What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is the world’s largest non-surgical, non-prescribing, primary health care profession. It focuses on how your body functions, and how it relates to the central control system of the body – the nervous system. Without effective neurological control, the different parts of our body (muscles & organs) do not function at their best. The overall aim of a chiropractor is to help get your body and nervous system working as effectively as possible.

 

A chiropractor therefore diagnoses and treats neuro-musculo-skeletal (nerve, muscle & joint) disorders, with an emphasis on treatment through manual adjustment and/or manipulation of the spine. At Hilton Chiropractic we use various chiropractic techniques (including gentle techniques) and other manual therapies to achieve our results. Our aim is to re-establish normal joint mobility, as well as muscle balance and function. This can in turn alleviate pressure or irritation to spinal nerves and/or re-establish altered reflexes.

 

Most chiropractors seek to reduce pain and improve the functionality of patients. Another very important component of our care is education on how to account for your own health with exercise, ergonomics and other therapies.

 

The Evidence

There are a number of conditions chiropractic has been shown to help with:

• Low back pain (1, 2)
• Neck pain (3)
• Headaches (4)
• Sciatic (nerve type) pain (5)

 

What else can chiropractic help with?

There are a number of other conditions that patients often report improve following chiropractic care. These include:

• Migraines
• Postural issues
• Carpal tunnel/RSI
• Various other limb complaints

This is why seeing a chiropractor can help with more than just back and neck pain!

 

 

References

1. Walker BF, French SD, Grant W, Green S.; A Cochrane review of combined chiropractic interventions for low-back pain.; Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2011 Feb 1;36(3):230-42.
2. Walker BF, Hebert JJ, Stomski NJ, Losco B, French SD.; Short-term usual chiropractic care for spinal pain: a randomized controlled trial.; Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2013 Nov 15;38(24):2071-8.
3. Maiers M, Bronfort G, Evans R, Hartvigsen J, Svendsen K, Bracha Y, Schulz C, Schulz K, Grimm R.; Spinal manipulative therapy and exercise for seniors with chronic neck pain.; Spine J. 2014 Sep 1;14(9):1879-89.
4. Haas M, Spegman A, Peterson D, Aickin M, Vavrek D.; Dose-Response and Efficacy of Spinal Manipulation for Chronic Cervicogenic Headache: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial; Spine J. 2010 February ; 10(2): 117.
5. McMorland G, Suter E, Casha S, du Plessis SJ, Hurlbert RJ.; Manipulation or microdiskectomy for sciatica? A prospective randomized clinical study.; J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2010 Oct;33(8):576-84.