What does a Chiropractor even do?

What does a Chiropractor even do??

You mean there is more to it than just cracking someones back?

Yes, yes there is, so much more to it than that!

Chiropractic is one of the most popularly used forms of manual therapy. The term “chiropractic”, is derived from Greek roots to mean “done by hand”

But before we go any further – what even is Chiropractic?

“A health profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system, and the effects of these disorders on the function of the nervous system and general health. There is an emphasis on manual treatments including spinal adjustment and other joint and soft-tissue manipulation.” 

This is the official World Federation of Chiropractic definition.

Chiropractic Australia describes it as “a drug free, surgery free system of healthcare primarily for the musculoskeletal systems (bones, joints, muscles and ligaments) and some of the neurological system (nerves and the spinal cord).”

So yes, there is more to it than “cracking” someones back…and yes we do know about and can treat all your joints and body, not just your back and spine!

Did you know that to be a Chiropractor in Australia, we have to study…..alot!! We have to complete five years of training at a university in an approved and accredited degree course. We also have to do continuing education each year.

Chiropractors are taught to assess and diagnose spinal and musculoskeletal problems, and then how to treat these problems. We use chiropractic diagnostic and manipulative skills, such as spinal adjustments and other joint and soft-tissue manipulation.

But we all know that there is more to health than that! That is why another area of focus for us when we train is on managing patients from a wellness perspective, focusing on things like exercise, posture and diet. This is why I will often send you home with exercises to do, or things to avoid doing for a little while.

What I believe is the beauty of Chiropractic, is that there is so many different ways to treat a patient, so many different techniques and approaches. While this can make it hard sometimes, it is also amazing because it allows you, as a patient, to find someone who suits you and your body.

I have several areas of focus in the clinic. Whilst my primary focus is always the spine, nervous system and chiropractic adjustments, I also believe there is more to it than that!

So, what can you expect when you come and see me?

The first thing is lots of paperwork! Sorry, but its true – I ask lots of questions, and get you to write it all down. The more information you give me, the more I have to make a diagnosis with and tailor the right treatment for you!

Then we get to chat more about what you wrote down on the paper, I ask lots of questions, get a good history. Then comes the physical examination (which in most cases can be done fully clothed) which means I do a few tests to further add to my diagnosis. then we chat again. About what I have found, what I feel is happening with your body and what we can do to help. We will discuss treatment,  referring for imaging or to other health care providers if we need to.  You can ask any questions you need to!

Then we start! We start with a Chiropractic Adjustment. I use different ways of doing the adjustment, depending on what you prefer and what I feel is best for you. Sometimes we use the drop piece on the table, sometimes the Activator (the little clicker thing!), sometimes I use my hands and we hear some of the cracks and pops that people associate with an adjustment. This noise is gas and fluid moving around in the joint capsules. I can also do some gentle adjustments with just finger pressure (I use this a lot on children!)

I may also at this point do some forms of soft tissue therapy to help you and your body.

Now, I also like to look at other areas of health and I have done further training in other techniques which use simple muscle testing to help us see what is going on with your body.

The main technique is Neuro Emotional Technique.  Ever felt butterflies in your stomach before a speech, referred to something as a “pain in the neck” or felt your heart beat a little faster before you do something scary or stressful? Clearly, emotions happen in our body, not just our brain! Emotions such as anger and fear can negatively effect our physiology long after we feel the emotional state. Sometimes our body “holds onto” emotions and this can lead to many chronic physical and emotional problems in our bodies. If your body isn’t functioning at 100% due to poor nutrition, stress or physical trauma, everyday emotions may not resolve naturally. Later in our lives when we experience a similar situation the old emotional response kicks in. This is known as the Pavlovian response.

We can help your body to find and balance  these “stuck” memory loops of emotion, using a technique called Neuro Emotional Technique. It is uses simple muscle testing to determine if your body is in harmony with a particular concept or idea which is linked to the emotional event. By touching areas of your body (you or your Chiropractor) can touch these), we can then help your body release the emotional linked to the event.

I also use other techniques called Applied Kinesiology and Neurolink (Neurological Integration System NIS). 

Applied Kinesiology uses muscle testing to assess your nervous system function and find a possible solution to your health problems.

NIS works with the understanding that cellular signalling is controlled by your brain and any disruption to this has potential to have an impact on your body systems and your wellbeing. Using NIS I can both investigate and correct these processes to achieve the best possible human function.

“The protocols evaluate integrated function and not isolated function. i.e.: how the body’s systems work together in unison, taking into consideration physiological interrelationships. Body’s’ systems do not work in isolation so should never be assessed and treated that way. Integrated neurophysiological function must be addressed for the real causes of complaints to be fully resolved. ” (NIS Global Website).

For those of you who have seen me, this is the part of the treatment that there is lots of tapping on your head, to integrate the function!

Did you just read all of that, and now are scratching your head, trying to work out all those big words? 

Well let me help you! Basically, on top of Chiropractic adjustments, I also use simple muscle testing to help your body physiologically deal with emotions and other stresses, while also making sure your brain is connected to the rest of your body and sending (and receiving) messages as well as it possibly can! And I use all this information to put together your health story, whats going on with your body, and work out the best plan to get you functioning at your best!

After all that complex stuff that I will explain to you in a simple way, we will have a chat about things that you need to do or not do before your next visit to help your body. It can be things like exercises, drinking water, changing your diet, getting some more sleep or doing things to manage your stress levels.

So basically –  there is a lot more to a Chiropractic visit with me, than maybe you thought! Every visit, with every person, is different. And that is what I love about it! I never know whats going to walk through the door of my room. But I do know that I will do my very best to help them be functioning better, have have lots of smiles and laughs along the way!

And that, folks, is a quick (or not to quick) rundown of Chiropractic, and what to expect when you come in to see me!! If you have any questions, please let me know.

Want to find out more about Holistic Health, and what I do as both a Chiropractor and Personal Trainer?

Come and join my ladies only Facebook group where I pop all my top health tips! 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1934689216843236/

Remember, health can be simple!

Aimee xo