Chiropractic

Chiropractic is a health care profession that focuses on disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health.  Chiropractic care is used most often to address neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches.

Doctors of Chiropractic – often referred to as chiropractors or chiropractic physicians – practice a drug-free, hands-on approach to health care that includes patient examination, diagnosis, and treatment. Chiropractors have broad diagnostic skills and are also trained to recommend therapeutic and rehabilitative exercises, as well as to provide nutritional, dietary and lifestyle counseling.

The most common procedure performed by doctors of chiropractic is known as “chiropractic adjustment,” also called “spinal manipulation.”   The purpose of the Chiropractic adjustment is to restore joint mobility by manually applying a controlled force into joints that have become hypomobile – or restricted in their movement – as a result of a tissue injury. Tissue injury can be caused by a single traumatic event, such as improper lifting of a heavy object, or through repetitive stresses, such as sitting in an awkward position with poor spinal posture for an extended period of time. In either case, injured tissues undergo physical and chemical changes that can cause inflammation, pain, and diminished function for the sufferer. Manipulation, or adjustment of the affected joint and tissues, restores mobility, thereby alleviating pain and muscle tightness, and allowing tissues to heal.

Chiropractic adjustment rarely causes discomfort. However, patients may sometimes experience mild soreness or aching following treatment (as with some forms of exercise) that usually resolves within 12 to 48 hours.

In many cases, such as lower back pain, chiropractic care may be the primary method of treatment. When other medical conditions exist, chiropractic care may complement or support other forms of treatment by relieving the musculoskeletal aspects associated with the condition.

Doctors of chiropractic may assess patients through clinical examination, laboratory testing, diagnostic imaging and other diagnostic interventions to determine when chiropractic treatment is appropriate or when it is not appropriate.  Chiropractors will readily refer patients to the appropriate health care provider when chiropractic care is not suitable for the patient’s condition, or the condition warrants co-management in conjunction with other members of the health care team.

Techniques

Plains Chiropractic & Acupuncture is pleased to offer a variety of techniques to meet the needs of our patients.  If you prefer a certain technique or have questions, please ask.

The chiropractic adjusting techniques we utilize include:

• Activator

• Diversified

• Gonstead

• Sacral Occipital Technique

• Webster Protocol

• Thompson

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is based in Traditional Chinese Medicine and has been used for thousands of years. Acupuncture is concerned with restoring proper energy flow to the various organs, glands, and tissues of the body on the premise that most diseases are the result of malfunction due to disrupted energies. The practice of needle insertion is known to help balance “chi” or “QI.” QI is the natural blood flow (energy) that our bodies need to help maintain health and wellness.

Typically acupuncture is applied in the form of ultra fine, flexible stainless steel needles to the “acu-points” located by the doctor after diagnosing what needs to be treated. At Plains, we also utilizes a newer, more modern technique called micropulse acupuncture which uses an electrical current to stimulate the specific meridian that is able to treat patients ranging from infants to senior citizens. This cutting edge technique is able to provide the same positive outcome while avoiding a common fear of needles as well as evading any dangers that could possibly occur from the use of needles.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has compiled a list of conditions that have shown effectiveness and/or had a positive therapeutic effect through the use of acupuncture. These conditions include everything from neurological, musculoskeletal and respiratory system disorders to mental disorders, childhood diseases, pain control and addictions. Acupuncture works in conjunction with chiropractic manipulation, allowing timely results.

For more information on acupuncture please visit the following links:
Acupuncture Society of America