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What is Chiropractic?
A Natural, non-invasive approach to health care
Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your body is a self-regulating, self-healing organism, controlled by the brain, spinal cord, and nerves of the body.
Chiropractic is the art and science of evaluating and treating dysfunction in the neuromusculoskeletal system with a particular emphasis on the spine. This practice is based on the premise that structure affects function due to its intimate relationship with the nervous system.
The old explanation was that a misaligned bone in the spine (vertebra) can put pressure on a nerve adversely affecting nerve function. Current knowledge would suggest that the process is likely more complex. The end result however, is the same. When the vertebrae, which protect the nervous system, become misaligned or altered in their normal motion through trauma, or various stresses (physical, chemical, or emotional), they can cause stress in the nervous system resulting in pain and dysfunction in tissues and organs throughout the body.
Chiropractic medicine is a form of natural health care that focuses on treating a patient without the use of drugs or surgery. Doctors of Chiropractic, more commonly known as chiropractors, are primary health care providers licensed in all 50 states, and are recognized by governmental health care programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, Workers' Compensation programs and more. Every year, more than 30 million Americans see chiropractors as part of the regular health care programs and with over 84,000 licensed chiropractors nationwide and more than 10,000 students currently enrolled in chiropractic school, it is the fastest growing health care profession.
Almost all olympic athletes, most professional athletes, and many weekend warriors rely on chiropractic care to perform at their best and to treat the injuries commonly found with athletic activities.
Chiropractors frequently treat individuals with problems, such as headaches, joint pain, neck pain, low back pain, and sciatica. What chiropractors have anecdotally found is that spinal misalignments create not only back and neck pain but can be related to problems outside the spine. This is due to the fact that the nerves travel from the spine to all the muscles and also the organs in the body; nerve stress at the spinal level can compromise proper organ function. There is research that has begun over the past few decades supporting this contention, however the bulk of the research done regarding chiropractic treatment relates to its affect on back pain, neck pain, and headache where it has been shown to have excellent results.
More research is needed to determine the best applications of chiropractic both alone and in conjunction with other treatment methods. Dr. Fowler travels extensively to study with doctors of all disciplines to learn the most current techniques demonstrated by research to keep ahead of the curve.
While all chiropractors are trying to bring about proper nerve function to assist in optimal health, the way they go about it can vary greatly. The differences at Integrated/Fowler Chiropractic and Rehab clinics and most chiropractic clinics are significant. This is due to the integration of non-force manipulation, conservative orthopedic care, and advanced Eastern European functional restoration concepts in exercise rehabilitation.
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