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Chiropractic: The Power of Prevention
"Alternative. " "Complementary. " "Holistic. "

It seems like everyone today is discovering the power of prevention-oriented therapies. In recent years, visits to alternative health-care practitioners have exceeded visits to primary-care medical physicians. In total, an estimated 630 million visits are made to complementary providers annually. What is alternative health care? An "alternative" is defined as "another choice" - but the alternative in health care may also be the lessobvious choice. While traditional medicine encourages patients to seek a doctor's help as a response to illness, alternative health-care providers focus on prevention. Instead of providing symptom-based treatment, they work to prevent healthy patients from getting sick in the fIirt place. Where to Start Are you interested in exploring an alternative health-care solution? A great place to start is at your local chiropractic clinic. For more than 100 years, chiropractors, like Dr. Christiana, have worked to transform the "traditional medicine" health-care paradigm from one based on treating disease to one focused on prevention. What can chiropractic do for you? A lot! Chiropractors, like Dr. Christiana, believe that the body has an inherent ability to heal itself and that the structure of the spine relates to the function of the body. Rather than simply relieving symptoms, chiropractors, like Dr. Christiana, help patients prevent illness by achieving optimal health. That's why regular chiropractic checkups are important, even if you're not in pain. And, since chiropractors don't use drugs or surgery, there's no need to worry about harmful medication-related interactions or side effects. Instead, chiropractors recommend healthy lifestyle changes aimed at disease prevention, including nutrition and exercise programs. Who Uses Chiropractic? Studies show that patients who seek chiropractic and other alternative therapies are more educated than those who rely on traditional medicine. In addition, chiropractic patients tend to have a "natural" philosophy regarding wellness (JAMA 1998;279:1548-53). However, anyone can benefit from chiropractic. Throughout the world, people of all ages - from newborn infants to senior citizens - reap the rewards of regular chiropractic care. Cheerful Checkups Chiropractic checkups are pain- and stress-free. What does a chiropractic checkup include? First, your chiropractor will ask you about past health issues. A health history gives your doctor a thorough understanding of your overall state ofwellness. Your doctor may inquire about complaints that seem unrelated to your current condition. Be honest about your health concerns. It's possible that a problem you think can't benefit from chiropractic actually can! Next, your doctor will perform orthopedic and neurological tests. Your chiropractor may also take Xrays to visualize the condition of your spine and rule out disease, fractures and structural abnormalities. A crucial part of any chiropractic checkup is a postural check and spinal examination. Your chiropractor will focus on the bones of the spine, called vertebrae. Specifically, your doctor will look for regions in the spine where movement is restricted or vertebrae are out of alignment. These dysfunctional areas are called vertebral subluxations. Chiropractors believe that vertebral subluxations are a principle cause of many health problems. Your chiropractor will discuss his or her fIDdings with you, let you know if you can benefit' from chiropractic and, if appropriate, make recommendations for future care. Healthy Healing Chiropractors restore motion and alignment to dysfunctional areas in the spine through gentle maneuvers called chiropractic adjustments. Chiropractic adjustments are highly effective in removing and preventing vertebral subluxations and the conditions associated with them. Bye, Bye Back Pain Common complaints of chiropractic patients include back or neck pain, swelling, immobility and soreness. Why do so many people look to chiropractic for pain relief? Scientific research has proven that chiropractic resolves back and neck complaints - without the potentially harmful side effects that come with medication. Wrist Wellness In the workplaces of today, computers are commonplace. As a result of constant keyboard and mouse use, many employees develop repetitive stress injuries, including carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). This condition is not only painful but it may also decrease workplace productivity. Fortunately, chiropractic adjustments to the arm, wrist and spine diminish the symptoms of CTS. In one study, chiropractic patients with CTS reported "significant improvements in perceived comfort and function, nerve conduction and finger sensation." (Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapeutics 1998;21:317-26.) Jolly Joints Joint degeneration, or osteoarthritis, is a common ailment. People who suffer from joint pain are often prescribed nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other pain relievers.. However, research indicates that these medications can actually aggravate joint degeneration and cause other health problems. According to one study, "Given the detrimental effects of NSAIDs on joints and other organs, their use should be discouraged and their classification as a first-choice conservative treatment should be abolished." (Journal Manipulative Physiological Therapeutics 1997;20:400-14.) In contrast to NSAIDs, which only mask arthritis pain, chiropractic adjustments increase range of motion and keep joints mobile, helping to prevent joint problems. Rethinking the Definition of "Alternative" Although most people define chiropractic as a type of alternative medicine, it's actually many patients' first choice for health solutions. As a result, many consider chiropractic to be a primary form of health care, rather than a complementary method. Why not focus on prevention by making chiropractic your first choice in health care? Schedule a chiropractic checkup today!

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