Table of Contents
Do I Have A Pinched
Nerve?
Many patients consult a Chiropractic Doctor
because they think they have a pinched nerve. Because of the way your
spine is designed, abnormal spinal function caused from physical trauma,
emotional tensions, or chemical toxins can affect the delicate tissues of the
spinal cord and nerve roots. While commonly associated with the spine, the
pinched nerve (compressive lesion) is actually rare. Researchers suggest
that only 10% to 15% of spine related problems are caused by direct pressure of
bone on nerve tissue! This can result in numbness, burning, or a "pins and
needles" feeling. More frequently, nerves are irritated (facilitative
lesion). This is caused when nerve tissue is rubbed, scraped, stretched by
a loss of spinal curve, or irritated by malfunctioning spinal joints.
Do I Have a Slipped
Disc?
Technically, a disc can't
"slip." The intervertebral disc is a pad of cartilage-type material
situated between spinal bones. Each disc serves as a connector, spacer,
and shock absorber for the spine. A soft, jellylike center is contained by
outer layers of fibrous tissue. Healthy discs help allow normal turning
and bending. Because of the way each disc is attached to the vertebrae
above and below, a disc cannot "slip." However, trauma or injury to the
spine can cause discs to tear, bulge, herniate, or worse, rupture. This
can be quite painful, as the soft center of the disc leaks, putting pressure on
the adjacent nerve roots and spinal cord. While results cannot be
guaranteed, many patients have avoided needless surgery or a dependency on pain
pills by choosing Chiropractic Care for their disc-related health
problem.
What Is
Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is based on the
scientific fact that your body is a self-regulating, self-healing
organism. These important functions are controlled by the brain, spinal
cord, and all the nerves of the body. The skull protects the delicate
tissues of the brain. The moving bones of the spine protect the vulnerable
communication pathways of the spinal cord and nerve roots. If the nervous
system is impaired, it can cause malfunction of the tissues and organs
throughout the body. Doctors call this the Vertebral Subluxation
Complex. Vertebral, meaning the bones of the spine. Subluxation,
meaning less than a total dislocation. And Complex, meaning consisting of
more than one part. Chiropractic is the science of locating offending spinal
structures, the art of reducing their impact to the nervous system, and the
philosophy of all things natural.
How does Chiropractic Work?
Chiropractic works by restoring your own inborn
ability to be healthy. When under the proper control of your nervous
system, all the cells, tissues, and organs of your body are designed to resist
disease and ill health. The Chiropractic approach to better health is to
locate and help remove interferences to your natural state of being
healthy. A common interference to the nervous system is the 24 moving
bones of the spinal column. A loss of normal motion or position of these
bones can irritate or impair the function of the nervous system. This can
disrupt the transmission of controlling nerve impulses. With improved
spinal function there is often improved nervous system function. Your
Chiropractic Doctor can help remove interferences that may be impairing normal
health. Since the primary focus of your care is improved nervous system
function, Chiropractic can have a positive effect on many health conditions not
normally thought of as "back" problems.
What Do Chiropractic Doctors
Do?
What Type of Education Do Chiropractic
Doctors Get?
Today's Doctor of Chiropractic is well educated. A total of 4,485 class hours, almost 200 more class hours than Medical Doctors. The science of chiropractic requires a special emphasis on anatomy, physiology, pathology, neurology, biomechanics, X-ray, spinal adjusting techniques, and related subjects. This demanding curriculum prepares Chiropractic Doctors to locate the Vertebral Subluxation Complex and help correct the resulting nervous system dysfunction. To graduate with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, each candidate passes the demanding National Board Examination. Then, doctors apply to a governmental or professional licensing board and pass a still more difficult test before being granted the privilege to practice. A Chiropractic education never ends. Most doctors complete postgraduate instruction for license renewal and to stay current on the latest scientific research.
Quotes of the
Month
"Attitude: I am convinced
that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it
is with you...we are in charge of our attitudes."
"Insanity is doing the same
thing over and over and expecting a different result."
If you or someone you know would like a consultation please call my office and schedule a time.
Dr. Catherine Maloof
(949)
581-6543
You may view Dr. Maloof's website by clicking www.drmaloof.com
Dr. Maloof Online, © 2008
Disclaimer: All material provided in the Dr. Maloof Online
newsletter is provided for educational purposes only. Consult your own physician
regarding the applicability of any opinions or recommendations with respect to
your symptoms or medical condition.