1 NY Performance and Wellness Center
Chiropractic for Health
What Is Chiropractic?
Chiropractic is a health science that is concerned with the proper function of the nervous system as a whole. Chiropractors try to ensure the nervous system is free to function at its best. Chiropractors understand the body depends on the nervous system to communicate information between the brain and other tissues. When something interferes with that communication – pain, illness and loss of function result.
How It Works
Chiropractors treat Vertebral Subluxation Complexes
(Sub=Less / Luxation = Dislocation) or mis-alignments of the spine. When the bones in the spine become misaligned, they narrow the openings that the nerve root comes out of, puts pressure on the nerve root itself and interferes with the normal nerve flow going to a distant site. At that distant site, it is possible for symptoms such as pain and/or dysfunction to result. Now, you can take all the medications you want to block the symptoms, but if you don't remove the interference, the problem will always be present.
VSC Effect On Musculoskeletal System
Possible Symptoms
Neck - Headaches, Neck pain / Soreness / Stiffness, Radiating Extremity Symptoms such as: Numbness / Tingling / Burning / Aching / Cramps / Spasms / Weakness / Loss of Sensation
Mid Back - Pain between the shoulder blades or radiating pain around to the front of the chest
Low Back - Back pain/ Soreness / Stiffness, Radiating Extremity Symptoms such as: Numbness / Tingling / Burning / Aching / Cramps / Spasms / Weakness / Loss of Sensation
VSC Effect On Organs
A less than normal supply of nerve impulse traveling from the brain, down the spine and out to the organs telling them what to do and a less than normal nerve impulse traveling from the organs, back into the spine and up to the brain telling it what's going on and what it needs, can lead to a "mix-up" of signals and a possible dysfunction of the organs.
Fixing the problem
Chiropractors are the only healthcare professionals
educated in both the identification of and removal of Vertebral Subluxation Complexes. Chiropractors are trained in various methods to address the VSC. The most common technique is a low force adjustment to the spine.
Chiropractic for Sports
Why a Chiropractor?
The chiropractor’s role in sports care develops from the ability of the doctor to show progress in areas important to the athlete: optimum performance as well as prevention and management of injuries.
Who Uses It?
Chiropractic is becoming more accepted by professional and amateur athletes. This has been evident in the treatment of collegiate, Olympic, and professional athletes.
The list of advocates is long. In the past, Evander Holyfield, Joe
Montana, Jerry Rice, Roger Craig, Emmitt Smith, Scottie Pippen, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Wayne Gretzky and Chi Chi Rodriguez have all been advocates of Chiropractic care.
Most recently, top athletes such as Sydney Crosby, Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, Tiger Woods, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers all receive Chiropractic care as part of their regular training routine.
As of the 2014-2015 NFL season all 32 NFL teams now have an official team Chiropractor.
In MLB 27/30 teams have an official team Chiropractor while the other 3 allow the players to consult Chiropractors outside on their own terms.
Research
1) Eleven tests were used to measure aspects of athletic ability including: agility, balance, kinesthetic perception, power, and reaction time. After 6 weeks….the chiropractic group improved significantly in all 11 tests.
Lauro A. Mouch B. Chiropractic: The Journal of Chiropractic Research and Clinical Investigation. 1991; 6: 84-87
2) Balance and Motor Control in Athletic Performance:
Every athlete knows how important balance and muscle control is to his / her success in performing even the most simple tasks of their sport. If this balance or motor control was decreased, even a small amount, it could significantly affect his / her success as an athlete. Spinal manipulation has demonstrated improvements in neurological communication to the brain thus enhancing balance, equilibrium and muscle control.
JMPT 1998;21(4) Seaman, DR