Chiropractic
is an
independent discipline of the scientific
medicine.
It deals diagnostically and therapeutically primarily with those
disease
processes that have their basis in reversible disturbances of the
statics and dynamics of the vertebral column.
The
central point of
interest lies with the joints of the
spinal column , that can block e.g.
due to an accident, a bruise or also only a " false " movement. A
blocked
joint can remain in a functionally bad position for a long time and be
free
of complaints. Then again it can be the reason for apparently
unexplainable
pain, movement restrictions, muscle spasms and false posture.
Beyond
that also functional organic disturbances
via reflex processes, e.g. nervous heart,
stomach or intestinal disturbances can
be caused. Blockings, or so-called "Subluxations",
can cause very different complaints by their effects on the nervous
system,
which can exist sometimes even for many years, without the cause of the
complaints being associated to the spinal column.
The
task of the Chiropractor is to diagnose
such disturbances, and, after a thorough examination, treat them.
Before
treatment starts an exact patient
history is taken, whereby not only the present complaints are
important,
but also earlier diseases, operations, accidents etc.
After
the patient history is taken, the
actual investigation follows, At first the patients posture
and mobility is examined. Thereupon different neurological and
orthopedic tests are
executed, and in addition, if necessary, other bodily functions are
examined
(e.g. blood pressure among others). The target of the investigation is
to get as complete a picture of the state of health of the patient as
possible.
Frequently
also x-rays are necessary
to secure the diagnosis. After diagnostic clarification and
localization
of the appropriate disturbance, and if it is found that the case can be
treated by chiropractic, a treatment plan is then set up. In the cases
of no
or only partial chiropractic indication, the Chiropractor advises the
patient
accordingly and recommends the patient to a general-medical doctor or
to
a specialist for treatment.
The
actual chiropractic
treatment consists of specific
gentle manipulation or mobilization of the disturbed spinal joints.
In this way blocked joints are made mobile again and the joint surfaces
are brought into correct relationship to each other. If necessary this
treatment is complemented by measures, that are to re-establish the
efficiency
of the movement apparatus as completely as possible: e.g.
physio-therapeutic
applications, orthopedic balance of a shortened leg, consultation
regarding
posture, sleep habits and possible false carrying habits, specific
sports
etc.
Principal
item of the chiropractic treatment
is the controlled manual manipulation and mobilisation of disturbed
joint
function, whereby the joint concerned is moved gently beyond its normal
movement, however without exceeding its anatomical boundaries.
Often
during the manipulation a cracking noise
is heard (however for the success of the manipulation this is not
important),
which is caused by a small gas explosion within the joint capsule and
not,
as often assumed, by rubbing the joint surfaces against each other. A
proper chiropractic manipulation does not cause any damage to a joint,
i.e. overstretching of the joint capsule or the ligaments.
Executed
by a qualified Chiropraktor,
it is possible that with these chiropractic maneuvers the joint
function can be corrected, without causing damage, even if they have to
be
done
more frequently.
In
this way, with normalization of the joint
function, it is possible that also the connected sections of the nervous system and the
organs
supplied by them may be normalized.