, organ, or system in the body. Studies at the University of Colorado have proven that organs and body parts that are supplied by these nerves are severely affected if the nerves are irritated or "pinched."

The traditional medical approach would be to prescribe medication to relieve muscle spasm, reduce inflammation, or provide pain relief or to surgically repair the affected nerve.

Chiropractors analyze a subluxation through an orthopedic/neurological exam, x-rays, and a chiropractic exam. The chiropractic exam involves spinal and motion palpation, which simply means locating specific areas of pain and discomfort, and then determining the degree of decreased movement in corresponding joints.

How do chiropractors "put out the fire" and fix the problem? A subluxation is corrected by gently re-aligning vertebra to alleviate their interference with nerves. The doctor might suggest correcting nutritional imbalances. He or she likely would suggest stretching exercises to use in conjunction with ice and moist heat therapy.

The education of a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) involves completing 4 academic years of professional education, averaging a total of 4,822 hours. A chiropractic student completes an average of 570 hours in anatomy; 305 hours of physiology; 205 hours of pathology; 150 hours of biochemistry; 120 hours of microbiology; 70 hours of public health. They are well-trained professionals who know how the human body functions. Chiropractic schools devote an average of 3380 contact hours to clinical education, which include lectures, labs, and treatment of patients. In order to obtain licensure, a Doctor of Chiropractic must pass, depending on the state, from 3 to 4 National Board Examinations.

Chiropractic treatment is not simply a means to eliminate or block pain. However, it is an effective means to improve your health by helping your body work at its best.

Jim Bleecker, MS. Ed., D.C.