Yesterday I was playing basketball as I usually do at lunch on Mondays.  One of the players injured his hamstring while making a spin move.  It was bad enough that he had to stop playing for a while and you could tell that it was very frustrating for him.  I told him that he should come in to the clinic and we could see what I could do for him to get him playing sooner.  Another player overheard that advice and quickly responded, "No, no, no... Its a muscle thing not a bone problem.  You don't need a chiropractor."

In this entry I'll be taking advantage of an opportunity to say, "I beg your pardon" and to educate everybody about just what it is that chiropractors do.  My hope is that by reading and understanding these things you will understand the broad scope of problems that chiropractors deal with as well as a bit more about your body.

First of all, Chiropractors have been pigeon-holed as "Back Doctors".  This is for obvious reasons.  Our main method of treatment: Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation, or adjusting, primarily involves working on a person's back.  Also, spinal manipulation is the most researched treatment for low back pain and has been consistently found to be the most effective when you consider the low probability of adverse side effects.  But chiropractors are not simply, "Back Doctors".  We are first and foremost "Nervous System Doctors".  The adjustment is focused at removing irritation and inhibition from the nervous system.  We take advantage of neurological reflexes by mechanically manipulating the spine.  Since most of your central nervous system resides in your spine, this is a major focus of chiropractic care.

Second we are experts in treating conditions of the musculoskeletal system.  Musculoskeletal means Muscles + Bones.  Consider my friend's hamstring injury.  Those hamstring muscles attach bones in the femur and tibia (leg bones) to the pelvis. 

Muscles which attach to bones do exactly two things: 1) They stabilize a joint to keep it from moving 2) They move a joint through its range of motion.  You never have a problem that is purely a muscle problem or a joint problem.  It is impossible to isolate them from each other since each needs the other to function.  This is not to say that a hamstring problem has to involved joint damage but it will affect the function of hip extension/flexion and knee extension/flexion.  Besides adjusting the spine, chiropractors also adjust extremities including the knee, ankle, wrist, etc.  Chiropractors typically incorporate a variety of muscle and soft tissue techniques both traditional and cutting edge.  For example, in my clinic I use ultrasound, electro-stim,Graston technique, Kinesio Taping (seen extensively in the last summer olympics), assisted stretching and muscle energy techniques, and strength training/rehab. 

Next time you have any type of muscuskeletal injury give your chiropractor a try.  You might be surprised to find that your back AND your muscles feel great.  If you would like a consultation about chiropractic care for you and your family please call Body of Health at (541) 753-1287 or e-mail us at staff@yourbodyofhealth.com.