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The basic focus of Chiropractic is the relationship between structure and function in the neuromusculoskeletal system; that is, the interrelationship between the nervous system, muscles and bones and the effect this interrelationship has on general health. Chiropractic is most commonly used to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, joint pain, and headaches.

Chiropractic treatment emphasizes joint manipulation, known as an 'adjustment', in which the doctor will use his or her hands or an instrument, to move a joint in your spine or extremity. The adjustment helps to free-up or loosen joints that are fixated or stuck in one position. If one joint is not moving then the other joints above or below the fixated one must compensate and move too much. This excessive movement can lead to increased wear and tear in the joint, and eventually degeneration. Chiropractic aims at improving the functionality and motion of all the joints in your body, but especially the spine. This aids in decreasing pain and nerve irritation, as well as decreasing inflammation and muscle tension resulting in an improved overall wellbeing.

Sports Chiropractic emphasizes the relationship of the muscular system with the joints. By understanding the biomechanics of how sports injuries occur, a sports chiropractor has better perspective and understanding of the injury. By combining sports therapies such as soft tissue treatments, stretches and exercises with conservative chiropractic care, a unique and effective approach is created. This approach will increase flexibility and strength in the affected areas leading to faster healing rates and potentially decreasing the chances or future reoccurences.

Research About Chiropractic

Numerous studies performed around the world have shown that chiropractic treatment, including manipulative therapy and spinal adjustments, is both safe and effective. Many other studies have shown that chiropractic care can be a cost-effective remedy that brings about healing in less time than other treatments. The following are excerpts from just a few of these studies:

For Acute Low-Back Problems: "For patients with acute low-back symptoms without radiculopathy, the scientific evidence suggests spinal manipulation is effective in reducing pain and perhaps speeding recovery within the first month of symptoms." - Clinical Practice Guidelines, AHCPR (1994)

For Long-Term Low-Back Problems: "There is strong evidence that manipulation is more effective than a placebo treatment for chronic low-back pain or than usual care by the general practitioner, bed rest, analgesics and massage." - Spine, Van Tulder and Bouter et al. (1997)

"...improvement in all patients at three years was about 29% more in those treated by chiropractors than in those treated by the hospitals. The beneficial effect of chiropractic on pain was particularly clear." - British Medical Journal, Meade et al. (1995)

"Manipulative therapy and physiotherapy are better than general practitioner and placebo treatment. Furthermore, manipulative therapy is slightly better than physiotherapy after 12 months." - British Medical Journal, Koes et al. (1992)

For Pain:"...patients suffering from back and/or neck complaints experience chiropractic care as an effective means of resolving or ameliorating pain and functional impairments, thus reinforcing previous results showing the benefits of chiropractic treatment for back and neck pain." - Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Verhoef et al. (1997)

"...for the management of low-back pain, chiropractic care is the most effective treatment, and it should be fully integrated into the government's health care system." - The Manga Report (1993)

For Headaches:"Cervical spine manipulation was associated with significant improvement in headache outcomes in trials involving patients with neck pain and/or neck dysfunction and headache." - Duke Evidence Report, McCrory, Penzlen, Hasselblad, Gray (2001)

"The results of this study show that spinal manipulative therapy is an effective treatment for tension headaches... Four weeks after cessation of treatment...the patients who received spinal manipulative therapy experienced a sustained therapeutic benefit in all major outcomes in contrast to the patients that received amitriptyline therapy, who reverted to baseline values." - Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Boline et al. (1995)