What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic, although many times misunderstood, is about helping people live healthier, fuller lives. While typically thought of as "bone doctors", chiropractors actually focus on the nervous system and painlessly, manually adjust the vertebral column in order to affect the nervous system.

According to Gray's Anatomy, the nervous system is the master system in the body and controls and coordinates all other systems such as respiratory, digestive, muscular, immune and so forth. The nervous system includes the brain, spinal cord, the spinal nerves that exit the vertebral column through openings on the sides of each vertebra, and all the peripheral nerves that branch off to serve organs, tissues, blood vessels, muscles, etc. Information from the environment, both external and internal, goes through the spinal cord to get to the brain. In the same manner, information and decisions made in the brain go through the spinal cord to affect certain outcomes. It is a two-way flow of information.

The intention of the chiropractic adjustment is to remove any disruptions or distortions of this energy flow that may be caused by slight vertebral misalignments that we call subluxations. Chiropractors are trained to locate these subluxations and then to remove them by hand or instrument, thereby restoring the normal flow of nerve energy in terms of both quality and quantity. The idea is that if the master system, which is the nervous system, is healthy and functioning well, then the other systems under its control will also function in a more optimal fashion.

Chiropractic is based on the belief that the same innate intelligence that can grow a single cell into a complex human being, made of billions of cells, can also heal the body if it is free of disturbance to the nervous system. For example, if the area of spine that supplies nerve flow to the stomach is subluxated then information going to the brain regarding that organ and its function, digestion, will be distorted and the brain will not be receiving accurate data on its condition. Likewise, decisions made in the brain and conveyed along the nervous pathways will be disrupted and the correct responses will be unable to be made. It is essentially the same scenario for all other organs, muscles, blood vessels and so forth. When a chiropractor removes this interference, then the nervous system functions more optimally and the body is able to heal itself via the two-way communication system.

Moseng Chiropractic Utilizes these Chiropractic Techniques:

• DIVERSIFIED TECHNIQUE
  Diversified Technique is the classic chiropractic technique, developed by D.D. Palmer, DC. Diversified Technique addresses the biomechanical failure in each section of the spine, as it relates to a specific subluxation. The focus is on restoration to normal biomechanical function, and correction of subluxation. In addition, Diversified methods have been developed to adjust extremity joints, allowing for beneficial applications in treating sports injuries and other injuries.

Diversified adjusting of the spine uses specific lines of drives for all manual thrusts, allowing for specificity in correcting mechanical distortions of the spine.

• APPLIED KINESIOLOGY
  Applied Kinesiology employs a system of muscle testing and assessment of whether certain muscles are found to be consistently weak. Based on this information and patient history, appropriate diagnostic work-ups, including lab work and X-rays, are used. George Goodheart, DC, who developed the technique, identified relationships between certain muscles and the function of corresponding organs. Especially in Europe, some medical doctors and dentists employ AK to supplement diagnostic information.

Treatment with Applied Kinesiology includes chiropractic adjustments, using various techniques. Work on affected muscles and reflex systems related to affected muscles, and nutritional programs also may be used. Many practitioners feel that adjusting is easier following AK muscle work, which helps balance the muscles surrounding the spine.

• FLEXION / DISTRACTION
  The flexion-decompression adjustive procedure and an adjusting table enhanced and developed by James M. Cox, DC, DACBR, are based on a distractive force (supplied with the contact hand) combined with table motion. The Cox table is designed to restore normal physiological range of motion to the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spinal joints. Flexion-Decompression manipulation is a gentle, non-force adjusting procedure which works with the body's natural design to aid it in healing properly. Additional goals of the flexion-decompression adjustment include transfer of metabolites into the spinal disc, decreasing intradiscal pressures and decompressing inflamed/compressed spinal nerve roots.

• THOMPSON
  Developed by Clay Thompson, DC, Thompson Technique uses an adjusting table with a pneumatically driven, segmented drop system, which quickly lowers the section of the patient’s body corresponding with the spinal region being adjusted. The doctor thrusts at high speed, using minimal force, because while the thrust initiates movement, the fast drop carries the joint through the remainder of its range of motion. Leg length checks, palpation, X-rays and other appropriate tests are used by the Thompson practitioner in determining where to adjust.

• SPINAL DECOMPRESSION
  Decompression relieves pressure that builds up on the discs and nerves. The task of relieving pain comes about as a result of drawing areas of herniated disc back into place. Decompression achieves this by creating negative pressure within the disc, referred to as negative intra-discal pressure. This creates essentially a vacuum to draw the bulging and herniated disc materials back into the disc space and relieve pressure. As the ligaments that hold disc material in place become stretched or torn due to bulging and herniation, decompression strengthens the ligament bands that hold the disc material in place to heal & prevent future recurrence.